Ben Fritz

Wall Street Journal

Guest/Host

Reporter covering the film business for the Wall Street Journal; former film business reporter for the Los Angeles Times; former reporter and video-game reviews editor for Variety, covering technology and feature animation; blogger; editor of the satirical website Dateline Hollywood and co-author of the New York Times bestseller All The President's Spin

Ben Fritz on KCRW

Hollywood studio executives are planning to release their movies as “premium” video-on-demand soon after they hit theaters for $30-$50 per rental.

Will premium video-on-demand kill movie theaters?

Hollywood studio executives are planning to release their movies as “premium” video-on-demand soon after they hit theaters for $30-$50 per rental.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Our weekly look at the movies. This week… Brick Mansions is an action remake of a 2004 French film. It stars the late Paul Walker from the Fast & Furious series.

Movies

Our weekly look at the movies. This week… Brick Mansions is an action remake of a 2004 French film. It stars the late Paul Walker from the Fast & Furious series.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

We’ve managed to rise above our post-Oscars malaise for a fresh round of film talk. Because it’s Friday, and that’s what we do on Fridays.

Movies

We’ve managed to rise above our post-Oscars malaise for a fresh round of film talk. Because it’s Friday, and that’s what we do on Fridays.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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The southbound 101 freeway in Agoura Hills will be closed nightly for the next few weeks — as Caltrans continues building a massive wildlife bridge.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Critics review the latest film releases: “Challengers,” “Uncropped,” “Egoist,” and “Alien” (re-release).

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Erick Elliott ’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The City of LA operates an alternative to policing that’s geared towards unhoused Angelenos. The aims: Cut LAPD involvement and find permanent homes for more people.

from KCRW Features

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from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Orange County Sheriff's Department had hundreds of ICE transfers last year, raising concerns from immigrant rights groups who say the actions defy California law.

from KCRW Features

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from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Topanga is one of the riskiest places in LA County for fires and floods. One of the area’s oldest residents explains why she still calls it home after 92 years.

from KCRW Features

California has filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach over its recently passed voter ID law.

from KCRW Features