This shouldn’t be a shock that Michael Jackson’s This Is It has rocked the box office since its release on Wednesday.  The film brought in over 23 million over the weekend, hitting number one at the box office.  It’s the second best performing concert film opening weekend, next to the Hannah Montana concert. In addition, This Is It is the fourth highest-grossing Halloween debut recorded.

Now, after only a little over five days the movie has made over 106 million worldwide, which is more than the complete total for the Hannah Montana concert.

The concert has been filled with rave reviews and reports across the web are fans are extremely happy.  Furthermore, there is some buzz that the flick might receive some Oscar nominations, especially under best documentary.

If you haven’t seen This Is It, get your ticket now. You only have a little over a week to see it.  The movie is open for two weeks… unless they decide the demand is so high!

Summary

Review: There is no doubt that Michael Jackson is a genius, but some have doubted if he is human or at least treated him like he wasn’t.  Michael Jackson’s This Is It flawlessly highlights his talents, but it also humanizes him in a way that the public has never seen. He was humble, kind, intelligent and had a sense of humor. Unfortunately, Jackson was so crucified by the media that he probably didn’t feel comfortable showing this candid side. Thankfully, fans, lovers of music, lovers of dance and those who appreciate humanity, have this documentary.  The tag line for the doc is “Like you’ve never seen him before.” In most cases that would be media hype, but in this case, it’s the absolute truth.

At this point, we all give any Michael Jackson project the side-eye, wondering if another person is trying to capitalize off the King of Pop’s name. However, in this case, not enough praise can be given to the creators of This Is It, especially the director and MJ’s choreographer, Kenny Ortega. This Is It clearly comes from a pure place and honors Jackson’s legacy like no other project since his death.

This Is It includes most of Jackson’s hit songs like “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “I’ll Be There” and  “Beat It.” The viewer gets an intimate look at Jackson’s rehearsal style, his quest for perfection and gifted attention to microscopic detail.  Jackson operated from feeling and passion, at one point, when he is standing in one space after a musical number he says, “We’re sizzling,” to the crew that waits for him to move. Or, while arranging the music, he walks the musical director through the tempo and explains, “You gotta let it simmer” versus jumping right in to the beat.  It’s truly fascinating to watch and makes you want to study so you can somehow factor these skills into your own life.  It would be similar to viewing footage of Beethoven composing a musical number or Picasso painting a portrait. This glimpse into MJ’s genius is awe-inspiring.

With all the rumors, there were some doubts if Michael could still perform and sing like his fans would expect. This Is It clearly shows Michael still had it.  The dancing was incredible with his movements like water.  Personally, I was amazed at MJ’s vocals.  At 50 years old his voice was in stellar shape. To hear him hit those nearly 30-year-old notes (no key change!) in “Human Nature,” do improvisations on “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” or doing vocal warm-ups was riveting.

Most importantly, in Michael Jackson’s This Is It, you don’t see death, just life.  There is no sadness or tears; you walk out with a smile on your face, feeling loved and more human. Forget the controversies, scandals and drama. This Is It is truly who Michael Jackson was — his music. It’s a film that you don’t want to end.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It opens toay and is only in theaters for two weeks.

Fandango said the concert movie was its new top-seller, ousting The Twilight Saga: New Moon. MovieTickets.com said it had already recorded more than 550 sellouts. And to put a global point on it, Sony Pictures bragged about big business from Britain to Japan.

This Is It opens Oct. 28, if you don’t count sneaks on Oct. 27. Sony says the movie, culled from rehearsals for the late Jackson’s not-to-be London shows, will play only two weeks.

This is no shocker and the early footage we have seen of the concerts looks like he was more than prepared for the tour.  In addition, it’s an excellent way to honor his musical legacy.

Will you be buying tickets for the documentary?

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“He was very excited about making movies and wanted his hands on everything, from working on screenplays to producing, to writing the music,” said B-movie producer, writer and director Bryan Michael Stoller of Jackson, who starred in the 1978 pic “The Wiz.” “However, he never showed any interest in acting,”

Three months before his death, Stoller says Jackson committed to co-directing and financing a movie — a poignant drama about foster children — and planned to get started as soon as he completed his London concerts.

It’s a small indie project that might not have exactly been getting a big studio rollout or a prime spot at Sundance. But like other posthumous revelations, the news sheds light on the wide-ranging, if often quirky, excursions the singer made when he wasn’t cultivating his career as a pop star.

Check out the clip below with Michael Jackson talking to the author of the book who experienced extreme child abuse.

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The opening bid for the performance footage started at $50 million, and Sony is said to be ponying up close to $60 million for the 80 hours filmed.

Fox, Universal, Paramount and Relativity were also interested in putting in bids.

Sony made more sense, however, considering Sony Music Entertainment owns music publishing rights to Jackson’s songs.

Terms of the deal are still being worked out, but the Jackson family estate is expected to collect 90% of what’s left after AEG recoups its production costs for the tour.

Halloween is right on time to celebrate Thriller, which is always a staple on the radio during that day.  However, as of now Sony has not commented on the deal.

Would you go see the footage of MJ “This Is It” tour in theaters?

Michael did one movie in his over 40-year career in the entertainment industry. In 1978, he starred in The Wiz, along with Diana Ross, as the Scarecrow. While the film failed at the box office, Michael’s performance was praised and his duet with Miss Ross, “Ease On Down the Road,” hit #41 on the Billboard Hot 100. One can only imagine the doors of Hollywood were open to MJ. He was supposed to play in a remake of Peter Pan, which never happened. Despite some small movie cameos — the King of Pop didn’t want to become the King of Hollywood, which he probably could’ve done if he wanted to.

Nonetheless, Mike did work with the Hollywood A-list in his videos that were like mini-movies. Martin Scorsese directed “Bad,” John Landis was on “Thriller” and “Black or White,” and Spike Lee directed “They Don’t Care About Us.”

Check out the clip of Michael in The Wiz.

Michael Jackson in THE WIZ – Watch more Funny Videos

Young Michael Jackson: Tristan Wilds
Tristan has made a name for himself in movies like The Secret Life of Bees and his role on 90210. Wilds could capture the essence of an ethnic Michael on the rise, battling insecurities and achieving incredible success.

Older Michael Jackson: Evan RossWho else? Ross can act and he has personal experience with the King of Pop. Plus, there is an uncanny resemblance to Michael post the Bad era. Fans could trust Ross to not sensationalize Michael’s memory, but still be authentic.

Lisa Marie Presley: Megan Fox

The current Hollywood “it” girl, Fox has the look and sass to play the rock ‘n roll princess, Lisa Marie Presley. Presley was Jackson’s ex-wife and often talked about how she wanted to save Michael.

Janet Jackson: Zoe Saldana
Saldana is an excellent actress; give her a script and she can make it work. I’d love to see her as another iconic figure, Janet Jackson, who has made a name for herself outside of her brother’s name.  She has the look, sex appeal and compassion to play the youngest Jackson.

La Toya Jackson: Mariah Carey
Carey has proven herself as a good actress with the upcoming Precious and she is even doing drag in her new video. I could easily see Carey as the controversial La Toya, who always wanted to be a star but fell short of the glory.

Katherine Jackson: Oprah Winfrey

You might’ve forgot this but Oprah is an Oscar nominee and she can act. If you don’t believe me add The Color Purple or Women of Brewster Place to your Nextflix ASAP. Winfrey could wrap herself in the compassion that makes up Mother Jackson — although the Grand O would have to tone down that slave accent. You know she loves to do that in all her films!

Jermaine Jackson: Jamie Foxx
Jamie would need to be in this movie in some capacity and I see him as Jermaine, who has always stepped up in controversy. He has been the family spokesman in the hardest times and has battled the media when they have torn his family to pieces.

Joe Jackson: Ving Rhames
Like many people, Michael had a complex relationship with his father. The King of Pop revealed there was child abuse, but he would later resolve his relationship with his father and often talked about how much he loved him.  Rhames would give a respectable performance as Joe Jackson.

Debbie Rowe: Rosie O’Donnell
Michael’s baby mama should be played by none other than Rosie O’Donnell.  Slap a wig on Ro and you got Debbie Rowe!

Who would you like to see in a movie about Michael Jackson?