Consider it a music festival weekend here on The Rolling Tape podcast because we’re discussing both real and fake pop stars alike with Michael, Lionsgate’s long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and Mother Mary, A24’s deconstruction of its titular fictional music icon directed by David Lowery.

Michael follows the life of the American singer Michael Jackson, covering his involvement in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the 1980s Bad tour. Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and as a child by Juliano Krue Valdi, both in their film debuts. The supporting cast includes Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo. Mother Mary on the other hand is a psychological fictional drama that follows how long-buried wounds rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm, on the eve of her comeback performance. It stars Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, FKA Twigs, and Kaia Gerber.

After reviewing each, we do a collaborative blind ranking of the best fictional bands and artists in movies. 

To watch this episode on video with our pre-episode exclusive conversation on the following, subscribe on Patreon:

  • Euphoria and Beef on TV
  • Erupcja Q&A
  • Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Resources:
Review of “Mother Mary” by Adam Patla
Review of “Michael” by Joshua Mbonu
Blind Ranking Fictional Bands and Artists Letterboxd List