At some point you would think people would realize they have way too much money and/or time on their hands and that the result of said condition is to become involved in some of the most useless, pointless, brainless activities known to man. Witness "The Simple Life" starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
AJ Jacobs, head honcho editor for Esquire magazine proved his membership the aforementioned elite organization when he wrote the book "Know It All: One Man's Humble Quest To Become The Smartest Person In The World". It highlighted his one year journey through every volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica. I imagine the only thing smarter about him afterwards was his ability to win the Britannica version of Trivial Pursuit each and every time.
So, what does that have to do with movies? Well, no longer content with writing books, Jacobs is moving onto film. According to Empire Online he is collaborating on a project based on the book outlining his most recent year long exploit of pointlessness, "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest To Obey The Bible As Literally As Possible". It's kind of like Super Size Me only in reverse - he's not allowed to get bacon and cheese on the burger.
No doubt Bible-based religious organizations will end up feigning outrage in the news while quietly stiffling laughter when the press isn't looking. This little project would seem far more of an affront to the intelligence of folks with IQs over 50 than to the spiritual values of people who read and follow the book with meangingful sincerity. He should have stuck to more interesting efforts like his "Fractured Fairytales". Now that was funny stuff.
Plan B Productions (Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's sole remaining common denominator) will produce the film, based on the book which is due out this Fall. I'm particularly interested to see how Jacobs handled his mildew problems (the Bible outlines a three week plan in which one consults a priest if one finds mildew among ones clothing or home). Sorry AJ, no Tilex. It will also be interesting to see to whom he gave his tithe. 10% of an editor's salary must be pretty hefty.
No word yet on whether this little cinematic stunt will be fictionalized or more of a quasi-reality, pseudocumentary. I'm truly hoping its the former. The last thing we need is cinema going the way of TV with its glut of mind numbing reality shows. I'd hate to have to put on the old ash and sackcloth to signify my mourning
