Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Blockbusters and breakthroughs: this weekend's US movie releases - 'This Is It' selling out

Relax News
Tuesday 27 October 2009 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Already breaking advance ticket sales records, the big thriller this Halloween weekend will be the Michael Jackson documentary, This Is It, releasing worldwide on October 28, and destined to shove horror phenomenon Paranormal Activity off the top of the US box office.

With hundreds of screenings sold out across the US, Japan, the UK, and other countries, more screenings in theaters have been added. Though limited to a two-week run, there is speculation that the release will be extended due to the demand over the last month.

The film chronicles the rehearsals for Jackson's sold-out summer dates for his comeback at London's O2 arena, prior to the performer's death on June 25. It includes the last footage of behind-the-scenes with Jackson, interviews and crew performances, approved by the singer's estate.

It's directed by choreographer Kenny Ortega, who choreographed Dirty Dancing and directed/choreographed the High School Musical movies, who worked with Jackson on his 1992 and '96 world tours.

Based on pre-sales figures, This Is It is expected to be the biggest-ever concert documentary film with opening day screenings sold out in many cities. According to entertainment trade publication Variety, more than $1 million in tickets sold the first day in Japan and in Los Angeles, advance screenings sold out within two hours.

However, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, scheduled for release November 20, may actually beat all records. When the vampire film sequel, starring Robert Pattinson, went on sale in September, dozens of screens sold-out immediately.

If Astro Boy and Amelia with Hilary Swank couldn't touch the appeal of the horror phenomenon of Paranormal Activity, other smaller films releasing this coming weekend, including comedy Gentlemen Broncos with Sam Rockwell and dramedy Turning Green with Timothy Hutton, don't stand a chance against icon Michael Jackson.

http://www.thisisit-movie.com/

RC

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in