Did Michelle Wolf go too far or did she do her job? Were there any jokes about Sarah Huckabee Sanders' looks? What is the future of the White House Correspondents' Dinner? Led by Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ), reporters Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ), Chris Barton ( @chrisbarton ) and Greg Braxton discuss the controversy that ensued after Michelle Wolf's standup at this year's Correspondents' Dinner....
May 03, 2018•24 min
WARNING: This episode contains spoilers! Reporters Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) and Sonaiya Kelley ( @sonaiyak ) sit down with film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and film writer Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) to talk about the latest Marvel film, Avengers: Infinity War. They discuss how the film integrated the Black Panther story line, whether you need to be a die-hard Marvel fan to enjoy the movie and how a few shocking end twists might affect the future of Marvel movies....
Apr 27, 2018•36 min
Our reporters recap the powerful first season of The Handmaid's Tale, discuss and analyze the first few episodes of Season 2, and begin to determine how this equally impactful season might connect to recent real events. Featuring reporters Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) and Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ), editor Mary McNamara ( @MaryMacTV ), and host and film writer Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus )....
Apr 26, 2018•23 min
The year 1968 was one of cultural and political turmoil. To mark the year's significance, the L.A. Times published a package of stories and interviews on the various films, events and individuals that made the year so memorable. As part of this package, film reporter Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) spoke to filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius, an Oscar-winner for his film The Artist , about his film Godard Mon Amour ....
Apr 20, 2018•21 min
Our reporters discuss the most talked about performance at Coachella: Beyoncé's 2 hour set. They also predict what you can expect to see this upcoming weekend for round 2 of "Beychella". Featuring reporters Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ), Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) and Gerrick Kennedy ( @GerrickKennedy )....
Apr 20, 2018•33 min
One of the most talked about shows on social media is coming to an end. Tune in to hear entertainment reporters Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) and Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) talk with editor Mary McNamara ( @MaryMacTV ) and writer Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) about the show's legacy, it's revolutionary audience engagement and it's tackling of contemporary issues. Also, hear from the stars of the show and creator Shonda Rhimes as they reminisce before the big finale....
Apr 19, 2018•31 min
What should we make of the new Roseanne reboot? What about this moment in time has caused it to soar in popularity? And is it worth a watch? Reporters and TV critics Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ), Yvonne Villareal ( @villarrealy ), Greg Braxton, Mary McNamara ( @marymacTV ) and Robert Lloyd ( @LATimesTVLloyd ) talk with Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) about what they make of this TV phenomenon....
Apr 12, 2018•33 min
Four of the movies released this week: Blockers, A Quiet Place, You Were Never Really Here and The Endless, all have notable storylines and directors. Film reporters Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) talk with film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) about what makes these movies significant, why you should be looking out for these directors and which of these movies you should watch this weekend. The conversation is moderated by film reporter Mark Olsen ( @I...
Apr 05, 2018•32 min
Since its debut, Isle of Dogs has been met with controversy over the question of the film's cultural appropriation and seemingly inexplicable setting in a future Japan. Our film critic, Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ), tackled this problem and eloquently asked in his review, "does this white American filmmaker's highly selective, idiosyncratic rendering of an East Asian society constitute a sincere act of homage, or a clueless failure of sensitivity?" In response to Chang's review, and Jen Yamato...
Mar 30, 2018•34 min
The Los Angeles Times Emmy Contender Chats have begun! The first interviews of the series featured the cast of Outlander. TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) spoke with with Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) about portraying their characters' grief, gaining inspiration from the novels and more on the latest season. Listen to clips from the interviews as Mark Olsen of Indie Focus ( @IndieFocus ) talks to Yvonne about Emmys season and Outlander's cult status...
Mar 29, 2018•21 min
Join Assistant Managing Editor of Arts & Entertainment Mary McNamara ( @marymacTV ), TV critic Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ), entertainment reporter Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) and TV writer Meredith Blake ( @MeredithBlake ) as they discuss the realities of being a female director in television. Our group of reporters will ask many questions of the TV industry, like: why is TV such fertile ground for female directors? How is Jessica Jones breaking the mold? What really is the male gaz...
Mar 22, 2018•30 min
For our last Oscars-centric episode this season, Sarah Rodman ( @SarahARodman ) talks to Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ), Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ), Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) and Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) about their experiences covering the Academy Awards last Sunday. From the red carpet to star-studded after parties to cheers and gasps in the press pit, these reporters saw and heard it all. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get The Shape of Water and many other Award...
Mar 06, 2018•29 min
Hear directly from L.A. Times entertainment reporters about how they cover the biggest night in Hollywood. Arts and film writer Jeffrey Fleishman ( @JeffreyLA ), film reporter Josh Rottenberg ( @joshrottenberg ) and Hollywood writer Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) discuss where they were last year when the La La Land/Moonlight fiasco happened, why Warren Beatty refused to let go of the envelope and what we might expect from this year's ceremony. Also, hear from Assistant Managing Editor Mary Mcnamara ...
Mar 01, 2018•29 min
Film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) sits down with Oscar nominated director Greta Gerwig to discuss her film, Lady Bird . In this exclusive interview they discuss various filmmaking topics, including the history of female directors, the role of spirituality in Lady Bird and the importance of fonts. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Lady Bird and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018 ....
Feb 23, 2018•30 min
Sarah Rodman ( @SarahARodman ) talks to awards show reporter Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ) and film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) about the Best Director category. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Coco and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018 ....
Feb 22, 2018•33 min
Sarah Rodman ( @SarahARodman ) moderates a noteworthy conversation between Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ), Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) as they discuss the Best and Supporting Actress categories. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get The Shape of Water and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018 ....
Feb 15, 2018•31 min
Sarah Rodman ( @SarahARodman ) leads a smart and energetic discussion between Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ), Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) as they discuss the Best and Supporting Actor categories. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Dunkirk and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018 ....
Feb 08, 2018•32 min
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) moderates a lively conversation between Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ), Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) as they break down their experience at the Sundance Film Festival this year. They discuss and debate standing ovations, documentaries, future Oscar contenders, freezing temperatures and more. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Call Me By Your Name and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Osc...
Feb 02, 2018•25 min
Allison Janney, Willem Dafoe, and Guillermo del Toro react to their Oscar Nominations, recreate where they were when they found out, and explain what their movies mean to them. L.A. Times film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and entertainment reporter Tre’vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) discuss diversity and inclusion—or lack thereof—within the various Oscar categories. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Get Out and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTune...
Jan 26, 2018•31 min
In the inaugural episode, Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) and Jen Yamato ( @jenyamato ) discuss #TimesUp and the changing landscape of sexism in Hollywood in a post-Weinstein era. Writer Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) shares highlights from this year’s star-studded Envelope Roundtables, including moments with Jordan Peele, Jessica Chastain, and Saoirse Ronan. Finally, L.A. Times film critics Justin Chang (@JustinCChang ) and Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ) weigh in with their predictions for nominees in t...
Jan 19, 2018•40 min