The Winter Olympics kick off this morning. What is different about these games?

The Winter Olympics kick off this morning. What is different about these games?

An unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago. This is the most spread-out Olympics — Summer or Winter — in history, with competition venues dotting an area of about 8,500 square miles (more than 22,000 square kilometers), roughly the size of the entire state of New Jersey. Spread out over a vast swath of northern Italy, these Olympics are the first to truly embrace the International Olympic Committee’s reform plan of using existing venues, no matter how far apart they are. Joining us to discuss this year's Winter Olympics and what to look out for at this year's games is Lukas Weese, reporter for The Athletic, following the Winter Olympics, based in Milan.

With files from the Associated Press

Birding is booming. But why is the hobby soaring?

Is everyone around you suddenly into birds? Do they insist on bringing a notebook and binoculars everywhere they go? You might think they’re weird, but they’re part of a growing trend of people who’ve taken up the hobby of birding. Like any hobby, there are different levels of engagement. For some people, it’s setting up a birdfeeder and noting which winged friends stop by and when. For others, it means taking international trips to spot the rarest of the rare. Have you become an avid birder in the past couple of years? How’d you get into it? What do you love about it? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by John McCormack, professor of biology and Director and Curator of the Moore Laboratory of Zoology at Occidental College.

Kurrypinch brings more than just a pinch of love to its dishes for Angelenos

Southern California holds one of the highest concentrations of Sri Lankan Americans, and although they are a small population in the grand scheme of things, their food is still accessible to Angelenos thanks to spots like Kurrypinch. Its chef and owner, Shaheen Ghazaly, has been operating the restaurant since 2018, originally opening in Van Nuys. The restaurant has had to move locations twice, having later gone to Tarzana, and now it's in its new home in Thai Town. Despite the fluctuation in location, Ghazaly has managed to keep his business alive and well, serving Sri Lankan cuisine with a creative spin. On this week’s Food Friday, we’ll talk to Chef Shaheen Ghazaly about the history of Kurrpinch, as well as signature dishes like his lamb kottu roti and seafood paella. We also welcome LAist reporter Yusra Farzan to help offer additional insights on the local Sri Lankan community.

FilmWeek: “Dracula,” “Sirāt,” “Pillion,” and more!!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Films:

Dracula, In Select Theaters

Sirāt, AMC Burbank & Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]

Pillion, In Select Theaters

Jimpa, In Select Theaters

Natchez, Laemmle Glendale

Kokuho, AMC Citywalk [Hollywood]| Expands to select theaters February 20th

A Useful Ghost, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]

Queen of Chess, Streaming on Netflix

Solo Mio, In Select Theaters

The President’s Cake, Laemmle Royal [West LA]

The Strangers – Chapter 3, In Select Theaters

The Love That Remains, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Glendale

Feature: Director Joachim Trier on his nine-time Oscar-nominated film ‘Sentimental Value’

Writer-director Joachim Trier makes award-winning films that strike an emotional chord with audiences. Probably best known for his previous film The Worst Person in the World (2021), starring Renate Reinsve and co-written by Eskil Voght, Trier recreates that magic with his latest work Sentimental Value, about two sisters and their relationship with their estranged director father. Trier teamed up with Voght once again to co-write the screenplay, and Reinsve plays the lead, marking the third film the director and actress have worked on together. Stellan Skarsgard stars alongside Reinsve as her character's father. Sentimental Value has nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best International Feature, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. We speak with writer-director Joachim Trier about the film and why it has resonated so much with audiences.

Sentimental Value is playing in select theaters.