652. Life of Brian

Life of Brian
1979
Directed by Terry Jones

Greetings all! I am having a bit of trouble with my painkillers and by "bit of trouble" I mean I couldn't stop vomiting from them.  Hopefully, it will get under control today and I will be able to pursue my true loves: candy, movies, books, and writing.

I don't think I could be a tougher audience right now.  After all, I have several pieces of metal wedged in my leg and have a bucket for a sidekick.  Is this getting too personal?  I really can't help it.  Anyway, I will try to be as just as possible.

Brian Cohen is mistaken as a messiah and must avoid his worshipping band of followers while he attempts to escape from the Romans.  The nicest thing I can say about this was that it was somewhat more tolerable than Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  I could see where every joke was headed five minutes before it was finally over, which didn't exactly make for a compelling watch.  Perhaps this is another case of comedy not really aging well, but I didn't laugh once.  And if you can't make someone who is sick, uncomfortable, and in a lot of pain laugh, you obviously have zero sense of humor.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Six cast members played 40 characters.

George Harrison helped finance the film.

595. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

As I continue my quest to hate on films that are universally loved, we come across Monty Python.  All right, I will admit that I don't find Monty Python sketches particularly funny.  It's not Blazing Saddles level un-funny, but I can watch a whole Monty Python movie without cracking a smile.  I swear I can be fun sometimes.

The Knights of the Round Table are sent on a mission from God to find the Holy Grail.  Um...antics ensue.  The most famous scene is probably when King Arthur battles a black knight who keeps fighting even when his limbs are amputated and says "Tis just a scratch!"  Get it?  Because it's not!  GET IT?

I don't actually have a huge problem with this film, except that I didn't find it that funny.  I suppose this could be because comedy doesn't always age well, and this is nearly forty years old.  Or the stereotype that women don't find Monty Python that hilarious could be true.  I guess we will see when we get to Life of Brian!

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The Monty Python crew considers this to be one of the lesser comedies they made.

Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Genesis contributed to the film's budget.