Music Blogs

Five Things We Know About Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Documentary

Posted Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:35pm PDT by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

In just four months since Michael Jackson passed away, Columbia Pictures has managed to produce a documentary chronicling the King Of Pop's rehearsals for his sold-out "This Is It" tour. The intended 50-date run at London's O2 venue was scheduled to begin July 13, just a few weeks after Michael's untimely June 25 death.

The "This Is It" film hits theatres worldwide today and has already set yet another record for the globally acclaimed performer, thanks to enthusiastic fans who have been aggressively purchasing tickets.

We are anxious to see "This Is It" and have compiled a list of 5 things we know about the movie.

 

1. 'It' Will Feature The Following Songs
Michael Jackson has such a massive catalog of hit records that it would be difficult to slip in too many surprises into the documentary "This Is It." Viewers can expect to see rehearsal footage of Michael performing "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Smooth Criminal," "Human Nature," "Earth Song," "Man In The Mirror," "Heal The World," and what the "This Is It" production notes describe as his biggest hits from the "Thriller" and "Bad" albums. The 1 hour and 57 minute movie will also showcase Michael performing a Jackson 5 medley including songs "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There."

Check out this just-released footage of "Smooth Criminal":

 

2. Michael's Children Want To See 'It'
According to TMZ, Michael's three children, Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II, will see the movie Tuesday evening in a private screening at the Sony lot in Los Angeles. "This Is It" choreographer Travis Payne told Access Hollywood that the children expressed interest in seeing the film last week when they were shown a preview. Access Hollywood added that Michael's brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy are scheduled to attend the premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. But, sister LaToya and mother Katherine Jackson told TV Guide that it is too early for them to watch the movie. "I don't think I can bear to look at it right now," Katherine said. "But eventually in time, I will watch it."

 

Is 'It' The Best Pre-selling Performance Movie?
From the moment tickets went on sale for "This Is It," it was a contender to become the performance movie with the best pre-sale tickets ever. According to Time, more than 1,600 advance sellouts have been reported since the September 27 on-sale date. "This is a movie that's tailor-made for advance ticketing," Paul Dergarabedian, a box-office analyst for Hollywood.com, told Time. "People want to have peace of mind that they will not be turned away."

 

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/hiphopmediatraining__4/hiphopmediatraining-946335413-1253038802.jpg?ymS7W5BDKkGr2tfC'It' Will Be On DVD By 2010
"This Is It" is expected to be released on DVD by January 20, AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips told Examiner.com. Phillips said the rush to prep the DVD is one of the reasons why the movie was given a two week theatrical run, citing a battle between theaters/studios with DVD releases. "We were trying to have the DVD out by Christmas," Phillips said, "but we missed the deadline." Phillips added that the theatre dates could be extended if the movie performs well. The DVD will reportedly contain the entire big screen version, plus interviews and outtakes.

 

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/hiphopmediatraining__4/hiphopmediatraining-687240162-1253038508.jpg?yms2W5BD6n2BrtWT'It' Doesn't Feature Body Doubles
Rumors have circulated that a body double for Michael Jackson was used to fill in some gaps in the movie. The speculated arose after Joe Jackson commented that the media would "tear this movie apart" and claimed that it was "mostly body doubles," TMZ reports. However, a rep from Sony shot down the accounts. "This story is pure garbage and there are no body doubles," the unnamed rep said. "Audiences will begin to see the film [Tuesday] and every time they see the King Of Pop they will know what every frame is unquestionable Michael as he rehearses and prepares for the London concerts that were to have begun this past summer."

Follow Me On Twitter.

Follow Yahoo! Music On Twitter.

114 Comments

1. Danielle -
I think you mean Prince Michael for the boys. Nethertheless, I can not wait to see This is It. Michael looks great, sounds great, and moves great. It is going to be a bitter sweet movie. I am seeing on 10/28/09 at 4:40.

2. Barney H -
I feel there is a body double for Michael. It's the most evident during the promo for the movie where we see a Michael standing at a podium announcing this is going to be the greatest show ever. The person saying this has a much fuller face than Michael, especially around the lower part of the face and jaw. Also the cleft in the chin looks deeper than Michael's.

3. Greg -
What a freak of nature this man was.... See the movie, hell no...

4. rich a -
WHO CARES!!!!

5. Yahoo! Music User -
I can't wait to see! (: It I wanted to get tickets beforehand but was to lazy to.Anyway I might be able to see it, idk I just might get it on DVD to see the special features.If there are any.

R.I.P. MJ

6. MysterRoy -
Do ya thing Mike just like they won't let Elvis go!!! YOU GO BOY! hehe ewwww! HOOOOOOO!!!! .....Sha mone!

7. Yahoo! Music User -
I really wanted to see it.. but I can't.. :'(((( I'm getting the album and the DVD though!
Rest In Perfect Peace Michael Joseph Jackson!

8. jsun -
He was an incredible performer and it will be cool to see him at 50 still able to mesmerize an audience. I hope the film does well as a testement to a true professional on top of his game. RIP

9. Ccmnola -
I think that while this is a huge profit grab, it will be good for the fans.

10. Tabatha -
October 28th my 38th birthday all I asked for was tickets to this is it......Hubs says he couldnt get them I was so sad....all I wanted and I cant get tickets ;-(

11. YANNI B -
I'LL BE THERE!!! MIKE LOOKED GOOD AND SOUNDED VERY GOOD. I HOPE HIS KIDS GET THROUGH IT AND HIS MOM. TO THE IDIOTS THAT FIND IT SO NECESSARY TO COMMENT ON SOMEONE THEY SAY DOESN'T MATTER OR THEY DO NOT LIKE WHY WASTE YOUR STUPID A$$E$ ON SAYING ANYTHING. FIND SOMEONE THAT CAN ACTUALLY DEFEND THEMSELVES. STOP WASTING GOOD SPACE ON THESE BLOGS WITH HOT AIR. GROW UP. MIKE FOR ALL OF OUR REAL FANS, WE LOVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE ALIVE AND WE MISS YOU IN DEATH, BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED WHICH IS ALL IT IS ABOUT ANYWAY. RIP

12. DEO -
me and my wife are big fan's of MJ .. i we can't wait to see it .. we got the tickets the same day they were on sale .. .. and we can't wait

13. Susan C -
Well obviously Daddy G doesn't appreciate art. You are a stupid F. Even though MJ had some issues in his life, he was and always will be the one that made music, and dance videos what it is today. And you might your facts straight that the family even admitted they made the kid lie about the being molested just to get $$$$$ from MJ. Sadly even idiots are able to used the web, especially those that enjoy making pointless assumptions without any kind of hard evidence to back up their claims. Now MJ can rest and be in peace from all the BS.

14. Neacy -
daddyg u r a horrible person that acts like u new mike and his family directly u shouldnt speak ill of the dead u dont know what its like every one wanting a piece of u and trying to get it any way possoble even lying and cheating to get it now with all that pressure he finally couldnt take it anymore surprise he was only human after all i dont believe he was a pedifile i believe he was the victim some decided money was more important than a mans honor and used it to get to mike the worst think is that his good hart and kid like personality made it easy for them to get it and get to him he lost his life long ago but finally broke down in june rip mike king of pop

15. Yahoo! Music User -
Got my tickets and can't wait to see it..I am a Michael fan since he was 5 on the Ed Sullivan show!!!

16. Jack -
YANKEES WORLD SERIES

17. kupocchi -
I'd hate to live in your world Daddy G. So many delusions and so much anger. Seems like you're the one in need of meds.

18. mollie -
The man was the best entertainer ever, plain and simple. As for him being a pedophile, let's think about this logically. He had thousands of kids at his housefor years and only 2 filed charges? Give ,me a break. Pedophiles are repeat offenders. Those people wanted money and that is the bottom line. Michael was ordered by his insurance company to pay up to avoid problems, not knowing what the concequences would be. Concequences, ruined career because of greedy parents, bad press, etc. If you ask me, those people killed him, putting him into such depressino for years, that he became dependent on drugs to dull the pain. I cant wait to see this movie. It wont bring their dad back, but those kids deserve every penny they get from this.

19. Ban -
I LOVE YOU

20. carlos -
yes i bought my pair of mj tickets cant wait till friday
Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 
Leave Your Comment
You must sign in to leave a comment
Select a Blog Posts
And The Winner Is...
by Paul Grein
30
As Heard On...
by Lyndsey Parker
48
Chart Watch
by Paul Grein
150
Framed
by John Kordosh
123
GetBack
by Shawn Amos
346
Hip-Hop Media Training
by Billy Johnson, Jr.
240
List Of The Day
by Rob O'Connor
339
Maximum Performance
by Lyndsey Parker
167
Musictoob
by Justin Mathews
204
New This Week
by Dave DiMartino
126
Reality Rocks
by Lyndsey Parker
613
Rock's Backpages
by Nick Hasted (2003)
200
Stop The Presses!
by Lyndsey Parker
88
That's Really Week
by Lyndsey Parker
130
The Blender Burner
by Blender Magazine
27
The MOJO Blog
by Bill DeMain
92
The NME Blog
by Luke Lewis
50
The Spin Blog
by David Marchese
80
The Y! Music Playlist Blog
by Robert of the Radish
533
Video Ga Ga
by Lyndsey Parker
74
Viva NashVegas
by Wendy Geller
70

Elton John says he's helping Eminem fight drugs

AP
Sat Jan 2, 2010 6:00am PST

AP - Elton John says he has been helping American rapper Eminen fight drug problems for more than a year. John says Eminem is succeeding in his well-publicized battle against substance abuse. John to… More »

More Music News