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Fall 2001

A Quiet Apocalypse
Subject of Review:
Ta'wil by Children of the Apocalypse (C.O.T.A.)
by Wendy Darling
From the review: Middle Pillar's catalog had described the album as a "ritualistic and tribal classic" and that was the hook for me, because I'm on the lookout for good dark meditation and/or ritual music and a group with "Apocalypse" in its name whose music is described as "ritualistic and tribal" sounded like one I'd like to hear.

Hard Science Fiction by a Master
Subject of Review:
The Precipice: The Asteroid Wars, Volume I by Ben Bova
by Amy Harlib
From the review: Bova's characters here could be considered his most complex and interesting so far with his story featuring strong and engaging women, a sympathetic and charismatic protagonist and a completely nasty yet believable antagonist.

A Peculiar Journey
Subject of Review:
The Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg
by Angelo Ventura
From the review: This is a fascinating and intriguing novel, with a flavor of the occult and a strange reminiscence of Lost Horizon. Not to mention that Inceptions to strange sects in hidden desert places will remind something to Wraeththu fans.

Enthralling on Every Level
Subject of Review:
House of Flying Daggers (Shi Mian Mai Fu), directed by Zhang Yimou
by Amy Harlib
From the review: Successfully mixing martial arts with a melodramatic romance triangle story, House of Flying Daggers enthralls on every level. The charismatic, beautiful trio of stars convey emotional highs and some charming, humorous light moments and equally effectively communicates gut-wrenching torment where appropriate.

Another Instant Classic
Subject of Review:
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, directed by Mamoru Oshii
by Amy Harlib
From the review: When Japanese director Mamoru Oshii's SF anime feature Ghost in the Shell (1995) debuted in the USA, it became a hit, an instant classic building on the success of an earlier, equally classic Stateside SF anime release, Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira (1988), opening the door for wide acceptance of this genre art form in the Western world. Nine years later, the long-awaited follow-up to Oshii's ground-breaking film arrives: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.

Gone But Not Forgotten
Subject of Review:
The Changelings by The Changelings
by Wendy Darling
From the review: Even though they're no longer together, The Changelings have left behind some truly wonderful albums and EPs, including their self-titled debut disc, originally issued in 1995 and re-released by Middle Pillar in 2003. Digitally re-mastered with brand-new digipak artwork artwork and lyrics, The Changelings offers the band at their best.

Going Strong Since 1961
Subject of Review:
Asterix and the Actress, written and illustrated by Albert Uderzo
by Amy Harlib
From the review: Since the first book edition appeared in its country of origin, France, in 1961, the comic (in every sense of the word), and graphic stories about Asterix the Gaul and his fellow villagers singularly and heroically resisting the Roman occupation of Gaul (in 50 B.C.), have been a hugely successful pop cultural phenomenon in Europe and the U.K. In the USA, the series (of at least 30 volumes), boasts an ardent following of undeservedly lesser proportions.