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President Obama's year-end conference, FilmWeek reviews for 'The Force Awakens' and movie spoiler etiquette

President Barack Obama makes a statement on the climate agreement in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 12, 2015 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama makes a statement on the climate agreement in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 12, 2015 in Washington, DC.
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Pool/Getty Images
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Listen 1:38:13
President Barack Obama hold his annual year-end press conference before taking his holiday vacation to Hawaii; FilmWeek critics review "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Sisters," and more and discussing the internet etiquette of a "spoiler alert."
President Barack Obama hold his annual year-end press conference before taking his holiday vacation to Hawaii; FilmWeek critics review "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Sisters," and more and discussing the internet etiquette of a "spoiler alert."

President Barack Obama hold his annual year-end press conference before taking his holiday vacation to Hawaii; FilmWeek critics review "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Sisters," and more and discussing the internet etiquette of a "spoiler alert."

President Obama addresses the nation at his annual year-end press conference

Listen 50:43
President Obama addresses the nation at his annual year-end press conference

President Barack Obama will hold his annual year-end press conference at the White House Friday, before taking his holiday vacation to Hawaii.

After the news conference, Obama will make his way to San Bernardino, where he plans to visit the families of 14 victims of the recent mass shooting.

The president is scheduled to return to the White House a few days after New Year's to start his last year in office.

With files from the Associated Press

FilmWeek: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Sisters’ and more

Listen 33:12
FilmWeek: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Sisters’ and more

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Justin Chang, and Charles Solomon review this week’s new releases including the highly anticipated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Sisters,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” and more. TGI-Filmweek!

Guests:

Justin Chang, film critic for KPCC and chief film critic for "Variety"

Tim Cogshell, Film Critic for KPCC and Alt-Film Guide; Tim tweets from

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC and Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

The etiquette of a 'spoiler alert'

Listen 14:17
The etiquette of a 'spoiler alert'

Every time the latest blockbuster is released to the public, a strict "No spoilers!" warning goes into effect, with regards to plot details about the movie.

The most recent example is Star Wars: the Force Awakens.

Because of the filmmakers have kept a tight lid on details about the movie, most fans don't want to know anything about the latest Star Wars before they see it for themselves.

Despite this, film reviewers still have a job to provide their opinion of the latest release. In fact, many critics disregard the term "spoilers" as meaningless, insisting that you don't go to a movie just to be surprised.

How far is too far when it comes to spoilers? Should reviewers curb their language to not include anything that would ruin the plot of the film?

Guests:

Justin Chang, film critic for KPCC and chief film critic for "Variety"

Tim Cogshell, Film Critic for KPCC and Alt-Film Guide; Tim tweets from

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC and Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine