AirTalk debates the proposed redevelopment of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. We also parse through the politics of passing the Senate healthcare bill; review this week's movie releases on FilmWeek; why is it so hard to make a great rom-com?; and more.
A look at the politics of passing the revised Senate health care bill
The new health care bill revision released by Senate Republicans yesterday is drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle.
As reported by Reuters, the plan’s opposition from GOP leaders is largely due to its retention of taxes on the wealthy. Democrats’ longstanding disapproval remains with the proposal’s lack of health coverage. And all of this doesn’t look good for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is under the close watch of President Donald Trump who is looking for a win. Cuts to Medicaid in the proposal have been a point of concern among several senators including John McCain (R-AZ). And Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has announced an alternative plan. So what else is in the revised health care bill and what are the chances of it passing?
Guests:
Margot Sanger-Katz, health care correspondent for the New York Times; she has been following the story; she tweets
Scott Detrow, Congressional reporter for NPR; he also co-hosts the NPR Politics Podcast; he tweets
City councilmember, Crenshaw stakeholder debate revamping Southwest LA shopping center
Residents of Los Angeles’ Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills communities are split over a proposal to update and revamp the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
This would include building and adding more than 900 new apartments and condos, a hotel, an office building, and an open-air shopping plaza (think The Grove or The Americana). As part of the proposal, the mall developer would have to make 10 percent specifically for people within a specific income range. Half of that ten percent would be reserved for families making 50 percent of median income in the area.
Both supporters and detractors were out in full force at an L.A. City Planning Commission hearing on Thursday. Proponents say that in order to fight the giant that is online shopping, malls need to be a place where people can not just buy stuff, but live and work as well. But opponents worry that in addition to increased traffic, a development like this will send the neighborhoods in the directions of many other L.A. communities that have seen rampant gentrification that has priced out longtime residents of those neighborhoods.
Guests:
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles Councilmember representing the 8th District, which encompasses parts of South Los Angeles and spans from Baldwin Hills to the border of Watts; he tweets
Damien Goodmon, founder and executive director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition; he tweets
FilmWeek: ‘War for the Planet of the Apes,’ ‘Wish Upon,’ ‘The Big Sick’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s new movie releases including:
- "War of the Planet of the Apes" in wide release
- "Wish Upon" in wide release
- "The Big Sick" expanding in wide release
- "Lady Macbeth" at ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark
- "To the Bone" at iPic Theaters and on Netflix
- "City of Ghosts" at The Landmark
- "Blind" at AMC Dine-In Sunset
- "Endless Poetry" at Nuart Theatre
- "Chasing Coral" Laemmle's Monica Film Center and on Netflix
- "The Skyjacker's Tale" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
Critics' Hits
- Peter: "War of the Planet of the Apes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDcAlo8i2y8
- Amy: "Endless Poetry"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suyruCTA2I4
- Both: "The Big Sick"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJmpSMRQhhs&t=18s
Mixed Feelings
- Amy: "To the Bone"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=705yRfs6Dbs
- Peter: "Lady Macbeth"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z0N8ULhuUA
Misses!
- Amy & Peter: "Blind"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqNquS7wa0
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and host of The Canon; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Why is it so hard to make a good rom-com?
Or maybe you love romantic comedies just the way they are.
But for many critics, “The Big Sick,” based on the real-life love story of star Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, TV-producer Emily V. Gordon, is being hailed as the “best romantic comedy in years.”
The 1990s and early 2000s are often credited as rom-com’s most recent heyday — the era of “Pretty Woman,” “Sleepless in Seattle” and “My Best Friend's Wedding” — while finding examples from the last decade has proven to be a tougher exercise.
It’s not that these movies aren’t being made, it’s just that today’s romantic comedies don’t seem to be nearly as iconic or beloved as the ones we already know. So what’s the art of making a great romantic comedy, and why are they so difficult to make? What’s the last great rom-com you’ve watched? Or if you haven’t abandoned the genre, what’s recently topped your list and why?
Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and host of The Canon; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor