(For the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, posted the following Wednesday)***

(LAST WEEK'S PICKS)

Please feel free to use this image on your own site for picks this week. Right click this image to get the URL for the gif. If you link the image to your winning post at your home site that would be even better.

These are "best of's" from people who have previously been chosen by editors. This is a way to broaden the selection and get a feel for what others like, while remaining focused on great writing. The guidelines for choosing are HERE. I f you were chosen by an editor below, please read before choosing your own.

1. Bill Wallo ::: TV/FILM pick — Nik Dirga does a nice job of contrasting two versions of War of the Worlds made a half century apart. I was also intrigued by his contention that the finale of both films weren't particularly cinematic, or that they lack "the energetic release two hours of alien-fleeing tension deserves." While I think they called that film Independence Day, he articulately states his case.

The Farce of the "Video Game Report Card" by Matt Paprocki, Nov. 30 For 10 years now, video gamers have been subjected to the mainstream media reporting on the National Institute on Media and the Family's video game report card. This week Matt dissects their latest findings.

PSP Review: Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix by KingKRool, Dec. 2. This week I would like to highlight one of our newest Blogcritics for his in-depth review of Tony Hawk for the PSP.

Another solid week in sports overall, but there was nothing worthy of being deemed an Editor's Pick.

Marty Thau asks some all important questions in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Is It About Commerce, Artistry, or Influence? (Dec. 2) Corresponding with the announcement of the inductees to the Hall of Fame, Thau's opinions are thoughtful and interesting to read.

In CD Review: The Darkness One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back, (Nov. 30) We are given a detailed and entertaining look at Pete Blackwell's thoughts and feelings on this heavy metal offering.

Michael J. West delivered an exceptional essay on folk art and folk music in Folk Music: Does It Even Exist Anymore? (Nov 28) Full of historical tidbits and supported with concise logic and notations it is a must-read.