Today on AirTalk, we discuss a new proposal to make a stretch of Broadway car-free. Also on the show, we talk about a bill against porch pirates; our FilmWeek critics review the weekend's releases; and more.
The Latest On Homelessness Talks Between L.A. And The Trump Administration
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcettti and HUD Secretary Ben Carson are continuing talks of a deal to address homelessness in the city. The two officials met Thursday at an event on homelessness at USC.
According to the L.A. Times, Garcetti said he expects more information on the collaboration will be revealed in the next couple weeks. The deal is thought to include state and federal funds along with federal land that could be used to open more beds. It’s still unclear just how much in funding is on the table. As details trickle in, we continue our check in on the city’s attempt to address the growing issue of homelessness. Today on AirTalk, Larry sits down with an official who’s been heavily involved in the talks to get the latest information.
Guests:
Kathryn Barger, L.A. County supervisor representing the 5th district, which includes the Antelope, San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley; she’s been involved in talks with HUD and Mayor Eric Garcetti on addressing homelessness in L.A.
Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission; he tweets
Should There Be A Car-Free Zone On Broadway In Downtown LA?
L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar proposed a motion for the city to study the possibility of making Broadway car-free between First and 12th streets downtown.
Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway plan has already improved the pedestrian experience by widening sidewalks and adding landscaping, lighting and street furniture to walkways. This would take it a step further by closing off vehicular traffic completely and allowing only pedestrians, bikes, scooters and public transportation. If passed, Huizar’s motion would instruct the Economic & Workforce Development Department to report on the feasibility of such a plan, with special consideration given to the protection of Broadway’s historic theaters. A similar plan has been proposed for Hollywood Boulevard, and San Francisco recently implemented a largely car-free zone on Market Street.
What do you think about a car-free zone on Broadway? Good idea or no? Join the on-air conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
We reached out to Councilmember Jose Huizar but he was unable to join AirTalk for an interview at this time
Guests:
Alissa Walker, urbanism editor for Curbed, she’s based in LA and has been writing about car free zones; she tweets
Ellen Riotto, executive director of the South Park Business Improvement District, which supports safety and cleanliness for residents and workers in the South Park neighborhood downtown; she tweets
New Bill Proposes Longer Sentences For Porch Pirates
Porch pirates -- they’re the thieves who go onto someone’s porch and steal their unopened packages. And the number of porch pirates has only increased in recent years with the rise of online shopping.
Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) sees porch piracy as an “epidemic,” is trying to solve the problem by imposing harsher sentences. Senate Bill 979, which Jones introduced this week, would allow judges to sentence porch pirates to up to three years in county jail for repeat offenses.
Currently, stealing packages is a misdemeanor punishable by less than one year in jail. We’re taking calls from our listeners. Will this work to stop package thieves? Do you think the punishment matches the crime? Call us at 866-893-5722 to weigh in.
Guests:
Brian Jones (R-38th District), California state senator representing the 38th District, which includes portions of San Diego and inland San Diego County, he’s the author of Senate Bill 979; he tweets
Rebecca Edwards, senior security expert at Safewise, a website that reviews and rates home security and safety products; Safewise just released a report on the top cities across the U.S. for porch pirating; she tweets
FilmWeek: ‘Sonic The Hedgehog,’ ‘The Photograph’ ‘Downhill’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"Sonic the Hedgehog" in wide release
"The Photograph" in wide release
"Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn" in wide release
"Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon" at Laemmle’s Glendale, streaming on Netflix Feb. 14
"Fantasy Island" in wide release
"Ordinary Love" at The Landmark
"Downhill" in wide release
The Frame's John Horn spoke with star and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus earlier this week. You can listen to that conversation here.
"Beanpole" at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre
"Portrait of a Lady on Fire" at Arclight Hollywood, The Landmark, Laemmle’s NoHo & Laemmle’s Playhouse
The Frame's John Horn spoke with writer and director Céline Sciamma earlier this week. You can listen to that conversation here.
"Come to Daddy" at Alamo Drafthouse DTLA
"Ride Your Wave" at Laemmle’s Glendale
"The Last Thing He Wanted" at The Landmark
"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" streaming only on Netflix
"Violet Evergarden: Eternity and Auto Memory Doll" in select theaters starting 2/18 (check local listings)
"And Then We Danced" at Laemmle’s Royal, Laemmle’s Town Center & Laemmle’s Playhouse
"The Lodge" in select theaters (check local listings)
"José" at Laemmle's Royal
Critics' Hits:
Amy: "Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn" "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" "Come to Daddy"
Charles: "Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon" "Ride Your Wave"
Peter: "Beanpole"
Mixed Feelings:
Amy: "Sonic the Hedgehog" "The Photograph" "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You"
Charles: "Violet Evergarden: Eternity and Auto Memory Doll"
Peter: "Ordinary Love" "Downhill" "The Last Thing He Wanted" "And Then We Danced" "José"
Misses:
Amy: "The Lodge"
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The Guardian and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
FilmWeek Remembers Film Critic F.X. Feeney
Longtime LA Weekly film critic F.X. Feeney, who also spent years as a member of KPCC’s FilmWeek critic team, died last week at the age of 66.
Feeney’s work appeared in a number of publications including People Magazine, Variety and Vanity Fair, but he was best known for his “soulful writing” which his obituary in the Weekly says was “an indelible part of the paper’s legacy.” Feeney started in the industry working in animation before he started writing reviews for the Weekly and eventually became the paper’s resident critic. He also wrote, consulted and programmed for the 1980s pay television station “Z Channel,” one of the country’s first of its kind. He would eventually co-produce with Xan Cassavetes a documentary about it called “Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession.”
Today on FilmWeek, we remember F.X. our friend and colleague F.X. Feeney, his career, and what Larry Mantle and our FilmWeek critics learned from him.
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The Guardian and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine