`Michael Jackson's This Is It' to open worldwide

**Prince** · 10-27-2009, 07:11 AM

`Michael Jackson's This Is It' to open worldwide

By SANDY COHEN (AP) – 28 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES — When Michael Jackson died in June, he was just days away from launching a 50-show run of comeback concerts in London.

Now, video footage of preparations for those performances have become "Michael Jackson's This Is It," a documentary opening worldwide Tuesday.

The simultaneous showings around the globe will be anchored by a star-studded premiere at the Nokia Theatre, a 7,100-seat concert venue across the street from Staples Center, where many of Jackson's rehearsals — and his high-profile public memorial — were held.

Longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega, who directed and produced "This Is It," is expected to attend, as are members of Jackson's band and the executors of his will. Entertainers including Snoop Dogg, Smokey Robinson and Zac Efron are also on the guest list.

Fans are likely to swarm the area, too: Many waited in line for days to buy tickets for advance screenings of "This Is It" at the new Regal Cinemas on site, which will show the film to sold-out audiences Tuesday on all 14 of its screens.

The film, culled from more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage, shows an enthusiastic King of Pop meticulously crafting his moves and performing some of his most beloved hits. No critics have seen it, but Sony — which paid $60 million for the film rights — showed a 12-minute clip to entertainment journalists last week.

Some of Jackson's family members and friends have seen "This Is It" in its entirety. Elizabeth Taylor, a longtime friend of the pop star, posted her thoughts Monday on Twitter.

"It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen," she wrote on the micro-blogging site. "It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity."

The 77-year-old actress added that she "wept from pure joy at his God-given gift" and urged her fans to see the film "again and again."

"This Is It" opens in theaters Wednesday for a limited run, lending it some of the exclusivity of Jackson's aborted concert stand in London.

"We think the 16 days is right. It's sort of a special event that you want to frame in a special way," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. Sony Corp.'s Columbia Pictures unit paid $60 million for the rights to the film based on the Jackson footage.

Jackson died June 25 at age 50. The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled the death a homicide, caused primarily by the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative. Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has not been charged with a crime but is the focus of the police investigation.

Jackson's 50 comeback concerts at London's O2 arena were to have begun in July.

source

**Prince** · 10-27-2009, 07:11 AM

I have a feeling that this thing is going to break some movie records.

**Perdido** · 10-27-2009, 08:46 AM

I'm pretty sure I won't be seeing it

**Prince** · 10-27-2009, 08:47 AM

I will.

**bio-chem** · 10-27-2009, 08:56 AM

The guy is a hell of an entertainer. He never should have left the stage. Oh well.

**Prince** · 10-27-2009, 09:19 AM

**Perdido** · 10-27-2009, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by bio-chem

The guy is a hell of an entertainer. He never should have left the stage. Oh well.

There's lots of things he should have never done.

**lnvanry** · 10-27-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by rahaas

I'm pretty sure I won't be seeing it

ditto...I might watch it if a friend buys or rents it on DVD though.

**glennmo** · 10-28-2009, 01:12 PM

I do think he was a great performer , but , now it's only about money for the family . It's really been overkill . Remember him , but , move on .Can you see as much coverage if it was even Jesus then what you see with the , MJ overload .

**busyLivin** · 10-28-2009, 02:47 PM

"2 Weeks Only"....My Ass!

**I Are Baboon** · 10-28-2009, 03:20 PM

Meh.

**Prince** · 10-28-2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by glennmo

I do think he was a great performer , but , now it's only about money for the family . It's really been overkill . Remember him , but , move on .Can you see as much coverage if it was even Jesus then what you see with the , MJ overload .

I don't think it's money for the family, its AEG and Sony that want their money, as well as all of MJ's creditors he was in debt to.

**Prince** · 10-28-2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

"2 Weeks Only"....My Ass!

are you saying that you think it will end up being extended?

**Prince** · 10-29-2009, 12:49 PM

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' grosses $7.4 million in U.S. on opening day
by Nicole Sperling

While This Is It’s domestic gross of $7.4 million seems a bit soft for a film with such high expectations, its international opening day number of $12. 7 confirm the King of Pop’s global appeal. The United Kingdom, France, and Japan had the highest-grossing opening days internationally, with each territory hauling over $1 million. Reviews for the Kenny Ortega-directed film have been fairly solid across the board (EW’s Owen Gleiberman gave it a B), and Jackson is sure to win the weekend. But the film has been a bit of a wild card when it comes to its box office predictions. All anyone really has to compare it to is the February 2008 concert film Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which grossed $31 million its opening weekend. Cyrus’ appeal is limited to the U.S., and while the movie was a success earning $65 million domestically, it only grossed $5 million overseas. This Is It’s domestic take should top the $40 million for its first five days. How high it goes depends greatly its need-to-see draw and fans’ ability to get to the theater on a busy Halloween weekend.

No word from Sony Pictures yet on whether they plan to expand the movie’s release beyond its two-week limited engagement.

**busyLivin** · 10-29-2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Prince

are you saying that you think it will end up being extended?

Absolutely. Jackson's death is going to be milked for quite some time.

**AKIRA** · 10-29-2009, 02:35 PM

$7.4 million is very losy for a movie.

**Prince** · 10-29-2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by AKIRA

$7.4 million is very losy for a movie.

that was only in the US and the first shows were around 10pm, also it's not a movie its a documentary, big difference.

**Prince** · 10-29-2009, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

Absolutely. Jackson's death is going to be milked for quite some time.

of course, ultimately MJ will make more dead than Elvis does, and I believe Graceland brings in around $25 million per year.

I think they are banking more on the DVD sales though, you can already pre-order through Amazon.

**Prince** · 10-29-2009, 06:27 PM

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Could Break More Box-Office Records
The film could be on its way to becoming the highest-grossing music-themed documentary of all time.

LOS ANGELES — In life, Michael Jackson set records, sold out shows and entertained millions. Now he may be gone, but judging by the latest numbers from the smash documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It," the iconic entertainer is continuing to astound.

Following on the heels of Tuesday night's $2.2 million haul at a series of midnight showings, "This Is It" took in another $7.4 million in its first full day of release — and another $12.7 million overseas. Overall, it gives the film a worldwide total of $20.1 million — impressive numbers for a midweek release, not to mention a documentary.

According to distributor Sony, Wednesday's total is the best daily gross for a film on a Wednesday in October. Placing nearly $1.5 million ahead of last weekend's box-office champ "Paranormal Activity," the movie about the King of Pop now seems poised to reign supreme at movie theaters nationwide on Halloween weekend. It will also almost definitely Moonwalk past such successful music-themed docs as "Madonna: Truth or Dare" ($15 million) and "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" ($19.2 million), setting its sights on the all-time champ "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert," which tops the list with $65.3 million.

The result of a massive bidding war that ensued in the weeks after Michael Jackson's June 25 death, "This Is It" was culled from more than 100 hours of the pop singer's rehearsal for a sold-out 50-date comeback tour in London. Filmed at the Forum and the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Sony paid $60 million for the rights to the footage, which was then compiled by Jackson collaborator and "High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega.

Featuring such memorable Michael Jackson hits as "Beat It," "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller," the film debuted in 99 countries Wednesday and expands to 10 more on Thursday.

**soxmuscle** · 10-30-2009, 06:59 AM

Have you seen it yet, Prince?

...the way you make me feel... you're really turning me on...

**Prince** · 10-30-2009, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Have you seen it yet, Prince?

...the way you make me feel... you're really turning me on...

not yet, might just spend the $20 on the DVD.
Amazon.com: Michael Jackson: This Is It: Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega: Movies & TV

**Prince** · 11-02-2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

"2 Weeks Only"....My Ass!

you were right:

Sony Pictures — the studio that paid $60 million for the rights to release the film — announced that the planned two-week-only engagement will now be extended through Thanksgiving.

**busyLivin** · 11-02-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Prince

you were right:

Sony Pictures — the studio that paid $60 million for the rights to release the film — announced that the planned two-week-only engagement will now be extended through Thanksgiving.

If it's making money they'd be dumb not to extend it.

**Prince** · 11-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

If it's making money they'd be dumb not to extend it.

it's #1 at the box office.

**Dale Mabry** · 11-02-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Prince

you were right:

Sony Pictures — the studio that paid $60 million for the rights to release the film — announced that the planned two-week-only engagement will now be extended through Thanksgiving.

What they didn't mention was that it will be extended through Thanksgiving 2012.

**AKIRA** · 11-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Prince

it's #1 at the box office.

Damn. Wouldnt had predicted that one.

My co worker was talking about this movie and he didnt understand it. I, for one, dont either. That may be why I didnt see this one coming, so Ill ask.

Is this movie about his concert? Like a behind the scenes look at what couldve been? The concert never happened right? So its a movie about rehearsals?

**Prince** · 11-02-2009, 10:41 AM

it's a documentary, and yes a lot of it is from the rehearsals leading up to the show.

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