New questions about whether or not North Korea was really involved in the Sony hack. A look ahead to 2015 food trends. Plus, after cancer diagnosis, guitarist Wilko Johnson is Going Back Home.
Ezell Ford: LAPD inspector general renews call for witnesses
The autopsy report for Ezell Ford, 25-year-old unarmed black man was fatally shot by two LAPD officers in August, was released earlier this week. But multiple investigations into the shooting are still ongoing.
The LAPD, the District Attorney's office and the Los Angeles Police Inspector General are each separately investigating the officer-involved shooting, but they say so far witnesses have been reluctant to come forward.
Alex Bustamante, the LAPD Inspector General, says his office has spoken to a couple of witnesses but "unfortunately, we've not been able to talk to or meet with any witnesses that were eyewitnesses, that actually saw the incident occur."
"I'm essentially the watchdog for the Los Angeles Police Department," Bustamante explains.
In any serious use of force, the Office of the Inspector General oversees the department's investigation. Bustamante says he critiques the department's report once it's completed and then gives an independent assessment to the five police commissioners who ultimately determine whether the use of force was appropriate.
But the fact that no eyewitnesses have come forward, Bustamante says, means it's "very difficult for me to do any type of investigation."
Attorney Fred Sayre, a lawyer for Ford's parents, says he has spoken with witnesses who have refused to speak with police and say detectives have harassed them. Bustamante says he isn't aware of any such complaints.
"If anyone does feel that the department has harassed them or otherwise acted inappropriately," Bustamante says, they should bring that information to him. "If you don't want to talk to LAPD and you have information on this case, contact my office."
Bustamante says he can be contacted directly at (213) 482-6833 or at communityrelationsoig@lacity.org.
Was North Korea behind the Sony hack?
2014 was NOT a fabulous year for Hollywood. The box office grand total for the year came in at 10.3 BILLION bucks, which is down about five percent from 2013. Analysts blame all sorts of things... a lackluster line-up over the summer, the distraction of the World Cup, the Fourth of July falling on a Friday! But there was one film which fared quite well, considering it never hit major movie theaters.
Sony's "The Interview."
The studio initially said it wouldn't release the film at all after a massive data breach and threats against those who dared to see it. There is still a lot of speculation about who exactly broke into Sony's computer network. Federal authorities insist North Korea was behind the attack, but cybersecurity experts are not as convinced.
of Wired joins Alex Cohen for a discussion.
Flashback: The year of the cyberattack, and immigration reform that wasn't
Journalists James Rainey of the LA Times and Elahe Izadi of the Washington Post look back at some of the big stories of the year, and make some informed guesses about things to come.
Reading by Moonlight: David Kipen's January literary roundup
Our literary contributor David Kipen, founder of the lending library Libros Schmibros in Boyle Heights, joins us for each full moon to roundup the months upcoming literary events.
This month, David highlights a slew of upcoming LA-related book releases from a biography of author and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo to the new book from LA Times' Homicide Report blogger, Jill Leovy.
Roger Daltry & Wilko Johnson: Two British rockers still rockin' on
Back in the early 70's, a British guitarist named Wilko Johnson fronted a band with a driving, bluesy style. It was called Dr. Feelgood, and it stirred things up in London.
"I think it's true to say the whole punk generation watched Dr. Feelgood," says Johnson.
The years flew by, and Wilko Johnson became something of a legend. Then, two years ago, he found out he had an inoperable form of pancreatic cancer. Doctors gave him, at best, a year to live.
His friend, The Who's Roger Daltry suggested they make a record. "You know, Wilko," Daltry told his mate, "let's not worry about what we are going to record, let's just go and record anything."
The result was "Going Back Home," a retrospective of Johnson's work. It was voted album of the year by Classic Rock Magazine, and the duo arranged a tour that included a stop at The Royal Albert Hall.
"I've had many experiences," Johnson says, "of standing on stage and feeling this could be the last time. It's quite a wonderful feeling, really. Quite intense."
Then something strange happened. Wilko Johnson didn't die.
A new round of tests indicated his tumor could be removed. He had a major surgery, and emerged cancer free.
Now Johnson hopes he and Daltry will tour North America. "Who knows," says Daltry, "maybe they'll be a part two to this record.
LA's top 10 best new restaurants
If you're looking ahead to 2015, fresh with good intentions and healthy resolutions, you may want to avoid glancing at any list of the best new restaurants in Los Angeles.
But those feeling strong in their will-power might savor restaurant critic Patric Kuh's recent Top 10 list for Los Angeles Magazine.
Kuh joined Take Two to dish about the 10 best restaurants in LA that opened over the last year.
Here are his TOP 10 picks:
10. Pine & Crane
1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake
Highlights: Lard-seared scallion pancakes, Vegetables sourced from Chef Vivian Ku’s family farm in Bakersfield
9. Scopa Italian Roots
2905 W. Washington Blvd., Venice
Highlights: Pasta e fagioli with poached egg and orzo, Zabaglione with raspberries, crumbled hazelnuts, and a shot of amaro
8. Maude
212 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills
Highlights: A monthly menu based on a single ingredient (pears in Fall, truffles in Winter)
7. Faith & Flower
705 W. 9th St., Downtown
Highlights: Flambéed infused spirits, pan seared Blue Lake beans dusted with Vietnamese shrimp powder
6. Sushi Tsujita
2006 Sawtelle Blvd., West L.A.
Highlights: Edomae-style sushi, simmered sardines with flash-fried koshihikari rice
5. Night + Market Song
3322 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
Highlights: Jungle curry with peppercorn strands, minced chicken thigh, and wilting herbs
4. Alimento
1710 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake
Highlights: Roasted escarole heart with Parmigiano, oregano-scented fried bread crumbs, and anchovy vinaigrette, Whole-wheat bigoli with shaved Sardinian Fiore Sardo
3. Smoke.Oil.Salt
7274 Melrose Ave., L.A.
Highlights: Salbitxada sauce over grilled green calçot onions, Cassoleta de fideua negra
2. Union
37 E. Union St., Pasadena
Highlights: Prosciutto with Tenerelli Orchards peaches, Spaghetti alla chitarra with browned garlic and Fresno chiles
1. République
624 s. La Brea Ave., Mid City
Highlights: Gallic garlicky snails with puff pastry domes, Roasted cauliflower with Coachella Valley dates
Will Sriracha reign in 2015? A look ahead at the year's food trends
Crunchy kale, spicy Sriracha and cold craft beers remained foodie favorites in 2014. But what culinary trends will have us standing in line for hours a la Cronut in the year to come?
J.M. Hirsch is Food Editor at the Associated Press and he joins Take Two. Here are some of his predictions for 2015:
Expect to see more pop up restaurants
Pop ups give big name chefs a platform to take bigger culinary risks without the cost of finding, opening, marketing and staffing a new restaurant.
New ways to make reservations
In places like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, apps have sprung up that allow people to bid for reservations. You may soon need a ticket to get a table at some of the most popular restaurants.
Using culinary science in our homes
Incorporating science in cookery isn't just for avant garde chefs anymore.
Eating our vegetables
2015 will continue to see more and more veggies being used in place of meat and a number of veg-centric cook books.
Saying goodbye to Sriracha?
The new holy grail of spicy condiments could be gochujang, a fermented Korean hot sauce that was on the fringes in 2014, but is set to go big in 2015.
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What will you be eating throughout 2015? What are some trends you think are highly overated and need to stay in the past? Share your food trend thoughts on Take Two's Facebook page.
Weekend on the cheap: Rose Parade floats without the parade, Saturday morning cat cartoons and more.
So you've recovered from New Year's Eve...or maybe you haven't, yet.
Either way, now what?
You've got a whole weekend ahead of you to party again, or just relax and chill out.
Southern California Public Radio's Kristen Lepore has a list of things to do in LA on the cheap.
Among the highlights: how to see the Rose Parade floats if you missed the parade, a race through downtown LA and Saturday morning cat cartoons with Cinefamily.
Free weekend? Rose Parade floats, cartoons with cats and free vegetables