Originally published Friday, April 18, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Movie review
According to "Expelled," Darwinism responsible for everything from atheism to abortion
Pop quiz: What is the real source of evil in the modern world? Greed? Intolerance? Well, according to "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,"...
"Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," a documentary with Ben Stein. Directed by Nathan Frankowski, from a screenplay by Stein. 97 minutes. Rated PG for thematic material, some disturbing images and brief smoking. Several theaters.
Pop quiz: What is the real source of evil in the modern world? Greed? Intolerance?
Well, according to "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," it's Darwinism, described as a philosophy that posits the pointlessness of life and encourages the "de-privileging of human beings" — and as such is responsible for everything from atheism to abortion, euthanasia to the Holocaust.
And here I thought evolution had something to do with the Galapagos and "Inherit the Wind."
A hard-core, fundamentalist bit of right-wing propaganda, "Expelled" slyly appropriates its style from liberal and left-wing sources, sending Ben Stein out to do deadpan interviews with a grab-bag of people, while intercutting old movies, new animation and newsreel footage.
This is all fine — a number of comedy shows and documentaries have been hard-core, left-wing propaganda, serving up more red-meat entertainment than useful information. But Jon Stewart is a lot funnier than Stein.
Stephen Whitty, Newhouse News Service
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
At a Theater Near You: Polish, Italian festivals lead weekend's films
Movie review: Bella + Edward + Jacob = a pale 'New Moon'
Group decries saturated fat in movie popcorn
Movie review: 'Planet 51': High on sci-fi, low on laughs
Movie review: 'The Blind Side' — A football movie too sweet to score

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Monfort fired after excellent worker turned unreliable
- Sentence request for US woman in Italy murder case
- Boeing facility death was suicide
- 31 years for man who killed girlfriend, then lit cigarette and waited for police
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- Man falls 8 stories, suffers minor injuries
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Mariners Blog | Window of exclusivity shutting on Mariners where Russell Branyan, other free agents are concerned
- 2010 county budget cuts services, 311 jobs
- State's projected budget shortfall exceeds $2 billion
257 - What climate-change deniers really believe (and why they're wrong)
190 - Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
170 - Senate Democrats want to tax nips and tucks
122 - Italian prosecutors wrap up in Knox murder trial
109 - A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
80 - Boeing breaks ground for historic SC plant
71 - Man sentenced to 31 years in prison in girlfriend's slaying on I-5
71 - Monfort fired after excellent worker turned unreliable
69 - 2010 county budget cuts services, 311 jobs
66
- Swedish threatens to end Regence BlueShield's contract
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Seattle industrial artist Rusty Oliver is the man behind 'Smash Putt'
- Restaurant review | Artisanal at The Bravern shows French flair in delicious style
- Peruvian police: Gang killed people for their fat
- $335 million in education grants
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Monfort fired after excellent worker turned unreliable
- Boeing facility death was suicide








