Religulous Didn’t Make Shit

Remember when Religulous was being touted as a great must-see documentary by the morons in the media? It was cunningly funny, biting, and evenly critical of all religions (even though it wasn’t)?

Joe Neumaier of the NY Daily News practically orgasmed over Maher’s perceived brilliance…

“I’m only asking questions,” says comic/professional provocateur Bill Maher in “Religulous.” The host of HBO’s “Real Time” says it to a group of truckers at a roadside trailer chapel in North Carolina, because what he’s putting under the microscope is unexamined beliefs. And, as might be expected, someone feels like their faith is being crucified.

It’s not. The truth is, what Maher attempts in his new comic documentary is an examination of how those topics once avoided in polite company – religion and politics – are now linked in a way that benefits neither, pollutes both and endangers us all. He also makes the point, often hilariously, that the very act of saying one has serious doubts about religion is, despite a mini-trend in atheist chic, America’s last taboo.

And then this chunk:

He doesn’t get the answers he seeks – how can creationists ignore science? Is anyone bothered by the similarities in various savior stories? Isn’t magical thinking an enemy of rational thought? Unsurprisingly, he’s unsuccessful in making his interviewees doubt their long-held views. And while he finds hypocrisy, he’s after bigger fish.

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.

This is just a sampling of the reviews I remember very vividly. Neumaier’s review stuck out to me, even though it’s almost a year later, because of his tone. Obviously, Joe is a fan of Mr. Maher’s brainless attacks on anything he doesn’t agree with judging by the four-star review he gave this steaming pile of a movie.

Well, I just so happened to stumble upon something today. The Box Office receipts for the movie… How did it do?

Can you say… EPIC FAIL?

Face it Bill… No one gives a shit what you have to say.

http://chriscree.tv/ Chris Cree

While it didn’t turn big numbers, a 5.2x return on the initial production cost isn’t bad. Even when you figure marketing & distribution usually costs as much as production he still got double his money.

And please don’t think I’m defending the guy. He thinks he’s a lot smarter than he is and his “understanding” of religion is way off.

But since he was able to make this film on such a small budget he ended up doing OK from a financial standpoint.
http://chriscree.tv Chris Cree

While it didn’t turn big numbers, a 5.2x return on the initial production cost isn’t bad. Even when you figure marketing & distribution usually costs as much as production he still got double his money.

And please don’t think I’m defending the guy. He thinks he’s a lot smarter than he is and his “understanding” of religion is way off.

But since he was able to make this film on such a small budget he ended up doing OK from a financial standpoint.
http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

From a financial standpoint, you are 100% correct, but when your movie grosses $13m, your movie didn’t reach a whole lot of eyeballs. Sure it didn’t cost much to make but that’s not really at issue. If it cost $3 to make, people still didn’t see it.

Yes he made good money and got a good ROI for his $2.5m, but $13m? Movies that people want to see make that in a day. Despite the small investment, and the fact that said small investment was replenished rather easily, I still think it’s pretty safe to call this one a massive flop.
http://www.insignificantthoughts.com Vinny

From a financial standpoint, you are 100% correct, but when your movie grosses $13m, your movie didn’t reach a whole lot of eyeballs. Sure it didn’t cost much to make but that’s not really at issue. If it cost $3 to make, people still didn’t see it.

Yes he made good money and got a good ROI for his $2.5m, but $13m? Movies that people want to see make that in a day. Despite the small investment, and the fact that said small investment was replenished rather easily, I still think it’s pretty safe to call this one a massive flop.
http://www.sugarraydodge.com/ Davey

I heard a movie reviewer say something like (and I’m paraphrasing, but it’s pretty close) that “You can’t harrass an amusement park mascot (even if it’s Jesus Christ) and then ask to be taken seriously.”
http://www.sugarraydodge.com Davey

I heard a movie reviewer say something like (and I’m paraphrasing, but it’s pretty close) that “You can’t harrass an amusement park mascot (even if it’s Jesus Christ) and then ask to be taken seriously.”
heather

The film was not widely released, so in respect, it did well. And plenty care what Bill has to say.
heather

The film was not widely released, so in respect, it did well. And plenty care what Bill has to say.
http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

@heather – No it didn’t. Stop justifying it. It made nothing and was in tons of theaters in NYC which I imagine would be a big market for a liberal prop-film like this.

And as for plenty of people caring what Bill Maher has to say, well, I’d say that’s a pretty sad commentary on this country.
http://www.insignificantthoughts.com Vinny

@heather – No it didn’t. Stop justifying it. It made nothing and was in tons of theaters in NYC which I imagine would be a big market for a liberal prop-film like this.

And as for plenty of people caring what Bill Maher has to say, well, I’d say that’s a pretty sad commentary on this country.
Brian

In my complete, and honest opinion, anyone who has qualms against the movie religulous, are in fact very religious themselves. Just saying. And telling religious people to even listen to what an anti-religious person has to say is, is like asking a rock to run.
Brian

In my complete, and honest opinion, anyone who has qualms against the movie religulous, are in fact very religious themselves. Just saying. And telling religious people to even listen to what an anti-religious person has to say is, is like asking a rock to run.

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