Idol Chatter

What if the “X” in “X-Files” stood for Christ? It wouldn’t be a surprise to those who believe that the Bible is full of evidence of extraterrestrial visitations and manipulations. But while it’s true that Erich Von Daniken’s 1974 book “Chariots of the Gods” explored aliens visiting ancient Egypt and Peru, rarely are such theories…

I not only grew up reading E. B. White’s classic “Charlotte’s Web” together with my mother, but each year my family gathered to watch the animated movie version of this story about rescue, friendship, and the circle of life (and death) whenever it aired. Like many other children of my generation, I loved Charlotte and…

A pig and a spider were no match for the charisma of Will Smith, as his inspirational movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” topped the weekend box office. Based on the life of rags-to-riches stock broker Chris Gardner, the movie is not simply about chasing the almighty dollar, but it is about breaking the cycle of…

In the article “The Grinch Delusion: An Atheist Can Believe in Christmas,” New York Times reporter Randy Kennedy looked into what some of our most famous public intellectual-atheists are doing (or not doing) this holiday season. The article explores what both Sam Harris (“The End of Faith”; “Letter to a Christian Nation”) and Richard Dawkins…

Yoga and chocolate I totally get. The sensuous feel of that delicious substance melting into your fingertips, that burst of flavor on your tongue, all in a bite-sized portion perfect to put your thoughts into that ideal mindful state. Chocolatier Katrina Markoff of Vosges Haut-Chocolat certainly convinced me that chocolate and yoga make a perfect…

Think of video games. If you’re of a certain age, it’s Pac Man and Donkey Kong. If you’re younger, maybe you think of Grand Theft Auto or The Fast and the Furious. Religious Christians who have faith in the Rapture might enjoy Left Behind: Eternal Forces. Or if you’re Jewish, you might sit yourself in…

So I caved. It’s utterly predictable, and I can’t stand Cameron Diaz (I mean, really can’t stand), not to mention Jack Black, who is about as un-McDreamy as you can get in a guy lead. But due to the slim pickings in the romantic comedy department this year, I just went to see “The Holiday.”…

She’s a far cry from Meredith Viera, but she sure makes the show interesting. The addition of comedian-actor Rosie O’Donnell to “The View” was genius in some ways, as it gave life to a show that was heading south when Viera (who was fabulous) announced her departure and Star Jones left in a huff. But…

I liked “Blood Diamond” for a lot of little reasons and one big one. I liked it because Leonardo DiCaprio seemed more like a man’s man–or at least an adult–than he did as Howard Hughes in “The Aviator” or other adults he’s tried to play. I liked it because I like the inspiring and believable…

December 25 may be the day that all Christian boys and girls wait all year for, but for Jews, celebrating Christmas often takes a different approach, which often includes some or all of the following elements: 1) Stand-up comedy, featuring Jewish comedians from different backgrounds and billed as “kosher comedy”2) Chinese food (not necessarily kosher);3)…

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