BC Magazine Editors’ Picks: January 15 through January 21

As usual, we've got a mad assortment of goodies this week. In the midst of our usual grab bag of music, book, and film reviews, our books section continues to bring readers face to face with writers from all over the world. Our TV writers know what you want to read about, too, and our coverage of 24 and American Idol continues to rock. Kick back and let our editors guide you through the best of what BC Magazine had to offer this week.

MUSIC

From Music Editor Connie Phillips:

In his unique style, Mark Saleski entertains readers with the details of a pre-Christmas shopping trip and reviews his great find in Music Review: Boris – Akuma No Uta.

In Music Review: Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Tom Johnson breaks it all down and gives the reader, and listener, everything they need to know about this artist and the album.

DJRadiohead continues to look at the artists nominated for the 2007 Blues Music Awards and this look at Charlie Musselwhite's Delta Hardware does an excellent job of explaining why he was nominated. 

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

Interviews with authors is one of the fastest-growing type of posts on BC Magazine, I'd hazard a guess. These days authors are all too aware of the need for self-promotion, and are often out there for the asking, even the big names. But securing that name, and securing a good interview, are not the same things – you need someone who can talk, the ability to edit down what they say to the salient points, and most of all good questions that show the interviewer has really engaged with the writer and their work.

This week we had two excellent examples of the genre:

Simon Barrett interviewed Ian Coburn, stand-up comedian and now author of God is a Woman. You might expect a comedian to make good copy, but Simon did an excellent job of getting some real answers about this not-unusual career progression, as well, of course, as the odd one-liner.

For something very different, but equally satisfying, Ambrose Musiyiwa spoke to Rory Kilalea: Film-maker, Playwright and Author of The Arabian Princess. This provided piercing insight into the life and works of a man doubly outside – a Zimbabwean in exile, who had been a white boy growing up in a predominately black land.

From Asst. Books Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

"Some assembly required" and "No batteries included," said the Genius Instruction Manual. Don't fret, though: Dawn Olsen's cohesive and energetically amusing review took care of those insufficiencies — and without resorting to the baking soda and peroxide! I'll never, however, think of Mozart in quite the same way again…

Reviews of story collections always pose a challenge, but Diane Kristine's expressively-written and unified evaluation of Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures is, like the book under review, "finely realized."

Not only is Katie McNeill "kicking undead butt" — and all varieties thereof — with her enjoyable take on The Rest Falls Away, but she also gets a nice compliment from the book's author herself. That speaks volumes about this review of the vampiric volume.

TV/FILM

From TV Editor TV and Film Guy:

It's another of those celeb trainwrecks that simply won't die because the people involved refuse to let it. As depressing and horrible and stupid as it is, it's still awfully fascinating, and Chris Evans lets us all know the current doings with Isaiah and his Grey's Anatomy co-stars.

And then, I have to plug the fact that there is oh-so-much 24 and Idol in the TV/Film section. Highlights include an article by Tink and one by Mary K. Williams.

From Film Editor Lisa McKay:

Anti-Semite or auteur? Does an artist's personal behavior negate his artistic achievements? Whether you like Mel Gibson or not, Adam Ash's defense of Gibson's abilities and vision as a filmmaker will give you plenty to think about, as will Duke de Mondo's review of Apocalypto.

From Executive Producer Eric Berlin:

Steve Carlson's The Best Films of 2006 (Version One) is a delightful and glorious filmic romp through 2006.

CULTURE

From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:

When the meanings of words blur, a child's misconception becomes that child's perception. When the clouds of confusion disperse, a much deeper understanding is made possible than anyone could have imagined. So it is in Richard Marcus' When Camp Became "The Camps".

The otherwise inconsequential routine of regular grooming takes on a life of its own in Mat Brewster's The High Price Of Cheap Haircuts.

POLITICS

From Politics Editor Mark Schannon: 

SPORTS

From Sports Editor Matthew T. Sussman:

Looking back through the week, there were many quality articles. But to this editor, none of them felt like they rose above and warranted a pick. So what we're saying is that they're all equally awesome. Yes, everyone who wrote this week gets an editor's pick and is one of life's winners.

GAMING

From Gaming Editor Ken Edwards:

The Burning Crusade Midnight Release Line by Casey Criswell. A non-gamer stands in line for The Burning Crusade, the World of Warcraft expansion.

SCI/TECH

From Science Editor John Vaccaro:

How do you know your marketing efforts are working? Grant L. Aldrich opines on Metrics for Marketing.

Need a great ten mega-pixel digital camera? Ashleigh Charlesworth reviews the Pentax Optio A20 Digital Compact Camera.

Want to see the future of TV? Read Ian Woolstencroft's interview with Paul Pod of Tape It Off the Internet.