If you've read anything about Bill Maher's upcoming film, Religulous, opening October 3, you know that the movie, directed by Larry Charles (Borat) and starring Maher, does not hold religious faith in very high esteem. Indeed, according to Los Angeles Times blogger Patrick Goldstein, the movie presents religion as "a big crock of spit," "a destructive force," and "a neurological disorder." Maher doesn't mince words either, which makes it all the more perplexing that the movie—a pseudo-documentary—contains interview footage and willing participation from a number of deeply pious people.

Goldstein offers a simple explanation for how Maher and Charles got these people to participate in the movie: "Subterfuge and trickery."

Maher explains his tactics this way: "It was simple: We never, ever, used my name. We never told anybody it was me who was going to do the interviews. We even had a fake title for the film. We called it A Spiritual Journey. It didn't work everywhere. We went to Salk Lake City, but no one would let us film there at all."

Naturally, Maher's movie is going to ruffle some feathers, and he knows it. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Maher was asked who would be most offended by the movie. His answer: "Any religious person. The point is to question what is usually made to be unquestionable in this country. Normally if you say the word 'faith,' the debate is over—no matter what incredibly nonsensical, destructive, ridiculous tenet comes out of your mouth. I could say, 'My faith is the tooth fairy and Klingons are coming.' But I'm not going to play by those rules."

In other movie news:

George Lucas muses about Indy V (Associated Press)
Says it will only happen if Harrison Ford is on board

Funnyman Bernie Mac dead at 50 (MSNBC)
Complications from pneumonia the cause

Lethal Weapon 5 in the works? (Tracking B)
Gibson and Glover "down to star," but no contracts signed yet

Brad Pitt joins new Tarantino movie (Variety)
Cast alongside Simon Pegg, Eli Roth in WWII film

Chan to star in The Spy Next Door (The Hollywood Reporter)
From the producer of Pink Panther, Wedding Singer

Dark Knight biggest comic book movie ever (Coming Soon)
Surpasses blockbuster success of Spider-man

Meryl Streep cast in Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy (Variety)
Also voicing lead character in Fantastic Mr. Fox

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