Oppenheimer’s Photo Finish – We Break Down Hollywood's Biggest Night
“Oppenheimer,” a solemn three-hour biopic that became an unlikely billion-dollar box-office sensation, was crowned best picture at a 96th Academy Awards that doubled as a coronation for Christopher Nolan. After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best director for Nolan. As a film heavy with unease for human capacity for mass destruction, “Oppenheimer” also emerged — even over its partner in cultural phenomenon, “Barbie” – as a fittingly foreboding film for times rife with cataclysm, man-made or not. Sunday’s Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles unfolded against the backdrop of wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and with a potentially momentous U.S. election on the horizon. Awards for the documentary winner, “20 Days in Mariupol,” and best international film, “The Zone of Interest,” brought geopolitics into the Oscar spotlight. Joining us to break down the night are two of our FilmWeek critics, Manuel Betancourt, contributing editor at Film Quarterly and Claudia Puig, director of programming for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
With files from the Associated Press.
Checking In On One Of California's Most Important Crops: The Almond
In February a large Almond investment firm farming group, Trinitas Farming, and 17 of its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy in California. With debts totaling 180 million dollars, the company cites the decline in Almond prices, increases in production costs, and interest rates for its failures. Prices for premium almonds have shifted from about 4 dollars a pound a decade ago to about half of that in recent years. Between 2011 and 2022 the amount of Almond orchards in California nearly doubled from 760,000 acres to 1.3 million acres. Now, the nearly 8,000 acres of land owned by Trinitas and its partners are expected to go up for sale in a market that may already be oversaturated with almond producers. Some Almond groups in the region view this shift in large producers as a market correction signaling more stable days ahead, and not the end of the almighty almond in California.
Today on AirTalk, we check in on one of California's most important--but divisive--crops, the Almond. Here to talk about Trinitas exit from the almond market is Ian James, LA Times reporter covering water in California and the West. Also with us to talk about what the future holds for almonds is Blake Vann, CEO of the 17,000 acre Vann Family Orchards and Chairman of the Almond Alliance of California, a non-profit trade association representing the 7600 almond farmers in California. Questions about the almond industry we want to hear from you, give us a call at 866-893-5722. Or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
New Gottman Institute Book Teaches Romantic Partners How To “Fight Right”
Clinical psychologists and married couple, Julie Schwartz Gottman and John Gottman, have spent decades researching romantic relationships. Following research they’ve been compiling on conflict, the Gottmans have now released their new book “Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection,” which is meant to serve as a guide for people looking to effectively communicate with their partners. The intention behind this book comes from folks’ troubles in arguing, a both healthy and human event, but not knowing how to balance that line successful couples strike. Today on AirTalk, Austin Cross talks to the Gottmans about their new book “Fight Right” and hears listener questions on how they can properly communicate with their partners. Question? Call us at 866-893-5722 or you can email us at atcomments@LAist.com.
Pave A Garbage Dump And Put Up A Paradise: Will A Restored Wetland Project In Sun Valley Ever See The Light Of Day?
As the climate crisis drives more extreme weather, LA needs to capture more stormwater for later use, as well as improve flood resilience. Thanks to Measure W and Prop O funding, many projects are in the works in some of the most flood prone areas, such as the San Fernando Valley, but they'll take years to complete. One of the largest projects, the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park Project in Sun Valley, will convert a former landfill into a restored wetland that captures water and prevents flooding in the San Fernando Valley. However, it's faced delays due to unexpected organic materials found on site and budget shortfalls. It's now expected to be completed by 2029. Today on AirTalk, we look into the project, its significance, and how it relates to other stormwater capture projects in the works. Joining us is Erin Stone, LAist climate emergency reporter. Her latest piece is titled “LAist: L.A. Has Big Plans To Turn A Landfill Into A Wetland, Why Delays Jeopardize The Project”. Also with us is Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works. Have questions about the wetlands project in Sun Valley or related stormwater capture efforts in LA County? We want to hear from you, give us a call at 866-893-5722. Or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
Exercise Addiction: When A Healthy Habit Becomes An Unhealthy Dependence
Exercise is good for your health. It is recommended to help relieve stress and improve overall mood. It is cited as a factor that can help you sleep better, live longer, and stay sharper. But exercise can also be a detriment when done in excess. Exercise addiction, or over-exercising, is not currently recognized by the DSM5 as a psychological disorder, although exercise dependence or excessive exercising is often tied to disordered eating and other anxiety disorders. And several research studies have argued its existence and prevalence as a behavioral addiction, whether a symptom of another underlying issue or an issue in itself. But, how can something seen as universally healthy be harmful? How can someone recognize when they are exercising too much? And what changes can be made to help someone who is exercise dependent? Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss the various modes of problematic exercising is Christina Scharmer, licensed clinical psychologist who focuses on anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic exercise. We also want to hear from you! If you or someone in your life has experience with exercise addiction or excessive exercising give us a call at 866-893-5722. Or you can email us at atcomments@laist.com.
‘Magic Hour’ Celebrates 1974 – The Year That Los Angeles Dominated Culture
There was something in the water in Los Angeles in 1974. Across film, music, theatre, television, the work of Los Angeles-based artists exerted tremendous influence over American culture. Journalist Ron Brownstein chronicled that remarkable year in his book, Rock Me on the Water: the Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television and Politics and now Pasadena-based performing arts organization MUSE/IQUE brings it to life in collaboration with Center Theatre Group in their show Magic Hour in Los Angeles: America's Cultural Renaissance of 1974. The show will feature the music of acts like Los Lobos, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell, along with themes from movies like Chinatown and The Godfather Part II. You can catch Magic Hour from March 15 to March 17 at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles. Joining Larry to discuss the show are Rachael Worby, artistic and music director for MUSE/IQUE, a Pasadena-based nonprofit performing arts organization, and Ron Brownstein, senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior political analyst for CNN; his book “Rock Me on the Water: 1974—The Year Los Angeles Transformed Music, Movies, Television and Politics” is a partial source of inspiration for ‘Magic Hour’.
For more information on "Magic Hour," including where to get tickets, click here.
