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The Lone Buddhist Monk Who Stood Against The Communists And Saved His Temple (Video)
One man can make a difference. Full disclosure: There is no fist fighting in this docu-vignette. This monk fought Communist aggression against his temple in a different way, but he definitely stood his ground.
Very few of Mongolia’s Buddhist temples survived the Soviet era. But one particular temple in Erdenetsogt still stands thanks to the efforts of one monk, who risked a long prison sentence to save it.
– Great Big Story
– @ojones1
13TH (Trailer)
Historical hooray for the 13th Amendment, right? Because it freed the slaves…right? But wait. Hold the Constitution a minute. What if the passage of the 13th Amendment actually gave way to 150 years of oppression of Black people? That’s what Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13TH” posits. And it’s not ‘what if’ rather ‘what it is.’ Watch the Netflix trailer above. Wow…
The title of Ava DuVernay’s extraordinary and galvanizing documentary “13TH” refers to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which reads “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.†The progression from that second qualifying clause to the horrors of mass criminalization and the sprawling American prison industry is laid out by DuVernay with bracing lucidity. With a potent mixture of archival footage and testimony from a dazzling array of activists, politicians, historians, and formerly incarcerated women and men, DuVernay creates a work of grand historical synthesis.
– Netflix US & Canada
REKS – “Kites” (Prod. By Alchemist)
With “Kites†REKS bears his soul in the form of two passionate letters to individuals – one to Mumia Abu-Jamal (the activist and author who was imprisoned for the 1981 killing of police officer Daniel Faulkner) and another to Dylan Roof (the terrorist who executed nine people during a prayer service in South Carolina on June 17, 2015). Black Lives, Blue Lives, All Lives Matter. But the relationship between police officers and citizens will remain rocky until we dig deep enough to get to the root of the issue and improve the foundation. First, the U.S. has a history of brutalizing and incarcerating Black men without just cause. Second, police officers have a profoundly difficult job, but they also need to be held accountable for their actions. Third, individuals like Dylan Roof will continue to exist so long as revisionist’s history repeatedly poisons youthful minds with ideas that claim Black equality while still promoting White supremacy. It follows that reversing historic the mode of mistreatment of Black people in the U.S., especially in cases of bad police interactions, AND acting to root out Roof-like individuals and arresting their deadly behaviors is key.
(Beat by Alchemist.)
Loving (Trailer)
Wow. This looks like one of those incredible movies with heart that could get missed because there is not enough rockem-sockem or scandal in it. But we came across this trailer, and not letting you know about it would be a crime… like Black and White folks getting married back in the day. Yeah… not that long ago. Stay woke.
Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, are sentenced to prison in Virginia in 1958 for getting married.
– New Trailer Buzz
Beautiful story. Plus Michael Shannon has been delivering the goods since HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Comedian Nick Kroll should really get a chance to stretch his dramatic acting chops in this one. And Mildred Loving should be a breakout role for Ruth Negga (Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., AMC Original Series: Preacher).
Internet Famous: Keraun Harris And Simone Shepherd (Video)
Above: Cara Santa Maria is interviewing Vine power-couple ‘King Keraun’ Harris and Simone Shepherd at home to discuss how they juggle the demands of their current social media fame as they chase their ultimate dream: to build a lasting career as major Hollywood celebs.
Keraun Harris (“King Keraun”) and Simone Shepherd are two of the biggest celebrities on the internet, with millions of followers on Instagram, Vine, and YouTube. They’ve made a living entertaining the market segment that is called “Black Vine” or “Black Instagram.” For Keraun, social media has been a life-changer — just a few years ago, before he became a digital celebrity, he was in prison for robbery.
But how does a social media power couple actually live, and where do they go from here?
Vick (Documentary Trailer)
The teaser is powerful. Those that followed Michael from college through the pros certainly know that there is a story to break down. And if what the trailer promises holds… well… in the voice/words of Robin Harris’ character in “Do The Right Thing”… LET IT BE BROKE!
Michael Vick has been through it all.
The dual-threat playmaker was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft, set numerous quarterback rushing records, made four Pro Bowls and amassed a fortune playing football.
Then it all disappeared. A dog-fighting scandal sent him from the gridiron to prison.
– Bleacher Report
Hope the Bleacher Report documentary does the right thing. We’ll see in July.
Free TC (Documentary)
I ended up here. He ended up there.
– Ty Dolla $ign
“Free TC” – the short documentary with original music and composition by Ty Dolla $ign. The documentary tells his back story, with focus on his brother doing a long prison bid for murder… but it’s nowhere near cut and dry.
Damn.
Abraham Bolden, America’s First Black Secret Service Agent, Reveals How Intelligence Was Mishandled At The Time Of JFK’s Assassination (Video)
Plenty of folks have advanced conspiracy theories regarding President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. But how about one who KNEW the President personally, who had enough access to uncover proof to substantiate his theory? One who is willing to go on record with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura… Yeah, guest Abraham Bolden is blowing the whistle and the lid off!
Abraham Bolden is the first Black man to serve on a U.S. President’s special detail as a secret service agent. He was appointed by John F. Kennedy himself. And yet, despite that landmark title, he was still sent to prison for what he believes was a set-up for blowing the whistle on the Secret Service’s misconduct prior to the assassination. For this special edition of Off The Grid, Bolden joins the Governor to reveal how the secret service mishandled intelligence at the time of JFK’s murder.
This is a MUST WATCH! The impact of the loss of President JFK was incalculable… but Governor Ventura is damn sure not afraid to try! See his ‘grade’ of JFK as part of an epic, but very reasoned, rant after the jump.
Stay Melo: Carmelo Anthony Goes To Rikers Island (Video)
Great stuff! VICE is keeping the heat on the prison industry by taking the cameras back inside. First President Obama does a special at a Federal prison; now Carmelo Anthony visits Rikers Island for this episode of “Stay Melo.” Impactful, especially for Melo, touring the jail facility and meeting a group of young prisoners. Growing up, he knew folks who’d done time and came back home. But being inside like this, even knowing he would eventually leave, was very different.
I’m not sure what I expected. I knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant. And, it wasn’t. At all. It was extremely disturbing.
– Carmelo Anthony
Watch above.
ESPN’s 30 For 30: Chasing Tyson (Video)
Plain and simple, in boxing’s mid-1980’s to mid-1990’s, Iron Mike Tyson was that dude! The ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’ was trained and became known for throwing ‘punches with bad intentions’ that left opponents destroyed and fight watchers astonished. Tyson was a star gone nova who cast a commanding shadow over boxing. Meanwhile, there was Evander Holyfield… the man who captured the heavyweight title when he knocked out Buster Douglas, the only dude to date who had knocked Tyson out… the man long-considered a mild-mannered champ, a legitimate champ, but never a truly great champ. In that era, when there were several who might ascend to that status, the way to it ran through Mike Tyson. To be the man, you gotta beat the man; and Iron Mike was that man. Holyfield was ready for that status, ready to take on ‘the man’ in 1991, but Tyson had to pull out due to injury. Rescheduling of the fight of destiny was further delayed when Tyson was convicted of rape later and had to spend time in jail. Even when he was in prison, away from the sport, people overwhelmingly considered Tyson the best of in heavyweight boxing.
All the while, Holyfield was fighting for titles and standing – dramatically gaining, losing and regaining the heavyweight crown. He was fighting. Tyson was sitting. And still, no real respect as a champ on his own… until November 1996. Holyfield, then 34, would finally get his shot at the heavily favored and four-years’ younger Tyson. Truly, this would be when Holyfield could earn the title, not just a belt, but undisputed status as ‘the man’ in heavyweight boxing. Yeah, ’96 gone be that year, when Holyfield was really considered the ‘Real Deal.’ After spending much of The Golden Era “Chasing Tyson,” Holyfield would do it.
Twice.
And that second time… maaaan! Yeah, another incredible 30 For 30 by ESPN. Watch above.
Carmelo Anthony Goes To Puerto Rico, To ‘Stay Melo’ In The Hood To Do Some Good And More (Video)
New Stay Melo ep on VICE Sports for y’all. Last one was about Cuba. This time it’s Puerto Rico.
Carmelo Anthony recognizes, like most looking outside in, that Puerto Rico is currently in economic decline. But to Melo it’s a place of family, opportunity and a growing sports culture. He goes to chill (Melo out, if you will) but also to do some goodwill and good work. Spent a few days training with a group of fellow Knicks, seeing the stadium that will house his Puerto Rico FC NASL team, riding out to La Perla (one of Puerto Rico’s most notorious hoods), hanging out with reggaeton legend Tempo (home after a 12 year prison bid) at one of the b-ball courts Melo has refurbished for the community and more stuff.
Sure, ballers are in the League…balling. But with all that wealth, if you aren’t doing something…you got nothing! Just saying. Now, watch and listen as Melo does something; and shares and wrestles with his vision for what he’d like to accomplish in PR.
PREVIOUS: CARMELO ANTHONY GOES TO CUBA
Stretch And Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (Trailer)
Well, the Kickstarter Fundraising Campaign obviously went well. And now (drum roll), click play above for the trailer for “Stretch And Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives.”
During the 1990s, Stretch and Bobbito introduced the world to an unsigned Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang, and Big Pun as well as an unknown Jay-Z, Eminem, and The Fugees. The total record sales for all the artists that premiered on their radio show exceed 300 million. The late night program had a cult following in the art/fashion world and prison population as well. All would loyally tune in for the humor just as much for the exclusive tunes. Stretch and Bobbito brought a unique audience together, and created a platform that changed music forever.
The movie will be available via Vimeo On Demand on October 22, 2015. Hit the link to pre-order.
Anarchy (Trailer)
Solid ensemble cast. Compelling story. The trailer above is teasing some must-see viewing. Might have to get in a theater seat this Spring to catch a first showing.
[“Anarchy” is] a gritty story of a take-no-prisoners war between dirty cops and an outlaw biker gang. Now, a drug kingpin (Ed Harris) is driven to desperate measures in this explosive film based on Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline.”
Kurupt Gets Enraged Over The ‘King Of New York’ Title Both He & Kendrick Lamar Used (Video)
“In this clip from his exclusive interview with VladTV, Kurupt went ballistic over New York’s defensive response to Kendrick Lamar’s “I’m the King of New York” line on his “Control” verse.
Kurupt originally spit the “King of NY” line on the 2010 track “Get Bizy,” which also featured verses from Kendrick, Terrace Martin, and Bad Lucc. When asked about the meaning behind his original line, Kurupt replied, “That means I’m the f**king worst, and that’s all it meant.” Shortly after giving an explanation behind his line, Kurupt went off over how quick New Yorkers are to get offended by any line that mentions their city.
He explained that “King of New York,” is actually “a f**king movie” from 1990 about a drug lord named Frank White who returns from prison to take control of his streets once again. Kurupt is extremely angry by how quickly New Yorkers are to jump to the conclusion that anything mentioned about their city is a diss of some kind. He emphasized that there is no problem between the West Coast and New York, and that every state within the United States is ultimately a part of a family.
He did, however, state that if anything were to happen to Kendrick, or anyone else from the West Coast, that there would certainly be severe repercussions, but ultimately it is New York who is always quick to ignite drama between the two coasts even when the West has no intention of starting problems.”
Stephen Colbert: U-S-A! U-S-A! America’s Number One In The World… At Locking People Up (Video)
Soaking up all the Stephen Colbert cleverness – Tonight’s Word – on Comedy Central before he makes the leap from cable to big network TV (CBS’ Late Night With David Letterman’s replacement). The tongue-in-cheek ‘conservative’ pundit declares America is still Number 1 … in the number of people the country incarcerates (“in your face, China”)! He zeroes in on California’s prisons; but there is enough comedic jabbing for lots more in America to feel the King Of [Sarcastic] Sting.
Rosewater (Trailer #1)
Gonna be hard for the host of Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ to hide behind the just-a-comedian shield with this real-life theatrical political statement.
A journalist is detained in Iran for more than 100 days and brutally interrogated in prison.
Yeah, that happened. And Jon Stewart (‘Daily Show’ host / producer & screenwriter for this movie) felt compelled to tell the story. Due to be up on big screens soon!
– @ojones1