AirTalk dives into the implications of unexpected support from the GOP and NRA in regulating gun modifications, like the bump stock Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock used Sunday night. We also look into the concept of rehabilitation after USC’s new medical dean resigned over a 14-year-old sexual assault lawsuit; review this week’s new releases on FilmWeek; and more.
GOP and NRA turn on the bump stock: the politics and mechanics of gun modifications
In the wake of the shooting in Vegas, congressional Republicans said Wednesday they’d consider banning the bump stock – the attachment used by the gunman in Vegas, which allows semiautomatic rifles to fire more quickly.
The NRA followed suit, calling for a federal review of the modification and suggesting that further regulations on bump stocks might be needed, though lobbying group Gun Owners of America has continued to oppose the ban.
In addition to the shifting politics over the gun modification conversation, we’ll also take a closer look at the modifications themselves. Is there a legitimate use of the trigger crank and the bump stock for gun owners? If these modifications are taken off the market, is there a black market that fills the gap? Are there other unregulated gun attachments that effectively turn semiautomatics into automatic weapons?
Guests:
Mike DeBonis, reporter covering Congress and national politics for the Washington Post; he’s been following the story; he tweets
Christopher Dergregorian, partner and COO of Omni Sentry Security, a full-service security firm located in Van Nuys; he is a certified NRA instructor
Another dean out at USC med school – this time, over a long-settled sexual harassment claim
USC is once again looking to fill the top spot at its medical school for the second time in less than two years.
Dr. Rohit Varma has been dismissed as dean of the medical school, as the Los Angeles Times was preparing to publish an investigation over a sexual harassment settlement that involved Varma and a female researcher at the university.
Varma was appointed to replace Dr. Carmen Puliafito, who resigned last year amid a widening scandal over his hard-partying ways as the then dean of the medical school.
In 2003, USC settled a complaint filed by a medical school fellow who accused Varma – then an assistant professor – of sexually harassing her during a work-related trip. According to the Times, which obtained confidential personnel records pertaining to the case, Varma was formally disciplined for his actions.
Despite the incident, Varma was soon promoted to full professor and continued to rise through the ranks to eventually become dean of the medical school.
Given the sexual harassment settlement that took place almost 15 years ago, should USC not have considered Varma as dean of the medical school?
Guest:
Paul Pringle, LA Times reporter who co-wrote the piece looking at the sexual harassment settlement involving Varma
FilmWeek: ‘Blade Runner: 2049,’ ‘The Mountain Between Us’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig, Tim Cogshell and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"Blade Runner 2049" in wide release
"The Mountain Between Us" in wide release
"My Little Pony: The Movie" in wide release
"The Florida Project" at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
"Chavela" at Nuart Theatre
"Brawl in Cell Block 99" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
"The Pathological Optimist" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
Critics' Hits
Claudia: "Chavela"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssXSQ7wBmp4
Tim: "The Florida Project"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQ-NH1rRT4
Mixed Feelings
Charles: "Blade Runner 2049"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCcx85zbxz4
Tim: "The Mountain Between Us"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu41hu1a_8c
Claudia: "Brawl in Cell Block 99"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfAExhHTMM
Misses!
Tim: "The Pathological Optimist"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV7cgC1K3fQ
Claudia & Charles: "My Little Pony: The Movie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Amk3FzLS5k
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
‘More human than human’: we discuss the impact and influence of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner
With the release of the new “Blade Runner: 2049,” the much-anticipated sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic “Blade Runner,” AirTalk takes a look at the influence and impact that Ridley Scott’s original version had on the sci-fi genre.
The initial 1982 reception of “Blade Runner” was mixed, but the film has since been acknowledged as a seminal building block for modern filmmakers. From Scott’s incredibly detailed set designs to the association of neon lights with The Future, “Blade Runner” changed the landscape of cinema for decades to come.
Join Larry and the critics as they discuss the film’s unique features and influences, and reach out with your own connection to “Blade Runner” by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine