Feast of Film

The funniest and most daring of the Monty Python screen adventures, Life of Brian represents the team of Chapman, Cleese et al taking on Christianity and Judaism after their excellent effort with The Holy Grail . The plot: Brian Cohen is born in the stable just down the lane from Jesus and, after initially being mistaken for the messiah by the 3 wise men, ends up with the same fate but less of the subsequent glory. The adult Brian interacts with several of the Jewish groups and Roman rulers of Judea, all of whom mimic the Python team's views of comparables in Middle East politics in the late 1970s (the movie was released in 1979). The Jews are subjugated and form various splinter terrorist groups; the Romans are the rulers and govern by threat of crucifixion. This all sounds rather harsh, but isn't really - most would totally miss the pseudo-political undercurrent. Brian becomes involved with the People's Front of Judea (or is it the Democratic Front? It's definitely

Not a film review, but since I haven't had the time this week, I thought I'd post this list that is being emailed around. 1. Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are well within the price range of most people - whether they are employed or not. 2. At least one of a pair of identical twins is born evil. 3. Should you decide to defuse a bomb, don't worry which wire to cut. You will always choose the right one. 4. Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override the communications system of any invading alien society. 5. It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts; your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors. 6. When you turn out the light to go to bed, everything in your bedroom will still be clearly visible, just slightly bluish. 7. If you are a blonde and pretty, it is possible to become a world expert on nuclear fission at