TV/FILM

From Film Editor Lisa McKay:

Instead of a film review, we got a film! Aaron McMullan (Duke de Mondo in these parts, in case you're new) presents Cliddyplomp — his award-winning student film. Watch it. Right now.

As a parent, I always found the MPAA movie ratings to be completely worthless. After reading Steve Carlson's review of This Film Is Not Yet Rated, I'm beginning to understand why. Check out the review and you'll probably want to check out the film afterwards.

From Film Editor Erin McMaster:

Joan Hunt's article on Steve Irwin can't be missed. Not only does it touch on the untimely passing of the Crocodile Hunter, but gives some much needed hope for the future of Steve Irwin's cause.

El Bicho takes on Ultraman in a review that is perhaps proof that El Bicho is still a child after all.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

The Duke De Mondo tickles our funny bones with the introductory waffle to his award winning film Cliddyplomp. The film is pretty fabulous, too.

From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

I saw World Trade Center a couple days before Alan Dale's seamlessly incisive analysis, and while I was relieved the movie wasn't the typical Oliver Stone kitchen-sink crackpot-conspiracy onslaught, I was still bothered by certain aspects. Alan deftly discerned and articulated the flaws amid the flourishes in a comprehensive and cohesive fashion.

CULTURE

Dave Nalle takes an intense and concise look at the quickly changing face, force, and challenges of labor in the well-written Working In A New America.

Howard Dratch notes famous paintings having been found and eloquently notes why works of art are so important to our world in A Scream Is Recovered And A Madonna Found.

Sujatha Bagal uses word and image to guide us through a breathtaking reality in Travel Photo Essay: Dreaming of Rajasthan, India.

POLITICS

Democracy Will Fail in Lebanon, by John Bambenek is a depressing but accurate assessment of the disaster in Lebanon.

SPORTS

Honestly, it's not time to get excited for the NFL until you read David Mazzotta's trademark preview of the NFL season. For one, he sees the Giants as being a contender "if Eli Manning can avoid firing passes like he was playing Robotron 2084, and if Tiki Barber doesn't start shedding body parts."

GAMING

Mac Game Review: Sims 2 Nightlife by Erin McMaster. An in-depth and informative review of the Nightlife expansion to the wildly popular Sims 2.

PC Game Review: Madden NFL 07 by Tall Writer. We've got the PC version of Madden NFL 07 covered like a bad sports pun (and don't forget the PS2 and Xbox 360 versions, too).

SCI/TECH

Diana Hartman waxes philosophical on the topic of Placebos, Prayer, and Pain Relief. There's much food for thought here.