What do last month's unemployment figures mean for an economic recovery? Advertising that looks like journalism in the LA Times. Larry visits the Anime Expo. And TGI-FilmWeek! Larry and the critics review the week's new movies, including Twilight: Eclipse, The Last Airbender, and Love Ranch. Next, we open the phones to hear what listeners think about Twilight: Eclipse. Later, Oliver Stone discusses his political documentary South of the Border.
Disappointing employment numbers raise concerns of a slowed recovery
There are concerns that the economic recovery is slowing. Unemployment declined in June from 9.7 percent to 9.5 percent, which may reflect many people giving up on looking for jobs, as the labor force is defined by those working and those actively searching for work. And while the private sector added 83,000 jobs last month- more than double the number added in May- it was lower than expected. Why aren't businesses hiring, and with no extension of long-term unemployment benefits, how will this affect an economic recovery and those seeking work?
Guests:
Neil Irwin, Washington Post writer on the economy
Chris Thornberg, Principal, Beacon Economics
LATEXTRA fakeout streches wrapped-ad limits
Those who read the print edition of the Los Angeles Times couldn’t miss yesterday’s ad-gag – four full pages of advertising wrapped around the LATEXTRA section. A dramatic headline appeared below the masthead—Universal Studios Hollywood Partially Destroyed. Now the LA County Board of Supervisors is wagging its collective finger at the Times, calling the fakeout “a mockery of the paper’s mission.” Does the gimmick compromise the paper’s reputation? Or, should anything that could save the shrinking newsroom go to press? And, did you spill coffee all over your paper in surprise like most of the AirTalk team?
Anime Expo 2010
In celebration of Japanese pop-culture, excited anime fans will take over the Los Angeles Convention Center this 4th of July weekend for the Anime Expo, the largest anime and manga (comic books) convention in the nation. Festivities include screenings, karaoke, a laser light show, and various workshops including how to throw your own anime-themed party. The expo’s opening yesterday drew nearly 35,000 fans, dressed up as their favorite anime characters – from Pokemon to ninjas, and that number is expected to increase as the weekend continues. Fans say, if you can’t buy a ticket to Japan, the expo is the next best thing. Larry visits the anime convention in downtown Los Angeles to talk with fans and organizers about the event.
Guests:
Michael Lattanzio, CEO of the Society for Japanese Animation
Jason Pier, Co-host of the AX live podcast
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Jean Oppenheimer, Andy Klein of Brand X and Charles Solomon, animation critic and historian for amazon.com discuss several of the week’s new film releases including The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Last Airbender, Love Ranch, and South of the Border among others. Larry will also open up the phones for “Twi-Hards” to sound off about Eclipse. Are you “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob?” TGI-FilmWeek!
Guests:
Jean Oppenheimer, KPCC film critic Andy Klein, KPCC film critic and film critic for Brand X Charles Solomon, KPCC film critic and animation critic and historian for amazon.com Live tweeting this week's reviews:
Truth teller or agitprop antagonist? Oliver Stone goes south of the border
Oliver Stone is one of America’s most famous film makers, known for such master works as Platoon, JFK and Wall Street. He’s putting the finishing touches on a sequel to Wall Street, returning to one of his most famous characters, Gorden Gekko. But he’s also a political activist with a keen interest in developments in South America. This weekend his newest film comes out, South of the Border. It’s a documentary comprising interviews with South American leaders, most notably Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. In the film, Stone sets out to show that American media and policy makers unfairly demonize Chavez. Larry caught up with Stone earlier this week.
Guest:
Oliver Stone, director, writer, filmmaker