Lucas McNelly takes on The Shop Around The Corner and gives us a refreshing look at a classic film.

Natalie Davis beautifully explains why I am addicted to American Idol and why Taylor Hicks will get my vote.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a cheesy, yet charming film and Christopher Soden tells us why.

Casey Lunkley provides a heavenly glimpse at Heavenly Creatures. It makes me realize how badly I need to add this movie to my collection.

From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

In Aaron Fleming's DVD review of In Hell, we almost get lost in Jean-Claude Van Damme's eyes. Literally: "A microcosm of being lies in those vortexes, and often it stands up and walks around the cornea, sometimes even going to the vestigial eyelid to pick up a paper." We're hoping it's Variety announcing, "Van Dammes' Flix Tix Kix Ass." We never thought we cared, until Fleming's dazzling use of language brought us to our senses.

CULTURE

From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:

With summer right around the corner, outdoor get-togethers aren't far behind. We may lack the social circle we think is necessary to kindle a successful party in the round. Fortunately, Brian Sorrell's BBQ Tuesday: A Social Revolution In Your Own Backyard is just the inspiration needed to foster a season full of good times, good friends, and good memories.

POLITICS

From Politics Editors Dave Nalle and Mark Schannon:

Suffering For the Actions of a Few by Mark Edward Manning
Well-argued, cogent analysis of the animal rights movement's excesses as well as society's attitudes towards animal experimentation.

Fred Phelps Can **** My **** by Mark Edward Manning
Terrific and well-written attack on one of the most vile, distorted minds on the far right — from a conservative.

Bush Guts Critical Science Projects And Outsources NASA Projects To India To Further His Ambitions by Jet in Columbus
Detailed analysis of both the scientific loss and the political dangers of Bush's single-minded space agenda.

Borderline Immigration Policy by Chancelucky
Powerful satirical review of the twisting and turning going on trying to figure out a solution to illegal immigration.

The Bush Administration and Iranian Anger by Uncle Sammy Says
Excellent analysis of the current situation in Iran backed up by the historical evidence that explains why America's image is so tarnished.

NSA Data Gathering Leads to Lawsuits by Dave Nalle
As if the controversy around NSA collecting phone records wasn't enough, the plaintiff buzzards are circling which is sure to create more confusion (and wealth for the buzzards) than help us understand the legality of the administration's actions.