Expelled in L.A.?

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Incredibly, the people behind Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a right-wing documentary that uses Ben Stein to try and sell the idea of "intelligent design" (i.e., creationism in new clothes), are opening it in godforsaken Los Angeles on 4.18 and have hired Rogers & Cowan to flack for it and arrange for press screenings (one on Monday, 4.14 and another the following day).

The downside is that the film's only booking is at Mann's Beverly Center, an old-style shoebox plex (built in 1981) where little movies go to die.

Here's the best passage in my initial piece about this film, which was posted on 3.10.08: "The irony is that I happen to believe in intelligent design also, in a sense. There is obviously a unified flow and an absolute cosmic commonality in all living things and all aspects of the architecture. The difference is that I don't attach a Bible-belt morality to this overwhelming fact. To me God is impartial, celestial, biological, mathematical, amoral, unemotional, miraculous and breathtaking.

"However you define the altogether, He/She/It has absolutely zero 'interest' in whether you or your great-uncle or next door neighbor are adhering to the Ten Commandments or having an abortion or helping a homeless person or what-have-you. The molecular perfection and mind-blowingly infinite implications of God are way, way beyond ground-level morality."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 11, 2008 at 12:45 PM

comment #1

christian says ...

"The molecular perfection and mind-blowingly infinite implications of God are way, way beyond ground-level morality."

Unless you're Ferris Bueller's economics teacher.

Posted by christian at April 11, 2008 1:21 PM

comment #2

Rich S. says ...

Will they be serving free Alaska Salmon?

Posted by Rich S. at April 11, 2008 1:28 PM

comment #3

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

"To me God is impartial, celestial, biological, mathematical, amoral, unemotional, miraculous and breathtaking."

I knew Jeff was a Cylon.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 11, 2008 1:31 PM

comment #4

Edward Havens says ...

As a recent manager of the BevCen theatre, I can say with absolute certainty not all little movies die there. Films opening at the BevCen with a specific targeted audience and some semblance of a marketing campaign have done good numbers there. But let me stress again: specific targeted audience and some semblance of a marketing campaign.

Posted by Edward Havens at April 11, 2008 2:03 PM

comment #5

Josh Massey says ...

I tend to cringe when somebody highlights their own work, but I have to agree here - I remember that as the most well-written, insightful post I've read on this site. And not just because I agree with every word.

Posted by Josh Massey at April 11, 2008 2:22 PM

comment #6

christian says ...

It was the perfect place to take my friends to see GRINDHOUSE. The audience was in each other's living room having fun.

Posted by christian at April 11, 2008 2:22 PM

comment #7

bb says ...

As an agnostic I guess I shouldn't have an opinion on this but it strikes me as odd that anybody who is a believer would assume to know the thoughts of a higher being.

I am constantly amused by people battling over such seemingly inconsequential differences.

Posted by bb at April 11, 2008 2:30 PM

comment #8

storymark says ...

I love your summation of God, Wells. Exactly how I see it, though I've never been able to sum it up so well.

Posted by storymark at April 11, 2008 2:34 PM

comment #9

CinemaPhreek says ...

Worst. Theater. Ever.

I fucking hate that place. In London, there are theaters that size and smaller, yet space being at premium there's a good excuse to check out Indy-type flicks at them.

Beverly Center, on the other hand, charges full price to see a movie in a boring shoe-box. They're not even funky enough to be interesting.

Posted by CinemaPhreek at April 11, 2008 3:18 PM

comment #10

silver says ...

To Edward Havens: quote: "As a recent manager of the BevCen theatre..."
Just curious, but why don't you guys validate for parking there? That place needs some sort of incentive to get folks to drive to those little shoeboxes.

RE Ben Stein: how low can he go? Is Ben really a true believer in that stuff, or is he that desperate for money.

Posted by silver at April 11, 2008 3:19 PM

comment #11

siamesecat says ...

"RE Ben Stein: how low can he go? Is Ben really a true believer in that stuff, or is he that desperate for money."

I think it's contrarianism. He strikes me as one of those people who revels in opposing what he sees as elitist consensus.

Posted by siamesecat at April 11, 2008 4:19 PM

comment #12

Edward Havens says ...

Silver... the various owners of the BevCen have never offered validation in the entire time the place has been open. Don't know why. I do know you'll pay less for parking when you see a movie at the BevCen without validation ($1.00 for the first four hours) than you will at the Grove with validation ($2.00 for the first four hours). I also know the prices are lower $9.50 max) at the BevCen ($12.75 max).

Posted by Edward Havens at April 11, 2008 7:57 PM

comment #13

Craptastic says ...

Hands down worst theater? Five Star on Vermont Ave. It's like watching a film in my bathroom...only more stink from the unwashed, vintage hipsters.

Posted by Craptastic at April 12, 2008 12:53 AM

comment #14

EDouglas says ...

The movie isn't bad... I quite liked it, even though I'm more along the divided between Darwinism and creationism and I believe that Stein's purpose for making the movie was more to open discussion between the camps (which doesn't exist in the scientific community) than to go to bad for the religious right wing. Unfortunately, most liberals won't see it that way and the movie will probably die a very painful quick death.

Posted by EDouglas at April 12, 2008 5:39 AM

comment #15

MrThompson says ...

"Unfortunately, most liberals won't see it that way and the movie will probably die a very painful quick death."

God Willing, yes.

Posted by MrThompson at April 12, 2008 9:27 AM

comment #16

Edward says ...

As a person who was raised Catholic, but who has bounced between agnosticism, and belief, I've wondered why the religious right has a problem with a creator who got the Universe started with a bang and has allowed life to evolve. I guess that goes against the belief of a factual Bible and a God who oversees our every move and even helps us to obtain that which HE allows us to have.

Posted by Edward at April 12, 2008 2:30 PM

comment #17

martindale says ...

A website suggests that it will be opening in nearly 800 theaters!

Posted by martindale at April 12, 2008 3:52 PM

comment #18

Edward Havens says ...

Martindale, that would actually be my site making that suggestion, which is based on the distributor's own list of confirmed openings, a number which has grown since I posted that number last week.

Posted by Edward Havens at April 14, 2008 11:36 AM

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comment #23

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