AirTalk brings you the latest after the Nunes memo dropped this morning: what will its effect be on the FBI, the Mueller investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the election and general politics in DC? We also review this week’s movie releases on FilmWeek – plus, a dive into how much Oscar campaigns really influence Academy voters.
AirTalk special coverage: the Nunes memo
The so-called Nunes memo dropped Friday morning.
AirTalk discusses the impact – on the FBI, the Mueller investigation into alleged Russian meddling of the 2016 election, and politics in DC with our panel of guests.
Read the memo below:
The Nunes Memo by Southern California Public Radio on Scribd
Guests:
Lisa Mascaro, congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Times; she just attended the annual Republican congressional retreat in West Virginia
Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist and founder and chief executive officer of Rodriguez Strategies; he is also a former senior Obama advisor in 2008; he tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
Ron Hosko, former assistant director of the FBI from 2012 to 2014; president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization providing assistance to law enforcement officers who are required to defend their official actions in court
Robert Kaufman, public policy professor at Pepperdine specializing in American foreign policy, national security, international relations and politics
Garrett Graff, journalist, author and contributing editor at Wired; former editor at Politico Magazine and the Washingtonian; he wrote a biography on former FBI Director Robert Mueller, “The Threat Matrix: The FBI At War In The Age Of Global Terror” (Back Bay Books, 2012); he tweets
R.P. Eddy, CEO of the New York-based intelligence firm Ergo; former director at the White House National Security Council, as well as a former U.S. and U.N. senior diplomat; he is the co-author of the book, “Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes” (Ecco, 2017); he tweets
FilmWeek: ‘Winchester,’ ‘A Fantastic Woman’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Justin Chang and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"Winchester" in wide release
"A Fantastic Woman" at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark Theater
The Frame's John Horn spoke with the film's star, Daniela Vega. You can hear the full interview here.
"Have A Nice Day" at Laemmle's Playhouse
"On Body and Soul" streaming on Netflix
"Bilal: A New Breed of Hero" in select theaters (check local listings)
"A Ciambra" at Laemmle's Royal
"Braven" at AMC Dine-In Sunset
"Before We Vanish" at Regal L.A. Live
"Scorched Earth" at Regency Van Nuys
"The Music of Silence" at Laemmle's Music Hall
Critics' Hits
Amy: "A Fantastic Woman"& "Have a Nice Day"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLjiPsX3pAw
Justin: "A Ciambra"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1l4Hpp27A4
Mixed Feelings
Amy: "Braven"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOwIQNA9A8I
Justin: "On Body and Soul"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gZw6GVf2eY
Charles: "Bilal: A New Breed of Hero"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhrZBHwOMUs
Misses
Amy, Justin & Charles: "Winchester"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Juc2cL26mg
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and host of The Canon podcast; she tweets
Justin Chang, film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
Award season sparks tailor-made movie trailers and ad campaigns, but to what end?
Though artistic merit is a large factor in a film being nominated for an award, it would be remiss to disregard the large, roaring engines of marketing machines that back a movie from start to finish.
The direction of a film’s advertising campaign depends on a number of components, such as intended audience and critical attention, but these components have a tendency to shift over time. As award season picks up and the accolades start coming in, it becomes crucial for marketing houses to identify how a film is being received and to capitalize on its strengths when advertising to Academy members. Cue a slew of freshly re-structured trailers and “For Your Consideration” ads, and those shiny gold statues seem a little less out of reach.
But is this strategy as effective as it’s made out to be? Some would argue that Academy members are more influenced by the results of previous awards shows such as the Golden Globes and SAG Awards rather than a two minute trailer or thirty second ad.
Either way, FilmWeek wants to know: if you’re a member of the Academy, do these types of campaigns hold much weight with you? And if you’re a movie fan, how do you feel about the power of PR when it comes to award shows? Call 866.893.5722.
Guests:
Nick Temple, founder and editor of Wild Card, a theatrical advertising agency based in Culver City whose primary focus is event and Academy films; he has worked on films including “The Post,” “American Sniper,” “Lincoln,” “The Martian,” and “Bridge of Spies”
Stu Zakim, president of Bridge Strategic Communications, a public relations firm in the entertainment and cannabis business based in Montclair, New Jersey; he’s been a Motion Picture Arts Academy member since 1995, has held executive positions at Columbia Pictures and Universal and worked on films including Schindler’s List, Scent of a Woman, Apollo 13, and Jurassic Park