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The Reel: Replay Episode: Tarantino Gets Personal with 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood' Nov 29, 2019

Show notes

*** SPOILER ALERT in second half of the show ***

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, here's a replay episode from one of our most popular shows. With a title that suggests the opening of a child’s storybook, Quentin Tarantino revisits the Hollywood of 1969 and that summer night 50 years ago when members of the Manson family set out for Benedict Canyon with murder in their hearts.

The grisly slayings on Cielo Drive — including that of a very pregnant Sharon Tate — cast a long shadow over the romance of the ‘60s counterculture. Tarantino has said that Charles Manson’s ability to manipulate and control his followers still seems "unfathomable" to this day.

In "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood," the writer and director takes the occasion to revel in the details of the era, complete with commercials, TV shows, songs, radio news and famous locations and restaurants around Los Angeles. But Tarantino also offers up a study of actors — their anxieties, insecurities and the pride they take in their performances.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the fictional actor Rick Dalton, and Brad Pitt as his stunt double, along with Margot Robbie as the very real Sharon Tate, the film is more emotional and personal than other Tarantino movies.

In fact, Tarantino — who grew up in Los Angeles — has called "Once Upon a Time" his "Roma."

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) talks with Times film critics @KennethTuran and @JustinCChang, as well as film reporter @jenyamato and special guest Julia Turner (@JuliaTurner), Deputy Managing Editor of Entertainment and Arts.

The Reel: Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out’: An Agatha Christie-style whodunit with a Hitchcockian thrill Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

Host Mark Olsen talks with “Knives Out” director Rian Johnson about his latest Agatha Christie-style whodunit movie. Johnson describes his film as a mystery with a Hitchcockian thrill set in 2019 America. Plus, Olsen talks with corporate media reporter, Meg James, about the so-called Paramount decrees that are being tossed out by the U.S. Justice Department.

The Reel: James Mangold on ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and Scorsese’s Marvel comments Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

Host Mark Olsen sits down with “Ford v Ferrari” Director James Mangold to talk about his latest action film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Mangold also responds to the latest comments from Martin Scorsese about Marvel movies. Plus, you’ll hear from entertainment columnist Glenn Whipp, who talks about his experience following around comedian Louis C.K. on his latest world tour.

The Reel: Lauren Greenfield’s ‘The Kingmaker’ examines extravagance, influence of Imelda Marcos Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

Host Mark Olsen speaks with director Lauren Greenfield about her latest documentary, “The Kingmaker,” which explores the extravagant lifestyle and rise to power of former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the Philippines. They discuss the origin of the story and what it was like for Greenfield to meet and cover Imelda Marcos. You’ll also hear from Glenn Whipp about the latest awards season buzz. Plus, Olsen talks with Jen Yamato about the Martin Scorsese controversy over Marvel movies.

The Reel: 'Harriet' director on bringing ‘a tremendous hero’ to life Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

Host Mark Olsen sits down with “Harriet” director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons to talk about creating a biopic based on the life of abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman. The movie is based on the true-events of Tubman’s life as freedom fighter. Lemmons tells Olsen that she’s not surprised it had taken so long to make a big-screen biopic of Tubman. She also elaborates on using research to accurately tell Tubman’s story. She says she read multiple books and all the research she could find on the subject so that she could get the story right. Lemmons, whose directorial debut was the 1997 film, “Eve’s Bayou,” also discusses how she landed the opportunity to direct “Harriet.” Plus, on today’s episode you’ll hear from entertainment columnist Glenn Whipp and film business reporter Ryan Faughnder.

The Reel: HBO’s ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ explores a midlife sexual awakening Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

An empty nest and a midlife sexual awakening do not seem like things that normally go hand in hand. But that is the launching point for “Mrs. Fletcher,” the Tom Perrotta novel that’s now been adapted into a new limited HBO series, starring “Transparent’s” Kathryn Hahn.

Perrotta, who is also the showrunner and executive producer for the series, tells host Mark Olsen that the seed for the story came to him seven years ago, when he dropped his daughter off at college.

“Mrs. Fletcher” also follows the experiences of the title character’s college freshman son. Young, white, straight and self-centered, he finds out the hard way how his sense of entitlement collides with campus culture and sexual identity politics.

Perrotta has had several novels adapted for the screen, including HBO’s “The Leftovers”; the Oscar-nominated “Election” starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon; and the Oscar-nominated “Little Children,” starring Kate Winslet.

Also in this episode, as the heated competition in the video subscription world gets underway, Olsen talks with the Times’ TV editor Matt Brennan about the streaming wars.

And in the “Glenn Whipp Awards Minute,” entertainment columnist Whipp discusses this year’s honorary Oscar winners who will be recognized this Sunday at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards.

The Reel: 'Jojo Rabbit' weaponizes comedy to remember the Holocaust Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

Taika Waititi is not interested in making movies that please everyone — he says that would be too safe and boring.

The writer and director of “Jojo Rabbit” — who also plays a cartoonish Adolph Hitler in a comic coming-of-age story about a Nazi youth who discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his attic — tells host Mark Olsen that he prefers making films that could end his career.

Balancing satire and the Holocaust was always going to be tricky, and “Jojo Rabbit” has already divided critics. But only in America is ‘divisive’ a bad thing, the New Zealand filmmaker says — everywhere else, it’s considered art.

Comedy, the filmmaker argues, is an effective weapon against bigotry and authoritarian leaders.

The movie is based on the book “Caging Skies” by Christine Leunens. Waititi added comedic elements and an imaginary Führer.

Also in this episode, Olsen speaks with the Times culture columnist and critic Mary McNamara about some of the revelations in Ronan Farrow’s new book “Catch and Kill,” including Farrow’s allegations that NBC News shut down his reporting about disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

And in the “Glenn Whipp Awards Minute,” entertainment columnist Whipp gives an early survey of the best actress race.

The Reel: 'Parasite': A thrill ride about class warfare Oct 11, 2019

Show notes

“Parasite” is poised to be South Korea’s first-ever nomination for Best International feature, but it also looks to be competitive for best director, original screenplay and even best picture.

Rave reviews have poured in for the darkly comedic drama about social inequality, with some critics calling it director’s Bong Joon Ho’s masterpiece.

The much-anticipated movie is now out in limited release, and host Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) talks with film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and film reporter Jen Yamato. (@jenyamato)

Chang says “Parasite” is one of the best heist movies he has seen in quite some time, and he compares Bong to a conductor masterfully conducting a symphony.

Yamato says the class warfare themes in the film will be recognizable to everyone.

In our new culture news segment, Olsen discusses the official opening of Tyler Perry Studios with reporter Greg Braxton. (@GeBraxton)

And in the “Glenn Whipp Awards Minute,” Whipp (@GlennWhipp) gives the state of the best actor race after the openings of “Joker,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, and “Pain and Glory,” starring Antonio Banderas.

The Reel: 'Joker' gives a comic book villain a grown-up, nihilistic spin Oct 04, 2019

Show notes

Even before “Joker” opened in theaters, the film sparked debate over its violent content, and a narrative that seemed to track with that of the alienated, white male shooter who’s become our real-life recurring horror story.

An exploration of a familiar comic book character who has scared us for nearly 80 years, this iteration of his creation story is dividing critics over the sympathy it seeks to elicit for the Joker, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

Members of the Times film staff discuss “Joker” and the controversy surrounding it.

Film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) says the film strives to have the sensibility of Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, but it’s “nastier” and more “nihilistic and brutal.”

Entertainment columnist Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) calls the movie “a cynical and glib treatment of societal malaise,” and he says it’s neither as edgy nor as nervy as it presents itself.

And film reporter Sonaiya Kelley (@sonaiyak) enjoyed “Joker” but found it “relentlessly dark,” and says that while she watched it, she kept checking the exits because she was afraid someone was going to come in and try to kill members of the audience.

With its premieres at major international film festivals, Warner Bros. is shrewdly positioning “Joker” as more artistically substantial than your average, blockbuster comic book movie, Chang says.

In our new cultural news segment, host Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) and Kelley discuss how the impeachment inquiry has impacted late-night TV and celebrity culture.

And in the “Glenn Whipp Awards Minute,” Whipp shares his thoughts about Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” after seeing it at the New York Film Festival.

The Reel: Emmys Wrap: A win for the underdogs Sep 27, 2019

Show notes

Heading into this year’s Emmy Awards, there may have been tension between coronating beloved, long-running series and recognizing impressive, convention-bending newcomers, but in the end voters largely seemed to favor a recent crop of fresh, forward-thinking shows, including “Fleabag.”

That choice may have been because of what fans and critics were saying on social media about the programs they watch, says the Times TV editor Matt Brennan But it could also reflect that in the age of Peak TV with an ecosystem of 500 shows, it’s easier to split the sea of competitors and snap up a nomination — and a win.

The 71st Emmys signaled that the world of TV has changed, with a wide-open landscape that spans multiple platforms, says Times TV Critic Lorraine Ali.

Comedy is having a moment. But, strong limited drama series with cinematic sensibilities — like “Chernobyl” and “When The See Us” — are also real standouts..

Host Mark Olsen talks with Times TV critic Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli), TV editor Matt Brennan (@thefilmgoer) and TV reporter Yvonne Villareal. (@villareally).

On this week’s episode, “The Reel” is also rolling out a couple of changes. Over the next few months of awards season, Olsen plans to check in with Entertainment Columnist Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) in a segment we’re calling “Glenn Whipp’s Awards Minute.”

We’ll also start each episode off with a conversation on a news item from the world of culture. This week, Olsen and Ali discuss the chatter around “Joker,” and the fear from some people outside Hollywood that the film might inspire violence.

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