Too Many Digital Billboards?; The New Iranian "Superpower"; FilmWeek Reviews; Movie Star Fatigue
Too Many Digital Billboards?
The Los Angeles Planning Commission has urged the City to impose a temporary ban on the conversion of traditional billboards to electronic displays. The growing number of digital billboards have been blamed for creating blight and traffic hazards. Larry Mantle talks about the future of electronic billboards with Los Angeles Planning Commission President Jane Usher, Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Times reporter Phil Willon, and David Michaelson of the City Attorneys office.
The New Iranian "Superpower"
Former CIA agent Robert Baer challenges the conventional wisdom about Iran's standing in the Middle East in a new book, "The Devil We Know." The United States government has portrayed the nation as a rogue state, however Baer argues that the country is modernizing into a global superpower fueled by the actions of the US government in the Iraq war. Larry talks with Baer about his provocative thesis, the events that led to Iran's evolution, the power Iran has outside its borders and what the US needs to do to stay in the game.
FilmWeek Reviews
Larry Mantle talks with Lael Loewenstein of Variety and Claudia Puig of USA Today about the week's new film openings including "W," "The Secret Life of Bees," "What Just Happened," "Max Payne," and the documentaries "Saving Marriage" and "Morning Light."
Movie Star Fatigue
With the recent dismal opening of Ridley Scotts film "Body of Lies," Larry discusses the issue: does the actor starring in a film still influence your decision to see a movie? Should an actor determine a movie's opening weekend gross? Larry talks with film critics Lael Loewenstein of Variety and Claudia Puig of USA Today and takes listener calls about the drop in stock of the movie star.