|
Religulous
Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Bill Maher
Genre:
Documentary
Run Time: 101
min.
Release Date:
October 2008
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Being both an Atheist and a liberal
democrat, I was looking forward to seeing this documentary that lampoons
modern-day religions. The title alone should send the conservative,
evangelical right screaming into the night: religious + ridiculous =
RELIGULOUS. Although I’ve only seen snippets of Maher’s comedic
acts, and never having seen his political pundit show REAL TIME WITH
BILL MAHER, I now believe I might have skipped this documentary for
a couple of reasons.
I firmly believe if you want to make a point against a person or group
or ideal, you need to let the other side have its say. Maher continually
interrupts those he “interviews” and even when he does allow them to
speak a few sentences, he mocks them in true, unrelenting, Rush Limbaugh
fashion. Let me say here, too, that I completely despise Limbaugh and
his loud-mouth antics. I would hope that those of us who are truly
democratically inclined (as Maher claims to be) that we would let our
detractors come at us and then knock down their logic with our own (Jon
Stewart’s THE DAILY SHOW is much more topical and respectful by
comparison).
Maher’s disrespect isn’t obvious from the get-go as he visits a church
inside a truck trailer and begins asking questions and challenging a
group of mens’ beliefs. One man became upset enough that he stormed out
of the church. The others remained, however, and Maher and they left on
semi-amicable terms (they even prayed for him, which is what I picture
good Christians/Muslims/Buddhists, etc. doing). But after Maher’s
trailer visit, things head downhill rapidly. He gets thrown out of the
Vatican (big surprise), and is often refused filming privileges at
various locations, including around Salt Lake City’s Mormon temple. I
wondered why this was, and then quickly learned of Maher’s terrible
antics; religious leaders were told that the title of the documentary
was A Spiritual Journey and didn’t know of Maher’s affiliation with the
film until he arrived for the interview. Kinda slimy.
That said, I do agree with most of Maher’s views on religion. More blood
has been spilled in the name of God than by man alone. Television
evangelicals have been busted for scheming their flock, sexual
predation, and many other despicable things; true hypocrites. But simply
railing against these acts doesn’t bring us any closer to understanding
one another. Atheists and those of the god fearing nature need to be
able to sit and talk without pointing fingers and without condemning the
other for their beliefs (or lack of belief). And Maher doesn’t do that.
He’s just as bad as the extreme right. Guess I should’ve checked out
Maher’s show before watching this...
(back to top) |
Image from Religulous
DVD cost: $21.98
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The film used the fake
working title "A Spiritual Journey" in order to obtain interviews with
religious leaders. They did not know that Bill Maher was involved in the
film until he arrived for the interviews.
Movie Quote: "Religion
is dangerous because it allows human beings who don't have all the
answers to think that they do. Most people would think it's wonderful
when someone says, 'I'm willing Lord, I'll do whatever you want me to
do.' Except that since there are no gods actually talking to us, that
void is filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations
and agendas."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Religulous
  |
