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Monty Python's Life of Brian
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Author:  furrykef [ Fri May 20, 2005 3:23 am ]
Post subject:  Monty Python's Life of Brian
Anybody see this film? It's very good, and I'd recommend any person over the age of X (where X is "old enough to handle a moderate amount of swearing and a few seconds of full frontal male and female nudity") go and watch it -- right now.

The basic plot is that Brian Cohen was born in the manger next to Jesus', and the Three Wise Men accidentally go to his place instead, giving Brian the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ("What is 'myrrh', anyway?") They soon realize their mistake and quickly retrieve the items and give them to Jesus, but Brian is forever doomed to be mistaken for a Messiah.

But of course it's a Monty Python film, so the actual plot isn't so important as the jokes and, in this case, biting political and religious commentary. It's important to note that (contrary to the opinion of all the churches of the time) the film does not poke fun at religion itself, nor any religious figures, but does poke fun at organized religion and its followers.

So, what do you guys think of this film? And if you haven't seen it yet, why didn't you bloody run off and see it when I told you to above? Go do it now! :P

- Kef
Author:  extremejon09 [ Fri May 20, 2005 11:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
meh, It was ok. I fell asleep a few times during since alot it was kinda boring. Cept for the singing part at the end...

Oh and by the way, Wikipedia knows
Author:  The Cup of Coffee [ Sat May 21, 2005 12:00 am ]
Post subject: 
It was pretty good.

always look on the bright side of life.
Author:  Didymus [ Sat May 21, 2005 1:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Kef:

How can it poke fun at organized religion and not poke fun at religion itself?

Not that I'm dismissing the movie or anything. I've never seen it, but I loved the Holy Grail, and a couple of my fellow students (and even a professor or two!) have recommended this movie to me. I don't have a problem at all poking fun at religion. As G. K. Chesterton once pointed out, all the best humor is that which makes fun of the most important things in life.

My concern, however, is the so-called distinction between "religion itself" and "organized religion." Religion by its very nature is organized. The very Master-Disciple relationship implies organization. Things like worship and Sacraments do not happen unless there is organization behind them. God has not called us to be desert hermits; he has called us to be members of his community of saints, for it is within the community that ministry happens, not at home when one is alone.

Anyway, that's my rant for today. Actually, I'm pretty sure you were probably referring to the church heirarchy, which, I agree, is not always the most effective part of religion. But as a future shepherd of God's flock, one charged with gathering strays, part of my challenge will be to address those who love to say, "I believe in religion, just not organized religion."
Author:  furrykef [ Sat May 21, 2005 2:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, you'll see exactly what I mean if you watch the movie. :)
Author:  Upsilon [ Sat May 21, 2005 2:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's a quality film, one of my all-time favourites. Not that we could expect anything less from the Pythons.

It does annoy me when people claim that Brian is meant to be Jesus and call the film sacrilegious on that basis - Jesus himself is seen twice in the film, shown with respect to the Gospels and as completely separate from Brian.
Author:  InterruptorJones [ Sun May 22, 2005 6:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Brian: Look, you've got it all wrong! You don't need to follow me; you don't need to follow anybody! You've got to think for yourselves! You're all individuals!

The Crowd: Yes! We're all individuals!

Brian: You're all different!

The Crowd: Yes, we are all different!

Guy in front: I'm not...

The Crowd: Shhh!
Author:  extremejon09 [ Sun May 22, 2005 7:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh yeah...That was pretty hillarious. Forgot about that part.
Author:  Tintin [ Mon May 23, 2005 12:52 am ]
Post subject: 
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is my favourite, than the Life of Brian and Live at the Hollywood Bowl. The others I didn't care for, but the Flying Circus series was very good most of the time.
Author:  PizzaTrophy [ Wed May 25, 2005 12:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh yeah, one of my favourite movies ever.

"You are the Messiah, and I should know, I've followed a few"
Author:  Upsilon [ Wed May 25, 2005 4:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Crucifixion officer: Next. Crucifixion?

First prisoner: Yes.

Crucifixion officer: Good. Out of the door. Line on the left. One cross each. Next. Crucifixion?

Second prisoner: Ah, no. Freedom. They said I hadn't done anything, so I could go free and live on an island somewhere.

Crucifixion officer: Oh. Oh, well, that's jolly good. Well, off you go, then.

Second prisoner: Nah, I'm only pulling your leg. It's crucifixion really.
Author:  PizzaTrophy [ Thu May 26, 2005 12:03 am ]
Post subject: 
"I'm Brian and so's my wife!"

"Blessed are the meek! Oh that's nice. They don't get much!"
Author:  Sui [ Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:46 am ]
Post subject: 
Didymus wrote:
Kef:

How can it poke fun at organized religion and not poke fun at religion itself?


I think he meant that it made fun of no religion itself. It makes fun of religion, but not any particular one.

Example: (Brian, while running from people who believe he is the Messiah, accidentally drops a shoe)
ARTHUR: He has given us a sign!
FOLLOWER: Oh!
SHOE FOLLOWER: He has given us... His shoe!
ARTHUR: The shoe is the sign. Let us follow His example.
SPIKE: What?
ARTHUR: Let us, like Him, hold up one shoe and let the other be upon our foot, for this is His sign, that all who follow Him shall do likewise.
EDDIE: Yes.
SHOE FOLLOWER: No, no, no. The shoe is...
YOUTH: No.
SHOE FOLLOWER: ...a sign that we must gather shoes together in abundance.

Anyway, I've got the movie on DVD. It's good, although inferior to the Grail, in my opinion.
Author:  Upsilon [ Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:05 am ]
Post subject: 
You and everyone else in the world. Does anyone else here think that Life of Brian was better than The Holy Grail, or am I alone?
Author:  ModestlyHotGirl [ Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Upsilon wrote:
You and everyone else in the world. Does anyone else here think that Life of Brian was better than The Holy Grail, or am I alone?


I like Brian better.
Author:  InterruptorJones [ Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
ModestlyHotGirl wrote:
Upsilon wrote:
You and everyone else in the world. Does anyone else here think that Life of Brian was better than The Holy Grail, or am I alone?


I like Brian better.


I think the humor in Life of Brian is a lot smarter. Holy Grail is hilarious and a great popcorn movie, but ultimately I think Brian may be the better movie.
Author:  Shippinator Mandy [ Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow, I though I posted on this thread!

Anyway, it's a great movie. It's the first R-rated film I ever saw, and it's a good one. I don't really see it as "sacrilege"--I'm devoutly Christian, and I loved it. The best parts are when the followers are arguing about whether to follow the shoe or the gourd, and this little dialogue:

Brian: #*!$ off!
Follower: How shall we #*!$ off, sir?

Or something along those lines.

Didymus...you should rent it. It's really funny, and I know you have a sense of humor. (After all, why else would you be a H*R fan?)
Author:  Occasional JD [ Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:42 am ]
Post subject: 
So many of the people who have seen it think that Brian is Jesus, even though he is a totaly different character.
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