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Michael B. Jordan Reacts In Shock As Zimmerman Verdict Makes His Movie The Year’s Most Meaningful

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Already considered one of 2013’s best, the film from director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan has now become the most timely and vital as well.

Via: The Weinstein Company

On Friday night, Fruitvale Station, a movie about the 2009 shooting death of Oscar Grant, debuted in theaters. Grant was shot and killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer while face-first on the ground; he was unarmed at the time, and his death — caught on grainy cellphone video — sparked riots.

Fruitvale Station was written and directed by Ryan Coogler, a 27-year-old African-American filmmaker from Oakland, Calif.; he and Grant shared birth years and hometowns. In the film, Michael B. Jordan plays Grant in the last day of his life, going through errands and an array of personal triumphs and turmoil, the sort of day that seems particularly meaningful only when it turns out to be someone's last. Octavia Spencer plays his mother. The movie has earned rave reviews and swept the Audience and Grand Jury awards at Sundance earlier this year.

The film was also released on the same weekend that George Zimmerman was acquitted of a murder and manslaughter charge over the death Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American teen who was unarmed when Zimmerman shot and killed him. The parallels between the two cases are obvious, and in an interview with BuzzFeed about his movie earlier this week, Coogler said that these instances — and the public perception that helps create them — were a big reason why he made his film.

"I hope that people who never knew anything about Oscar, or don't know people like Oscar, or don't come in contact with young male African Americans on a personal basis [see it]," Coogler said.

"So often, those are the people that are making the policies that affect those people, those are the people that are given a badge and gun and told to protect those people," he continued. "So often those are the people that are called to juries, people whose their only contact with [African Americans] is through the media, going to see a movie. So I hope people see this film and spend time with this guy and realize they're just like us."

Coogler, beyond a shared heritage, had an even more personal connection to that case.

"I'm from the Bay, same proximity to the guy who got killed. I've been in similar circumstances, friends who look like his friends and just seeing a steady trend of young black males being murdered unjustly," he said. "And seeing the focus diverge elsewhere, instead of on the fact that human lives are being lost. It's something that I felt comes out of a lot of misconceptions and a lot of perceptions and perspectives. So I thought doing a film showing this story from an inside-out lens, as opposed to an outside-in lens, could be potentially helpful."

At a Q&A for his film at Lincoln Center, Coogler expanded on the Martin connection.

"Trayvon had love in his life. Trayvon had potential in his life. He had good things in his life... There are millions of Americans that don't see Trayvon's potential," he said. "They look at him and see him as a thug who got what he deserved. You know he was a 17-year-old boy that couldn't even vote yet, had never been arrested, never had a criminal record. My question is, why do people look at him and see that? We look at him and see something else. We look at him and see us."

Following the verdict, Jordan reacted on Twitter: "I cannot believe this is the America I live in right now." He played a character that was killed four years ago, but seemingly nothing has changed.

At a post-screening Q&A in LA later in the evening, he said, "My heart hurts so bad right now," according to New York Times contributor Claire Martin. "I wasn't going to come tonight at first after hearing aboutt the whole George Zimmerman getting acquitted, it tore me up, and that's why I think this film means so much. Because it keeps happening again and again and again. If we don't learn to treat each other better and stop judging one another just because we're different. It's not just a black and white thing, it's a people thing. I don't think it's ever gonna stop, but something's gotta change."


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The NSA-Inspired Pixar Animation Parody

Thom Yorke Pulled His Music From Spotify

The 13 Most Dreamy Female Movie Heroines You Once Worshipped

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Remember the magic you felt from these movies of the ’90s and early 2000s?

Juliet as played by Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet

Juliet as played by Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet

Even before this movie came out, you listed Romeo and Juliet as your favorite "book" (there's a small chance you hadn't actually read it), so when the world's most romantic tale became a movie, it was the most beautiful thing ever. And those angel wings. OMG.

Source: giphy.com

Matilda as played by Mara Wilson in Matilda

Matilda as played by Mara Wilson in Matilda

After seeing this movie, you made a promise to read more and spent hours of time in your imagination moving things by magic and basking in Miss Honey's love.

Source: giphy.com

Danielle as played by Drew Barrymore in Ever After

Danielle as played by Drew Barrymore in Ever After

This Cinderella movie made princesses cool, edgy, and acceptable again. This moment was epic — for months after you wore glitter eyeshadow, did your hair in braids, and even wore fairy wings to the dance.

Source: giphy.com

Charlotte as played by Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation

Charlotte as played by Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation

This whole movie felt like a dream and made you weirdly excited to grow up... and experience being lost. Because it looked so cool!

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com


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Two Men Go To Great Lengths To Get Legally Married

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This is the most bittersweet video you’ll watch today.

This is John Arthur.

This is John Arthur.

He has a neurological disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. ALS progressively takes away patients' ability to walk, talk, and breathe. John was diagnosed with this disease a little over two years ago.

Source: news.cincinnati.com

Here he is with his husband, Jim Obergefell.

Here he is with his husband, Jim Obergefell.

Source: news.cincinnati.com

They've been together for 20 years.

They've been together for 20 years.

Source: facebook.com

John has gone from using a cane to a manual wheelchair to an automatic wheelchair.

John has gone from using a cane to a manual wheelchair to an automatic wheelchair.

Source: facebook.com


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30 Things You Might Not Know About "Beauty And The Beast"

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This “tale as old as time” shares a connection with both Jackie Chan and Animaniacs .

Walt Disney attempted to develop Beauty and the Beast into an animated film both in the 1930s and 1950s, but ultimately gave up because the writers found the story too difficult to adapt.

Walt Disney attempted to develop Beauty and the Beast into an animated film both in the 1930s and 1950s, but ultimately gave up because the writers found the story too difficult to adapt.

Via: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The song "Human Again" was cut just before production started. The song was later added to the Broadway show and was recorded and animated for the 2002 re-release of the film.

Disney borrowed ideas from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 live-action film.

Disney borrowed ideas from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 live-action film.

The classic French film included the idea of rival suitor for Belle named Avenant, who tries to kill the Beast upon learning that she loves him, losing his life in the process.

Also, the film included the household objects in the Beast's castle coming to life.

Via: readrw.blogspot.com

In 1988, Disney hired British animation director Richard Purdum to adapt the film. His version of the film was a darker, non-musical adaption; it also took place in 18th-century France. The video below is the Purdum storyboard reel:

Then-Disney Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg scrapped this version of the film after seeing the initial story reels in 1989. Purdum resigned shortly after, when the decision was made by producers to adapt the story into a musical.


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Artist Creates Photo Of Martin Luther King Jr. In A Hoodie

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Meet Nikkolas Smith, the man who created this powerful image.

Concept artist and Disney imagineer Nikkolas Smith, 28, created this powerful image of Martin Luther King Jr. in a hoodie to express support for Trayvon Martin.

Concept artist and Disney imagineer Nikkolas Smith, 28, created this powerful image of Martin Luther King Jr. in a hoodie to express support for Trayvon Martin.

Via: facebook.com

Smith spoke to BuzzFeed about the image he created a year ago, which took on a life of its own and blew up online after the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict.

"I created this image when George Zimmerman first killed Trayvon Martin," Smith says. "There was this whole national outcry, a hoodie movement and everybody was rocking their hoods and everything. Just trying to get that message out there about what is considered suspicious. Is my black skin considered suspicious?"

The rapper Common shared a version which had more than 8,700 likes and 1,800 shares.

The rapper Common shared a version which had more than 8,700 likes and 1,800 shares.

Via: facebook.com


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30 For 30, Nintendo Edition

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The Family Computer enters its third decade. A Nintendo game for each of the past 30 years.

Thirty years ago today, Nintendo released the Family Computer, or Famicom, in Japan. Released two years later in America as the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Famicom sparked a pretty remarkable three-decade run from the Kyoto company that started out making playing cards in 1889.

Here is a list of the best game released for a Nintendo platform each year since the release of the Famicom:

1983: Donkey Kong

1983: Donkey Kong

Source: images.eurogamer.net

1984: Duck Hunt

1984: Duck Hunt

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com


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New Twinkies Are Going To Be Smaller And Have A Longer Shelf Life

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Twinkies are back today! Here are three changes that have been made.

Twinkies returned to shelves Monday for the first time since November after Hostess went bankrupt last year. The new Twinkies will have fewer calories, weigh less, and have a longer shelf life. A Hostess spokeswoman told the Associated Press the change in size was made "mid-2012" by the predecessor company just before it went bankrupt, and the change in shelf life was made in November. The price, however, remains the same, although retailers may charge a different fee.

18 Sweltering Photos Of The U.K. In The Summer Of '76

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Think we’re having a heat wave right now? It’s got nothing on this historic scorcher.

In 1976 temperatures reached at least 32.2°C somewhere in Britain every day for 15 consecutive days.

In 1976 temperatures reached at least 32.2°C somewhere in Britain every day for 15 consecutive days.

Source: flickr.com

Via: Getty Images

Via: Getty Images

The hottest day of the year was 3 July, when temperatures hit 35.9°C.

The hottest day of the year was 3 July, when temperatures hit 35.9°C.

Via: Getty Images


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World's No. 4-Ranked Tennis Player Dropped From Catholic Movement For Posing Nude In Magazine

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Agnieszka Radwanska claimed she is not ashamed of Jesus. But her Catholic youth group is ashamed of her.

This is 24-year-old Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland. She was a semi-finalist at Wimbledon this year and is currently ranked number four in the world.

This is 24-year-old Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland. She was a semi-finalist at Wimbledon this year and is currently ranked number four in the world.

Via: Julian Finney / Getty Images

According to the AFP, she is a devout Catholic and had appeared in a commercial sponsored by a Polish Catholic group called Krucjata Mlodych (Youth Crusade). In the ad, she repeats the group's campaign slogan, "I'm not ashamed of Jesus."

According to the AFP , she is a devout Catholic and had appeared in a commercial sponsored by a Polish Catholic group called Krucjata Mlodych (Youth Crusade). In the ad, she repeats the group's campaign slogan, "I'm not ashamed of Jesus."

Via: youtube.com

But recently, the group dropped her from the movement because they seem to be ashamed of this...

But recently, the group dropped her from the movement because they seem to be ashamed of this...

She posed nude in The Body Issue of ESPN magazine.

Via: espn.go.com

ESPN's Body Issue says "It's okay to stare" on their website. The young Polish Catholics disagree. They called it "immoral behavior."

ESPN's Body Issue says "It's okay to stare" on their website. The young Polish Catholics disagree. They called it "immoral behavior."

Via: youtube.com


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What Are The Chances Of You Being You?

MLB Mascot Almost Impales Player Reaching For Fly Ball

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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on the goofy fish-head mascot.

Just another lazy fly ball into the stands on Saturday and OH HEY LOOK OUT, IAN DESMOND.

Just another lazy fly ball into the stands on Saturday and OH HEY LOOK OUT, IAN DESMOND.

Just try to imagine the workers' comp claim that could've resulted.

Just try to imagine the workers' comp claim that could've resulted.

Generally speaking, when you have a fencing saber for a nose, you should be less concerned with catching the foul ball and more so with potentially killing a professional ballplayer.

Generally speaking, when you have a fencing saber for a nose, you should be less concerned with catching the foul ball and more so with potentially killing a professional ballplayer.

Was Billy the Marlin's disappointment more to do with missing the ball or MISSING HIS PREY?

Was Billy the Marlin's disappointment more to do with missing the ball or MISSING HIS PREY?


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35 Things Most New Yorkers Do

These Adorable Disney Princess Superhero Mashups Are The Coolest Thing


How TV Shows Handle The Death Of A Cast Member

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The news of Cory Monteith’s death shocked Glee fans — and it left them wondering, where does Glee go from here? Here’s how other TV series have dealt with the untimely passing of a cast member, and what Glee might do.

Eight Is Enough

Eight Is Enough

Eight Is Enough had to adapt quickly to the 1977 death of Diana Hyland, who succumbed to breast cancer 12 days after the first episode aired. She had filmed four episodes before dying. Hyland's character Joan, the mother of the family, was written out of the remaining five Season 1 episodes. For Season 2, the series was retooled. The premiere "Is There a Doctor in the House" established patriarch Tom Bradford as a widower.

Hill Street Blues

Hill Street Blues

Michael Conrad was an essential part of Hill Street Blues, famously doing the weekly roll call. He died of urethral cancer in 1983 during the show's fourth season. His character, Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, went out with a bang, dying off-screen during sex with Grace Gardner in the episode "Grace Under Pressure." In the same episode, Lucille Bates was offered a promotion to roll call sergeant, as all of the officers struggled to deal with Sgt. Esterhaus' sudden death.

Cheers

Cheers

Nicholas Colasanto, who played lovable bartender Coach, died in 1985 of a heart attack at 61. Cast members learned shortly before a live taping, which was canceled. Colasanto had been on leave and recovering but assured his co-stars that he would be back at work soon. In Season 4, Cheers jumped forward in time several months: Coach's penpal Woody (played by Woody Harrelson) showed up to meet his friend in person, only to be informed by Sam that Coach had died some time prior. Sam then hired Woody as the new bartender.

NewsRadio

NewsRadio

Between the fourth and fifth season of NewsRadio, Phil Hartman was murdered in 1998 by his wife Brynn Hartman. Hartman's death was written into the show, with his character Bill dying off-screen from a heart attack. In the Season 5 premiere, "Bill Moves On," the other characters mourn his death: cast members were so distraught over Hartman's recent passing that they broke down crying repeatedly while filming. In the second part of the premiere, "Meet Max Louis," Jon Lovitz was brought in as Hartman's replacement.


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Very Important Photos Of Vladimir Putin In A Submarine

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The Russian president went underwater to explore the remains of a naval ship that sank in the Gulf of Finland in 1869.

Via: Alexei Nikolsky / AP

Via: Alexei Nikolsky / AP

Via: Alexei Nikolsky / AP

Via: RIA NOVOSTI / Reuters


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10 Signs You're Over Your Job

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Maybe once upon a time you entered your office bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but those times are long gone. One day, you find yourself taking a coveted sick day so you can see a matinee of an embarrassingly bad movie or passing out at your desk from sheer boredom, and you ask yourself: why am I still here?

You start to ignore your boss's requests.

You start to ignore your boss's requests.

Oh, is that time sensitive? I'll get right on it...

Source: 

You find it much harder to be cordial to the coworkers you never really liked.

You find it much harder to be cordial to the coworkers you never really liked.

Source: media.tumblr.com

The excuses you have for running late no longer make sense.

The excuses you have for running late no longer make sense.

Source: 

You call in sick for absolutely no reason.

You call in sick for absolutely no reason.

Source: media.tumblr.com


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So A Juror From The George Zimmerman Trial Is Already Shopping A Book

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It begins. Juror B37 and her attorney husband have signed with a literary agent.

Less than 48 hours after taking part in the verdict that exonerated George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, the juror known only as B37, has signed on with Martin Literary Management president, Sharlene Martin.

Less than 48 hours after taking part in the verdict that exonerated George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, the juror known only as B37, has signed on with Martin Literary Management president, Sharlene Martin.

Via: Joe Burbank, Pool / AP

My hope is that people will read Juror B37's book, written with her attorney husband, and understand the commitment it takes to serve and be sequestered on a jury in a highly publicized murder trial and how important, despite one's personal viewpoints, it is to follow the letter of the law. It could open a whole new dialogue about laws that may need to be revised and revamped to suit a 21st century way of life. The reader will also learn why the jurors had no option but to find Zimmerman Not Guilty due to the manner in which he was charged and the content of the jury instructions.

But not everyone sees the proposed book in such high-minded ways.

But not everyone sees the proposed book in such high-minded ways.

Via: John Minchillo / AP


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12 Of The Best Friendships Between Man And Beast

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We should all be so lucky to find friends like these. They just “get” each other, you know?

Jeremy Veach and Norm the pug

Jeremy Veach and Norm the pug

Jeremy and Norm go around taking awesome pictures like this one. Sometimes Norm does selfies, too.

Via: instagram.com

Theron Humphrey and Maddie the coonhound

Theron Humphrey and Maddie the coonhound

Humphrey discovered Maddie's amazing ability to balance on nearly anything while taking a road trip, and the two are now working on an animal rescue project.

Via: maddieonthings.com

Tasuku and Muu the French bulldog

Tasuku and Muu the French bulldog

These Toyko-based Instagram stars sleep, play, watch TV, and read together.

Via: instagram.com

Grandma Misa and Fukumaru

Grandma Misa and Fukumaru

The 88-year-old Japanese woman still goes out every day to farm with her cat Fukumaru.

Via: buzzfeed.com


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