by M.G. Wood

Mary Roach

BONK by Mary Roach (STIFF, SPOOK) is a bright, funny and ultimately insightful book about, well, bonking. More to the point, anything you ever wanted to know about sex has at some point or another been studied, prodded, probed, and analyzed by some very serious and not-so very serious scientists in lab coats and latex gloves. Mary Roach plays the part of our intrepid surrogate sleuth in a trench coat (well maybe not a trench coat), as she delves into the research science that dare not speak its name. Alas, I believe the book description from Amazon may lay it out a little clearer:

The study of sexual physiology—what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better—has been a paying career or a diverting sideline for scientists as far-ranging as Leonardo da Vinci and James Watson. The research has taken place behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, MRI centers, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs, and Alfred Kinsey's attic.

And yes, you read correctly, Pig Farms.

JUNO, one of the best films of `07 released on DVD, thus unleashing a mighty sigh of feminine charm and humor throughout the land, as Ellen Page portrays the most potent Woman Warrior since Frances McDormand’s Marge in FARGO. Even though there will always be a slight backlash against any film that grows to engulf and devour the cynical spirit of all who enter it’s vexing vortex, the fact remains, JUNO is not just a sweet little comedy (you know like the way your dad used to describe your mom as the “little lady”). JUNO has some of the sharpest, most cleverly constructed dialogue this side of Preston Sturges. And yes, Ellen Page is a phenom.

Celebrate ACCELERATE, the new disc from R.E.M., their best since NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI over 11 years ago. And just like NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI the tracks on ACCELERATE are guitar-driven live or near live recordings full of piss and vinegar. From the opening track (Living Well is the Best Revenge) you know, as an R.E.M. fan, that this album is different, or rather not different, no, yes different from the last 3 or 4 albums over the last 10 years. But, again not different in the sense that this is a return to form for a band that plays Rock `n Roll (1994's MONSTER) better than they do High Concept Mood Music (1999's UP). The best song on the whole album may well be the most low concept, unserious piece R.E.M.’s ever recorded, a great spirit-rousing fatalist farce entitled I’M GONNA DJ, as in “Death is pretty final, I’m collectin’ vinyl, I’m gonna DJ at the end of the world”.

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