| Religulous |  | Actor: Bill Maher
Studio: Lionsgate
Category: DVD
List Price: $30.00
Buy New: $20.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 6130
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Unknown)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 101
ASIN: B001AVGAF2
Theatrical Release Date: October 3, 2008
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Availability: Not yet released
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Religulous follows political humorist and author Bill Maher (Real Time With Bill Maher, Politically Incorrect) as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey. Directed by Larry Charles (Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Religulous will mark Charles' first feature project since the critically acclaimed, wildly successful Borat. The producers of this film include, Jonah Smith and Palmer West of Thousand Words (A Scanner Darkly, Requiem for a Dream ) and Bill Maher.
Beyond Religulous on DVD 
Religulous the soundtrack | 
New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer the book | Stills from Religulous (click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Great Premise, Poor Execution December 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As an secular humanist with a distinct love of critical thought, I was looking forward to "Religulous" with a great deal of excitement. Unfortunately, this "documentary" failed to live up to my anticipations and instead delivered a confounding barrage of shock tactics and fallacy. Host Bill Maher's forest of cutting insight can't be seen through the trees of argumentum ad absurdum and bigotry.
While Maher begins simply asking questions of various religious leaders and lay folks, he swiftly moves into the realm of editorializing, blasting all religions as ridiculous and irrational. While this may be true, to paint all religious beliefs and all religious people with the same broad brush is in diametric opposition to the critical thinking that Maher claims to espouse.
Then there's the bigotry. From ableism to racism to anti-semitism, Maher masks the truth of his message in a costume of low brow comedy wholly inappropriate for a documentary. Calling religious people "kooks" because they believe irrational things might be justified, if somewhat insensitive to the mentally disabled, because he is actually espousing the idea that religious ideology is a mental disability. Accusing one religious leader of purchasing clothes "like a Jew" (because said religious leader looked for the best deal from a known contact) crossed a lot of lines, though. Using cut scenes from Al Pacino's "Scarface" to punctuate the words of a Puerto Rican religious leader was also in extreme bad taste.
Maher's message is sound, though. The refusal of moderate religious authorities to stand up to their more extremist brethren lends a patina of credibility, even tacit approval. The refusal by rationalists, atheists and other critical thinkers to stand up to absurd religious ideologies makes atheists a silent minority more powerful than any other. The fact that these ideas are poisoning almost every aspect of our society is very clear. Politics, education, foreign policy; all are negatively affected by the inclusion of religious ideology. Unfortunately these excellent points are lost is the fog of negativity that this documentary presents.
I understand that Maher is trying to be funny. He is a comedian, after all, and if the movie had been presented as a satirical review, like the work of Sacha Baron Cohen, it might have made the film more palatable. As it is, though, it really just preaches to the choir and provides a feather of titillation for those already critical of religious ideology. Still, it does provide some information, and it will probably get at least a few people thinking. As such, the movie isn't wholly without merit. These positives do balance out some of the major problems, but it doesn't completely ameliorate them...
 See it with an open mind December 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I watched this movie with a group of well educated friends with a wide range of religious backgrounds and we all came to the same conclusion: taking religion too seriously is exactly what brought the world to the problems we are facing today. Don't you think that something is seriously wrong when children's fantasy books like Harry Potter are criticized by religious groups for promoting witchcraft among children? And fiction like the DaVinci Code can generate dozens of books disproving the religious references? If we don't question murky ancient history and don't let our children read fairy tales, what will we become?
And that brings me to the main reason of why I enjoyed this movie so much so I felt compelled to review it. Bill Maher might appear sarcastic, cynical and downright mocking in this documentary, but if you look past his humorous dialogue you will see that his intent was not to humiliate but to question. He didn't attempt to cast doubt on the validity of people's belief in something greater then themselves, and he made a point in the beginning of the movie to emphasize the fact that only the very fortunate can afford not to believe. What he did examine were issues such as blind bona fide belief in texts written thousands of years ago, justification for racial/religious intolerance in the name of God, certainty in scientifically unsupported ideas of creationism, etc. Many people all over the world believe that Scientology is a cult, but what makes their man/men in the sky any less real than the ones preached by Christians/Jews/Muslims and countless other religions? None of the people interviewed, be it a common man/woman, Priest/Rabbi/Mullah or a US senator could provide a logical answer.
I've read through a number of negative reviews for this movie expecting to understand the rationale for such criticism, but other than the universal dislike for Bill Maher's sarcasm (which I found refreshing by the way), people generally skipped half the movie and concentrated on one or two uncomplimentary points about their own personal doctrine - automatically judging the whole thing unsatisfactory. You can see that people failed to grasp the bigger picture that not all beliefs are necessarily true and continuously questioning authority (be it religious or legislative) is the way of progress, growth and equality. In other words, in order to understand the message for this movie, you must do so with an open mind. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two :)
NEW FAVORITE MOVIE! December 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was laughing the whole time. The movie is just fantastic overall. I don't think there's any other movie that i have been that entertained by.
Must-see for all believers who consider themselves thinkers... December 2, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This movie deserves five stars for the laughs, the thought-provoking content, and the fact that it was made in the first place.
I don't think it's the perfect film to represent freethinkers, and I agree with the previous reviewer who felt that the movie kind of slammed into a different gear at the end without a good transition. However, many excellent points were made, and I laughed hard in many places. The sober message at the end could have used more of a segue, but it's an important point nonetheless, and should be considered.
The reason for the title of my review is this: Everyone has the right to their own beliefs. However, if you have a belief, it is your responsibility to think about the consequences of holding those beliefs. Remember that beliefs dictate actions. If you believe it will rain, you will bring an umbrella. If you believe gays are abominations, you will not treat them as proper human beings. If you believe that your almighty judge commands you to stone someone to death... The point I'm trying to make is that you have every right to believe whatever you like. Just make an effort to ensure that belief is justified before you take action based on it.
Bill Maher interviews various people, asks them questions they have difficulty answering because they haven't thought about them very hard ever before, and points out hypocrisy, injustice, and intolerance all over the globe. There's a lot of humor because he's a comedian, but there is a lot of substance behind the jokes which need to reach a wider audience.
I'm thrilled this movie is coming out on DVD soon, because it's going to be my top gift this season to friends and family.
Give me that "new time RELIGULOUS" December 1, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A fascinating piece of work ... religion, faith, politics ... Maher is his typical insightful and very funny self ... frank revelations about his upbringing and family experience with religion ...
Some great lines to close a few of the interviews ... the director and editor also deserve great credit in finding some vintage clips that are deftly interspersed throughout.
In addition to the religious history, the one factoid we learn is that the 'non-religious Americans' at about 16%, are the largest minority in the US. This is about 48 million people. But let's add in those who do not attend a weekly religious service. That's about 60% of adult Americans. I think the great bulk of our population outgrows religion ....or at least stops participating to pursue our lives. Most people adhere to codes of good behavior and ethics without attending church. Most people are non-practicing Christians or Jews ... so don't let the fanatic minority that has raised a lot of money, used TV for constant religious infomercials, etc fool you. Hang onto your money and remember charity begins at home.
RELIGULOUS is long over-due. We need to define religion for what it is. A huge money-making machine designed to control human views and behaviors with smoke and mirrors....grandiose buildings, costumes and art ... think about it...this was the only showbiz for centuries ....
Maher gets into the many tenets and beliefs of many faiths and spares none...the Mormons, Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Jews ... they are all exposed for the massive fraud and manipulation they've perpetrated upon humanity ...
This film is great .... REJOICE!!
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