Whether the senseless shooting was racially driven is a topic for debate, but the current media focus on the George Zimmerman trial and his killing of Trayvon Martin makes the timing of this movie quite compelling. The ending is known and seared in the viewer's mind before the story even begins. Director Coogler even begins his movie with actual cell phone footage of the incident. No one can argue that this was anything but a senseless tragedy. He claimed he mistook his gun for his Taser. The officer was tried and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years. Much of this was caught on cell phone video by train passengers, and the aftermath brought protests in the city. An altercation/fight occurred on the train and the officers pulled Grant aside to detain/arrest. If you are unfamiliar with the tragic story, 22 year old Oscar Grant was inexplicably shot and killed (while subdued and face down) by a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) cop after watching New Year's Eve fireworks with his girlfriend and buddies. However, in my opinion, it is also flawed in its "Based on a True Story" placard that is then followed by much manipulation (3 Oprah references), some of it even bordering on misleading. In fact, this is an emotionally-charged, well written and exceptionally well-acted movie that provides much anticipation for the future projects of its first time director Ryan Coogler. If that sounds like a bashing is coming, you are mistaken. ![]() It's not politically correct to criticize this movie, but it seems only fair to treat it as I do every other movie on which I comment.
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