15th Anniversary of the L.A. Riots; Einstein; Jack Valenti; FilmWeek Reviews
15th Anniversary of the L.A. Riots
The acquittal of four LAPD officers videotaped in the beating of Rodney King led to a horrific eruption of street violence, and one of the darkest moments in LA's history. Los Angeles police were unable to restore order and the National Guard had to intervene. Fifteen years later, there is the question of whether the underlying tensions have dissipated. What have the police learned over this time? Have they adapted their techniques and technologies to better deal with riots? Larry talks to Charles Beck, Deputy Chief of the LAPD, and Frank Stoltze, KPCC reporter.
Einstein
In Einstein: His Life and Universe (Simon & Schuster), the first biography of Albert Einstein since his personal papers became available, Walter Isaacson shows how the genius' scientific imagination sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. Larry talks with Isaacson about how Einstein's success came from questioning conventional wisdom and marveling at mysteries that struck others as mundane.
Jack Valenti
Former White House Aide and Film Industry Lobbyist Jack Valenti died Thursday. Valenti was best known as a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America and as the creator of the MPAA film rating system. Larry discusses Valenti's life and legacy with guest Tim Gray of Variety, and opens the phones to listeners who knew him.
FilmWeek Reviews
Larry and critics Andy Klein of CityBeat and Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com discuss this week's new releases including Next, Jindabyne, Stephanie Daley, Snow Cake, Diggers, The Condemned, and The Far Side of Jericho.