President Barack Obama promised to provide extra support to law enforcement officials on the border and make it easier for skilled immigrants to stay and contribute to the economy during his speech last night. AirTalk held a viewing party of the speech which was followed by a discussion with a panel of special guests. Also, how do the latest dystopian films match up to their predecessors. Then, it's TGI-Filmweek!
President Obama announces sweeping immigration reform
From the White House’s East Room, President Barack Obama announced plans to overhaul the nation’s immigration system on Thursday night. In his speech, Mr. Obama promised to provide extra support to law enforcement officials on the border, make it easier and faster for skilled immigrants to stay and contribute to the economy, and take steps to deal with the millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
Potentially the biggest sticking point of President Obama’s speech was his plan to deal with the immigrants who have already been living in the U.S. illegally. Those immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for more than five years, who have kids who are American citizens or legal residents, and who register, pass a background check, and agree to pay taxes will be able to apply to stay in the U.S. temporarily.
The President’s action didn’t come without pushback from Republican lawmakers. Soon-to-be Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said that once the newly-elected members of Congress were seated, they would consider a variety of options for acting on the President’s executive orders. It’s unclear whether a government shutdown would be one of those options, but the president urged GOP lawmakers not to let disagreement over this issue be a dealbreaker on everything else.
Guests:
Reshma Shamasunder, Executive Director, California Immigrant Policy Center, a nonprofit organization that advocate for immigrant rights
Veronica Ascencio, a Pasadena resident who’s been living in the U.S. illegally for the past 23 years; all three of her children are U.S citizens by birth
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies, a D.C.-based organization that studies the impact of immigration on American society
Jonathan Wilcox, Republican strategist, former speechwriter for Pete Wilson
Filmweek: 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,' 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Henry Sheehan and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s releases, including “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,” “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night,” and more. TGI-Filmweek! We will also look back on the films of Mike Nichols, who passed away this week, and remember Charles Champlin, long-time LA Times film and art critic who died on Sunday at age 88.
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Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
Fight to the death: Yesteryear's dystopian films versus today's 'Hunger Games' era
The latest battles of Katniss Everdeen are the most politically tinged yet of the 'Hunger Games' films. In the third installation of the series 'Mockingjay - Part 1,' Katniss is a revolutionary leader fighting an omnipotent, global dictatorship. Box office predictions are consistent with the prior films, in a word: massive. The success of the films, adapted from Suzanne Collins' novels, helped launch a barrage of dystopian films (and books) for the kids these days.
Pop culture analysts say "millenials" have a genuine attachment to apocalyptic scenarios as they face daunting forecasts for world economics, the environment and rapid technological changes. But how does the latest slate of movies, such as "Divergent" and "Legend," compare to Jean-Luc Godard's “Alphaville,” Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange” (adapted from Anthony Burgess’ novel), " or George Miller's "The Road Warrior?" Can young adult films offer the sophisticated intellect and satire of the best dystopian classics?
Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety