What’s The Utility Of Online Vigilantism?
As protests against the war in Gaza continue on college campuses, one way the internet has been used to assist folks on all sides is online sleuthing. In the case of campus protests at UCLA, photos of counter-protestors inciting violence have circulated online, in hopes of identifying people that law enforcement have had trouble finding. This follows a much greater trend of internet sleuthing, and doxxing at its most extreme, used to get the word out on people of interest. So what’s led to this, and what’s its relationship to law enforcement?Joining to discuss the legal implications of online vigilantism is Brian Levin, founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism and professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino. We also discuss the greater trend of internet sleuthing with Joan Donovan, assistant professor of journalism and emerging media studies at Boston University.
How Hitler Solidified His Grip On Germany
It’s easy to forget that Hitler’s rise was conducted by democratic means. The National Socialists went from being fringe players in the 1920s to a 37% share of parliament in 1932 with the help of an economic depression and their charismatic leader. Though many elites saw Hitler’s fanaticism as a bridge too far, ultimately the threat that Hitler represented was, to many Germans, less than the threat of a communist revolution. Hitler, political elites thought, could be controlled. In Takeover: Hitler’s Final Rise to Power, author Timothy W. Ryback closely examines the six months before Adolf Hilter’s appointment as Chancellor in January, 1933, detailing the backroom deals and turns of fate that delivered Europe into the hell of war and ended the lives of millions.
Vespertine’s Jordan Kahn On Reopening After A Four Year Closure
After transforming his high-end dining experience Vespertine into a takeout spot during the pandemic, Chef Jordan Kahn has opened up again to in-person dining in Culver City. When it first opened in 2017, Vespertine was as much an exploration of new ways to experience fine dining and different cuisines as it was about the meal itself. And it quickly earned plaudits, including two Michelin stars, a #1 rating from the L.A. Times Jonathan Gold on his list of L.A.’s 101 Best Restaurants and a spot on TIME Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. At Vespertine 2.0, Chef Kahn is still delivering a multi-sensory dining experience. But now, he’s doing so with a more laid-back approach, and as he told Los Angeles Magazine, focusing more on delivering a comfortable, enjoyable experience for his customers rather than doggedly pursuing perfection at every seating. But as with many fine dining experiences, you’ll likely have to save up for this one -- and get a reservation early. Vespertine says it will host 20 guests a night, and they’ll experience a 16 course meal for $395 a person.
Today on AirTalk, Chef Jordan Kahn, who is also chef and creative director at Meteora on Melrose and Destroyer in Culver City, joins Austin Cross to talk about the reopening of Vespertine, what will be different and what will be the same and what pushed him to change his approach with this new version of the restaurant.
FilmWeek: ‘I Saw The TV Glow’ ‘The Idea of You,’ ‘Evil does Not Exist,’ And More
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.
“The Fall Guy” Wide Release
“Unfrosted” Streaming on Netflix
“I Saw The TV Glow” Wide Release
“Wildcat” AMC Century City 15 [Century City] | Vidiots [Eagle Rock] May 4th
“Blood in Blood Out (1993)” Streaming on Hulu
“Nowhere Special” Landmark Pasadena Playhouse [Pasadena] | Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] | Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] | Regency Agoura Hills Stadium [Agoura Hills] | Laemmle Claremont [Claremont]
“The Idea of You” Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
“Evil Does Not Exist” Wide Release
“Who is Stan Smith?” Landmark Nuart Theater [Sawtelle] | Expands to Laemmle Town Center [Encino] | Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] | Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] May 10
Larry Talks To ‘I Saw The TV Glow’ Director Jane Schoenbrun & Actor Justice Smith
“I Saw The TV Glow,” the new film by second-time director Jane Schoenbrun, is a story they consider their most personal. The story follows the character Owen, over multiple decades of their own life, re-visiting their identity through the help of an old friend named Maddy. The film brings together elements of childhood nostalgia and horror in this fictional story of one kid who feels different from everyone else in this small town.
Today on FilmWeek, Larry sits down with the film's lead actor, Justice Smith, and its director Jane Schoenbrun, getting into the film’s exploration of identity and dysphoria.
