Charlie Kirk’s graphic death is easily viewable online — what does that say about us?

Traditional news organizations were cautious in their midafternoon coverage of Charlie Kirk’s assassination Wednesday, not to depict the moment he was shot, instead showing video of him tossing a hat to his audience moments before, and panicked onlookers scattering wildly in the moments after. In practical terms, though, it mattered little. Gory video of the shooting was available almost instantly online, from several angles, in slow-motion and real-time speed. Millions of people watched.

Video was easy to find on X, on Facebook, on TikTok, on Instagram, on YouTube — even on Truth Social, where President Donald Trump confirmed the conservative activist’s death. What does this say about how we witness violence and process death in today’s digital age? Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Washington Post's internet culture reporter Tatum Hunter, whose latest piece looks at some of these issues. We also want to hear from you. What has your or your kids’ online experience of this event been? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

With files from the Associated Press

How do you turn a great book into an equally great movie?

Some of the most critically acclaimed and beloved films out there are based on books. There’s of course director Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining based on the 1977 Stephen King novel of the same name, which continues to shape the American film canon. Then there’s Joe Wright’s take on Price & Prejudice, which just re-released in theatres for its 20th anniversary and managed to garner some impressive box office numbers. But while both movies are based on books, neither are exact replicas of their source material. So what goes into the decision making involved in adapting a book into a film? Joining AirTalk this morning for some guidance here is Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com. Of course, we want to hear from you too! What’s your favorite book to movie adaptation? What about it particularly stood out to you? On the flip side, what’s one you know is terrible objectively. Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Mezcal Por Siempre returns to Los Angeles, a festival dedicated to mezcal

Having been a spirit that is always reduced to phrases like ‘a smoky tequila,’ mezcala and the tradition of producing it runs quite deep, with the drink having been around since the Spanish arrived with their own novel distillation techniques. Although Mexican spirits predated the Spanish, mezcal served as a new choice that was produced out of nine Mexican states, with the most prominent being Oaxaca. With agave, the main ingredient in mezcal, having grown in interest here in the states, there’s been more reason to celebrate its traditions. This led Ivan Vasquez and Rocío Flores to first develop a festival dedicated to Mexican distillers here in Los Angeles. Having first come into fruition last year, Mezcal Por Siempre is now back for a second year. For this week’s Food Friday, we’ll talk about the festival with Ivan Vasquez, and Alberto Bañuelos, event vendor and owner of Burritos La Palma.

To learn more about ‘Mezcal Por Siempre’ this year, click here. 

FilmWeek: ‘The Long Walk,’ ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,’ ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,’ and more!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Films:

The Long Walk, Wide Release   

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, Wide Release                              

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, In Select Theaters                         

Demon Slayer–The Movie: Infinity Castle, Wide Release                                                                      

The History of Sound, In Select Theaters                                                                                  

The Baltimorons, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                                                               

Riefenstahl, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino]   

Clemente, Laemmle Monica

Feature: Rob Reiner returns for an encore with a double Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap ushered in a new wave of genre films with its satirical, mockumentary style. It is hailed as a classic, having found its way into the U.S. Library of Congress's National Film Registry. And if that isn't proof enough, the Criterion Collection is releasing a director-approved 4k restoration of the film. Now, over forty years later, the band is back together for one last show. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues finds bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (all reprised roles by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) reuniting on stage after much time apart. Along with documentarian Marty DiBergi, the band tries to recapture the magic that was in the original This Is Spinal Tap. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle is joined by Rob Reiner, co-writer and director of both films to talk about the legacy of the original This Is Spinal Tap for both film and music, and the unique task of continuing that legacy four decades later.

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is in Wide Release and available in IMAX theaters.

A Director-Approved 4K UHD edition of THIS IS SPINAL TAP will be released from The Criterion Collection on Tuesday, September 16.