The Reel

Donald Glover and Kanye West have almost simultaneously grabbed the national spotlight this past week. Reporter Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) talks with reporters Jen Yamato (@jenyamato) and Chris Barton (@chrisbarton) about the interwoven personas of Donald Glover and Childish Gambino, what questions Glover's new 'This is America' music video asks and how, if at all, he's connected to Kanye West's recent incendiary comments.

Did Michelle Wolf go too far or did she do her job? Were there any jokes about Sarah Huckabee Sanders' looks? What is the future of the White House Correspondents' Dinner? Led by Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy), reporters Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), Chris Barton (@chrisbarton) and Greg Braxton discuss the controversy that ensued after Michelle Wolf's standup at this year's Correspondents' Dinner.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers! Reporters Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) and Sonaiya Kelley (@sonaiyak) sit down with film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and film writer Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) to talk about the latest Marvel film, Avengers: Infinity War. They discuss how the film integrated the Black Panther story line, whether you need to be a die-hard Marvel fan to enjoy the movie and how a few shocking end twists might affect the future of Marvel movies.

Our reporters recap the powerful first season of The Handmaid's Tale, discuss and analyze the first few episodes of Season 2, and begin to determine how this equally impactful season might connect to recent real events. Featuring reporters Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli) and Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy), editor Mary McNamara (@MaryMacTV), and host and film writer Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus).

The year 1968 was one of cultural and political turmoil. To mark the year's significance, the L.A. Times published a package of stories and interviews on the various films, events and individuals that made the year so memorable. As part of this package, film reporter Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) spoke to filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius, an Oscar-winner for his film The Artist, about his film Godard Mon Amour.

Our reporters discuss the most talked about performance at Coachella: Beyoncé's 2 hour set. They also predict what you can expect to see this upcoming weekend for round 2 of "Beychella". Featuring reporters Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus), Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) and Gerrick Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy).

One of the most talked about shows on social media is coming to an end. Tune in to hear entertainment reporters Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) and Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli) talk with editor Mary McNamara (@MaryMacTV) and writer Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about the show's legacy, it's revolutionary audience engagement and it's tackling of contemporary issues. Also, hear from the stars of the show and creator Shonda Rhimes as they reminisce before the big finale. 

What should we make of the new Roseanne reboot? What about this moment in time has caused it to soar in popularity? And is it worth a watch? Reporters and TV critics Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), Yvonne Villareal (@villarrealy), Greg Braxton, Mary McNamara (@marymacTV) and Robert Lloyd (@LATimesTVLloyd) talk with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) about what they make of this TV phenomenon.

Four of the movies released this week: Blockers, A Quiet Place, You Were Never Really Here and The Endless, all have notable storylines and directors. Film reporters Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) talk with film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) about what makes these movies significant, why you should be looking out for these directors and which of these movies you should watch this weekend. The conversation is moderated by film reporter Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus).

Since its debut, Isle of Dogs has been met with controversy over the question of the film's cultural appropriation and seemingly inexplicable setting in a future Japan. Our film critic, Justin Chang (@JustinCChang), tackled this problem and eloquently asked in his review, "does this white American filmmaker's highly selective, idiosyncratic rendering of an East Asian society constitute a sincere act of homage, or a clueless failure of sensitivity?" In response to Chang's review, and Jen Yamato's (@JenYamato) subsequent discussions about the film on social media, Wes Anderson critics and fans have fought tirelessly over these questions, debating the relationship between appropriation and creative freedom. Should the movie--like the dogs in it--be sent to Trash Island? Our reporters will debate this question, with Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) moderating, on this week's episode of The Reel.

The Los Angeles Times Emmy Contender Chats have begun! The first interviews of the series featured the cast of Outlander. TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) spoke with with Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) about portraying their characters' grief, gaining inspiration from the novels and more on the latest season. Listen to clips from the interviews as Mark Olsen of Indie Focus (@IndieFocus) talks to Yvonne about Emmys season and Outlander's cult status. To see the full interviews with Claire, Sam and other Emmy contenders, go to latimes.com.

Join Assistant Managing Editor of Arts & Entertainment Mary McNamara (@marymacTV), TV critic Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), entertainment reporter Yvonne Villarreal (@villarrealy) and TV writer Meredith Blake (@MeredithBlake) as they discuss the realities of being a female director in television. Our group of reporters will ask many questions of the TV industry, like: why is TV such fertile ground for female directors? How is Jessica Jones breaking the mold? What really is the male gaze--and how do we start representing the female gaze? ** This podcast is supported by HBO. Watch the premiere of Barry this Sunday March 25th on HBO.

For our last Oscars-centric episode this season, Sarah Rodman (@SarahARodman) talks to Justin Chang (@JustinCChang), Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp), Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) and Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) about their experiences covering the Academy Awards last Sunday. From the red carpet to star-studded after parties to cheers and gasps in the press pit, these reporters saw and heard it all. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get The Shape of Water and many other Award-winning films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.

Hear directly from L.A. Times entertainment reporters about how they cover the biggest night in Hollywood. Arts and film writer Jeffrey Fleishman (@JeffreyLA), film reporter Josh Rottenberg (@joshrottenberg) and Hollywood writer Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) discuss where they were last year when the La La Land/Moonlight fiasco happened, why Warren Beatty refused to let go of the envelope and what we might expect from this year's ceremony. Also, hear from Assistant Managing Editor Mary Mcnamara (@marymacTV) and Glenn Weiss, the director of the Oscars ceremony. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Get Out and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.

Film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) sits down with Oscar nominated director Greta Gerwig to discuss her film, Lady Bird. In this exclusive interview they discuss various filmmaking topics, including the history of female directors, the role of spirituality in Lady Bird and the importance of fonts. ** This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Lady Bird and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.