Karen Bass’ Bad Travel Choices. Maybe Next Time Try Economy Plus?

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Note to Mayors: Next Time, Maybe Try Economy Plus?

It seems that recently, big-city mayors have been under scrutiny for questionable air travel choices. For instance, before charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dropped by the Justice Department (a move that just so happened to coincide with his newfound concern over undocumented migrants in Manhattan), federal investigators had been examining illegal campaign contributions disguised as luxury travel benefits, such as $15,000 business class tickets provided by Turkish Airlines for a mere $50. Now, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under the microscope for a similar issue. Critics have highlighted reports and flight data suggesting that instead of booking an economical commercial flight during her recent trip to Africa for Ghana’s President John Mahama’s inauguration (which coincidentally took place around the Palisades and Eaton fires), Bass opted to travel on a U.S. Air Force Gulfstream C-37B. The Defense Department states that the hourly rate for this aircraft is $11,200, making it quite expensive compared to commercial flights.

The cost of an approximately 10-hour flight exceeding $100,000 raises eyebrows, as even first-class commercial airline tickets would be a mere fraction of that price. This expensive travel arrangement, according to some critics, sends a tone-deaf message and suggests questionable decision-making practices. However, it’s not unusual – though not illegal – for politicians to utilize government planes, particularly during presidentially-sanctioned events. Indeed, numerous federal figures, including Cabinet members, Congress, the Attorney General, and many others, frequently make use of these government flights. The circumstances surrounding a local official like L.A.’s mayor securing such a ticket remain unclear. Bass’ office merely confirmed that she traveled on a military jet for her return journey, opting for commercial travel on her way to Africa, but declined to disclose additional information. — Reported by PETER KIEFER

Guess Who Went to School With Slain Insurance CEO Brian Thompson?

The upcoming “Saw” movie appears to be encountering delays during its production process. According to reports by Rambling Reporter, internal debates within Lionsgate have stalled the 11th film in the billion-dollar-earning horror series. Sources claim that since Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan submitted a script over a year ago, there has been no advancement towards the start of production. However, there is intriguing news concerning “Saw VI”. You may recall the 2009 sequel where Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) tormented the CEO of Umbrella Health, an unscrupulous health insurance company that often denied claims. Interestingly, it seems that the writer of “Saw VI”, Melton, attended college with the real-life CEO of Umbrella Health, Brian Thompson. Thompson and Melton graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997. In an interview with THR, Melton shared that Thompson was a normal student during their time at school, drinking Bud Light and being a good person. Melton won’t reveal much about the plot of the next “Saw” movie if it goes into production, but he does mention that “we have a very relevant story in it. It resonates with the same themes as ‘Saw VI’, where you feel frustrated as a citizen and powerless.” — RYAN GAJEWSKI

Kevin Spacey’s Latest Comeback … at an Obscure Portuguese Film Festival

Absolutely, the movie “Peter Five Eight” has been on Prime Video for a full year now, and based on reviews from Reddit users, it’s not particularly well-received (some even call it a “train wreck”). Despite this, Kevin Spacey is still promoting it as his return to acting. This low-budget thriller, which Spacey himself has likened to classic noir films like “The Big Sleep” and “Double Indemnity”, made its premiere at a small festival in Portugal earlier this month, where it was watched by an estimated 100 people or fewer. However, despite the festival’s size and obscurity, it marked Spacey’s first invitation to a film event since his acquittal in England in 2023 on charges of sexual misconduct. For the director, former effects artist Michael Zaiko Hall, this screening at Fantasporto was a significant comeback for the controversial 65-year-old actor. In fact, according to Hall, there has been an “unofficial ban” on the movie due to Spacey’s involvement. “I couldn’t be happier that Fantasporto, a festival I greatly respect, has chosen to screen ‘Peter Five Eight’,” he said in a statement to THR. Coincidentally, this trip to Portugal came at a convenient time for Spacey, as he had recently been involved in another controversy, criticizing actor Guy Pearce on social media for accusing Spacey (in an interview with THR) of targeting him on the set of the 1997 film “L.A. Confidential” – a film that, interestingly enough, could be considered a noir classic.

– ETA VLESSING (PARAPHRASED)

You can find this article in the March 19 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing to get more updates.

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2025-03-19 20:56