LINCOLN, Neb. — There’s a scene near the end of “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” that illustrates the documentary’s disastrous flaw - or at least one of them.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — It’s not enough that his sister is an acclaimed short story fiction writer or that he’s often referred to as leading one of America’s smartest bands. Indie rock’s favorite bookish storyteller has decided to go the solo route so he can release more music for the adoring public, and if you’re quick enough you may just get a specialized bookmark to boot.

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MADISON, Wis. — Spotted: Upper East Siders back in Manhattan with more drama than ever before. Thus goes the CW’s “Gossip Girl,” which has returned after an almost four-month hiatus. For those unaware, “Gossip Girl” is a show similar to “The OC,” “Beverly Hills 90210″ or even “Dawson’s Creek” in how it glamorizes high school adolescence as overly mature and, of course, gorgeous.

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MADISON, Wis. — Sometimes, you just have to wonder how the concept for a film like “Zombie Strippers” shambles into existence. Could it have come from the fevered dreams inspired by grindhouse films of old or simply escalating production values in the porn industry? At any rate, zombie fans will watch the undead undress onstage with glee in a film that’s one hardcore sex scene away from being rented behind a beaded curtain.

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MADISON, Wis. — Three years ago, Elbow, a four-piece group from Manchester, England, pulled out all the stops with “Leaders of the Free World” — a dizzying array of hooks and clamors so filled with symbolism and messages it felt like an M. Night Shyamalan film put to music. Aside from the politically charged title track, Elbow unleashed a cosine of emotion with each track, sending a shockwave that resonated with fans until the group returned to the studio in 2008 for its latest album, “The Seldom Seen Kid.”

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LINCOLN, Neb. — When it comes to documentary films, controversy spurs box office receipts. Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11″ opened on 868 screens in June 2004, making it the most widely debuted documentary in history. It held that record until Sunday, when “Super High Me,” an unconventionally distributed documentary-comedy about marijuana legalization and the drug’s effects on the body, made its debut on screens throughout the country.

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