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Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

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Generally favorable reviews- based on 147 Ratings

  • Starring: Bill Maher
  • Summary: Religulous follows political humorist and author Bill Maher 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. (Lionsgate) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 31
  2. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. He's a bombs-away provocateur, and in Religulous, Maher's blasphemous detonation of all things holy and scriptural, he doesn't really pretend to play fair. He's like Lenny Bruce with an inquiring mind and a video camera.
  2. What he does do finally in this funny, refreshing movie is assert how unrestrained religiosity could guarantee the "end days" many of his subjects admit to looking forward to.
  3. By focusing so narrowly on religious fundamentalists and bigots while ignoring any spiritual dimension to religion, the film is not only being disingenuous but limits its audience to non-believers.
  4. 33
    Maher's too smart to make a movie this dumb.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 77
  2. Negative: 10 out of 77
  1. Since the only logical stance on any religious belief is Agnosticism I think Bill Maher nailed the point perfectly. Nobody has the answers! Everybody who believes they know what is right and will happen (philosophically) is totally deluded. This "documentary" simply points these facts out to the general populous... If you are deluded you will not like the movie. If you have an open mind and are Agnostic most likely you will enjoy the film. If you are an Atheist you might like it as well. (By the way Atheists are just as committed to their beliefs as religolites (made up word lol)). This was a funny and thought provoking film (only if you have a mind and thoughts...which precludes people who let their thoughts be dictated to them by zealots).
    OK you must get my drift by now...
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  2. DanielZ
    8
    If you judge this movie as a comedy, it succeeds immensely. Maher's smugness and condescending attitude, combined with clever editing techniques, are key in garnering a truckload of hearty laughs from the viewer. However, its problems lie in the fact that it's blatantly and shamelessly biased towards a atheist perspective, which will no doubt alienate both believers and serious viewers. This is, in no way, an in-depth analysis on faith or organised religion because it's merely a vehicle for Maher's nonchalant take on Christianity, Judaism and Islam (he seems to think all other religions are minority groups). Maher's 'final thought' is that doubt itself is his religion, and should be everyone who possess an intelligent and inquisitive mind. Expand
  3. JimG
    6
    Maher is brave to take on such a touchy subject with humor. Unfortunately, while individual interviews hold interest and advance the point that "no one really knows" the ending gets muddled--it isn't clear that Maher even know how he wants to leave it. Lots of humor here, but Maher failed to address another important matter -- those who value mythology without fundamentalism. Expand
  4. joshf
    3
    This movie is unfortunate. it was mildly entertaining and i like bill maher, as well as religious debates, so i gave it a 3. i am liberal and love michael moore movies, but this movie was done in bad taste. micael moore far outdoes bill majer in every aspect. bill maher's interviews were spineless attacks on people that were not intellectually strong in their beliefs (which is sad, don't get me wrong), i don't think bill maher would be able to come off as such a "winner" if he were arguing with religious intellectuals. the ending was also pretty dumb. i prefer documentaries to reveal facts and figures and let the viewers decide for themselves what they are going to believe, but instead, bill maher tells his viewers what to believe. it seems like a cheap ploy and I'm disappointed. Expand

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