TV/Film
TV/Film Editor Joan Hunt chose:
Movie Review: Hostel by Scott C. Smith
I laughed, I cried, I wet my pants. Okay, I laughed and cried. Had I actually BEEN at the movies with him, I'd have had to change clothes. Thank God someone's willing to see these movies so that I don't have to.
TV Preview: Love Monkey, CBS's New Series by T. Stoddart
Apparently no bowling alleys were entered during the making of this show.
Boston Legal: The All-Star TV Nostalgia Hour by Stephen V. Funk
Join the retro fun over at Boston Legal as Alex P. Keaton Michael J. Fox pays a visit to the show that brings out all sorts of stars of yore.
Culture
Blogcritics.org Tech Admin Phillip Winn chose:
Why Television Is Worth Not Watching by Jumper Bailey
Jumper Bailey describes life without television, and makes a strong case for keeping it off despite the plethora of quality shows.
Editor Justene Adamec chose:
Five Minutes Ago... My Life Changed Forever by trinket
Trinket lets us all join her in the moment when she faces death – and life – head on. The intensity overwhelmed the commenters. We hope there is a similar piece when she wins the struggle.
Blogcritics.org Writer Shark also chose:
Frozen Moment: Ten Hours Old by trinket
A short beautiful essay about a photograph, a child, and a memory preserved.
This is an example of the kind of personal writing style that initiated the blogging revolution we now enjoy.
Trinket (and another BC veteran Sadi Ranson-Polizzotti) consistently demonstrate that with talent — personal thoughts and memories can be elevated to art.
Blogcritics.org Writer Matt Paprocki chose:
Outsourcing Hate: Call Center Employees Face Abuse by Gaurav sood
Politics
Editor Natalie Bennett chose:
Pro-Life or Anti-Sex by Elvira Black
A fine example of a continuing Blogcritics conversation. Elvira Black was inspired by a John Bambenek post on abortion to write about her views on what she sees as the "pro-lifers" lack of logic and understanding. While this is an emotive topic, it is addressed here in a rational, if passionate, manner - not by name-calling.
The Failure of a Dream and the New Apartheid, by Dave Nalle
A detailed, clear and well organised analysis of what the author sees as Dr. Martin Luther King's key error - tying the civil rights movement to Democratic politicians, and its results.
Article comments
1 - John Spivey
Thanks, Lisa. I really appreciate your acknowledgement.
2 - Stephen V Funk
Many thanks for the kind kudos... two in one week! I'm flattered and honored. Cheers
3 - Scott C. Smith
Thanks, Joan, for selecting my review of "Hostel" as an editors' pick. Sorry if the review caused a temporary loss in bladder control.
4 - Trinket
Thank you so much for even noticing my prescence. I'm flattered & you've honestly made my day!
5 - T
Joan, thanks for your pick of Love Monkey!
(psst...I sent the "thank you" to the paypal account you listed in that email you sent....)
6 - gypsyman
Thanks Natalie, I was thinking of the bombing in Pakastan when I wrote this piece, but the recognistion makes me red all over anway...although according to my site meter you'd never know...
thanks again, I liked writing that one a lot...
gypsyman
7 - gypysman
Not to sound like a whiner or anything, but what happened to our nice little banners that we used to get to put on our sites to link back to B.C. for the winning post...
I know Temple used to host them, but maybe we could figure out some way to host something from the site, they are good publicity and look spiffy on your blog.
8 - gypsyman
My pick of the week for Jan. 18th to 24th would be Bonnie's Book Review: Race Against Time by Stephen Lewis .
Not only does Bonnie do an excellent job of letting the reader know what's in store for them when they read this series of lectures, but she manages to very accurately describe the passion and integrity that have made Stephen Lewis so credible.
A great review of a book that would be a surprise coming from someone within the U.N. for its honesty, if it hadn't been written by Mr. Lewis. There was a movement to try and get rid of him because of that honesty. Thankfully for the people of Africa he's managed to keep his job. Bonnie's review tells us how this book shows how important he is for that almost abandoned continent
gypsyman
9 - Stephen V Funk
I'm not totally sure how this works, but I think I get to submit picks of the week for 1/17-1/24 since I was selected last time around?
If so, I'd like to nominate two:
1. Opinion: AA -- Threat or Menace... A brutally honest and compellingly written first person account that will encourage you to reexamine your preconceptions about AA and 12-step programs in general.
2. CD Review: Vulnerable by Marvin Gaye... a well-written overview of the story behind this "lost" album and of course the album itself. This introduced me to a Marvin Gaye album I never even knew about and, most importantly, made me want to hear it.
Thanks!
10 - Scott Butki
Congrats to those picked.
11 - Elvira Black
Thank you Natalie and Alpha (aka Howard!) for making a newbie feel right at home. I'm also very flattered because of the superb quality of all the BC posts I've had the pleasure to read thus far. I love this place!
And Steven: thanks and congrats to you as well! It just now occurred to me to check the comments section here (duh!) and thus I just saw your pick, and will likewise check out your previously picked post! (Say ten times fast...)
I'm preping my pick right now, and will post it this eve, though it's a tough job to choose from such a plethora of great offerings. Again, many thanks, and mazel tov to all those picked this week.
12 - Elvira Black
To Stephen V. Funk:
Two brain spasms I must now correct (I'll just blame 'em on Elvira being a ditz):
Stephen, not Steven (kicks self in head).
And...congrats on your TWO picked pieces this week! I'll be coming by and a-commenting for sure on both. And thanks again for your pick for this week!
13 - John Spivey
I would nominate "In Defense of Bill Cosby."
14 - Elvira Black
John:
Yes, I agree--I had Robert's essay in mind ever since I saw it last January 18th. I'm e-mailing this pick to Eric now.
15 - Eric Berlin
Congrats to all picks again, new column up very shortly!
To answer a g-man question, and sorry about the delay: we'd love to have some help sprucing up all kinds of things on this column.
Ken -- Anything happening with that template you were working on?