Michael Jackson is getting a lot of play on all of MTV's channels today, and with good cause. There are plenty of places you can go to check out the original video for "Thriller" as a result, but I feel that it deserves a special mention here on Movies Blog.
Directed by John Landis and featuring makeup/special effects work from creature creator Rick Baker, "Thriller" is nothing less than a full-blown short film set partially to Jackson's catchy song. It even ran alongside a screening of Disney's "Fantasia" after its 1983 MTV premiere in order to qualify for Oscar contention. The magic speaks for itself. "Thriller" continues to be regarded as the best music video of all time, and yet it is so much more than that. Watch and enjoy.
Don't miss "A Celebration Of Michael Jackson On MTV," airing at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
The memorial tweets continued long after I checked the 
It’s the bold news that all of Hollywood is still buzzing about, as well as weighing its implications: 10 movies will be nominated for Best Picture at the next Oscars, double the usual amount. But when I caught up with 
A sad day indeed. 
Today's 
Every video game adaptation that's put on the path to the big screen leaves you hoping that this will be the one to break the crappy gaming movie curse ("The Wizard" notwithstanding). While my hope remains pinned on Mike Newell's upcoming "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," there may also be hope in the form of "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune."
Michael Jackson was a gifted entertainer, and his loss impacts us all. The best response -- indeed the only response -- during this dark moment is to look back and consider what he's left us. It's a legacy that spans multiple mediums and all walks of life. From the millions of faceless record buyers to the high-profile Cult of Celebrity, the outpouring of grief at the loss of such an influential force in entertainment is palpable.
** FOLLOW MTV MOVIES BLOG ON TWITTER! **
Michael Jackson And MTV: A History
Posted 6/26/09 1:15 pm EST by James Montgomery in Commentary
FROM MTV.COM: By a stroke of luck (or, perhaps, fate), MTV was fortunate to launch just before Michael Jackson went supernova.
Back in 1981, he wasn't yet a global brand or a cultural icon — he wasn't even the King of Pop. Rather, he was just ascending to the throne. He'd had some hits (1972's "Ben," the first two cuts — "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" — from 1979's Off the Wall), and he was ready to forever distance himself from his early years with the Jackson 5, but no one knew what to expect from him next.
Needless to say, we were all blown away with that next step. Released in 1983, Thriller was ... well, it was everything: a milestone release, a decade-defining collection of tunes, the biggest-selling album of all time and — most importantly — Michael's coronation. He was officially and forever the King of Pop, a title he held until his death Thursday (June 25) at the age of 50 and one that will probably be his forever.
Continue reading Michael Jackson And MTV: From Epic Videos To Show-Stealing Performances
Don't miss "A Celebration Of Michael Jackson On MTV," airing at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
Tags michael jackson