Jacko DVD Will Miss Christmas

Package includes 10 recordings, audio rights

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson has landed a record deal that would be the envy of most living superstars. The mega-agreement between Sony and the Jackson estate will involve 10 records—containing both unreleased and repackaged songs—over the next 7 years and guarantees the estate close to $250 million, insiders tell the New York Times . More»

Apocalypse flick does $65M as 'Precious' cracks top 5

(NEWSER) - Apocalypse preview 2012 raked in $65 million domestically at the weekend box office, the high end of the prerelease estimate range, en route to a $225 million haul worldwide. The doomsday action flick handily beat A Christmas Carol, which performed strongly in its second weekend in release. A new entry in the top 10 was No. 4 Precious; the indie sensation did $6.1 million and will open in more locations next week, USA Today reports. The top five: More»

'Precious' shatters record for per-location average

(NEWSER) - The stop-motion version of A Christmas Carol topped the weekend box office, opening with a $31 million haul. The figure is a slight disappointment, on the low end of the projected range for the family-friendly flick, reports Variety . The Michael Jackson documentary This is It lost 40% off last week's chart-topping opening, raking in $14 million. Buzz machine Precious opened at just 18 locations and broke the record for per-location average with total ticket sales of $1.8 million. More»

'This Is It' wears crown as 'Paranormal Activity' heads for $100M

(NEWSER) - This Is It lived up to its name at the weekend box office, raking in $21.3 million domestically and $101 million internationally. The Michael Jackson documentary's strong showing prompted distributor Sony to extend its original 2-week run by 3 weeks, through Thanksgiving weekend, reports Variety . The sleeper sensation Paranormal Activity racked up $16.5 million and is headed for a total haul of $100 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter . More»

Michael Jackson was in surprisingly good shape in dazzling footage

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson didn't live long enough to take the final bow he had planned in London, but critics agree This Is It is a fitting swan song, proof that the King of Pop really did have a comeback in him:

• "This Is It is quite extraordinary. If there was any doubt that Michael was in control of the shows or his decisions, those fears are allayed here," writes Roger Friedman for the Hollywood Reporter. "It is truly amazing, considering the last 16 years of total lunacy, to see him so capable."