The obvious and dumb title itself will hurt it this weekend. I might check out a matinee, anyone else here actually gonna see this?
mdc3000
10-02-08, 03:03 PM
Um... I don't think it will bomb. It didn't cost much to make and I know lots of people, including myself, who will be there this weekend. They haven't done a ton of marketing until this week, but I doubt it'll tank...
The Bus
10-02-08, 03:09 PM
That's like asking how badly Ballast is going to bomb. It's an independent feature getting limited release. Unless it makes $250,000, I don't think it will "bomb" at all.
Groucho
10-02-08, 03:11 PM
I think there might already be a thread for this movie...?
The Bus
10-02-08, 03:12 PM
I think there might already be a thread for this movie...?
If Eagle Eye can get two threads, why not this film?
Zodiac_Speaking
10-02-08, 04:31 PM
It won't bomb. But docs this year have mae squat. I don't understand it because there's been some geat dosc this year: Bigger, stronger Faster*, Gonzo, Chicago 10, Man on Wire, Up the Yangtze...
dick_grayson
10-02-08, 04:36 PM
how much was this movie made for? Aren't non-mainstream movies not supposed to be blockbusters anyway?
awil1026
10-02-08, 04:37 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing it at some point, but no way will I be heading to the theater for it. I barely go to the theater as is; this isn't going to be something that gets my ass over there.
dick_grayson
10-02-08, 04:39 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing it at some point, but no way will I be heading to the theater for it. I barely go to the theater as is; this isn't going to be something that gets my ass over there.
me too. as much of a fan of Maher as I am, I will probably wait until this is out on dvd to see it. unless, I'm stranded at a movie theater for some reason.
majorjoe23
10-02-08, 05:37 PM
If this makes less than $100 million, it's a huge flop! FLOP! FLOPPPPPPPPPPP!
sauce07
10-02-08, 05:44 PM
OMG the movie only did $13,000 yesterday in 2 theaters. Huge bomb. A tent-pole limited release like this should earn at least $50,000 per screen.
chris_sc77
10-02-08, 06:05 PM
^I sincerely hope you are joking. Because if you are not you are going to look like a dumbass when you see that it had a $6,600 PTA yesterday. And that is about $6,000 more in PTA than any film had yesterday. That is an obscenely good opening on a Wednesday in October for a documentary.
I'm sure this will be amusing, but depressing and scary as well.
Josh-da-man
10-02-08, 11:01 PM
I have no interest in seeing documentaries in theaters, so I'll wait for the DVD. (I really only to see movies in theaters if it's something that feels like it needs to be seen on a twenty foot tall screen.)
That said, it's my Halloween wish that it trounces American Carol like a narc at a biker rally.
Mr. Salty
10-02-08, 11:30 PM
Bill Maher will be getting my money about the middle of next week.
chino77
10-02-08, 11:35 PM
^I sincerely hope you are joking. Because if you are not you are going to look like a dumbass when you see that it had a $6,600 PTA yesterday. And that is about $6,000 more in PTA than any film had yesterday. That is an obscenely good opening on a Wednesday in October for a documentary.
hey i have a sarcasm detector for sale. want to buy it?
John Slider
10-02-08, 11:45 PM
When it gets released near me I will see it multiple times.
Artman
10-03-08, 12:46 AM
I didn't realize Maher was only 52, he looks like he's in his 60's imo...
sauce07
10-03-08, 10:09 AM
^I sincerely hope you are joking. Because if you are not you are going to look like a dumbass when you see that it had a $6,600 PTA yesterday. And that is about $6,000 more in PTA than any film had yesterday. That is an obscenely good opening on a Wednesday in October for a documentary.
hey i have a sarcasm detector for sale. want to buy it?
:thumbsup:
Rypro 525
10-03-08, 10:24 AM
Even though i'm a huge fan of Maher, i believe if this movie breaks the top 10, it'll be surprising.
Sean O'Hara
10-03-08, 11:47 AM
The only question is, will it earn less than American Carol?
MovieExchange
10-03-08, 12:03 PM
From the DVDTalk review:
Instead of confrontations that shatter myths and raise consciousness, "Religious" goes for cheap laughs, manipulating footage to make the participants resemble complete boobs (granted, most of these people are irrationally extreme), going so far as to add comedic text to the screen to amplify the derision. It's a childish and fraudulent way to make a point, and doesn't do the picture any favors in the legitimacy department. Certainly Maher is preaching to the converted with his caustic perspective, but that doesn't excuse the flagrant creative stitches left behind to make worthless points.
So basically replace "Maher" with "Michael Moore," and "Religious" with any of Moore's "documentaries" and it'd still be an accurate statement.
That's the one big problem I have with both men: they're obviously very intelligent, and they have something to say that I probably agree with... but they act like such assholes and they are so willing to manipulate facts and outright lie to make their point that in the end I can't enjoy it.
Note to Bill Maher - do you ever look at John Stewart on the Daily Show and think "damn, I could do that job..."? You could reach that level of success if you'd drop that smug pretentious attitude that makes everyone want to punch you in the face whether they agree with you or not. Stewart comes off as "hey, I'm just a regular guy, here's what I think." You come off as "here's what I think and you're a fucking idiot if you don't agree with me."
mmconhea
10-03-08, 12:23 PM
It's not going to bomb. Getting wide distribution for a documentary is a sure sign of success already. Documentaries take so little to make, and just mild ticket sales on a wide distribution will make it back.
Here all of our shows for Friday are sold out. I had to pre-purchase tickets for Sunday on a Thursday. I haven't had to do that with many "unknown" movies.
So the OPs prediction of a bomb is going to be way- way off.
I want to see it because of all the reviews... and I hate Maher... imagine the following he already has.
Rypro 525
10-03-08, 12:42 PM
according to box office mojo, the movie is on 502 screens.
and wow, son of a bitch Michael Sragow gave the movie 3.5 stars out of 4. I might catch it tonight as its playing at the local theater.
kefrank
10-03-08, 01:28 PM
You could reach that level of success if you'd drop that smug pretentious attitude that makes everyone want to punch you in the face whether they agree with you or not.
You pretty much hit on all the reasons that I don't like Maher and won't see this movie. His arrogant, condescending schtick just doesn't work for me.
Goat3001
10-03-08, 03:02 PM
That's the one big problem I have with both men: they're obviously very intelligent, and they have something to say that I probably agree with... but they act like such assholes and they are so willing to manipulate facts and outright lie to make their point that in the end I can't enjoy it.
Agreed. x100. I think both men would be able to make great points in thier documentaries if they, you know, stopped being jackasses and put out straight facts.
rennervision
10-03-08, 03:59 PM
I liked this quote from Ebert's review:
"Perhaps you could enjoy the material about other religions, and tune out when yours is being discussed."
brizz
10-03-08, 06:13 PM
FWIW: this played at a film festival here this summer - the U.S. Premier actually - and it was the hottest ticket at the festival - and got overwhelmingly positive feedback from both sides of the religious aisle. I'm sure it will do well as it looks hilarious...unless you are incapable of accepting any questions of your faith why should it matter what anyone thinks?
wm lopez
10-03-08, 06:38 PM
You pretty much hit on all the reasons that I don't like Maher and won't see this movie. His arrogant, condescending schtick just doesn't work for me.
But Maher is not a left wing loon. He does not support the notion that American government planned 9/11 and he supports protecting Isreal.
Michael Ballack
10-03-08, 08:40 PM
I'll probably see this sometime on Monday. This movie is for people like me who already agree with Mahers take on religion. I'm also a big fan of Larry Charles.
Eric D.
10-04-08, 12:53 AM
I'll check this out this weekend. I like Maher and feel the same way he does about religion. Plus, Larry Charles is just icing on the cake.
coli
10-04-08, 07:53 AM
Used to be a big fan of Maher, as his show on ABC was a great format with a nice mix of humor and current events. Now he is just a shill for the democratic party, as he has not done ONE joke about Obama on his HBO show so far this year, not ONE!!! He stacks the panels with 2 dems and 1 republican and the audience is filled with liberals and they just go after the conservative like a pack of wolves. If you watch Maher in the late 90's, he used to be pretty moderate on most of his views, but now he is just a liberal who hates ANYONE who is religous or somewhat religous. I am not saying the guy doesn't have a right to say what he wants, but he even insults people like me. I am a Catholic who will not get in peoples faces about religion as I feel it is a personal issue, and even though I rarely go to Church, I have a certain faith I live by, nothing more nothing less. If Maher wants to bury the far right wackos, that is his business, but don't lump me in with that crowd. Wont be seeing this movie.
Sean O'Hara
10-04-08, 11:20 AM
But Maher is not a left wing loon. He does not support the notion that American government planned 9/11 and he supports protecting Isreal.
I don't see how the second sentence supports your first. While those are both loony ideas, they are not exclusively left wing.
Giantrobo
10-04-08, 11:35 AM
FWIW: this played at a film festival here this summer - the U.S. Premier actually - and it was the hottest ticket at the festival - and got overwhelmingly positive feedback from both sides of the religious aisle. I'm sure it will do well as it looks hilarious...<b>unless you are incapable of accepting any questions of your faith why should it matter what anyone thinks?</b>
Good point.
Krelyan
10-04-08, 03:44 PM
unless you are incapable of accepting any questions of your faith why should it matter what anyone thinks?
Except the film rarely raises any legitimate questions or intelligent discussion, instead relying on Mahr preaching for an hour and a half in his caustic tone.
Metalrain7
10-04-08, 05:34 PM
Am I the only one who thinks this is just a mere comedy, than trying to put up a sophisticated debate? I mean, for god's sake it is directed by the same person who directed Borat. I doubt anyone really would care to watch a sophisticated documentary in the movie theatres. For comedy, I'm definitely in,for the crowd's laughter adds more taste to it. And he's more of a comedian than someone who wants to debate for his life. I think he will have to sound like an arrogant asshole to make it funny. If he's nice and all, I have a feeling I'll fall asleep in the theatres.
This is the only movie I actually want to watch so badly in the theater.
Metalrain7
10-04-08, 05:38 PM
because people don't want to have to pay for what they may have already learned. but people would pay for laughters and amusement.
dgmayor
10-04-08, 07:46 PM
Wife and I saw this today. We both enjoyed it quite a bit, however it was preaching to the choir for us. I'm similar to Maher that I grew up with one jewish parent and one catholic parent, was raised catholic and stopped going in my early teens. My views pretty much match his when it comes to religion.
celmendo
10-04-08, 08:30 PM
It was exactly what I was expecting, letting real people (that he and the director obviously chose for effect) dig their own holes and him brazenly implying or outright saying they're idiots right to their faces. I don't think anyone is going to see this for enlightenment and it's not going to change anyone's mind. It wasn't an impartial debate or evenhanded examination of religious beliefs by any stretch of the imagination. He thinks it's illogical and that's what he presented. It's entertainment. I was entertained. The audience I saw it with laughed a lot.
It was also preaching to the choir for me. (Raised Catholic)
Brack
10-04-08, 08:43 PM
It's not like Maher doesn't know he's preaching to the choir. His whole thing is to get the "don't knowers" to stand up and be heard.
I do love the attitude that Maher is just a condescending asshole. I imagine such individuals being the most stuck up people on earth.
Anyway, this was a really well done, funny, thoughtful doc.
JPRaup
10-05-08, 12:16 AM
I enjoyed the hell out of this. highly, highly recommended. 8 out of 10.
dgmayor
10-05-08, 08:21 AM
I had to chuckle when it started off in Raleigh, because those are the people I encounter daily. I'm pretty sure I recognized the Food Lion grocery store he passed when he said something like "we're headed to Raleigh, right?".
mmconhea
10-06-08, 01:06 PM
I saw this and thought it was great. Really, really funny. I almost choked on my popcorn. It's not perfect. the ending was just thrown in there and the movie didn't lead up to it at all- but despite me not liking Maher, I really enjoyed this film. I think it will do better next weekend once word of mouth gets around.
steebo777
10-09-08, 03:28 PM
Funny for what it is.
I nearly pissed my pants during the Jesus scene in Mexico!
alfredog1976
10-09-08, 05:52 PM
Great great film, I was laughing my ass off. One of the best of the year. This guy in the audience stood up after the movie and asked "Who here is actually religious?" and this other joker said "No one here, after seeing this movie"
MaxMFP
10-09-08, 08:09 PM
This guy in the audience stood up after the movie and asked "Who here is actually religious?" and this other joker said "No one here, after seeing this movie"
wow, that guy was a joker if he honestly thinks this movie will enlighten or actually change a single opinon out there concerning one's religious beliefs.
DeputyDave
10-09-08, 08:27 PM
Great great film, I was laughing my ass off. One of the best of the year. This guy in the audience stood up after the movie and asked "Who here is actually religious?" and this other joker said "No one here, after seeing this movie"I'm an atheist (who has no desire to see this movie) and I would have absolutely no respect for any person who changed or rejected their religion just because they saw a movie.
droidguy1119
10-09-08, 08:48 PM
I'm an atheist (who has no desire to see this movie) and I would have absolutely no respect for any person who changed or rejected their religion just because they saw a movie.What defines a legitimate reason to change your faith? At least this movie was a documentary, and thusly it could have revealed some fact about a religion that would cause someone to change their mind about something.
alfredog1976
10-10-08, 03:08 AM
wow, that guy was a joker if he honestly thinks this movie will enlighten or actually change a single opinon out there concerning one's religious beliefs.
His tone was more in jest... I thought it was pretty funny actually. I've never seen that kind of thing happen after a movie.
E. Honda
10-13-08, 09:16 PM
I just saw this movie. It's essentially a Fox News remake of "Borat". Same fake documentary style, same malicious editing, same misquoting and paraphrasing. Bill has scoured the face of the earth for the most outrageous crackpots and freaks ever paraded across a movie screen, that he baits with loaded questions that he knows there is no valid response to. All the while comparing Mormons to Scientologists (again with extensive video clips from The God Makers), and proclaiming all religions to be the cause of all mankind's evils. Top it all off with a ten minute marathon of Bill Maher graphically smoking marijuana in Amsterdam, with the proprieter of a hash bar who hallucinates during the interview. I did find it interesting that they would visit the Holy Land Experience theme park in
Florida. That's a new one.
chris_sc77
10-15-08, 04:09 PM
From IMDB.com:
"Bill Maher's anti-religion documentary Religulous is on track to become the highest-grossing documentary of the year by next Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Wednesday). By last weekend, the film had already grossed more than $7 million in its first ten days at just 568 theaters. Ironically, the film is due to displace Expelled, Ben Stein's creationist documentary, which grossed $7.7 million during its domestic run earlier this year. (It opened at 1,052 theaters.) In reporting on the box-office success of the two films, the Times commented that it "just does to show that when it comes to religion and movies, the box office is agnostic."
Lara Means
10-22-08, 06:04 AM
Great news for Bill Maher
riotinmyskull
10-22-08, 06:56 AM
From IMDB.com:
"Bill Maher's anti-religion documentary Religulous is on track to become the highest-grossing documentary of the year by next Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Wednesday). By last weekend, the film had already grossed more than $7 million in its first ten days at just 568 theaters. Ironically, the film is due to displace Expelled, Ben Stein's creationist documentary, which grossed $7.7 million during its domestic run earlier this year. (It opened at 1,052 theaters.) In reporting on the box-office success of the two films, the Times commented that it "just does to show that when it comes to religion and movies, the box office is agnostic."
i wonder what the OP thinks about this. shows how much he knows.
asianxcore
10-26-08, 09:02 PM
Saw this over the weekend with my girlfriend and a friend.
Pretty funny, but as everyone has mentioned it won't change anyone's views on their faith/religion.
Pure entertainment
chris_sc77
10-26-08, 09:16 PM
I finally got to see this on Friday Night (right before a screening of Evil Dead II!) and me and the girlfriend thought it was great. Very funny and terrifying really but everyone in the packed t heater seemed to enjoy it. My favorite line (of text) : "Wow...that's a saddle!"
movielib
11-13-08, 06:40 PM
I'm very late to the party but I finally saw this film today. While there were too many cheap shots (many of which, however, were funny) and the ending diatribe was way over the top I mostly enjoyed it and a lot of good points were made.
***/****
BTW it has done $12.2 million in business, pretty good for a film of this kind. And it did almost 60% more than Expelled which is satisfying for this atheist.
movielib
11-14-08, 04:52 PM
According to Box Office Mojo the movie cost $2.5 million to make and has grossed $12.2 million. I'd love to have a flop like that.
Buy: