The Envelope

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.

Sarah Rodman (@SarahARodman) talks to awards show reporter Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) and film critic Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) about the Best Director category. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each.

**

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Coco and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.

Sarah Rodman (@SarahARodman) moderates a noteworthy conversation between Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp), Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) as they discuss the Best and Supporting Actress categories. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each.

**

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get The Shape of Water and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go to iTunes.com/Oscars2018.

Sarah Rodman (@SarahARodman) leads a smart and energetic discussion between Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp), Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) as they discuss the Best and Supporting Actor categories. The team also casts their votes for who should win in each.

**

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Dunkirk and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go toiTunes.com/Oscars2018.

Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) moderates a lively conversation between Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson), Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) and Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) as they break down their experience at the Sundance Film Festival this year. They discuss and debate standing ovations, documentaries, future Oscar contenders, freezing temperatures and more.

**

This podcast is supported by iTunes Movies. Get Call Me By Your Name and many other Award-nominated films on iTunes. Go toiTunes.com/Oscars2018.