Quickie Movie Review: "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed"

Rated: PG for thematic material, some disturbing images and brief smoking
Starring: Ben Stein
Released: 2008

Synopsis: Comedian Ben Stein (Win Ben Stein's Money) has discovered an unsettling truth: intelligent design is being shut out of science, even though statistical evidence seems to point to a creator of some sort.  Stein travels the world and meets everyone from professors who were fired for simply teaching that ID could be valid, to avowed atheists such as the infamous Richard Dawkins, to historians who know all too well what the suppression of ideas could bring.  Were Darwin's supposed beliefs correct, or is there proof of an almighty creator?
Featuring music by CCM's Andy Hunter.

My Review: I don't usually watch documentaries; in fact, I believe the last one I saw was Wordplay, which was all about crossword puzzles.  Ben Stein, who is openly Jewish, doesn't shy away from asking the hard questions.  Some of the individuals interviewed said some rather surprising things, especially Richard Dawkins at the end.  Most people who don't believe in intelligent design won't watch this, but, they need to; they'll have their beliefs shaken to the core.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: None. 5/5
• Nudity: Shirtless guys and slight cleavage. 4/5
• Language: One use of the h-word, and occasional name calling, i. e., "idiot". 4/5
• Violence: Old film clips show explosions; other similar clips have cartoon slapstick.  An image is shown of dead bodies being piled on top of one another. 3/5
• Drugs: A little smoking and alcohol consumption. 4/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: Ben Stein visits a Nazi concentration camp; though nothing graphic is seen, it could be unsettling for some viewers. 4/5
• Other: The theme of this movie--intelligent design vs. evolution--may be hard for kids to understand. 4/5

Score: 4.5/5