FilmWeek

You love the great outdoors, you love movies, so you're gonna love this book! Hollywood Escapes (St. Martin's Griffin) is a comprehensive guide to Southern California's outdoor filming locations. Raft the Indiana Jones "Temple of Doom" river; hike to the Planet of the Apes Forbidden Zone; or trek to Lost Horizon's Shangri-la Waterfall. Larry talks with Harry Medved, co-author of Hollywood Escapes, about the many memorable cinematic destinations found throughout Southern California.

The twelve block stretch from 41st to 53rd Streets in the middle of Manhattan is where all those who dream of making it in the theatre long to be. Broadway remains the pinnacle of the American theatre world and a hit Broadway musical is the golden ring many aspiring theatre artists shoot for. The new documentary film, SHOWBusiness: The Road to Broadway, follows the trajectory of four musicals that debuted in the 2004 Broadway season: Wicked, Avenue Q, Caroline, Or Change, and Taboo. Larry talks with Berinstein about her new film which gives us a rare glimpse behind the scenes as she follows each show from concept, through workshops, opening night, to the Tony Awards, when one show takes home the top prize: the Tony for Best Musical. Also, talks with Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx, composers and lyricists of Avenue Q.

The whales are making their way toward San Francisco Bay, and are looking healthier and more active as they swim toward the sea. KPCC reporter Julie Small has been watching their progress from a boat following along. * KPCC Reporter Julie Small

On May 25, 1977, Star Wars was released in 32 theaters across the country, including Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Today, on the film's thirtieth anniversary, Larry and guest David Weitzner of USC's school of cinematic arts discuss the impact Star Wars and its sequels have had on our culture and on the art and business of filmmaking.

Larry and critics Charles Solomon, animation critic for Amazon.com, Jean Oppenheimer of Village Voice Media, and Claudia Puig of USA Today, discuss this week's new releases including Shrek the Third, The Wendell Baker Story, Fay Grim, Brooklyn Rules, Day Night Day Night, Once, Paris, and Even Money.

Bruce Dern has worked with practically every notable actor and director over the last fifty years, and he's not afraid to say what he thinks about all of them. His long list of credits includes roles in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Coming Home, and That Championship Season. Currently he stars on the HBO series Big Love. Larry talks with the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actor about his new autobiography, Things I've Said But Probably Shouldn't Have: An Unrepentant Memoir (Wiley).

Former White House Aide and Film Industry Lobbyist Jack Valenti died Thursday. Valenti was best known as a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America and as the creator of the MPAA film rating system. Larry discusses Valenti's life and legacy with guest Tim Gray of Variety, and opens the phones to listeners who knew him.

Since the success of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Chirst," which made 370 million dollars domestically, Hollywood production companies have positioned their resources to tap an audience open to "faith-based" (mostly Christian) films. Larry Mantle talks with Daily Variety features editor Peter DeBruge, Impact Productions President Tom Newman and Samuel Goldwyn Films President Meyer Gottlieb about the new trend.

Larry talks with writer/director Todd Robinson about his new film, Lonely Hearts, which stars John Travolta as Detective Elmer C. Robinson, who investigated the murder spree of the "Lonely Hearts Killers." Salma Hayek, Jared Leto, and James Gandolfini also star in the film. Larry talks with Robinson about his film and his career in Hollywood.

Commute got you down? You are not alone. About one in six American workers commutes more than forty-five minutes each way. And 3.5 million people travel an hour and a half each way. New Yorker writer Nick Paumgarten explores the soul of the commuter and studies the social and material trade-offs in the lives of American workers in transit. * Nick Paumgarten, staff writer, New Yorker