Religulous Moves To October
Originally scheduled to open wide on July 2nd,Religulous,Bill MaherandLarry Charles’s documentary aimed at the pulsing jugular of all religions, will now be released onOctober 3rd, 2008.Lionsgatesays the film wasn’t ready to premiere at this month’s Cannes Film Festival, where it would have become a “media lightning rod” according to studio presidentTom Ortenberg. The movie is a smart one. Against the blanketed media coverage of this summer’s box office goliaths and rah-rah flops likeSpeed Racer, mainstream/traditional media would have easily buried the controversy/discussion that Maher’s doc needs to be a Michael Moore-like hit. Lionsgate now hopes to hit the fall festival circuit hard up until its October release, where it will face off with tiny Michael Cera’sNick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist…and God(s).
As for Maher, he’s still taking jabs, tellingVariety…
“I wanted to make a documentary, and I wanted it to be funny. In fact, since there is nothing more ridiculous than the ancient mythological stories that live on as today’s religions, this movie would try to be a real knee-slapper. Unless, of course, you’re religious; then you might not like it.”
What are the chances Maher gets struck by lightning or disappears by October? Back in my hometown/golf country’s sole spiffy theater, churches have started advertising their services before every movie. What is that about? I checked online out of curiosity and Ben Stein’sExpelledplayed for a few weeks, so I’m wondering ifReligulouswill nab a screen as well.There Will Be Blooddid not,NCFOMdid. What a weird world.
Discuss: A better date forReligulous? Do you agree with Maher’s statement above?
