This week, host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) interviews Luca Guadagnino, the director of the remade film Suspiria and also recently known for directing the award-winning movie, Call Me By Your Name . Guadagnino talks, among many other things, about the inspirations for his remake, his friendship with Tilda Swinton and her three roles in the film, and what the movie is actually about.
It's Halloween time, and to celebrate the occasion our team of reporters dives deep into some recent horror hits in film and television. Film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and reporters Libby Hill ( @midwestspitfire ) and Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) join host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) to discuss the newest Halloween sequel as well as the remake of cult classic Suspiria and the new Netflix horror show Haunting of Hill House ....
This week, the L.A. Times team is joined by Joy Press, a former LAT staffer and writer of Stealing the Show: How Women Are Transforming Television, to discuss two recent TV reboots: The Conners and Murphy Brown . The group discusses how ABC dealt with Roseanne leaving her namesake show, the big reveal at the start of The Conners , and how Murphy Brown is faring in comparison.
Film critic Kenneth Turan ( @KennethTuran ) and reporters Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) and Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) join host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) to discuss the new hit movie, A Star is Born . They talk all about Bradley Cooper's directing debut, how the movie compares to previous iterations, and Lady Gaga's performance....
On the heels of producer Suge Knight's murder trial, LA Times reporters James Queally ( @JamesQueallyLAT ), Marisa Gerber ( @marisagerber ), and Gerrick Kennedy ( @GerrickKennedy ) join Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) for a deep dive discussion about his life, the trial proceedings, and particularly how the proceedings reflect his impact on the music industry....
Numerous recent movies have been charged by an immediacy of anxiety, as many of the same feelings from the world-at-large have made their way onto our movie screens with an alarming speed and connection. Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) is joined by Times film reporters Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) and film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) to talk about his current phenomenon and what we expect from our movies, what they can do to inform, explain or even di...
This week, we're recapping everything that happened at the Emmys. Reporter Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) and TV critics Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) and Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ) join host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) to break down the surprises and disappointments, the performances of this year's hosts, and the unexpected visit from Teddy Perkins....
The Reel is at Toronto International Film Festival! Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) breaks down the last few days at the film festival with reporters Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) and Jen Yamato ( @Jen Yamato ) and film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ). Hear about the festival's new diversity initiatives and this year's biggest films....
Our team breaks down what they think will be the best fall movies this year. Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ), Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) and Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) pick their favorites and talk about memorable interviews they've had with the stars--including Lady Gaga....
In this week's episode, Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) starts off leading a discussion about this year's Emmys contenders with Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) and Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ). Then, hear Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) interview The Crown 's Matt Smith on the show's last two seasons and how he feels about the United States' fascination with the royal family....
TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) interviews both Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, who play Russian spies Philip and Elizabeth Jennings in the FX show The Americans . The pair separately discusses the shows many Emmy nominations and the many emotions felt while filming the final season. They also touch on how the 1980's show about the Cold War went from period piece to contemporary flashpoint....
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) is joined by film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and writers Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) to discuss the new and controversial Popular Film category announced by The Academy. They also break down their favorite summer movies. Then, writer Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) interviews the co-creators of Netflix's GLOW to talk all about the show....
After some time off, The Reel is back! This week film critic Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ) and reporters Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) discuss the movies Crazy Rich Asians and BlacKkKlansman with host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ). They discuss the importance of the films in their respective communities and the film world at large, as well as the genre-bending techniques each uses to stand out from the crowd. Then, reporter Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) interviews The Han...
Host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) talks with writer Kristine McKenna about the process of writing Room to Dream , a new book that she co-wrote with David Lynch. Room to Dream is part biography and part memoir of David Lynch. Due to this unconventional format, it offers a unique window into his singular vision for his life and art.
Hear our reactions to this year's Emmys nominations and our team's predictions for who might win the night's most coveted awards. TV writer Lorraine Ali ( @LorraineAli ) and critic Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ) join Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) to discuss the different categories and talk about what else to expect as we prepare for the 2018 Emmy Awards....
A number of recent television shows, including the second seasons of “GLOW” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the premieres of “Sharp Objects” and “Dietland,” have dealt with female empowerment and rage in fresh and innovative ways, grappling with the roles set out for women in society. There’s also been a behind-the-scenes analogue for many of these shows as well, with women often in roles of creative control. Times TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ), television critic Lorraine Ali ( @l...
As there has been increased attention given to issues of representation, inclusion and diversity regarding what goes on-screen and who is involved in making the movies that we see, there has also recently been a parallel conversation gaining momentum with regards to the media itself. Who are the people who write the reviews, cover the red carpets, attend the film festivals and how do their perspectives impact how movies are discussed and received? From the LA Times film team, Tre'vell Anderson (...
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) brings in reporters Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ), Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ), and Yvonne Villarreal ( @villarrealy ) to talk about Netflix's recent wave of new romantic comedies. Focusing on the films Set It Up, The Kissing Booth , and Ibiza , the group discusses the timeless appeal of romcoms, why they are the perfect movies for summer, and how these type of movies and their inherent charm let actors become stars....
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) interviews co-creator and showrunner of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Aline Brosh McKenna ( @alinebmckenna ). They discuss the dark, emotional places that emerge in the show's third season and talk about what's next for Rebecca Bunch.
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) speaks to Academy Award-Winning Documentarian Morgan Neville about his most recent film, Won't You Be My Neighbor? The documentary celebrates the life and work of Fred Rogers, best known for his TV program Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood . Morgan discusses the use of archival footage and new interviews in his film as well as the overarching theme of both his documentary and Mr. Rogers' program: the idea that culture matters....
As we continue our Emmys season discussion, Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) brings in TV critics Lorraine Ali ( @Lorraine Ali ) and Robert Lloyd ( @LATimesTVLloyd ) to talk with TV editor Greg Braxton. They discuss the TV era we're in today, which streaming services are dominating this season, and more....
Emmys Nominations are just around the corner, so host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) spoke with reporters Glenn Whipp ( @GlennWhipp ) and Libby Hill ( @midwestspitfire ) about how the awards show has evolved over the years. They discuss if certain show formats are destined to win an Emmy and whether new shows, particularly on streaming services, get an advantage during nominations. To wrap up, the three discuss their personal favorite shows and whether they have a shot....
Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster has been a presence in the entertainment business for more than fifty years, first as a child actor in films such as “Bugsy Malone” and “Taxi Driver,” then as an adult star in projects like “The Accused” and “The Silence of the Lambs” and later as a director herself. Recently in the LA Times building to promote the episode of the “Black Mirror” anthology she directed, she also stopped by The Reel recording studio to talk with Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) ...
Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) talks to film reporters Justin Chang ( @JustinCChang ), Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) about some new movie releases that you should keep an eye out for. And then, we listen in on an interview with Claire Danes about her new movie A Kid Like Jake....
New York Times Bestselling Author of Bachelor Nation and Los Angeles Times reporter Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) talks with Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) about the new season of The Bachelorette. They also discuss what this franchise means for our culture and why this season is different.
Reporter Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) had the chance to interview André Leon Talley the other day. The two spoke about the obstacles Talley has had to overcome in order to become the cultural icon he is today, the most meaningful parts of his career and, briefly, the Met Gala. Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) debriefs this interview with Tre'vell, which serves as a perfect primer to the recently released documentary: The Gospel According to André....
Restaurateur and chef David Chang stopped by The Reel recently for a broad-ranging conversation with Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ). In talking about his Netflix series “Ugly Delicious,” Chang got into how his ideas about food find their way into his own cooking, including at the new Majordomo, his first restaurant in Los Angeles. And, yes, Chang did address the much talked-about review of Majordomo by the LAT’s Jonathan Gold, which is so far the most notable piece of critical writing on the new res...
Reporters Amy Kaufman ( @AmyKinLA ) and Justin Chang ( @JustinChang ) have just returned from Cannes Film Festival. They debrief the experience with host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ), talking about the rules on Cannes' uniquely pompous red carpet, the live reaction to BlacKkKlansman, the lingering presence of Harvey Weinstein and an ice cream cooler party....
Host Mark Olsen ( @IndieFocus ) talks with Jen Yamato ( @JenYamato ) and Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) about the making of the Deadpool franchise, it's unique marketing techniques, and how this new sequel stands out from the other superhero movies that have come out around the same time. Also, our reporters frankly discuss the difficulties of asking tough questions at movie press stops while surrounded a hyped-up, fan-filled audience....
Donald Glover and Kanye West have almost simultaneously grabbed the national spotlight this past week. Reporter Tre'vell Anderson ( @TrevellAnderson ) talks with reporters Jen Yamato ( @jenyamato ) and Chris Barton ( @chrisbarton ) about the interwoven personas of Donald Glover and Childish Gambino, what questions Glover's new 'This is America' music video asks and how, if at all, he's connected to Kanye West's recent incendiary comments....
