If you are reading this blog, you probably don't need to see this movie. I'll just say you'll probably enjoy it - a lot. And if you can encourage one or two religionists to watch it with you, you'll probably have a great discussion afterward.
Available now on DVD.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bill Maher's Religulous
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14 comments:
Watched it two days ago on my Samsung media player. It is good. I like the priest he talks to outside the Vatican.
This movie was great. I'll second Sean, the priest outside the Vatican was classic.
Thanks to Chappy, here is a link to the video online (free).
DB beat me to the link. Watch the movie online and buy some extra beer and munchies with the money you save.
I have to tell you - even though it was only tangentially related to religion - I LOVED Maher fucking with his fellow pot-head! The Catholic priest WAS great, though. Wonder how they found HIM?
Well, I guess I'm in the minority here. I too saw Religulous recently, but I found the movie dull, smug, and obvious. I almost always agree with Maher -- not only on religious matters -- but he never, ever makes me laugh.
I enjoy "smug" when it is well deserved. I suppose that explains our relationship...
Yeah, you're right about "smug." It's not necessarily a pejorative adjective, unless it's accompanied by "dull" and "obvious."
Actually, I guess I could have left off every adjective except "unfunny." That's the main flaw in the movie for me.
I found it funny. Certainly not hilarious. I laughed a little, snickered a good bit, smiled throughout. I don't believe it was marketed as a comedy.
Like I said in the post, I don't think it's "for" us - but can be enjoyed by us. I love anything well done that tears at the foundations of religion. I love that it was commercially successful. That is probably an indicator that quite a few people who have seen it, needed to see it.
I would think that they are people who would watch this film and have their eyes opened. I found parts of it hilarious but like Evo smiled most of the way through.
I'm betting that no one watched this film and had his or her eyes open. The movie was a feel-good experience for freethinkers. I doubt that it made any impression whatsoever -- except a negative one -- on believers.
My favorite moment was when that pothead asshole's hair caught on fire. I also liked the Irani-loving rabbi who wouldn't shut up, and the nutty Brit priest outside the Vatican. But really, why would any believer want to see that film? What would he or she take away from it?
Note: I am saying eyes opened not deconverted. It was the Holy Blood and Holy Grail(precursor to Dan Brown's Da Vinci code)that opened my eyes to other possibillities, pointed out inconsistancies etc.
Now the book itself is a work of psuedo history but nonetheless it got me questioning.
This film should work like a slap in the face with a wet fish.
Maybe we need a poll?
I'm betting that no one watched this film and had his or her eyes open.
You already have all the evidence you need that people do turn away from their religion and, many times, later expound on the stupidity of all religious belief. People turning away from religion is the single fastest growing group.
So HOW does that happen? Is it just random blips in the Zeitgeist? Do memes not pass and grow throughout societal networks? Do they just wake up one morning and no longer believe the dogma?
Perhaps they do. But even then, there were things that happened in their lives the days, months and years before that strange awakening moment. What are those "things"?
But really, why would any believer want to see that film?
They wouldn't unless they are among a certain percentage that has already had their faith shaken a bit and are looking for societal confirmation of what they are already starting to feel. And if they aren't members of that group, then maybe seeing it will be the first of many things to come that will lead them to where the slightly shaken stand today.
I guess you can shrug off the evidence that people do change and just assume we will always be a society of dogmatic belief. Or you can be a little encouraging to people to think about things slightly differently.
I watched Religulous a few days ago.
Before I watched it I kept thinking that he was going to do what the Case for Christ guy did. If you have not seen that one yet it is entertaining.
I like Bill Maher because he is not afraid to ask the tough questions, but he didn't go to a Scientist or an Evolutionist those would only confirm what he was saying thus making the movie pointless.
He went to the churches and spoke to the people and listened to what they were saying. He asked them questions, a few got so mad one got so mad he stopped out of the trailer church.
I think this is a good movie for anyone to watch.
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