Al Gore Meet Our God--Religious leaders in Albuquerque are joining forces with people of faith in over 4,000 congregations across the country to bring attention to the threat of global warming. This follows a growing national trend in which nondenominational, nonpartisan ministries work together to counter certain fundamentalist beliefs that the Earth is a no-deposit, no-return prospect that might as well be denuded of resources and trashed just prior to Armageddon. (In fact, these folks are convinced the sooner we destroy it, the sooner Jesus will get here. Don’t believe me? Check out raptureready.com or apocalypsesoon.org.)

It’s nerds vs. cads in a so-so comedy about love and war

Stephen Potter was a British humorist who penned a series of mock “self help” books in the late ’40s and early ’50s. Potter’s books on Gamesmanship, Lifemanship and Oneupmanship purported to teach “ploys” for manipulating one’s associates, making them feel inferior and generally gaining the status of being “one-up” on them. In 1960, a comedy called School for Scoundrels or How to Win Without Actually Cheating! was filmed in England with actors Ian Carmichael, Alistair Sim, Terry-Thomas and Janet Scott. It was loosely based on Potter’s roguish philosophies, transferring them--quite logically--to the area of amour.

Does the world really need more computer-generated animals?

With the recent, seemingly endless migration of CGI cartoon animals (Madagascar, Curious George, The Wild, Hoodwinked, Over the Hedge, Barnyard, The Ant Bully) flooding out of Hollywood, it would seem the viewing public has grown weary and jaded. No longer are the capering antics of a computer-generated cow enough to send us stampeding to the theater.

“Heroes” on NBC

Barely two weeks into the new fall television season, and already the networks are distinguishing themselves with some rather daring narrative dramas. The success of shows like “Lost,” “24” and “Prison Break” has emboldened the networks, giving them an excuse to push the envelope. Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not audiences respond, viewing these shows in large enough numbers to justify their continued existence or simply retreating back to the numbskull comfort of sitcoms like “Two and a Half Men.”

Week in Sloth

The Week in Sloth