Larry Mantle discusses all the latest news, then gets reviews of all the week's new film releases including The Ugly Truth, G-Force, Orphan, and Shrink among others. And, he will talk about the new film, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, and the DocuWeeks theatrical showcase.
The battle over the budget
The California State Senate passed a budget early today, but the Assembly is still debating over the complex legislation. Larry checks in with KPCC Reporter Julie Small about the latest in Sacramento.
Julie Small, KPCC Reporter
MTA changes lanes
Freeways may not be so free any more. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced tolls for two of L.A.'s busiest freeways. The 10 Freeway east and the 110 Freeway south will allow solo commuters to drive in the carpool lanes for a price. Tolls range from 25 cents to $1.40 per mile. Even though several other highways in the state have toll roads, this is a first for L.A. County freeways. Larry talks to guests and listeners about how the new plan will affect traffic and driving in Los Angeles.
Martin Wachs, Director, Transportation, Space, and Technology Program at the Rand Corporation
Medicare and Medicaid waste
President Obama has pledged to pay for health care reform through an effort to "eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse" in the health care system. It's estimated that Medicare alone loses $60 billion a year to fraud and improper payments. How extensive is Medicare and Medicaid fraud, and will targeting it help pay for health care reform? Will a health care overhaul lead to more fraud and wasteful spending? Larry Mantle takes a look at abuse in Medicare and Medicaid.
Jerry Flanagan, Health Care Policy Director at Consumer Watchdog
Jim Frogue, Vice President and Director of State Policy at the Center for Health Transformation
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and critics Jean Oppenheimer of Village Voice Media and Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com discuss the week’s new releases including The Ugly Truth, G-Force, Orphan, Shrink, The Answer Man, Humpday, In The Loop, American Cowslip, Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg and Afghan Star.
Jean Oppenheimer, Village Voice Media
Henry Sheehan, henrysheehan.com
Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
Larry Mantle talks with writer/director Aviva Kempner about her new film that opens today, “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg”. The film highlights the career of TV pioneer Gertrude Berg.
DocuWeeks
Since 1997, the DocuWeeks showcase has provided hundreds of documentaries with the theatrical runs needed to qualify for Academy Award consideration. This year, the event takes place July 31 through August 20 at the Arclight in Hollywood. Larry Mantle talks about this year's lineup of 18 features and 10 short films with Michael Lumpkin, executive director of the International Documentary Association.