If you’re not already familiar, folks, Captain EO was a short film put out from Disney back in the mid-eighties or so during the height of Michael Jackson‘s popularity.  It’ll further surprise you to know that this is actually a Francis Ford Coppola film.  The whole thing is currently available on YouTube, and I’ve got it directly below.

But anyway, this film–regarded as the first ever 4-D film for not only being 3-D, but for incorporating elements like smoke and lasers that occurred INSIDE THE THEATER ITSELF, is getting a bit of the remake treatment.

They’re not making a whole new movie, you understand, but rather showing a newly-discovered 70mm print of the original film at the Anaheim Disney park at the Tomorrowland theater, in place of the Honey I Shrunk the Audience attraction.

So basically, you’re going to get a chance–possibly another chance–to see the first ever 4-D film as it was originally made.

Here’s the really nifty part–Captain EO cost thirty million bucks to make back in the day, and back then, thirty million bucks was heavy tunes, even as far as movie budgets went.  Today, of course, that’s what an indie rom-com will often go for, but for back then, it was a big deal.

So go see it if you get the chance, and failing that, just enjoy the following videos.

Here is the amazing music video from last night’s Olympics opening ceremony.

We Are The World–25 for Haiti

The full-length music video features a galaxy of musical stars singing to help the people of Haiti.

It’s fabulous that This is It took second place at the box office while Disney’s The Christmas Carol took first place because Michael Jackson’s talent rings truth and The Christmas Carol rings the beginning of the holiday season.

Results:

1. Disney’s A Christmas Carol
$31,000,000

2. This Is It
$14,000,000

3. The Men Who Stare at Goats
$13,309,000

4. The Fourth Kind
$12,521,000

5. Paranormal Activity
$8,600,000

6. The Box
$7,855,000

7. Couples Retreat
$6,428,000

8. Law Abiding Citizen
$6,172,000

9. Where the Wild Things Are
$4,225,000

10. Astro Boy
$2,588,000

(Source)

Michael Jackson’s spirit keeps shining at the box office in This Is It while Paranormal Activity takes second place.  The holiday season is approaching and The Christmas Carol opens today.  Let’s hope for a great Christmas with wonderful movies to entertain us.

Results:

1. Michael Jackson’s This Is It
$32,646,810 — $43,855,342

2. Paranormal Activity
$20,589,825 — $88,829,870

3. Law Abiding Citizen
$10,618,948 — $54,700,598

4. Couples Retreat
$8,985,755 — $89,551,510

5. Where The Wild Things Are
$8,324,373 — $65,043,335

6. Saw VI
$6,956,487 — $24,220,442

7. Astro Boy
$4,628,934 — $12,484,701

8. The Stepfather
$4,267,061 — $25,615,070

9. Amelia
$4,233,878 — $9,539,710

10. Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant
$4,132,385 — $11,844,175

(Source)

Michael Jackson’s This is It topped the box office Friday and I am very happy for him. Such a talent is worth seeing.  Paranormal Activity took second while Law Abiding Citizen took third.  Saw VI is nowhere to be seen. On that note, Happy Halloween!

1. This Is It
$ 7.9

2. Paranormal Activity
$ 6.0

3. Law Abiding Citizen
$ 2.42

4. Couples Retreat
$ 2.38

5. Where the Wild Things Are
$ 1.95

There’s absolutely no chance that Michael Jackson‘s final movie This Is It will win an Oscar for Best Documentary.

I’m sorry, but that’s just the case.  It was released too late in the year to be considered–at least this year.  But it’s not too late, however, for it to take other honors.  It could easily take the Academy Award for Best Picture, even if it has some pretty stiff competition in that department.

Most years, Academy Award for Best Picture is seldom a foregone conclusion even at the best of times.  But let’s face it…this is a wholly different animal.  This is a movie about the last concert ever that never actually happened but was in the process of doing so of one of the biggest entertainers of the twentieth century.

That and the Best Picture slate has been recently expanded to TEN competitors rather than five, so there’s some extra room on the field, a slot that This Is It could easily find itself in.

Can This Is It win?  Well, that’s not clear.  Especially since NONE of the slots have been filled yet.  But is there every possibility?  I’d say yes.

Before we begin today’s proceedings, let me preface my remarks by saying that Michael Moore better go get a cheesecake and a bottle of scotch RIGHT NOW because he’s probably about to lose a world record.

The best sales record for a theatrically released documentary ever was Fahrenheit 9/11 by Moore, and it brought in a whomping one hundred and nineteen million dollars.

The final biography about Michael Jackson, This Is It, has already sold out a hundred and sixty showings at the official site.  Online ticket vendor Fandango reports that its available ticket stock of a hundred and ten showings have sold likewise out.

This one releases October 28th, and with all those showtimes sold out, sounds like businesses all around the country better prepare for a massive outbreak of flu, colds, and bad backs, because no one’s gonna show up with that huge wad of tickets outstanding.  In fact, from the look of things, even Saw VI might get a run for its money.  Man, how creepy is that?  The biggest seller of Halloween weekend might be a documentary….

This is it opens October 28, 2009 and runs for two weeks.  We just might see a Michael Jackson we’ve never known. The documentary contains behind-the-scenes footage of his comeback concert tour that never happened due to his ill-fated death.

Yahoo just posted the movie poster for This is It, which says it all. Soon after Michael’s passing we were told that an enormous amount of footage had been filmed of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his comeback tour. 

Sadly those concerts cannot happen now, but director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, II and III) has taken the rehearsal material and edited the work into a theatrical presentation that’ll hit screens near the end of October.

Please note that Screenhead is sponsoring a Michael Jackson DVD giveaway here.  It’s a tribute to Michael Jackson.

(Source)

Arguably one of the world’s most famous  music performers in history, the late Michael Jackson’s story lives on in Devotion: An Unauthorized Tribute to Michael Jackson, coming to DVD Sept. 1, 2009.

On June 25, 2009, the world seemingly stood still as news spread that Michael Jackson – “The King of Pop” and one of the most beloved, successful and iconic performers in history – was dead.

Devotion is a multi-faceted and personal look at Michael’s rise to the top and how he conquered the world, changed music forever, fell from grace and shocked us all with his departure on the eve of history’s biggest come-back tour. Includes interviews with family, friends, fellow celebrities and music industry insiders.  Yet, we mustn’t forget the prescription drugs he took to further his downward spiral.  He leaves a legacy but also a lesson to learn. Stay away from harmful prescription drugs!

Featurettes: “The Memorial”; “Media” – a look at a life-long bombardment of press coverage; “Global Phenomenon” – examining the world-wide sensation; “Charity Work” – explores the star’s philanthropic dedication, supporting 39 charities

Screenhead has 3 copies of Devotion: An Unauthorized Tribute to Michael Jackson for giveaway.  Post your name and Screenhead will pick the winner Tuesday, September 22, 2009.