If you aren’t seeing it on the big screen or you just want to own it, you won’t have to wait long.  This Is Is is expected to be released on DVD and Blu-ray during the first part of 2010.  There isn’t a solid release date but they are saying that it will come out in the first quarter.

While there was speculation that the studio was going to rush it so that they could cash in during the holiday 2009 season, it looks like Sony Pictures put being respectful of the memory of the King of Pop ahead of their bottom line.

This Is It raked in$20.1 million in its first day at the worldwide box office.

image: Sony Pictures

Post from: EveryJoe

“This Is It” Coming Soon to DVD and Blu-ray

A movie featuring clips from rehearsals and musical numbers will hit theaters this Friday but you can pick up the This Is It soundtrack today.

The two-disc set contains the original album masters of some of Jackson’s biggest hits including “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Human Nature,” and “Thriller.”

The second disc offers fans a rare listen to the early demo versions of “She’s Out Of My Life,” “Wanna Be Startin’,” “Somethin’,” and “Beat It.”

The This Is It set also includes a 36-page commemorative booklet featuring exclusive photos of Michael from his last rehearsal.  Clearly this is a must-have item for fans!

Here’s the track listing:

Disc One:

1. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”
2. “Jam”
3. “They Don’t Care About Us”
4. “Human Nature”
5. “Smooth Criminal”
6. “The Way You Make Me Feel”
7. “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”
8. “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
9. “Thriller”
10. “Beat It”
11. “Black or White”
12. “Earth Song”
13. “Billie Jean”
14. “Man in the Mirror”
15. “This Is It” (album version)
16. “This Is It” (orchestra version)

Disc two:

1. “She’s Out of My Life” (demo version)
2. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” (demo version)
3. “Beat It” (demo version)
4. “Planet Earth” (poem)

image: Amazon

Post from: EveryJoe

“This is It” Michael Jackson CD

The Jackson family arrived in a procession of 30 Phantom Rolls Royce limousines and, despite being more than an hour late, the famous guests – which included Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin (along with girlfriend, Mila Kunis), Chris Tucker and ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley – in attendance didn’t seem to mind.

The burial is said to have been delayed by the fact that the family couldn’t agree on the pop star’s final resting place.  Some wanted him to be buried on the grounds of his former home, Neverland Ranch, but his mother, Katherine, is said to have fought that since Michael had said that he never wanted to return there since it held so many bad memories from when he was accused of child molestation.  I’m glad they didn’t turn Neverland Ranch into the next Graceland.  It wouldn’t have been fair to the residents of the neighborhood and I think that it just would have been exploitative and cheesy.

Jackson was interred in the Grand Mausoleum alongside other celebrities including Walt Disney.  His June 25, 2009 death was recently ruled a homicide after the autopsy results showed that a lethal combination of prescription medications (including the highly dangerous drug Propofol) were likely to blame.  His personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, could face criminal charges.

images: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson Finally Laid to Rest

While the development is dramatic, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he was murdered intentionally but, rather, means that he died as the result of someone else’s actions.  What is known, however, is that there were lethal amounts of drugs in Jackson’s system, including the highly dangerous anesthetic propofol. 

So here’s what happened.  Michael Jackson apparently had been suffering from insomnia for years which is something I’m sure a lot of us can relate to.  According to an affidavit that was unsealed yesterday, Murray had been treating the singer for the condition for six weeks by giving him 50 milligrams of propofol every night through an IV.  He claims he tried to wean him down to 25 milligrams a night since he worried he was getting addicted and to help the transition along, he added the sedatives lorazepam and midazolam to the mix.

Um?  What the hell?!  Okay, I’ve had lorazepam and I’ve actually also had propofol.  I can’t imagine someone thinking that mixing those two, outside of a hospital setting, would be a good idea.  From what I’ve heard, there wasn’t even any Narcan in the house to counteract the effects if Jackson had a bad reaction!

Anyway, Murray went on to say that his plan was successful and, on the night before he died, Jackson was able to fall asleep without the propofol, using just the two sedatives.  Then, on that fateful morning, at 1:30am, Murray gave Jackson a 10-milligram tab of Valium.  When that didn’t work, he followed the pill with injections including two milligrams of lorazepam around 2 a.m., two milligrams of midazolam around 3 a.m., and repeats of each at 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively.   He claims they didn’t work and I’m seriously wondering what kind of insomnia the King of Pop had because that’s insane.  That’s enough medication to, well, kill someone and this is just crazy to me.  Even the director of the San Diego division of the California Poison Control System said that “No one will treat an insomniac like this.”

At 10:40am, Murray says that Jackson repeatedly demanded to be given his “milk” (which is what he called propofol) so the doctor gave in and administered 25 milligrams of it.  Again, this doesn’t make sense to me.  Not only is it dangerous but was Jackson really trying to continue sleeping at almost 11am?  Sure, it’s possible but it’s also questionable.

At this point, Murray says he excused himself for just two minutes after Jackson had fallen asleep and when he came back, the singer was no longer breathing.

The Jackson family say that they have “full confidence” in the legal process and are looking “forward to the day that justice can be served.”

image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson’s Death Ruled Homicide

image: Zuma Press

NBC is the last network to join in since they “initially planned only a one-hour prime-time special on Tuesday night” but I’m glad they have changed their minds.  I know that some people are growing weary of the Jackson coverage but a lot of fans really want to be a part of the memorial service, even if they can’t be there physically.

If you get all of the channels but would prefer to not be annoyed by the network’s choice for the anchor, here’s a list of who will be covering the event (NBC hasn’t named anyone yet but I’ve got a feeling it will be Matt Lauer):

• Charles Gibson for ABC
• Katie Couric for CBS
• Anderson Cooper, Larry King and Don Lemon for CNN coverage
• Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell for HLN.
• Chris Jansing for MSNBC
• Fox News has not named an anchor
• E! Entertainment will cover the ceremony on its television network and its Web site

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson Tribute to be Televised

If you are choosing to focus on the musical legacy Michael has left behind, you might be interested in picking up some of his albums (if you don’t own them already).

Thriller (1982) was Jackson’s sixth release and became the best-selling album of all time.  Even though the title track never made it to #1 in the States, it’s one of his most recognizable songs (don’t even get me started about the video – everyone learned those dance moves!).

The album celebrated its 25th anniversary recently and even though more than two decades have passed, the songs are still relevant and catchy by today’s standards.  With singles like “Billie Jean,” “P.Y.T” and “Beat It” this is a great album to add to your collection.

From his other albums, some of my favorites include “Ben,” “You Can’t Win” (from The Wiz soundtrack), “Bad,” “Remember the Time” “Black or White” and “Butterflies.”

What are your favorite songs?  Click on any of the images below to learn more or purchase an album (I couldn’t find an image for the album, Forever Michael).

images: Amazon

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson Music in High Demand

The BET Awards are tomorrow night and reports show that many artists including Beyoncé, Wyclef Jean and Ne-Yo are “scrambling” to change their performances in order to pay their respects to Jackson.

A producer for the show said: “To change it up in three days is something that’s not easy but they’re all willing and looking forward to it.  There’s a direct line from Ne-Yo to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Beyoncé to Michael Jackson. There’s a direct line from Jay-Z to Michael Jackson. I think they’ll want to pay tribute in their own way.”

In fact, the entire show will be dedicated to the King of Pop “because of his influence on music and pop culture.”

You can expect some tears and a lot of emotion at tomorrow night’s event.  I know that people will definitely mention him in their acceptance speeches.

image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

BET To Honor Michael Jackson

image: Newscom

Despite all of the controversy in his life, he was probably the biggest international music star in history.  He had the best selling album of all-time (Thriller) and inspired the musical and dancing styles of many of today’s hottest artists.  He was about to embark on a huge tour in London and was in talks to develop a video game.

I will be updating this post when more news becomes available.

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson Has Died

image: Newscom

Okay, before we get too carried away with this, I just want to remind you that this is an unconfirmed rumor.  Now that I’ve said that, I’ve got to ask – would you play a video game starring Michael Jackson?  What could that game even be about?  I guess it could incorporate elements of Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution but, as was the case with the Grey’s Anatomy game, I just don’t see a point.

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Jackson… The Video Game?

Check out RSF’s (the creator of these flashes) other works (with some starring Michael Jackson).

Flashier than YouTube via GameSetWatch

Post from: EveryJoe

Super Mario is actually…Neo