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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…

It made me sad all over again for what our culture has lost when I watched David Letterman’s classy, heartfelt tribute to the late Paul Newman. So many Idol Chatter readers have expressed their sadness over his death and appreciation of his legacy that I just couldn’t resist posting the tribute here. For me, it…

You already know that Billy Graham is one of the most respected preachers in America. Now, in this long-awaited biopic, you can see him as a young seminarian, courting his wife Ruth, and making his sermons. embedVideo(1819751462);

Actor Greg Kinnear has had pretty good luck playing the “every man” on screen–you know, those Jimmy Stewart kind of roles where an average American attempts to do the heroic or the impossible when no one believes he can. His latest such role is as Robert Kearns, a professor who becomes an inventor, and is…

Israeli citizens have to serve in the army. If they’re religious, and being in the army would represent an undue hardship or challenge their faith, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) permit them to do an alternate service program, which many religious girls do instead. Some of my religious Israeli relatives have worked as nurse’s aides,…

If you’re going to see one movie that prowls the religious landscape, asking difficult questions and taking potshots at crackpots, see Bill Maher’s “Religulous.” Maher is no theologian, and even his grasp of international relations isn’t always firm, but this documentary, directed by Larry Charles, mixes the timing of a Chaplin short with the acidity…

Though based on some of the responses I have received about my last post on “Religulous”, it might be hard for Idol Chatter readers to believe I kept an open mind when I attended a screening of the film last August, yet I honestly believe I did. I used to love Bill Maher on “Politically…

So yes, “Ghost Town” is basically “The Ghost Whisperer” starring Ricky Gervais in Jennifer Love Hewitt’s role on the television series, but here’s the thing: this movie has Ricky Gervais as its ghost whisperer and that makes all the difference. And yes, just like on the CBS television series, Gervais as “Dr. Pinkus” (ahem, remember…

Okay so Sarah Silverman is known for her outrageous comedy skits but this one tops all: she’s done a video urging all Jews in the United States to take Florida by storm, making a special visit to their Jewish grandparents (all of whom, Silverman says, now reside in Florida) to convince these well-meaning, loving elderly…
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