Rama’s SCREEN

I laugh and laugh and laugh, that’s how funny RELIGULOUS is. It’s not necessarily a documentary because it doesn’t go into deep research and it’s just basically aimed to make fun of religious fundamentalism and… there’s nothing more hilarious than those who take things too seriously, in this case religious fanatics who often times don’t know a thing about the religion they believe in. That’s where Bill Maher’s comedy comes into play and conquers. He may just be the funniest atheist in the planet.

The documentary 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. Jonah Smith and Palmer West of Thousand Words (A SCANNER DARKLY, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) are producing.

You could tell that that director Larry Charles is bringing the format in similar ways as when he directed Borat. The movie takes us to certain places in the country that have communities and people who do religions like breathing air. I’m not an atheist, so there are some parts of this movie that kinda make me uncomfortable but as a self-proclaimed open minded liberal, I choose to not feel tense and let Bill Maher take over the steering wheel and he hits home run with his smartass remarks, puns, comebacks, jokes all at the expense of people he interviews.

But.. what I appreciate about this documentary, if you will, is that it’s obvious that Bill Maher just wants to have an open forum and healthy debate with the people he talks to. It’s just that.. some of the things that his guests say are just begging to be replied with killer humor, an ammo that Bill Maher happens to have a lot.
I watch his show on TV sometimes and I think he is a funny man and he doesn’t hide the fact that he thinks religion has failed him. And that’s sad but true because certain people have taken religion and put it into their own political agenda and to make unnecessary strict rules and silly ceremonials and monetary advantage, so much so that people like Bill Maher loses faith in religion and the power it’s supposed to have in people. I’m not going to judge him as a bad guy because I understand why chooses the side that he’s on.

Director Larry Charles brilliantly throws in brief clips or hilarious scenes to accompany some of the words spoken by the talking heads. What cracks me up the most are people who are supposed to be leaders or those who we look up to but they end up looking ignorant because their vocabulary and choice of words just don’t make sense at all.
I like traveling, so it’s pretty cool to see Maher being able to step foot on places that I’ve never been or places that certain natives over there don’t want people like to us to go passing through.

My favorite part would have to be the Hispanic priest who thinks he’s the direct blood-line descendant of Jesus Christ. Man, somebody better call the nearest mental institution.
It’s unbelievable how so many people would fall into the trap of the few phonies. There’s one reverend that Bill Maher talked to in the Vatican who actually gets it right about how if Jesus was here, he probably wouldn’t live lavishly like some of the Christians around in today’s era.
Bill Maher and Larry Charles try to be fair and cover many religions as possibly as they can, including the hilarious Scientology but in the end the only setback about this movie is that it only focuses mostly on Christian vs. Islam, probably because of what’s currently going on in the western world today. But I don’t remember Buddhism being covered and they only briefly slightly touch on Hindu by giving some references of how one of its heroes has similar story as Christ.

Bill Maher’s closing statement at the end of scene could’ve been made stronger, it starts well but then it goes off to who knows what..But he does say something that should turn on every light bulb in our brains. It’s okay to say “I don’t know”. It’s when we think we’re certain about something is when we become dangerous because then we become stubborn and others’ opinion suddenly become worthless to us. It’s okay to not have all the answers because if you try to fabricate something to make it look like you have the answers,… well then, the joke’s on you.

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film