We bring you the latest on Hurricane Matthew as it hurtles past Florida’s Atlantic coast; Prop 64 may legalize recreational pot this November, but how will California deal with driving under the influence of marijuana?; plus, Larry and KPCC film critics review this week’s releases, including ‘The Birth of a Nation,’ ‘The Girl on the Train’ and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
The latest on Hurricane Matthew as it strikes the Florida coast
Hurricane Matthew, the storm that wreaked havoc in Haiti on Thursday, is swiping the coast of Florida and has forecasters worried for Jacksonville.
With winds reaching 120 miles per hour, this Category 3 storm has left almost 1 million without power.
While projections said the storm would go out to sea, some meteorologists now think that it will turn landwards Friday.
President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, where many of the residents were ordered to evacuate.
Larry brings you the latest.
Guest:
Robert Alonso, reporter with WOKV FM in Jacksonville, Florida; he is at the Emergency Operations Center in St. John’s County near Jacksonville; he tweets
Prop 64 and what we know about car collisions in states with legal recreational pot
The Automobile Club of Southern California recently came out in opposition to California’s recreational marijuana legalization measure, Prop 64, and on Wednesday held a ‘Drugged Driver Summit’ to address some of the concerns about and potential impacts of driving under the influence of marijuana.
What do we know about collisions in states that have already legalized recreational marijuana? Is there evidence to support the claim that legal recreational marijuana would lead to an increase in high driving?
Guests:
Jeff Spring, spokesman with the Auto Club of Southern California
David Bearman, M.D., vice president of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine and former director of the Sutter County (CA) Health Department, vice president of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine and former director of the Sutter County (CA) Health Department
Do you have your voter game plan? Use our Voter's Edge election guide to find your personalized ballot.
Legal analysis: Charges against ‘Backpage’ CEO
The former owners of the LA Weekly have been charged with conspiracy to commit pimping. Michael Lacey and James Larkin sold off their alternative newspapers four years ago, but they kept the lucrative classified ads website Backpage.com.
State Attorney General Kamala Harris says the site brings in millions of dollars from the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims. According to Backpage's IRS filings, the company makes 99-percent of its income from its adult listings for escorts.
Backpage's CEO Carl Ferrer was arrested yesterday in Houston, after authorities raided the company's Dallas headquarters. Ferrer faces a more serious count of conspiracy to pimp a minor.
Lacey and Larkin aren't yet in custody. They live in Arizona, where many years ago they started the alternative weekly New Times in Phoenix. They then launched New Times Los Angeles and later acquired the LA Weekly.
Backpage has long argued that they remove listings by minors on their adult pages and report the incidents to authorities. Kamala Harris claims the site is purposefully designed by its executives to be the world's top online brothel. Backpage has created sites in cities around the world, including over 30 in California.
Is what Backpage is doing truly pimping, or is it simply a neutral conduit for those offering sexual services?
Larry speaks with legal expert Eric Goldman on the charges.
With AP files
Guest:
Eric Goldman, a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law; he also co-directs the school’s High Tech Law Institute
FilmWeek: 'The Birth of a Nation,' 'The Girl on the Train' and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Charles Solomon, and Justin Chang review this week's new movie releases including "The Birth of a Nation;" Emily Blunt starring in "The Girl on the Train;" an epic IMAX film from Terrence Malick called "Voyage of Time;" some outstanding animated features, foreign films, indies, and more.
TGI-FilmWeek!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrNn8tlvX6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhrZBHwOMUs
Justin's Hits
- "Under the Shadow"
- "The 13th"
- "Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience"
- "Sand Storm"
- "The Battle of Algiers"
- "As I Open My Eyes"
Amy's Hits
- "Under the Shadow"
- "Among the Believers"
- "The Greasy Strangler" ("...for certain tastes")
Mixed Reviews
- Charles: "Bilal: A New Breed of Hero" & "Shin Godzilla"
- Justin: "The Birth of a Nation"
- Amy: "The Girl on the Train"
This Week's Misses
- Justin: "The Girl on the Train"
- Amy: "The Birth of a Nation"
Guests:
Justin Chang, Film Critic for KPCC and the “Los Angeles Times;" he tweets
Charles Solomon, Film Critic for KPCC and Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
Amy Nicholson, Film Critic for KPCC and Chief Film Critic, MTV News; she tweets
Feds to review foreign influence and investment in Hollywood
In response to lawmakers warning of foreign influence, propaganda, and censorship in American filmmaking, the Government Accountability Office will look at whether the U.S. should review foreign investment in film studios and production companies, such as Dalian Wanda's acquisitions.
The Chinese company is in final talks to acquire Dick Clark Productions in addition to its previous purchase of Legendary Entertainment, for a reported $3.5 billion (b), plus its majority control of AMC Entertainment, which now owns Carmike theaters, for a combined 11,500 movies screens, according to “The Hollywood Reporter.”
Because of the extent of Dalian Wanda’s investments in the media spheres, members of Congress are asking: Should the definition of national security be broadened to address concerns about propaganda and control of the media and ‘soft power’ institutions? Regardless of Wanda controlling some purse-strings in the movie business, the massive size of Chinese audiences means American filmmakers are catering to their tastes, such as eschewing Chinese villains in storylines.
In what ways could foreign investors, producers, and distributors impact American cinema? Should Congress impose limits to protect national security?
Guests:
Ryan Faughnder, Entertainment Business Reporter, Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Matt Pressman, Entertainment Business Reporter, The Wrap; he tweets