Oscars for This Is It?

Kenny Ortega says his wish for the film is awards like the Oscars and the Golden Globes. But Steven Gidas, the editor of Variety who describes himself as a critical and skeptical person, believes this isn’t just a wish—and that This Is It has a chance to win.

The film, which was released on Tuesday and Wednesday in cities around the world, has received praise and admiration from critics and fans. Critics say the film defends Michael Jackson’s credibility as a global showman.

The film’s director and Michael’s longtime friend and collaborator, Kenny Ortega, says:

“What we did was to gather all our attention so we could tell the story well and make a film that fans could understand what kind of show Michael had prepared for them.”

He says he hopes more people will see the film because:

“I think this is an incredible story about a remarkable man… awards, Oscars—these are all wishful thoughts.”

Since its release in the last hours of the night in the U.S. and Canada, the film has earned $2.2 million, which makes it the number one film for the weekend in terms of sales. Wednesday’s sales were double Tuesday’s.

The film could be nominated in categories such as Best Music Documentary, Best Directing, and even categories like Sound Recording.

Gidas praises Ortega’s work for putting together the dance and performance scenes of Michael and for making such a film, saying:

“It’s a very powerful, interesting, creative, and well-made film. I think Ortega should win an award. He captivated all these critics—and even me.”

But before being nominated for any award, the film must first make it through a full week of release. If the film’s creators intend to submit it for nominations, they only have until November 6 to complete the submission forms.

Ortega says the Oscar would be an appropriate confirmation for Michael Jackson’s final work:

“He deserves it. People, get to work sooner.”

Source: eMJey / AP