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By David Wolpe There are three problems with Bill Maher’s new movie mocking faith: It misunderstands religion, misconceives God and gets human nature all wrong. I have a fantasy of a counter-movie. I would travel around the world and interview every scientist with a crackpot theory or a quack cure. I’d find researchers who were…

I’m happy to report that one of my favorite new television shows from last year, “Pushing Daisies,” is back for its second season and quirky as ever (Wednesdays, 9 p.m., ABC). In addition to the usual, madcap fun of Ned and Chuck’s chaste love for each other (if Ned touches Chuck, she’ll die–again), and Chuck’s…

One of the most anticipated religious movies in years is “Billy: The Early Years,” which traces the history of one of America’s most beloved pastors. In this video, meet the producers and writers who brought the story to life and the unknown actor who outshone countless others to win the role of a lifetime. embedVideo(1819738022);

I’ve broken up with television shows before. The most painful in my memory was “The Sopranos“–a show I adored, but could no longer watch at the end of its fifth season because it had gotten so brutal. With J. J. Abrams’s “Lost,” while I used to feel passionately invested, I now have a kind of…

In an upcoming interview with actor Armie Hammer–the young man who portrays evangelist Billy Graham in the upcoming movie “Billy Graham: The Early Years”–he mentioned to me that his favorite bit of research for the film came from an interview Woody Allen did with Graham back in the 70s. Not being familiar with the interview,…

Everyone’s favorite serial killer with a conscience, Dexter Morgan, returned to television last weekend with killer ratings, but the season three opener didn’t exactly slay me. If it sounds funny that a drama about a forensic blood spatter specialist-cum-serial killer should garner Showtime’s highest ratings ever, then you should take a closer look. Having to…

I said earlier this week that I would recommend my favorite Paul Newman movie as my DVD Pick of the Week in remembrance of the great actor. “Nobody’s Fool ” is not only my favorite Newman movie, but it is one of my all-time favorite movies of the 90s. However, despite Newman’s Oscar nomination for…

Here’s why it took me two months to finish Stephenie Meyer’s “Breaking Down”: I couldn’t stand it. Fellow Idol Chatter blogger and “Twilight” uber-fan Donna Freitas wrote that some fans had problems with the “happy ending.” That was not my biggest problem with the book. I don’t discriminate against happy endings–I was happy when Bella…

The most important moment in Bill Maher’s new documentary about the dangers and hypocrisy of religion is at the conclusion of his visit to a tiny trucker’s chapel. As he does throughout the movie Maher challenges the very notion of faith. One of the worshipers is so offended he walks out. But another explains he…

Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the new Jewish year, but this new year brought a tough break for Jewish Living Magazine. Touted a year ago as the Jewish answer to Martha Stewart Living, the glossy magazine hoped to compete in a world where it’s becoming increasingly difficult for a magazine of any sort to…
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