RSS
Home
Oscar goes to...Michael Jackson's 'This Is It'?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
Anyone who's seen the concert film/documentary chronicling the rehearsals for Michael Jackson's London This Is It concerts can attest to its merits. It's a joyous spotlight on one of the greatest entertainers of all time who, contrary to many fears and tabloid reports, is in top form and pique performance mode. It's a crowd pleasing, get up out of your seat and dance, rousing film that reignites audience excitement about Jackson's music. And now, according to reports at award gossip site The Envelope, could it also be an Oscar winner?
The film was released too late to be considered in the Best Documentary category (even the late King of Pop can't get the Academy to bend the eligibility rules), but according to an Oscar voter who attended a special screening for Academy members, the film should easily end up on the list of Best Picture nominees. Here is the report straight from the Academy voter:
"Just attended Sunday afternoon screening of 'This Is It' at AMPAS in Goldwyn Theater before a capacity audience (1,000 seats) to experience the most enthusiastic response I've every witnessed in 40 years of academy screenings. Similar to but better than the reaction given to 'Chicago' a few years ago Audience broke into applause at least 10 times. They were 'mesmerized' and gave film an enormous reception as credits rolled. The editing is brilliant. I predict it will be the first doc to ever make the best picture nomination list, especially now that there are 10 best pic noms. I also consider the work 'a gift to the world.' "
As for me, I think the member was high on the rush and joy of Jackson when he wrote this report. It is truly rare for a documentary to make onto the Best Picture shortlist, so This Is It would certainly have an uphill battle against it. Its best Oscar shots are probably in editing, sound, and directing. Kenny Ortega deserves credit not only for directing a rivetingly entertaining film based on scraps of rehearsal footage, but also for staging what one can only imagine would have been a live show for the ages. Can he make it in? I think it's more likely than the film getting recognized. But Oscar or not, this concert film proves one thing: there are few things greater than Michael Jackson performing. And we certainly don't need any award to affirm that.
More coverage on Michael Jackson
http://www.examiner.com/
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Sony Pictures
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
