GA boy fulfills wish of seeing ‘Minecraft' movie before dying of brain cancer thanks to mom's email
Weeks before 'A Minecraft Movie' dominated the box office this month, film crew workers in Georgia came together to help make a dying boy's wish come true.
Channel 2's Lori Wilson spoke to a mother who says this all started with an email to a friend.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Seeing 'A Minecraft Movie' in theaters is a dream come true for gamers of all ages. For Justyne Lobello's son, Kevin, it was his final wish.
'When he was about five, six, I introduced him to 'Minecraft' just on an iPad that I had,' Lobello said. 'He immediately took to it and started begging me for a big creeper plush within weeks of him starting to play.'
When Lobello learned in February that Kevin's rare pediatric brain cancer would take his life before he could see it in theaters, she did what she could to make it happen. She sent a Facebook message to a friend in the movie industry.
'We made it happen in two weeks,' Lobello said.
TRENDING STORIES:
Study shows nearly 1/3 of Atlantans with retirement accounts only have money saved for single year
Paulding County deputy shot, suspect dead after welfare check turns into a shootout
'It's World War 3 out here:' Sex offender arrested after SWAT standoff in Cartersville
Kim Ross, a professional snake wrangler on TV and movie sets, got the message from Lobello and posted in a Facebook group to see if anyone could help Kevin.
'The film industry is large, but we're one big family. Everyone started saying, 'Oh, I know someone who did props on that movie,' or 'I know someone who did sound on that movie,'' Ross said.
That also led to something big 12 days later.
'They rolled out the red carpet, it was green and brown,' Ross said.
Director Jared Hess got involved, and in a few days, the studio had arranged for a private screening for Kevin, sitting next to one of the stars of the movie, Sebastian Hansen.
Kevin also got a personal FaceTime call from stars Jason Momoa and Jack Black.
'He said, 'Are you Steve?' And Jack goes, 'I am Steve,' and Kevin lost his mind,' Lobello explained.
It was the kind of movie magic that's usually reserved for the big screen. A showing of kindness by Georgia film crew members and the biggest Hollywood studio, who worked together to make a dying boy's wish come true.
There was no talk of Kevin's terminal illness or the sadness; instead, a 'Minecraft' lifeline thrown from Hollywood to Georgia.
Kevin died 11 days after fulfilling his wish.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Get in the game: Here's how to watch the 2025 U.S. Open from Oakmont CC on Hulu Live TV
Get in the game: Here's how to watch the 2025 U.S. Open from Oakmont CC on Hulu Live TV This weekend's PGA Tour event is a Father's Day special that many will be enjoying with their dad's as the U.S. Open tees off its 125th event from an infamously difficult course. Beginning today, June 12, through Father's Day on Sunday, June 15, the top men's golfers in the world will take on the third of four majors on the tour at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. More: What is Hulu + Live TV? What do you get with a Hulu + Live TV subscription? Here's what you need to know The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are among the 156 players entered and expected to compete at the U.S. Open. Scheffler is currently the No. 1 ranked player in the world while Mcllroy is fresh off his first Masters victory and completing the career grand slam just two months ago. With the event airing on NBC and USA Network, some streaming services don't offer a way to tune in. However, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV allows fans to watch the U.S. Open round-to-round. To catch every moment, here's how golf fans can watch their favorite player vie for the U.S. Open championship on Hulu + Live TV. Watch the U.S. Open with Hulu + Live TV What is Hulu + Live TV? Hulu + Live TV is a streaming and live television combo that rivals cable packages. However, there are no hidden charges like typical cable box fees, satellite costs or anything else. There is no installation and all you need is an internet connection and a TV with access to an app store either through an extension or a smart TV. Hulu + Live TV allows you to surf over 100 channels of TV, news, live sports and entertainment. Plus, you have access to the entire streaming library, including original content, available with a Hulu streaming subscription. U.S. Open TV schedule Thursday, June 12 Round 1 at 6:30 a.m. ET - Watch on Hulu + Live TV Friday, June 13 Round 2 at 1 p.m. ET - Watch on Hulu + Live TV Saturday, June 14 Round 3 at 10 a.m. ET - Watch on Hulu + Live TV Sunday, June 15 Round 4 at 9 a.m. ET - Watch on Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV : This is the basic package, with no bundle. It starts at $81.99 per month. : This is the basic package, with no bundle. It starts at $81.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV with ESPN+ and Disney+ (with ads) : This package is $82.99 per month, but you can test it out with a 3-day free trial before your subscription starts. : This package is $82.99 per month, but you can test it out with a 3-day free trial before your subscription starts. Hulu + Live TV with ESPN+ and Disney+ (without ads): This package is $95.99 per month. There is no free trial associated with this subscription. STREAMING GUIDE: Deals, bundles and free trials on Disney+, Peacock, Sling TV Hulu + Live TV packages offer over 100 channels of live TV, news, sports, entertainment and more. Some channels will depend on your local market. Here's a look at some of the top channels Hulu + Live TV offers: Local networks : ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC : ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC News stations: ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC Sports channels: ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, SEC Network, BTN and ACCN ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, SEC Network, BTN and ACCN Popular entertainment channels: Comedy Central, FX, Food Network, Discovery Channel, HGTV, The History Channel, Lifetime, MTV and Nickelodeon Comedy Central, FX, Food Network, Discovery Channel, HGTV, The History Channel, Lifetime, MTV and Nickelodeon Other channels: A&E, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN International, Fox Business, Freeform, FYI, Gameshow Network, Hallmark, National Geographic, NBC News Now, NewsNation, OWN, Oxygen, PBS, Syfy, TBS, TNT and TruTV. This package includes access to Disney+ and ESPN+. Disney+ is typically $9.99 per month with ads and ESPN+ is typically $11.99/month. Plus, you get over 100 of the top national and local channels with your favorite live sports, news and events, not to mention the entire Hulu library (which is typically $9.99 per month). The Hulu + Live TV with ads package includes unlimited DVR to store live TV recordings for up to nine months and fast-forward through your favorite TV content. It also includes a live TV guide to navigate channels. Get Hulu + Live TV (with ads) Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ (without ads) This package gives you all the benefits of Hulu + Live TV without ads for streaming content. You still get over 100 of the top national and local channels with your favorite live sports, news and events, which may have ads, but you can stream all of favorite movies and TV shows in the Hulu library without ads. Hulu typically airs new episodes for streaming the day after they air on live TV. Plus, you get access to Disney+ and ESPN+. Disney+ is typically $9.99 per month with ads and ESPN+ is typically $11.99 per month. ESPN+ content will appear directly in the Hulu app. However, ads will still be served in select live and linear content on Disney+. Get Hulu + Live TV (without ads) Can I customize my Hulu + Live TV packages? Yes! There are several add-ons that you can choose for your Hulu + Live TV package. They are available at an additional cost after you sign up for the service. Here's a look at Hulu's add-on options:
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Paramount layoffs: TV and movie giant cuts 3.5% of U.S. workforce ahead of merger with Skydance Media, citing uncertain economy
Paramount Global is cutting 3.5% of its U.S. workforce as customers switch away from traditional pay-TV bundles in today's shifting media landscape and uncertain economy. RIP to the almost future of computing: Apple just turned the iPad into a Mac Why Third Amendment memes are suddenly taking over social media China is arming its space station with 'guard dogs.' They have good reason for it The latest round of layoffs comes as the media giant prepares to merge with movie studio Skydance Media. Paramount Global's parent company, National Amusements, and Skydance Media agreed to merge last July, but are still waiting for regulatory approval. Paramount owns Paramount Pictures movie and television studios, the Paramount+ streaming service, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, and the CBS television network including CBS News. Shares in Paramount Global (PARA) were trading up about 1% in late morning trading at the time of this writing. On Tuesday, Paramount's co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins notified staff of layoffs in a memo, which said 90% of those impacted would be notified on Tuesday, according to CNBC. Last August, Paramount began the process of reducing its U.S.-based workforce by 15% after laying out a cost-cutting plan. The layoffs are just the latest to hit the beleaguered media industry, which has also seen staff cuts at Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, to name a few. In Paramount Global's latest round of earnings, for the first quarter of 2025, ending March 31, 2025, the media company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.29, missing analysts estimates; and quarterly revenue of $7.19 billion, slightly beating analyst expectations of $7.14 billion. The company forecast that earnings would grow by 54.67% next year, from $2.25 to $3.48 per share. The company is slated to report Q2 earnings in early August. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Harvey Weinstein convicted in Manhattan sexual assault retrial in split verdict
NEW YORK — Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was convicted on a sexual assault charge in a split verdict in Manhattan Wednesday, a year after the verdict in his landmark 2020 trial was overturned. Despite tension among jurors, the panel of seven women and five men found Weinstein guilty after five days of deliberation of conducting a criminal sex act regarding former TV production assistant Miriam Haley, but acquitted him on the same charge regarding Polish model and aspiring actress Kaja Sokola. The 73-year-old faces up to 25 years in prison on the charge. Weinstein, 73, faced down Haley, Sokola and one-time actress Jessica Mann over the course of the eight-week Manhattan Supreme Court trial. Each took the stand to describe how the 'Pulp Fiction' producer forced himself on them. Mann accused him of raping her in 2013, while Haley and Sokola said Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on them in separate incidents in 2006. The jury has not yet reached a verdict on the third-degree rape charge involving Mann, and is scheduled to resume deliberations Thursday. Outside court, Haley praised the verdict, and said the jury saw through the 'disruptive and chaotic tone' of Weinstein's defense lawyers. 'The truth was exhausting and at times dehumanizing, but today's verdict gives me hope, hope that there is new awareness around sexual violence and that the myth of the perfect victim is fading,' Haley said. 'I hope that this result empowers others to speak out and seek justice.' Despite the jury finding Weinstein not guilty of her allegations, Sokola said she was 'very happy for this verdict.' 'It's a big win for everyone. Harvey Weinstein will be in jail. He was convicted three times for very serious crimes,' she said. 'For myself, it's closing a chapter that's caused me a lot of pain in my life, and having prosecutors hear my story, go through all the details with me, and believe me and support me, was extremely powerful.' The partial verdict Wednesday came after a chaotic day in court, with the jury foreman telling the judge that another juror threatened him, 'I'll meet you outside one day,' and with Weinstein himself admonishing the judge to call a mistrial. The drama in the jury room appears to center on Mann, who testified that Weinstein raped her in 2013 while acknowledging she'd maintained a years-long relationship that included consensual sexual encounters. 'I would never lie about rape or use something so traumatic to hurt someone,' Mann said in a statement Wednesday. 'Rape can happen in relationships – and in dynamics where power and manipulation control the narrative. Some victims survive by appeasing, and many carry deep empathy, even for their abusers. That's part of the trap.' The 6-foot-2 Weinstein, once a towering persona literally and figuratively in Hollywood, sat in a wheelchair throughout the trial. His health has taken a turn for the worse in recent months — he needed emergency heart surgery in September, and he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, according to multiple reports in October. Tensions in the jury room boiled into public view several times. On Wednesday, the foreman recounted fighting in the jury room because he wouldn't budge from his position and said he was fearful about continuing. 'I say, 'Listen, when you talk loud to somebody, somebody going come back the same way. He say, 'You don't know. You gonna see me outside. I say, 'You not going to see me outside, you not my family. I am here for do one thing, not for be friendly,'' the foreman said. 'I feel afraid inside there. I can't be inside there.' Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, demanded a mistrial. 'There's a crime going on in there, menacing and harassment,' he said. 'This jury is clearly tainted,' Aidala said. 'This is as serious as cancer right now.' Mann and Haley also testified in Weinstein's 2020 trial, which ended in a guilty verdict. But last year, in a bombshell 4-3 decision, the New York State Court of Appeals overturned that conviction, saying the trial judge should have never allowed other women whose allegations were not included in the charges to testify against him and establish a pattern of predatory behavior. Even though the trial testimony was limited to the three women's allegation, Weinstein's long history of serial sex abuse allegations, and the #MeToo movement that went viral after those allegations became public in October 2017, hung over the proceedings. All three women testified about how they received money from a court-ordered victims' settlement fund through the Weinstein Co. bankruptcy, and spoke about how the news accounts of Weinstein's bad deeds spurred them to come forward. The trial judge, Curtis Farber, instructed jurors that they can't use that information to determine Weinstein had a propensity for sexual assault. Weinstein's lawyers also brought up #MeToo, with defense lawyer Arthur Aidala accusing the women of chasing a payday as the movement picked up steam and seeking out attorneys like prominent sexual assault survivor advocate Gloria Allred, who he described as a 'money lawyer.' The disgraced movie mogul's defense team painted the women as liars who manipulated Weinstein to 'cut the line' in the entertainment industry, then cashed in with big civil lawsuit settlements. Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg countered in her closing argument that the accusers stayed silent for years, but found the strength to come forward after news accounts revealed Weinstein's long history as a serial sexual abuser in October 2017. Weinstein, who was serving a 23-year sentence before his 2020 conviction was overturned, is also serving a 16-year term after a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of rape and sexual assault in 2022. He has appealed that verdict. _____
