Jackson's 'This Is It' documentary to be released on DVD on Jan 27

Tuesday 01st December, 04:24 AM JST

TOKYO —

The DVD release date for “This Is It,” a documentary chronicling Michael Jackson’s rehearsals for a planned comeback tour, has already been decided even though the documentary is still raking in millions of dollars at the box office around the world. In Japan, it will be released on Jan 27, 2010.

The tribute to Jackson’s extraordinary life and career features rare behind-the-scenes footage of the King of Pop’s last rehearsals as he prepared for his final concert series.

In Japan，the movie opened in theaters on Oct 28 and played for four weeks, earning more than 4 billion yen at the box office. It is likely to be in the top three best-grossing foreign films in Japan this year. For a documentary, that is unprecedented, say movie industry officials.

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Latest 15 of 29 Total Comments Show All

DickMorris at 01:53 PM JST - 1st December

biglttleman; Yup, the fact that he made a multi million pay off to that kid and that kid described Jackson naked was enough proof for me.

The fact Jackson "came back" and this movie was made shows how low the modern worlds morals have fallen.

My son was banned from seeing thsi fiasco and i wish other parents also held my moral standards.
ForeignKiri at 02:47 PM JST - 1st December

hmmm... I've been reading previous comments but apparently this topic but I did see the documentary and I think its really about reminding people not to follow the worlds moral standards. HE practically sang songs about stuff people still cant handle... racism, segreation, discrimination, the earths condition. I think no matter what the publicity or anything that did or did not happen with him and children has NOTHING to do with this movie. I truly believe he did this to remind people to keep whats important in mind. And thats something that remains to be seen ANYWHERE on this earth. As far as Im concerened he was agreat activist and this movie would inspire others.
sundoor at 02:54 PM JST - 1st December

My 'I don't give a rat's ass' commentary to be released now.
stirfry at 02:55 PM JST - 1st December

This Is It

i sincerely hope so, but unfortunately i think the public milking will go on
DarkKnightNine at 03:10 PM JST - 1st December
perspective -- fair question. And the answer is simply that this movie is a tribute to his genius as a performer, and, if you can't divorce that from his personal failings, then I feel sorry for you and hellhound. (Especially given his own troubled upbringing.) Many geniuses, in many fields , lived troubled lives -- does "A Brilliant Mind" with Russell Crowe ring any bells? You are, in effect, saying that society should stop respecting Michael Jackson's talent simply due to a sensationalist press that strives 24/7 to find dirt on anyone it can. Thanks, but I won't let the Nancy Grace's of the world decide for me who is worth respecting. Are you now tired of Tiger Woods as well?

herefornow, You are obviously a fan of Michael Jackson and entitled to your opinion but so are the other people here. I was also a fan and on the day he died literally had dozens of people rang to ask if I was saddened. Several things crossed my mind:
1. Let him be gone so that he may finally be at peace from this media circus of a life he lived.
2. There was no way the vultures around him weren't going to just let his name rest. They were going to come up with ways to keep cashing in on his fame. "This Is It" was the first of those plans. I knew from the moment they said it would only be in theaters for two weeks and we would never see that footage again, that it was a publicity stunt.
If they were true to his legacy and really wanted to add value to the experience of "This Is It" they would have kept their word and not release this on DVD. I went to watch it just in case, but I knew from being in the media/entertainment biz for almost 30 years that it was never intended to be "It".
noirgaijin at 05:12 PM JST - 1st December

Please stop this celebration of this sordid "person".

Why do people want to see a balding, anorexic druggy trying to recapture his youth?

Kind of like Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Hank Williams Jr...
combinibento at 06:57 PM JST - 1st December

Yup, the fact that he made a multi million pay off to that kid and that kid described Jackson naked was enough proof for me.

But the fact that he was acquitted is meaningless? If you look at a civil settlement as an admission of guilt, surely your judgment of "proof" is skewered.
DickMorris at 07:27 PM JST - 1st December

combinibento; I have followed this sordid affair since the first allegations were made.

The massive payment was made to make the kid stay silent. Therewas eveidence of abuse by Jackson. This movie sickens me. Will his victims see any finacial reward from this torrid movie?
Mark_McCracken at 07:32 PM JST - 1st December

I got dragged to this film by a girl.

Me too. (It was her birthday.) But it really wasn't too bad. Better than most of the movies these days, though that's not saying much. The behind the scenes perspective was kind of interesting, though you can get that on MTV. Music sounded pretty good. Singing was hit and miss, depending on if Micheal wanted to save his voice or not. But I definitely won't be buying the DVD, (even if it were to be bundled with a new Noriko Sakai release).
Sarge at 09:21 PM JST - 1st December

"I got dragged to this film by a girl. It was rubbish"

But I bet your girl loved it!

"This is It"

"I sincerely hope so"

Har!
DarkKnightNine at 04:09 PM JST - 2nd December
Saw the movie and took two things from it:
1. First: Some of his songs were brilliant reminders of what we as the human race need to work on, songs like "Man In The Mirror", "Black Or White", "What About Us" etc... and then there were songs whose lyrics were absolutely ridiculous like "Billie Jean", "Smooth Criminal". Michael Jackson was a perfectionist to be sure but a musical genius? I think that's pushing it.
2. Secondly: He may have exploited and brought popping and moonwalking to mainstream audiences, but he was no dancer. A dancer feels the music and moves appropriately. Michael J has one series of movements that he repeats over & over & over & over & over again (regardless of the mood or the tempo of the song) to the point where it gets nauseating. Uptempo song = popping and moonwalking; Ballad = popping and moonwalking with some spinning, pointing and crotch grabs sprinkled in here and there. Not to mention his age was showing, so all of the above mentioned dance moves were hideously performed. At this point, I feel I should mention that his backdancers were absolutely awesome!!! Which made MJ's shortcomings all the more obvious.
As an ex-professional dancer/choreographer and now director, I must say that this film DID NOT showcase Michael Jackson as a musical genius or dance master! It should be looked at as more of a goodbye to one of the world's biggest pop icons. A tribute to his legendary career. No other entertainer in our lifetime may ever reach his iconic status and for that he must be remembered.
biglittleman at 04:38 PM JST - 2nd December

@DArkKnightNine,

As an ex-professional dancer/choreographer and now director,

That right there says it all!

From my personal experience as an ex-
DarkKnightNine at 04:52 PM JST - 2nd December

@biglittleman

That right there says it all! From my personal experience as an ex-

It's obvious you're a person who likes to try and criticize or attack people personally. I'm an ex-dancer because I chose to move up the ladder. Did you not see the director title in the sentence? It's like saying Directors like Travis Payne (who happens to be my cousin and who choreographed "This Is It") or Fatima or Jamie King or Wade Robson or Brian Friedman or Tone & Rich can no longer dance. I direct multimillion dollar stage productions for a living in Japan and I'm still considered one the best dance instructors. Wonder what or how much you know about dance.

My advice to you: If you don't know what you're trying about, silence is sometimes the best option.

Moderator: Readers, please keep the discussion civil.
bushlover at 06:19 AM JST - 3rd December

A year from now this'll be in the $2.00 bin. But in Japan I don't expect it to be in the ¥100 bin for a few years. He'll be sold as the next great halloween character every year outselling dracula costumes. Now that'll scare the little boys.
biglittleman at 11:14 AM JST - 3rd December

@DarkKnightNine

Why don't we put up your star power name and find out how good of a dancer you really are?

The fact of the matter is for someone to say a person is not good dancer and when they are famous for it is a little strange. Especially when it is done by someone who is not as famous for the same area of expertise.

By the way working in Japan doesn't necessary mean you are a success. There are quite of few success stories in Japan who careers wouldn't carry much weight in their home country.

Yes, silence is the best option sometimes.