"This Is It" Movie

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Jackson's 'This Is It' Moved Friends To Tears. 25-10-'09

For Kenny Ortega, Travis Payne and Michael Bearden, "It" is a bittersweet feeling.

The three men expected to be spending their time this summer and fall working on Michael Jackson's concert engagement at London's O2 Arena, which was scheduled to begin in July. Instead, they are talking about Jackson's last days and the new movie about that time, "This Is It."

In an interview, they described "This Is It," the movie that they've made from rehearsal and backstage footage of Jackson, shot just before he died June 25. The film, which has been dominating advance ticket sale outlets, opens wide on Wednesday.

The full movie wasn't screened for critics, with only 12 minutes of footage available to the media before the interviews. But as director Ortega describes it, the film tries to blend backstage footage with the performance to give an inside glimpse of those last days at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The scenes show the superstar working on his dance moves, figuring out choreography, practicing on stage and running the show. From the clips, there's no question that Jackson was in charge. His physicality is vibrant: At one point, he dances with a troupe of top-notch hoofers and keeps up with all of them. There's no indication of the infirmities that would ultimately take his life.

All three men -- Payne was the show's choreographer and Bearden its music supervisor -- stressed how they wanted this movie to represent the Jackson they knew.

"It was an honor project," Bearden said.

According to Ortega, the film is for the fans. He said he was inundated with e-mails from fans wanting to know just what Jackson had planned for the concerts he would never give.

Above all, they said they were concerned about Jackson's three children. They said that they wanted to make a film that his kids -- Prince Michael, Paris and "Blanket" -- would be able to see in years to come that would make them proud of their father.

Though the men acknowledged a heavy responsibility, there were light moments during the interviews.

Payne and Bearden both smiled as they talked about working for the King of Pop and how he'd try to tell people what he wanted.

"I know you mean well, but ...," Jackson would say as he corrected colleagues, they recalled.

But all of them talked about he emotional toll that making this film has taken on them.

There were "a lot of tissue moments on this film," Bearden said.

Ortega added that he didn't know whether he could handle the emotional stress involved in making this movie so quickly.

Ultimately, according to Ortega, the movie proved to be cathartic.

"I thought I'd collapse," Ortega said. "I thought I'll never get through it, it's too hard, it's too soon, but in fact it was healing and helpful."

He hopes Jackson's fans will feel the same way.

Source: CNN / Billie Jean

Judith Hill Reveals Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Secrets. 24-10-'09

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' concert film opens worldwide in IMAX and conventional theaters in just five days, and one woman who was there for every moment of the movie is revealing new secrets to our own Kevin Frazier.

Watch the video as singer/musician Judith Hill deconstructs certain moments from the movie and what was happening behind the scenes with Michael.

"All of us were just focused on him, we're just ready because at any time he could cue us to do something that he wants us to do," explains Judith. "Constantly he was creating and constantly he was giving us direction."

As a backup singer on Michael's ill fated This Is It tour, Judith shared the stage with the late King of Pop during his last months alive -- actually living the moments the rest of us can only watch on the big screen. She shares a duet with him in the film.

At his public memorial in Los Angeles, Judith stunned the world with her rendition of "Heal the World," and days later sang on the ET stage. Now, she's written a song about her time with Michael, "I Will Always Be Missing You," available soon on www.JudithHillMusic.com.

'This Is It' opens worldwide in IMAX - with Michael's amazing music pulsing through the powerful 14,000-watt digital surround sound IMAX system -- and conventional theaters Wednesday, October 28.

Source: ET / Billie Jean

La Toya - Mom & I Won't Watch MJ Movie. 24-10-09

Tickets are going fast for the limited engagement of the MJ concert doc "This Is It" -- but there are two people who aren't scrambling to get seats: Michael's own mother and sister.

We got La Toya Jackson outside of Katsuya last night where she told us, "We're not seeing it, my mother, we're not seeing it."

As TMZ previously reported, 60 tickets were offered to the family, but Katherine insists no one ever called her about getting seats. We're also told Michael's three kids really want to see the flick.

No word on why it took so long for the Jackson's to get the tickets, because Sony had been saying for more than a week they had already been delivered.

Source: TMZ / Billie Jean

'This Is It' DVD Not Being Released Until February. 24-10-'09

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” opens worldwide in theaters on October 28th. But according to Roger Friedman, you won’t be seeing in on DVD until February 2010.

That’s because the movie studios have a deal with DVD companies. There has to be a 90-day window after the movie has played in theaters before it’s available in stores.

“This Is It” is set to play for two weeks, from October 28th through November 13th. Sony won’t admit it, but if it does well, the documentary could get a one or two week extension in theaters.

Either way, count 90 days from the end of its theater run before you can buy it as a DVD. That means no Michael Jackson Christmas. The earliest it would turn up is February 13, 2010.

That nugget of info should create even more demand for tickets to the theater run. Even this reporter assumed “This Is It” would be the stocking stuffer of all time. But sources inside say no, and that’s it. Fans will have to rely on the collector’s item soundtrack CD featuring the songs from the movie in their original recorded versions.

Source: MJFC / Showbiz411.com / Billie Jean

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Sweepstakes. 23-10-'09

Movietickets.com and Fandango are both currently holding promotional sweepstakes in conjunction with the upcoming release of Michael Jackson's 'This Is It.' Those fans who purchase tickets for the movie on either site for October 31, 2009 will be entered into a raffle drawing for the official 'This Is It' prize package.

The package includes Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Poster, soundtrack, t-shirt and ticket from the 'This Is It' concert tour.

For more details about the Movietickets.com promotion click Here.

For more details about the Fandango promotion click Here.

Source: MJFC / michaeljackson.com / Billie Jean

The 'This Is It' Fan Mosaic Is Now Online. 23-10-'09

A few weeks back on Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' movie website, fans were given the opportunity to submit their personal photos to be added to the official 'This Is It' Fan Mosaic.

Earlier today at thisisit-fans.com the final Mosaic was released. If you submitted your photo, make sure to check it out!

Source: michaeljackson.com / Billie Jean

Behind The Scenes: Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’. 22-10-'09

“This Is It” producer and director Kenny Ortega, along with choreographer Travis Payne, take you behind the scenes as Michael prepared to make his big comeback.

Go to this link to watch the video.

Source: Accesshollywood / Billie Jean

'This Is It' Dancers Call MJ 'The Greatest'. 22-10-'09

On October 27 at 8:30 p.m., just hours before Michael Jackson's "This Is It" opens in theaters, MTV will air a live red-carpet special from the documentary's gala premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. As guests arrive and stop to chat about the impact of MJ on their own lives, we'll also be bringing you exclusive interviews with the director, choreographer, musicians and dancers who were rehearsing with Jackson during his final days.

"As a dancer, Michael is one of the most amazing improvisational artists I've ever seen in my life," said Misha Hamilton, a backup dancer for MJ's planned London comeback concerts. "He has his vocabulary of movement, but it seems like he's never done the same exact set of things twice."

That sentiment was backed up by Devin Jamieson, a self-described farm boy from Saskatchewan who was selected to be a backup dancer and who counts himself lucky to have seen an inside look at Jackson's meticulous commitment to putting on a stage show like no other. "We got to see the greatest," he explained. "And not only did we get to see him perform, but we got to see the building blocks, we got to see the process behind it and his work ethic. Being led by MJ was so solidifying, to know that you're going to be a part of the best thing the world has ever seen."

As huge a star as Jackson was, however, the performers were struck by his humble nature. "He didn't make a big entourage entrance," Jamieson said. "He wasn't the big superstar that entered the room and was demanding attention or anything."

The dancers are all accomplished artists in their own right, but performing alongside Jackson and taking in his knowledge of techniques like popping, locking and boogaloo changed their conception of what was possible on stage. "Dancing with Michael Jackson, I learned dancing over again," said Dutch-born Timor Steffens. "He is one with the music. If you see him on camera, you think, 'Damn, how does he do that?' If he's next to you performing and you see how he does every move, it's just amazing."

And it was during performances, Hamilton made clear, that Jackson was truly in his element. "You could tell he was just itching to get up and dance," he said of watching MJ during rehearsal downtime. "You could tell he was home [when] he was back on stage."

Don't miss "Michael Jackson's This Is It" Premiere Special, airing on MTV and VH1 on Tuesday, October 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET! "Michael Jackson's This Is It" opens in a limited engagement on October 27 and wide on October 28.

Source: MTV / Billie Jean

Order Your Official 'This Is It' Program. 21-10-'09

Fans can now order Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Movie program online. Bravado has added this item to the Official Michael Jackson 'This Is It' Shop.

Michael Jackson’s 'This is It' Movie Program is a unique fifty page collection of high quality glossy photographs taken during Michael's final rehearsals.

In addition, you can order movie T-Shirts, Posters and the new album. CD's pre-ordered in the Michael Jackson Shop will ship on approximately 23-10-2009.

Order here

Source: michaeljackson.com / Billie Jean

'This Is It' Screened For Liz Taylor - And She Loved It! 19-10-'09

According to Roger Friedman, Michael Jackson’s documentary, “This Is It,” had a special, secret screening the other night at Sony. None other than Elizabeth Taylor got her own private viewing. And the word is, she loved it.

Taylor brought with her several family members. Also in the audience, according to sources, were Michael’s longtime insiders Miko Brando and Evvy Tavasci. Also there was famed international hairdresser Jose Eber. Michael and his kids spent last Easter with the Taylor clan and Eber. That’s who he considered family.

Taylor, who knows from having to go on when you’re sick, apparently told everyone involved that Jackson looked great, and that the film was “brilliant.” She did not express any concern over his appearance during rehearsals. The others in the screening room, an insider relayed to me, “were very pleased.”

“This Is It” is causing quite a rift in the various sections of Jackson’s camp. So far no one from his family has asked for a ticket or shown up to see the film at invitation from Sony. The only member of the family to be at all interested is Joe Jackson, who’s charging $3,000 a ticket on opening night for fans to meet him and see the film.

Liz Taylor’s imprimatur will certainly carry a lot of weight among Jackson’s rabid fans. It will be interesting to see who else Sony allows in before the big opening night in Los Angeles on October 27th.

Source: Showbiz411.com / Billie Jea

Exclusive extended video clip of "Human Nature" and "TWYMF" from This Is It. 17-10-'09

Go to MichaelJackson.com to check out the exclusive extended clip of "Human Nature" and "The Way You Make Me Feel from the This Is It movie.

Fans can now watch an exclusive clip from from Michael Jackson's upcoming release 'This Is It' was posted tonight on his official website. Click here to watch the new video clip, for TWYMF go to this link.

When 'This Is It' opens in theaters October 28, audiences will see an unforgettable version of "Human Nature."

But is a controversy surrounding the film's L.A. premiere? Reportedly, some members of the Jackson family believe they aren't invited to the event.

Sources tell ET that's not true. Michael's mother Katherine Jackson and her family are definitely invited to see this impressive tribute to the late King of Pop.

Source: michaeljackson.com / Billie Jean

Watch 'This Is It' With Joseph Jackson. 17-10-'09

On October 27, 2009 Joseph Jackson is inviting Michael's fans to join him at the Las Vegas Brenden Theatres at the Palms Casino for an exclusive screening of 'This Is It'. In addition to seeing the movie with Mr. Jackson, those in attendance will be treated to 20 minutes of exclusive fan footage before the movie. Visit the Braden Theatres website for more details.

Additionally, Joseph Jackson recently sat down with Jerry Olivarez, Executive Director of Public Relations of Brenden Theatres Corp for a 7 part interview. They discussed everything from growing up in Gary, Indiana to the upcoming release of 'This Is It'.

Source: Showbiz411.com / Brenden Theatres Corp / Billie Jean

Michael Jackson Tour Dates Page Launches. 16-10-'09

A new Official Michael Jackson Tour Dates page has launched. It includes all the dates from his solo tours and the dates that were scheduled for the O2. You can mark off if you attended any tour dates and post your reviews for each individual concert. You can also share if you planned on attending any of the O2 dates.

Click here to learn more.

Source: michaeljackson.com / Billie Jean

Katherine Jackson - This Isn't It. 16-10-'09

Something is going on with the Jackson family .... multiple sources are telling us the family has been invited with open arms to attend the premiere of "This Is It" .... but Katherine Jackson and other family members insist they have been snubbed.

Here's what we know -- 60 tickets for the Michael Jackson movie have been offered to the family, yet Katherine insists no one ever called them about getting seats. Several sources tell us they believe the ticket offer was made to certain members of the family but the offer was never relayed to Katherine.

Fact is ... Katherine doesn't want to see the movie. She tells TMZ as far as she's concerned it's not a real movie because there is no acting -- just rehearsal footage.

But we're also told Jackson's three kids have been telling Katherine they want to see it ... bad.

Joe Jackson insists "This is It" is mostly body doubles and "the media is going to tear this movie apart."

Sources say Sony not only offered the Jackson family seats to the premiere, but also offered a private screening.

Is it possible one of Katherine's sons is hoarding info? Just a theory ...

Source: TMZ / Billie Jean

Inside Michael Jackson's Final Performances. 15-10-'09

Kenny Ortega - the director of both the concert and now the film 'This is It' -- and others close to the King of Pop's concert-series give Entertainment Weekly an inside look into the last days of Michael Jackson.

"Over the last few years, Michael would say, 'Let's find something to do,'" Ortega told EW. "But he turned down a lot. He turned down an invitation to do a Vegas production. He said, 'It has to be important. We can't do something just because we can.' I'd never heard him talk like that before. This time around, he wanted to do it for deeper reasons, more mature reasons."

Randy Phillips, president of the concert promotion firm AEG Live that organized the concerts, said of Jackson's decision to perform again, "After the press conference, I asked him, 'Why now?' He said, 'Because I've spent 12-and-a-half years bringing my kids up, and now they're old enough to appreciate what I do -- and I'm still young enough to do it.' Yes, he had to clean up his finances. But money was not the primary motivating factor."

Phillips revealed that Jackson's creative vision of the London concert series did become costly. "We went and met with Michael, and Kenny said, 'Michael, you've got to stop. We've got an incredible show, we don't need any more vignettes.' Michael said, 'But Kenny, God channels this through me at night. I can't sleep because I'm so super-charged.' Kenny said, 'But Michael, we have to finish. Can't God take a vacation?' Without missing a beat, Michael said, 'You don't understand -- if I'm not there to receive these ideas, God might give them to Prince.'"

Michael Jackson graces the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, on newsstands Friday, October 16. 

Source: ET / Billie Jean

'This is It' Lead Guitarist Talks On MJ. 12-10-'09

Orianthi Panagaris attained global fame as the blonde guitarist in Michael Jackson's final rehearsal before his death and is respected throughout the music world for her prodigious talent.

While recording her first professional solo album, Believe, which will be released on October 27, Orianthi was chosen as lead guitarist on Jackson's comeback tour.
She said the three months spent rehearsing with the megastar were the highlight of her career.

He was wonderful, really sweet and a perfectionist. Obviously he was older but he was keeping up with the 20-year-old dancers."

He'd been told to rest his voice but he couldn't help it and was singing. He was Michael Jackson. He could do whatever he wanted but he had no ego, he had a presence but he had no front and would joke around and have fun."

Despite her involvement with the tour she first learned of his death in the same manner most did - online.

I was following MJ news on Twitter while talking to my parents on Skype and saw it coming up that he had been taken to hospital."

But when the reports said he'd died I thought they'd gone too far, I didn't believe it. It was a really crazy day. We all went to the Staples Centre [for rehearsals] and everything was being pulled down. We walked in and it was like, this is real. Everyone was crying. [The show] was his vision. The stuff that went into it, the props, the outfits - the show would have been phenomenal."

Source: Sunday Mail / Billie Jean

"This Is It" To Screen in China. 07-10-'09

The Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" has snapped up one of the last of China's 20 annual foreign movie import slots, a Sony Pictures executive said Tuesday.

Chinese censors approved the film before the weeklong National Day holiday that started on Oct. 1, clearing it in time for the global release date of Oct. 28, Li Chow, Sony Pictures Releasing International's general manager for China told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Li said Sony Pictures will give the movie as wide a release as possible because of Jackson's big fan base in China, depending on how many prints they can issue before Oct. 28. China had nearly 4,100 screens at the end of 2008.

"We'll do as many prints as possible. It depends on the labs," Li said.

China only allows 20 major foreign films to be released in the country every year on a revenue-sharing basis. But those Hollywood releases are often immensely popular. China's two most recent all-time box office records were both set by American films. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" broke the 11-year-old record set by "Titanic" in July by earning 400 million Chinese yuan ($59 million).

Directed by longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega, "Michael Jackson: This Is It" draws on hundreds of hours of footage as Jackson prepared for a series of London concerts for which he was rehearsing before his death on June 25.

Calls Tuesday to state-run China Film Group, which decides which foreign movies to import, went unanswered.

Source: AP / Billie Jean

This Is It - Official Poster. 03-10-'09

This is the Official MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT Poster, produced by Pyramid International (Maxi Poster: 24 x36 inches).

It's a cool image: Jackson's silhouette, arms thrown outward and upward, with a collage of performance stills scattered around inside the human form. For those who haven't been keeping track, "This Is It" is a documentary featuring the recently departed pop star's final performance footage.

ORDER / BUY ONLINE @ ONE POSTER ($ 6.37).

Source: Pyramid International / Billie Jean

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Updated:  08/24/2010 8:31 AM

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