Actor Ben Stein’s claim that Darwin laid the foundation for Hitler’s holocaust is a well-documented fact of history—one which, nonetheless, angers Darwin’s contemporary disciples. Stein is featured in the just-released movie, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,” which asserts a link between the theory of evolution and the Holocaust. Stein told The New York Times last year that, were it up to him, he would call the movie, “From Darwin to Hitler.”

Stein’s claim in “Expelled” is further documented in the Coral Ridge Ministries documentary, “Darwin’s Deadly Legacy,” originally produced in 2006 and later updated with additional material on the eugenics movement spawned by Darwin’s theory. Jerry Newcombe a co-producer of “Darwin’s Deadly Legacy” reports,

“The ideas of Charles Darwin helped fuel the Nazi killing machine, which took the lives of some 10-15 million people.”

“Darwin’s Deadly Legacy,” now available on DVD, features historians and scholars who connect the dots between Hitler and the ideas penned by Darwin in On the Origin of Species and later works. According to historian Richard Weikart, author of From Darwin to Hitler,

“Among German historians, there’s really not much debate about whether or not Hitler was a social Darwinist. He clearly was drawing on Darwinian ideas.”

British evolutionist Sir Arthur Keith wrote in the 1940s:

“The German Führer, as I have consistently maintained, is an evolutionist. He has consciously sought to make the practice of Germany conform to the theory of evolution.”

Even leading evolutionist Niles Eldredge freely admits the link between Darwin and Hitler. Eldredge, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, has written that “social Darwinism,” which he regards as an illegitimate offspring of Darwin’s theory,

“…has given us the eugenics movement and some of its darker outgrowths, such as the genocidal practices of the Nazis in World War II—where eugenics was invoked as a scientific rationale to go along with whatever other ‘reasons’ Hitler and his fellow Nazis had for the Holocaust.”

But evolution was not incidental to Hitler’s thought. It was a “central aspect of his worldview,” according to Weikart, a leading scholar on the Darwin-Hitler nexus.

“It drove pretty much everything that he did. It was not just a peripheral part of his ideology.”

The case for evolution’s impact on Hitler is strengthened by the fact that Darwinian thought heavily influenced Germany in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Nazi dictator, according to Weikart,

“…was drawing on what many other scholars, biologists, and geneticists in Germany were preaching and teaching in the early twentieth century.”

The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Ministries and host of “Darwin’s Deadly Legacy,” said in 2006:

“We have had nearly 150 years of the theory of Darwinian evolution. And what has it brought us—whether Darwin intended it or not? Millions of deaths, the destruction of those deemed ‘inferior,’ the devaluing of human life, and increasing hopelessness. Darwin’s legacy has been deadly indeed.”

Official Web site: crministries.org

Nationwide DVD release in September 2008

Seven geniuses, with IQs over 200, are plucked from their lives on Christmas Eve to try to solve the world's problems in one night. If they fail, the world will come to an end. The group attempts to solve world hunger, war, cancer, terrorism, rush hour traffic, jerks, and finally the meaning of life. By morning, the group finds redemption in themselves and quite possibly for the world.

Solving the world problems is no easy task. Just ask film director Tim A. Chey of RiverRain Productions (“Gone,” “Impact: The Passion of the Christ”),

“We wanted to make an extremely thought-provoking film that reaches the very tip of mankind's problems and then comes back down.”

Filmed in Hollywood with a budget estimated at $2-million, “The Genius Club” looks at the face of world problems through the eyes of seven geniuses and a deranged terrorist who has the second-highest IQ in the country. It's a no-holds bar, sock 'em fight fest without the punches. Instead, the geniuses fight for their lives intellectually. Chey explains,

“We wanted to make a very good ‘7-course-meal’ film, not another fast-food film that you forget two seconds after leaving the theater.”

Rev. Edwin Carpenter of the Dove Foundation says the producers succeeded, calling the film “one of the most thought-provoking films I have ever seen. …ultimately this film makes one think about his or her view of God, for as the seminary student said, ‘Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or the Son of God’.”

The cast includes: Stephen Baldwin (“Six: The Mark Unleashed”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Black Hawk Down”), Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica” TV series), Philip Moon (“The Big Lebowski”), Jack Scalia (“Red Eye”), Paula Jai Parker (“Hustle & Flow”), Carol Abney, and Huntley Ritter (“We Are Marshall”). The film is rated “PG” for thematic elements and some disturbing content.

Cloud Ten Pictures, makers of the “Left Behind” series, has contracted rights to distribute the two hour film to churches on DVD, making it available by public showing license through their “Church Cinema is Back!” program, which includes promotional materials.

Official Web sites with trailers: thegeniusclubmovie.com and cloudtenpictures.com

Features a (neatly folded) collection of 15 all-time favorite short features

Big Idea has announced the May 3rd release of a “classic collection” from Bob, Larry and the whole Veggie crew. When Edmund Storch's pet hamster disappears after he accidentally leaves the top off of its cage, he writes to Bob and Larry asking for advice. While Bob feels like there's no lesson to teach Edmund, Larry digs deep into the “Veggie Vault” to find a solution. But what is the “Veggie Vault” and why does Larry hide it in his sock drawer? And how did a sock puppet and a story-telling donkey get in there, too?

Bob, Larry and Lutfi the Sock Puppet Highlighted video shorts include: “Dr. Jiggle and Mr. Sly,” “Larry's Lagoon,” “Omelet,” “Going Up,” “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill,” and many more. Each short story is cleverly woven together by brand new animated clips, and the DVD includes an all-new opening and closing. As an extra special bonus feature, fans will find never-before-on-DVD video shorts, which until now have only been seen on TV as part of the top-rated qubo® children's programming block, on NBC Saturday mornings.

Official Web site: bigidea.com

On-track for a 2008 release, post-production is reportedly now in the final stages (sound mixing and scoring) for the new family feature “Mandie and the Secret Tunnel.” This is the first feature-length movie based on The MANDIE Books™ written by Lois Gladys Leppard, a favorite of many children. The first book was published in 1983 by Bethany House.

In this first story of the series, Mandie is searching her dead uncle's mansion for a missing will when she finds a secret tunnel and strangers who claim to be her relatives. Set in the early 1900s, this series boasts a delightful cast of characters who, in the tradition of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables, learn valuable lessons as they conquer hardships and celebrate life’s triumphs.

The film’s cast includes born-again Christian and former top Disney star Dean Jones (“The Love Bug,” “That Darn Cat,” “St. John in Exile,” “God’s Story”), Lexi Johnson (“The Sugar Creek Gang” series) and William Yelton (“John Adams”). Miss Johnson is a home school student and winner of the 1996 Kids Search USA contest (involving over 40,000 applicants and sponsored by Wilhelmina Models of New York), and winner of the 2004 “Outstanding Dancer” award from the New York City Dance Alliance.

The film is directed by Joy Chapman and Owen Smith under the Charley Gap Films, LLC, company. Joy and Owen earlier produced “The Sugar Creek Gang” DVD series (2004-2005) based on Paul Hutchens’ beloved series of children’s books (Moody Publishers). Those films were produced by their Kalon Media company and distributed by KOAN Inc. (Utah).

Official Web site with trailer: MandieMovies.com

Ranks among top movies, despite being on half the screens

Amidst harsh reviews from secular movie critics, and dismal predictions of box office failure, Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed!” defied expectations and became a fan-favorite with reports of standing ovations at theaters across the nation. Opening on less than half the number of screens of any of the other top 10 movies of the weekend, “Expelled” debuted at No. 10 and banked $3 million for the weekend April 18-20, according to Boxofficemojo.com.

Based on a per screen average, “Expelled” ranked even better at No. 5, and brought in approximately $3,000 per screen, toping notables such as “Nim’s Island,” “21,” “Street Kings, ” and “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who,” and dwarfing the other much-anticipated documentary of the weekend, Morgan Spurlock’s “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?”

The Los Angeles Times’ Josh Friedman wrote that the opening was “robust for a documentary,” while Entertainment Weekly's Joshua Rich said its gross was “very respectable” for its genre. “Expelled … fared better than prerelease tracking had signaled,” Friedman of The Times wrote.

Pre-weekend predictions within the movie industry estimated EXPELLED’s box office take at $1.5 to $2 million, but by opening day Friday afternoon, “Expelled” had moved up to #2 on Fandango.com’s “hottest tickets” chart, and LATimes.com business section was reporting “Expelled could exceed box-office forecasts.”

“Expelled” also earned a spot on Fandango.com’s Top 10 “fan buzz”, and exit polls conducted by independent research firm Market Data Corporation show that 96% of those who saw the film will recommend it to others. Logan Craft, Executive Producer and Chairman of Premise Media, commented:

“The box office results and fan reviews say it all. We were told by the critics that our movie would be dead on arrival.  But the public proved the experts wrong again.”

Ben Stein, the film’s star, said,

“This is an amazing success story. It has beaten even our own expectations.”

If it maintains its current box office trend, “Expelled” will become one of the top 10 box-office performing documentaries of all time. The Christian Post reports:

“It opened as the widest and one of the most commercially successful releases for any documentary film.”

More information

• See our fact-filled review page.
• Production background information
• About Ben Stein
• Producer bios
• Endorsements of the film
• Official Web site with trailer: ExpelledTheMovie.com and resource and promotional materials GetExpelled.com

A new front has been opened in the culture wars. Although “EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed” has been out for less than a week, it has already become one of the top 25 documentaries of all time. Opponents of the film have attacked everyone and everything in it. They have attacked the producers, the star, the music, and film itself. They have even attacked those who have seen it. Now they seem to want to challenge the Constitution.

Yoko Ono and others have now filed lawsuits challenging the film's use and critique of John Lennon's song “Imagine.” One of the suits seeks to ban free speech through preliminary injunctive relief which essentially means that they are trying to expel “Expelled” as it is now being shown in theaters.

Walt Ruloff, Executive Producer and CEO of Premise Media, explained,

“If you really listen to the lyrics of ‘Imagine’ then you realize that it represents everything that the Neo-Darwinists want. ‘Imagine there's no Heaven… No hell below us.… Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too…’ That's exactly what the Darwinist establishment wants to do: get rid of religion. And that's what we point out when we play less than 15 seconds of the song and show some of the lyrics on screen.”

Executive Producer and Chairman of Premise Media Logan Craft added,

“The fair use doctrine is a well established principle that gives the public the right to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for the purposes of commentary and criticism. While some may not like what we have to say or how we say it, we have the free speech right to do so—just as other political and social commentators have been doing for years.”

Premise reports they…

“…did not pursue a license for the song and had no obligation to do so. Unbiased viewers of the film will see that the ‘Imagine’ clip was used as part of a social commentary in the exercise of free speech. The brief clip—consisting of a mere 10 words—was used to contrast the messages in the documentary and was not used as an endorsement of ‘Expelled’.”

But the irony of this lawsuit was not lost on the film's star Ben Stein,

“So Yoko Ono is suing over the brief Constitutionally protected use of a song that wants us to ‘Imagine no possessions’? Maybe instead of wasting everyone's time trying to silence a documentary she should give the song to the world for free? After all, ‘imagine all the people sharing all the world… You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the World can live as one.’”

Discovering the next great redemptive filmmaker

More than 50 films are now competing in the ReelDreams Film Competition for a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship to Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts.

The time to select the Top 25 films is NOW. Votes may be cast at www.godtube.com/reeldreams. The Top 25 films will be announced April 28 at reeldreamsfilmfest.com.

Each entrant must be the sole producer/director/writer of a short film portraying a character facing a moral dilemma that leads to good or bad consequences affecting the individual and those around them.

Michael Patrick, dean of Regent's School of Communication & the Arts, reports,

“Our mission is to encourage the next generation of leaders in redemptive filmmaking. This competition helps us to connect with them as a film school and helps them to fulfill their calling.”

Starting April 28 the public will have one week to view and vote for their favorite films, helping decide the Top 10. The Top 10 finalists will be announced on May 5 and will compete at the live webcast Final Event at Regent University's Communication & Performing Arts Center May 31. The Grand Prize Winner selected by industry judges will receive a full-tuition scholarship for one degree from Regent's School of Communication & the Arts.

The live webcast Final Event is open to the public. In order to participate, one must create a user account with Godtube.com prior to the event and login to the live webcast at 7:00 p.m. EDT on May 31. Here one can vote for the film that will receive the Audience Favorite Award.

For tickets and information to attend the Live Event in Virginia Beach visit www.regent.edu/theatre or call 757.226.4245.

The Competition is “powered” by Godtube.com and Big Jump Media, Inc.

Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts has won over 170 film awards and offers B.A., M.A., MFA and Ph.D. degrees in Cinema/Television, Journalism, Animation, Digital Media, Theatre and Communication. Learn more about Regent University's School of Communication & the Arts at www.regent.edu/communication.

“EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed” producers file lawsuit and expose other efforts to suppress their free speech movie opening in over 1,000 theaters this Friday

Premise Media says they are ready to challenge the “unfounded copyright infringement claims asserted recently by representatives of XVIVO, LLC concerning original animation Premise Media created for the documentary, ‘EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed’.” XVIVO demands that Premise Media “remove the infringing segment from all copies of the ‘Expelled’ film prior to its scheduled commercial release on or before April 18, 2008.”

Premise Media states,

“Claims that we have used any animation in an unauthorized manner are simply false. Premise Media created the animation that illustrates cellular activity used in our film.”

On April 14, 2008, Premise Media reportedly filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas seeking declaratory judgment “that there is no copyright or other infringement.” Premise Media also seeks its attorneys' fees in responding to the XVIVO claims.

According to Premise,

“The suit results from unfounded claims recently made by representatives of XVIVO. These claims have received wide distribution as part of an ongoing campaign attempting to discredit the film and its producers.

Premise Media has also learned of grass root efforts that are underway to try to influence the ranking of internet searches regarding EXPELLED by those wanting to learn about the film. Their stated goal is an attempt to counter-site those searchers to other websites that criticize the themes in the movie.”

Executive Producer and Premise Chairman Logan Craft said,

“We are not surprised that opponents of our film are attempting to interfere with its important message. As the movie documents, similar tactics are being used across the country against many of the researchers, scientists, and professors who want to engage in free debate within science but have inadequate resources to challenge the Establishment. However, we do have the platform to confront the ‘thought police,’ and we will work tirelessly to open the doors of free speech and inquiry.”

Executive Producer Walt Ruloff noted that,

“‘EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed’ opens in over 1,000 theaters nationwide this Friday, April 18th. It is interesting that these efforts are made less than ten days before the movie debuts and involve those who continually seek to thwart open debate.

While bullying tactics may work against some individuals who are trying to explore the origins of life, it will not work against us. We certainly will not allow a small group of self-appointed gatekeepers to infringe our rights of free speech and our obligation to expose them for what they are - namely, intellectual thugs unwilling to accept any dissent from Darwinian orthodoxy.”

Ben Stein, the star of the movie, also makes it clear that no one will shut him up.

“I came to this project unsure what I would find. I am now amazed at the intolerance of many academic elites. I feel that it is my mission to speak out on behalf of targeted dissenters and fight for their freedom of speech and freedom of inquiry.”

Even before its April 18 release nationwide, Ben Stein's movie has triggered heated reactions from both sides of the debate between religion and science.

Atheists are “crashing” EXPELLED screenings and conference calls; critics are slamming it; and leaders are raving about it. EXPELLED screenings for legislators in Florida and Missouri are causing political firestorms and driving “Academic Freedom” bills that challenge Darwinism.

The controversy has made “Expelled” one of the most talked about movies of 2008.

• The EXPELLED controversy was rated #1 blog on the Internet (3/24/08).
• EXPELLED rated #6 on Yahoo’s “Top Searches” (4/8/08)
• EXPELLED made the front cover of the New York Times (10/27/07)
• According to Premise Media, nearly 2 million visitors have come to the EXPELLED Movie site recently.

Logan Craft said,

“The reaction to EXPELLED is threatening to ignite a new cold war between religion and science—and the implications are enormous. The atheists are going ballistic over our little movie. I want to remind them: It’s just a movie. Relax!”

Early pre-screenings of the film have been met with both rave reviews and harsh criticisms. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called it “powerful” and “fabulous” while critic Roger Friedman called it “sloppy” and “not just a little boring”. The Orlando Sentinel’s Roger Moore said “it’s not particularly funny,” while MovieGuide called it “wry, funny, and well crafted.” And in the blogosphere where EXPELLED is creating the most buzz, bloggers like Bryan Swaggerty are calling Ben Stein “an idiot,” while others like John Villareal are praising Stein as “a genius.”

Craft remarked,

“It’s amazing to see the totally opposite reactions to EXPELLED. At most of our pre-screenings, audiences are giving standing ovations. But others are calling it pathetic. We think it has more to do with one’s worldview, than with the film itself.”

According to one prominent U.S. movie theater chain, people are even sending e-mails to boycott EXPELLED. An e-mail which the theater chain forwarded to the producers of EXPELLED read, “I urge the management of this theater company to consider rejecting the highly controversial film ‘EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed’… [as it] undermines science in our nation's schools.”

Pastor Jerry Johnston of First Family Church in Kansas City, who is hosting multiple screenings of EXPELLED, noted,

“This is the first time since Passion of the Christ that we’ve become really engaged. We think the debate about the origin of life isn’t settled yet, despite what’s being taught in our public schools. This is more than a movie, it’s a cause.”

Johnston says he will explore the topic in a four-week sermon series in conjunction with the release of EXPELLED. Similarly, according to Premise Media, the conservative Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has urged its thousands of member schools to use EXPELLED as a springboard for discussion.

Producer Walt Ruloff explained,

“Many of our atheist friends are deeply angered by our film, and we can’t figure out why. This is America, and we should all be ready for a little debate. My hope is that instead of trying to shut down the movie, they’ll join the debate. Let the conversation begin.”

More information

• See our fact-filled preview page about the the film.
• Production background information
• About Ben Stein
• Producer bios
• Endorsements of the film
• Official Web site with trailer: ExpelledTheMovie.com and resource and promotional materials GetExpelled.com

the Nicky Cruz story

A major movie on the life story of Nicky Cruz (from the The Cross and the Switchblade fame) is in pre-production. The book Run Baby Run was a New York Times Best Seller. The official film site has launched - RunBabyRunMovie.com. The film's release is anticipated for late 2009.

Convolo Productions, a motion picture production company based in Santa Monica, California, secured a three picture co-production agreement with Inferno Entertainment. The life story of Nicky Cruz, RUN BABY RUN, is the first of the three feature films in production.

Convolo Productions “exists to develop, produce and distribute engaging entertainment with social significance and inspiring messages that stir the soul.” Founded in 2007 by David Urabe and Brad Ayres, Convolo has multiple projects in development.

Convolo has partnered with worldwide distributor and financer Inferno Distribution (Los Angeles).

There is still time to submit new programs for the TBN Innovate Program Challenge. Program producers that are attending NAB in Las Vegas can schedule time to meet with one of TBN's program executives to discuss their pre- produced show. Appointments are still available.

NAB attendees are encouraged to set up meetings with TBN program executives in advance by emailing Joan Higley at jhigley@tbn.org. For more information visit tbnnetworks.com/innovate or www.tfwm.com/innovate.

The INNOVATE! contest inspires producers to rise to the top of their craft by submitting fresh, original ideas for high quality programming to air on TBN's four specialized networks Smile of a Child, for viewers age 2 to 12; JCTV, for teens and young adults age 13 through 29; the Church Channel, for viewers who enjoy worship, teaching, and preaching; and TBN Enlace USA, for Hispanic viewers. Paul Crouch, Jr., Chief of Staff at TBN said,

“TBN viewers have come to expect thought-provoking, well-written, and spiritually-charged programming that entertains and positively influences their lives. Last year's INNOVATE! contest confirmed to us just how much hidden talent is out there, just waiting to be uncovered.”

INNOVATE! Program Challenge 2008 contest winner(s) will be unveiled by Crouch on TBN's popular Behind the Scenes program (date to be announced). The winning program(s) will premier on TBN and then begin airing on one or more of TBN's digital networks, which are picked up around the globe and seen by millions. Crouch:

“TBN's unique brand of inspirational programming continues to fill an ever-increasing world-wide demand for powerful, engaging, faith and family- friendly content. The TBN family of networks is continuously on the lookout for programs that will capture the imagination of our viewers, who have come to expect the very best offerings in faith and family-friendly fair.”

Joan Higley, TBN's Cable Affiliate Relations Manager explains:

“Producers wishing to submit programs can do so in one of two ways. Attendees of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas, which runs April 14th through 17th, 2008, are invited to submit DVDs of their programs in person at the Technologies for Worship Pavilion in the Central Hall at the TBN Networks booth, C10442. Producers not attending the NAB can submit their program on DVD to The Ultimate TBN Networks Program Challenge, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780, by April 30th.”

“In association with the INNOVATE! Program Challenge, Technologies for Worship Pavilion and Conferences is offering a free subscription to Technologies for Worship Magazine. TBN viewers wishing to sign up for a complimentary issue may do so by visiting www.tfwm.com/subscribepromocode, and entering the word INNOVATE! in the promotional code box.”

TBN is the world's largest religious network reaching every major continent via 65 satellites and more than 12,500 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households.

“Inspiring! An unforgettable story about four wolves and a man who formed a bond of caring” raves Film Advisory Board

“Friends for Life,” a Grizzly Adams® Productions film (Loveland, CO) in association with Flynn-Daines Productions, has received an “Award of Excellence” from the prestigious Film Advisory Board, Inc., a 32 year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of quality family entertainment.

In honoring the film, Janet Stokes, CEO of the Film Advisory Board, noted that,

“Friendships are fascinating. They offer a myriad of endless surprises that are endearing. ‘Friends for Life’ is a monumental tribute to the essence of friendship. It's a profoundly moving story that will touch your heart.”

Directed by Michael Spence, the film tells the story of a grieving widower and retired attorney, played by veteran actor Michael Flynn, who lives in a small mountain community where he encounters four wolf pups that change his life. The special relationship between the man and the wolves is threatened by a greedy land developer. The movie also stars Jimmy Chunga, and Tayva Patch.

In announcing the award, the Film Advisory Board's Stokes stated,

“The story holds a sense of real human experiences that are not hyped with over-the-top sensationalism and disturbing plot twists. It's a breath of fresh air. Majestic vistas and magnificent lush forests add special elegance—a sense of ethereal imagery—to the story that stars an angel, as the symbol for caring. The significance of these visuals is not lost in the allure of ‘Friends for Life,’ a wonderful family film that speaks volumes for goodness in life.”

She went on to add,

“It's a gripping tale of personal challenges, noble acts of kindness, and the miracle of divine intervention.”

Chuck Sellier, president and founder of Grizzly Adams productions noted,

“We're greatly honored to receive this award. Some of the finest family films over the last three decades from major studios and independents have been past recipients. To join films like ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘E.T.,’ ‘Shrek,’ and ‘The Prince of Egypt,’ among others, puts this movie in quite auspicious company.”

During the past eight years, Grizzly Adams has received more than 160 awards—secular and religious, national and international—for its productions.

The Film Advisory Board, founded in 1975 by Elayne Blythe, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, whose mission is the recognition and promotion of quality family and children's entertainment. The Film Advisory Board is the only “official” professional movie rating system other than the MPAA.

According to Sellier,

“We have a long tradition of excellence in our company in every aspect of the filmmaking process, from conception to finished product. We wouldn't have achieved the success we've enjoyed without gifted writers, talented cinematographers, demanding directors, and exacting editors. ‘Friends for Life’ is the latest of a long line of cinematic accomplishments by a very talented team.”

“Friends for Life” is scheduled to release in late 2008.

See: Complete text of Film Advisory Board review

Scientists get “caught” trying to sneak into Stein’s movie

According to Technoranati's BlogPulse which surveys the hottest topics and sites in the world of blogs, a site featuring Ben Stein's controversial new film Expelled is the #1 blog on the net.

The web traffic spiked when P.Z. Meyers, a biology professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris, attempted to sneak into a private, invitation-only screening of Ben Stein's highly controversial upcoming movie, “EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed.” But Myers, who is an outspoken atheist and author of the science blog “Pharyngula” got caught and has used his blog to bitterly complain about not being allowed to see the film before its release.

Myers, who was interviewed in “Expelled,” has apparently been asking supporters to sneak into the private screenings which are being conducted by marketing company Motive Entertainment (which handled grassroots marketing for blockbusters “The Passion of the Christ” and “The Chronicles of Narnia”) for various leaders as part of the grass roots marketing of the film.

When confronted at the screening by Myers' friend Richard Dawkins, a prominent atheist who is himself featured in the film, as to why Myers was “expelled” from the screening, producer Mark Mathis replied that the producers were eager for Myers to screen the film but only after he had paid $10 to watch it with the rest of America after it releases on April 18th.

Mathis saw rich irony in Myers' discontent with being “expelled” from “Expelled”:

“It was amazing to see the reaction of Myers, Richard Dawkins and their friends when one of them wasn't allowed to screen a film. Yet, these men applaud the fact that throughout the nation, professors are fired from their jobs and permanently excluded from their profession for questioning Darwinism.”

Executive producer Logan Craft of Premise Media noted:

“We can't wait for all Americans, including our friend P.Z. Myers, to see the film when it opens on April 18th. We'll even throw in some free popcorn for P.Z. if he'll tell us which theater he'll be attending.”

Producer Mark Mathis remarked:

“I hope PZ's experience has helped him see the light. He's distraught because he could not see a movie. What if he wasn't allowed to teach on a college campus or was denied tenure? Maybe he'll think twice before he starts demanding more professors be blacklisted and expelled simply because they question the adequacy of Darwin's theory.”

Ben Stein's “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” opens in theaters nationwide on April 18th.

See our preview page and our previous article on “Expelled.”

Recommended resources, including DVDs and books on the subject of Creation vs. Evolution: Creator's World

Official Web site with trailer: ExpelledTheMovie.com and GetExpelled.com