Michael Jackson's This Is It Has $101 Million Reasons to Live On

Michael Jackson,This Is It Sony Pictures

This Is It? Hardly. 

Sony announced today that the Michael Jackson concert movie, originally billed as a two-week-only event, will stay in theaters through Thanksgiving weekend.

The non-surprise move comes after This Is It led the box office competition with an estimated $21.3 million Friday-Sunday, and upped its five-day worldwide haul to $101 million.

Even in success, though, the film didn't thoroughly dominate Miley Cyrus. Much less Paranormal Activity

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Why Is That Michael Jackson Movie Out for Only Two Weeks?

Michael Jackson, This Is It poster Sony Pictures
More from Ask the Answer Bitch

Is Michael Jackson's This Is It only in theaters for two weeks to get fans into a frenzy or to have the DVD out on time for the holiday season?
—James L., via Facebook

You mean you didn't dissolve into a worshipful faint as soon as you typed the words "This Is It" into Facebook? Bad consumer! Bad! Get frenzying forthwith before the Jackson family finds you unworthy.

Despite the high quality of the documentary—I understand it is quite good—yes, there is an element of manipulation at work here, in the two-week-only release schedule.

Have you been made a victim? Decide for yourself...

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Thriller Makers, So Many Others Still Gunning for Jackson Money

Michael Jackson, Thriller Music Video

Michael Jackson's This Is It wasn't the only big hit for M.J.'s estate this week.

John Landis, who directed the King of Pop's Thriller video, producer George Folsey Jr. and a production company filed claims against the estate Thursday seeking more than $2.4 million in profits related to the 1982 production.

Landis first sued Jackson in January, shortly after the singer sold the Broadway rights to Thriller, for about $1 million he said he was owed for his work on the '80s-era game-changer, which put M.J. on the map as a pioneer in video production.

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Did Michael Jackson's This Is It Hit…or Miss?

Michael Jackson,This Is It Sony Pictures

No, Michael Jackson wasn't Batman or Miley Cyrus. But more important, he wasn't the Jonas Brothers.

Jackson's This Is It scored a $7.4 million opening day, Sony Pictures estimated today.

Among concert films, the take puts This Is It right behind the eye-popping opening day of Cyrus' Best of Both Worlds show and safely ahead of the Jonas' expectations-game loser, The 3D Concert Experience

Comparisons between the three movies are far from perfect, not the least of which is because neither the Cyrus or Jonas Brothers film starred the world's biggest pop star in his final farewell.  

So, given those high standards, how did This Is It measure up?

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Jon Gosselin Apologizes for "Outrageous Behavior," Seeks Counseling

Jon Gosselin INFphoto.com

Well, well, well. Looks like you can teach old, press-hungry, reality-has-been, selfunaware, partner-hopping dogs new tricks.

Or at least teach them to hire a better spin doctor.

In an exclusive statement to E! News, Jon Gosselin has apologized for, well, everything he's put the media-watching public through over the past few months. And that includes new promises to Kate Gosselin and their plus 8.

His epiphany came after bogus reports surfaced yesterday linking him to a reality project with the other Octomom.

"I am troubled to learn that the media has accepted as true the scurrilous rumor that I would appear in a reality television program with Nadya Suleman. This is utterly false. I do however accept that some of my previous actions have in some way lent credence to such outrageous stories."

He continues: "I am well aware that my behavior over the past few months has not always reflected my personal and religious values.

"I further accept that I have allowed myself to become somewhat severed from my own moral anchor and be carried away by the challenges of fame. It is for this reason that I have endeavored of late to reconnect with my deeper, more spiritual, more altruistic self with regular study sessions and counseling."

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This Is Not It: Stars Trying to Be Michael Jackson

Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus Jason Kempin/Getty Images; Ray Garbo / WENN.com

What's with all the Michael Jackson imitators, people?

We don't mean those smooth criminals posing for pictures out in front of Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Those guys have made a commitment. A wrong-headed one, perhaps, but still. It's what they do.

From the looks of things, however, Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus started feeling a little too inspired by This Is It's release this week and began copping some Michael magic—along with their crotches.

What do you think: Sham or Shamone?

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Get more Michael Jackson sparkly gloved love in our This Is It premiere gallery!

Stars Tweet Out, Fans Shell Out for This Is It

Michael Jackson,This Is It Sony Pictures

UPDATE: This Is It earned an estimated $2.2 million from last night's North American screenings. Sony calls the results "unprecedented" for a Tuesday in October, and early estimates for Wednesday and Thursday are looking equally as jaw-dropping.

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She may be 77 years old, but Elizabeth Taylor is nothing if not a trendsetter.

Michael Jackson's close friend was the first to twitter her review of the star's final performance, This Is It, in 19 rounds of 140 characters or less, but, after last night's premiere, she certainly wasn't the last.

And she wasn't the only idol loving the film, either.

"I'm sitting in the Nokia Theater in awe of the This Is It movie!," wrote Paula Abdul. "So many emotions are coming up for me I can't believe He's Gone BRILLIANT."

"Mj movie is powerful," Ryan Seacrest said. "The singing..the dancing!! He was a perfectionist…and very funny."

Dancing With the Stars hottie Julianne Hough felt the message as well.

"MJ movie was amazing so inspiring and motivating!!! Let's make this world a better place," she encouraged.

Like Liz, one viewer thought the film was ripe for awards, while several Glee-ful stars gave their takes…

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Fashion Police: Chris Brown Still Trying to Be Michael Jackson

Chris Brown Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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Chris Brown had his first comeback show last night at a Power 105.1 concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Required note: his first since assaulting Rihanna.)

To kick off his Fan Appreciation Tour, the R&B singer decided to dress up like his idol, Michael Jackson. Or maybe it's more like Chris dressing up as Kanye dressing up as M.J. Either way, it's perfect timing since he couldn't make it to a This Is It premiere, and we know how much C. Brown loves M.J. covers.

But you know, sometimes we just get so worked up, we lose perspective. Compared to what happened later in the show—ripping off his shirt and humping the stage—maybe we should just let him carry on with his cheap impression of Michael.

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Are any other famous people faring better with our Fashion Police? Find out here.

Review: Michael Jackson's This Is It a Fitting Goodbye (Bonus: It's Also a Great Movie)

Michael Jackson,This Is It Sony Pictures

Review in a Hurry: The legions of fans who have bought their tickets to experience Michael Jackson's last performance need only know that thankfully, This Is It is just that.

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Michael Jackson Possibly the Only One Not at This Is It Premiere

Will Smith Kevin Winter/Getty Images

It seemed everyone in Hollywood wanted to see what This Is It was all about.

Going on speculation and a glowing review from Elizabeth Taylor, a heaping spoonful of A-listers and others packed Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre for the premiere of the Michael Jackson concert film, comprising footage shot in the weeks leading up to his death as he prepared for a 50-date farewell-concert blowout.

"I'm sitting in the nokia theater in awe of the 'this is it' movie!" twittered Paula Abdul, just one of the stars who walked the red carpet before showtime. "So many emotions are coming up For me I can't believe He's Gone BRILLIANT."

Jackson's brothers were the blood-relative VIPs in a crowd that also included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, David Cook, Paris Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nigel Lythgoe and Berry Gordy Jr.

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Michael Jackson's Smooth Skin Didn't Come Cheap

Michael Jackson, Dr. Arnold Klein Pool Photographer/Getty Images, Sgranitz/Getty Images

Yikes! Michael Jackson's body may have had no trouble groovin' to the beat during his final months, but it's a wonder he could move his face.

The King of Pop's longtime dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein has filed a claim against Jackson's estate for more than $48,500 in unpaid bills for various treatments performed between March and June of this year, the last four (including a Restylane injection) coming just three days before Jackson's death.

We're talking hundreds of items, most of them common artificial age-correctors, according to the invoices included with the creditor's claim filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

From Botox under the eyes to fine line injections to Latanoprost (used to treat glaucoma or high pressure in the eye), Klein was injecting Jackson for between $40 and $600 a pop.

The claim comes not long after a judge gave Jackson estate administrators John Branca and John McClain the authority to deal more directly with creditors and others looking to make financial deals with the estate.

And in case you were wondering if some of these charges seemed excessive, Klein's legal camp assures that the bills were for "valid medical treatment," including one unscheduled meeting when Klein had to rent a helicopter to get to Jackson's place on demand and ultimately lost money on the transaction.

"If anything, these charges demonstrate Dr. Klein's dedication to his patients," the lawyers wrote.

A portion of the money he receives, the statement continued, will be donated to a charity that provides aid for inner-city children with HIV/AIDS.

Klein's Beverly Hills office has been searched a couple of times by authorities who are looking for more information about Jackson's medical history leading up to his death on June 25.

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See the King of Pop get older but his face stay the same age in our Michael Jackson: A Life gallery.

Elizabeth Taylor Twitters This Is It Review

Elizabeth Taylor, Twitter Twitter

It's hard to Twitter a full movie review 140 characters at a time. Once you get up to maybe the ninth or 10th tweet, you might think "Hmmm. I should probably just regular blog." But Elizabeth Taylor decided to stick it out, and after 19 Twitter updates we knew exactly how she felt about Michael Jackson's This Is It, which premieres tonight.

Considering she was M.J.'s close friend, she's probably a little biased, yet she managed to cover everything about the movie, from Kenny Ortega's directing to its awards season potential—just like a real movie reviewer.

Now, let’s get to her review. It is one of the first out so it's kind of a big deal... 

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