Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Islam and Extremism, the Ghost of Montgomery Clift, and Hollywood Sign Fight
The two brothers suspected in the deadly shooting of 12 people at the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were killed by police this morning. And, the Islamic militant group Boko Haram killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, this week in the town of Baga in northeast Nigeria. We look at the debate in and outside the Muslim community about why Islam is connected to these and other atrocities.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenWe start the show by discussing why there has been so much violence committed around the world in the name of Islam, including the shooting at Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris this week. Then, the story of a man who believes he’s haunted by the ghost of Montgomery Clift. In our weekly film roundup, we navigate the January doldrums of the cinema. And finally, a fight is brewing over L.A.’s iconic Hollywood sign.
Banner Image: Hollywood-Sign in Hollywood/Los Angeles USA
In this episode
4 storiesViolence, Religion and Islam
The two brothers who are the main suspects in the deadly shooting of 12 people at the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were killed by police this morning. Also today, reports emerged that the Islamic militant group Boko Haram killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, this week in the town of Baga in northeast Nigeria.
Read the story9 minHaunted by the Ghost of Montgomery Clift
We all have our demons: ghosts from our past that haunt us. But for Craig Chester, his ghost is a little different. Craig is an actor, writer, and director based here in L.A. and he seems like a pretty smart, funny, and grounded guy.
Read the story11 minEnter the Dead Zone
Award-bait season is over, and we have officially entered the movie dead zone that is January. You could spend the next month catching up on the Oscar buzzy movies that came out in December. But if that’s not of interest, we’ll fill you in on the new releases and movie news in our weekly film segment.
Read the story11 minA Battle Over the Hollywood Sign
Back in 1923, a real estate company erected a huge sign in the Hollywood Hills. It advertised parcels of real estate called “Hollywoodland.” Now, the “land” is gone from the sign, which has become an international landmark. But for some nearby residents, the Hollywood sign is just a magnet for noisy, destructive tourists.
Read the story8 min
