Life on Maher's RELIGULOUS

Bill Maher, the hard-hitting political comedian from such great shows as Politically Incorrect and Real Time, attempts to open minds to the inaccuracies of the greatest political figure that has ever "theoretically" walked God's Green Earth. I speak, of course, of Jesus.

Maher uses RELIGULOUS as a glorified multi-screened soap box rehashing ideas he's spouted all his life on his TV shows. Except this time he's got a Hollywood budget, a few hard core religious fanatics that can't see their own ridiculous extravagances, a fake Jesus (who compares the Holy Trinity to the three states of water...a clever analogy until you realize it doesn't hold...er, water), a hilarious Vatican priest who's openness is refreshing, and fear, fear, fear.

Maher uses the argument and skews it to his own political agenda to dismiss the American war in the Middle East as an insane battle between two religions. He truly believes (or at least portrays in this movie) that religion will ultimately be the downfall of humanity because it is based on archaic ideals and non-sensical myths. This, for the most part, is true. However, religion does help a lot of people who need the support and closeness of an organized group. For this reason, I think Maher misses the point of religion.
Or does he?

He takes on the people who believe the Bible to be the Truth that, in his own words, has people who "beleive that there was a talking snake in the Garden of Eden and that people lived 900 years". He doesn't talk to the people who think of the Bible more as a sensible collection of fables and morals to live your life by. And that is because it's a funnier movie to show how ridiculous to make fun of the crazy people.

And this movie IS funny...above all, Maher is hilarious with his one-liners. Interdispersed with clever movie clips throughout, the movie sometimes felt like something a University film major could've put together.

RELIGULOUS is a silly look at the silly world of rediculous religion (and no religion is spared to his candid eye). It is worth a look for anyone who wants to learn some truth underneath the Pope's hat and laugh.

7 free admissions to Holyland in Orlando out of 10

Post Script: If you enjoyed the more serious aspects about this movie, check out a movie called ZEITGEIST. It is dryer than Maher's take but is incredibly interesting and goes much much deeper in a frightening way. The first 9 minutes is skipable before it starts getting into the meat of it. If you're interested, follow this link to see the whole movie that only appears online.

A hit of PINAPPLE EXPRESS

It appears Seth Rogen can do no wrong in great truthful comedies. He and Judd Apatow have created a franchise of comedies that would rival any other in history. Take a look at this impressive list when they collaborate: 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP, SUPERBAD, FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, and ANCHORMAN (yes, Seth was in that in a small role…look it up!). PINEAPPLE EXPRESS follows this tradition like a great bong hit.

PINAPPLE EXPRESS at its juicy core is a drug adventure comedy in the same light as HALF BAKED, HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE, and CHEECH AND CHONG’S UP IN SMOKE. Hilarious to a fault and with added car chase scenes, gun play, and explosions. It has everything a guy movie should have with the obvious exception of bikini girls. And this movie IS geared towards guys, or gals who like guy movies. And anyone who likes to light up once and awhile.

PINAPPLE EXPRESS is a story of Dale Denton (Rogen), a court processing server, and his drug-dealing buddy, Saul (John Franco), as they go on the run after Dale witnesses a murder. The conversations are as high and absurd as the characters and they stumble their way to escape the murderers (Rosie Perez as a crooked cop, and Gary Cole as a drug lord) who are trying to hunt them down. They befriend Saul’s dealer, Red(Danny R. McBride), who becomes seemingly invincible as he survives bullet wounds, bathroom sinks, and fires…which is perfect (and plausible) for this movie.

John Franco shines in a role I never thought he could pull off convincingly. Before this stoner persona, he was probably most recognizable as Spiderman’s best friend-turned-nemesis, Harry Osborn/Goblin in the newest SPIDERMAN series. Franco’s Saul is one I’d love to see again.

And Seth Rogen is great as always. His shelf life as a producer, actor, and writer can be as fruitful as Kevin Smith’s career if he hasn’t already surpassed it. Seth Rogen is someone every guy can relate to…heck, probably has had a friend just like him somewhere. What guy hasn’t dreamed about blowing up stuff, driving a car real fast, and bringing down the bad guy? Seth Rogen has dreamed it and has created it.

With PINAPPLE EXPRESS, we can experience all this as well through a Purple Haze.

8.5 Dr. Greenthumbs out of 4:20 (if in altered states of being)
7.8 flying Slurpees out of 10 (if not)

TROPIC THUNDER: A Storm of Downey

I witnessed a few interesting previews when I saw Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller’s spoof on Hollywood war movies. One looks promising, another a cry for help in a dying franchise, and a third should never have been created. I want to briefly comment on each before I get into my review of Tropic Thunder.

First, let’s start with Tugg Speedman’s Scorcher IV: Global Meltdown. I’ve been a fan of the Scorcher movies since I was a kid, and Speedman delivers on each one (a little less effectively each time). How many cheesy catch phrases can one actor produce before he becomes irrelevant? Apparently, Tugg has reached his quota…and his “serious” turn in the mental disability bomb SIMPLE JACK did nothing to help his career. This reviewer will probably wait until this hits video. Sorry, Tugg, but one of us has to let go of the past.

The second movie is a Jeff Portnoy fart comedy…the sequel to the undeserved hit THE FATTIES (2006)…THE FATTIES: FART 2. I can’t express how horrible this movie looks. It’s an insult to witty fart-knockers in history like Lord Flatulette (who could perform Beethoven’s 5th Symphony without a soiled undie), and Seymore Farts (the famous 1970s fart impression comic). I pass judgment on the movie on the mere trailer. So long Mr. Portnoy…and good riddance.

Lastly, I saw a great preview of the new Kirk Lazarus/Tobey McGuire religious love drama called SATAN’S ALLEY. If you haven’t seen this preview, go out and watch it. The trailer alone will bring you to tears.

Now on to the review.

TROPIC THUNDER stars Tugg Speedman (Stiller), Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), and the exceptional Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr). For those who haven’t heard, Lazarus underwent skin pigmentation surgery to play the movie’s African-American general. And the transformation from the blond haired blue-eyed bombshell is astounding and a testament to method acting. He alone is what makes this movie worthwhile.

No war movie is safe as they poke fun at anything and everything Hollywood. From the over-budget gore fests of some movies to the angry life of a producer (Tom Cruise in one of his funniest roles ever!), Tropic Thunder spares no prisoners.

This movie may take a few tours of duty to fully appreciate like any Ben Stiller movie (i.e. ZOOLANDER). The jokes come fast, subtle, and timeless enough to last the long run.

Those who’ve written articles about this movie being offensive to the mentally disabled are…well, mentally disabled. One of Tugg Speedman’s characters (SIMPLE JACK) is an over-the-top caricature of Hollywood’s portrayal of the mentally disabled (or as the movie says “retarded”). If there’s any people who should be offended, it’s Hollywood for subjecting us to actors reaching beyond their grasps to reinvent their careers (see Jim Carrey in any serious role).

TROPIC THUNDER elevates the bar on smart spoof movies. Having said that, without Robert Downey Jr or Tom Cruise nailing their respective characters to the point of ridiculous believability, this movie wouldn’t have been a blip on the radar. Also, keep the kiddies away. It’s a funny movie but gory in that Spielberg war-action movie kind of way.

8.2 cans of Booty Sweat Energy Drink out of 10