The Reel

Hear our reactions to this year's Emmys nominations and our team's predictions for who might win the night's most coveted awards. TV writer Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli) and critic Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) join Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) to discuss the different categories and talk about what else to expect as we prepare for the 2018 Emmy Awards.

A number of recent television shows, including the second seasons of “GLOW” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the premieres of “Sharp Objects” and “Dietland,” have dealt with female empowerment and rage in fresh and innovative ways, grappling with the roles set out for women in society. There’s also been a behind-the-scenes analogue for many of these shows as well, with women often in roles of creative control. Times TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy), television critic Lorraine Ali (@loraineali) and resident wrestling enthusiast Jen Yamato (@jenyamato) join Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) for a conversation on these exciting turns both in front of and behind the camera.

As there has been increased attention given to issues of representation, inclusion and diversity regarding what goes on-screen and who is involved in making the movies that we see, there has also recently been a parallel conversation gaining momentum with regards to the media itself. Who are the people who write the reviews, cover the red carpets, attend the film festivals and how do their perspectives impact how movies are discussed and received? From the LA Times film team, Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson), Jen Yamato (@JenYamato), Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) get into the nuance of what this all means for the media and the reviews and coverage of films such as “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” “Nancy,” “Sorry To Bother You,” “Ocean’s 8” and “BlacKkKlansman.”

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) brings in reporters Jen Yamato (@JenYamato), Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA), and Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) to talk about Netflix's recent wave of new romantic comedies. Focusing on the films Set It Up, The Kissing Booth, and Ibiza, the group discusses the timeless appeal of romcoms, why they are the perfect movies for summer, and how these type of movies and their inherent charm let actors become stars.

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) interviews co-creator and showrunner of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Aline Brosh McKenna (@alinebmckenna). They discuss the dark, emotional places that emerge in the show's third season and talk about what's next for Rebecca Bunch.

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) speaks to Academy Award-Winning Documentarian Morgan Neville about his most recent film, Won't You Be My Neighbor? The documentary celebrates the life and work of Fred Rogers, best known for his TV program Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Morgan discusses the use of archival footage and new interviews in his film as well as the overarching theme of both his documentary and Mr. Rogers' program: the idea that culture matters.

As we continue our Emmys season discussion, Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) brings in TV critics Lorraine Ali (@Lorraine Ali) and Robert Lloyd (@LATimesTVLloyd) to talk with TV editor Greg Braxton. They discuss the TV era we're in today, which streaming services are dominating this season, and more.

Emmys Nominations are just around the corner, so host Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) spoke with reporters Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) and Libby Hill (@midwestspitfire) about how the awards show has evolved over the years. They discuss if certain show formats are destined to win an Emmy and whether new shows, particularly on streaming services, get an advantage during nominations. To wrap up, the three discuss their personal favorite shows and whether they have a shot.

Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster has been a presence in the entertainment business for more than fifty years, first as a child actor in films such as “Bugsy Malone” and “Taxi Driver,” then as an adult star in projects like “The Accused” and “The Silence of the Lambs” and later as a director herself. Recently in the LA Times building to promote the episode of the “Black Mirror” anthology she directed, she also stopped by The Reel recording studio to talk with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about the sci-fi crime drama “Hotel Artemis,” her first on-screen role in five years.

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) talks to film reporters Justin Chang (@JustinCChang), Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) about some new movie releases that you should keep an eye out for. And then, we listen in on an interview with Claire Danes about her new movie A Kid Like Jake.

New York Times Bestselling Author of Bachelor Nation and Los Angeles Times reporter Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) talks with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about the new season of The Bachelorette. They also discuss what this franchise means for our culture and why this season is different.

Reporter Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) had the chance to interview André Leon Talley the other day. The two spoke about the obstacles Talley has had to overcome in order to become the cultural icon he is today, the most meaningful parts of his career and, briefly, the Met Gala. Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) debriefs this interview with Tre'vell, which serves as a perfect primer to the recently released documentary: The Gospel According to André.

Restaurateur and chef David Chang stopped by The Reel recently for a broad-ranging conversation with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus). In talking about his Netflix series “Ugly Delicious,” Chang got into how his ideas about food find their way into his own cooking, including at the new Majordomo, his first restaurant in Los Angeles. And, yes, Chang did address the much talked-about review of Majordomo by the LAT’s Jonathan Gold, which is so far the most notable piece of critical writing on the new restaurant – “I don’t even think the Gold review is a bad review,” Chang said before adding, “I’m sure we’re going to be talking about this review forever.”

Reporters Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) and Justin Chang (@JustinChang) have just returned from Cannes Film Festival. They debrief the experience with host Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus), talking about the rules on Cannes' uniquely pompous red carpet, the live reaction to BlacKkKlansman, the lingering presence of Harvey Weinstein and an ice cream cooler party.

Host Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) talks with Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) about the making of the Deadpool franchise, it's unique marketing techniques, and how this new sequel stands out from the other superhero movies that have come out around the same time. Also, our reporters frankly discuss the difficulties of asking tough questions at movie press stops while surrounded a hyped-up, fan-filled audience.