Movie effective despite religious attack) By Kelly Laughlin Of The Print Religious groups are taking some hard swings at the new movie, “The Life of Brian,” by Monty Python. In a recent Rolling Stone magazine inter­ view, the president of the Rab­ binical Alliance of America, Rabbi Abraham Hecht, called the film “A crime against religion,” and continued, “this film is so grieviously insulting that we are genuinely concer­ ned that its continued showing would result in serious violen­ ce.” Eric Idle, catalyst of “Holy Grail” and “Life of Brian” argued that the movie doesn’t intend to insult any religious group, “The movie is about people, it just so happens to take place in Judea. We are laughing at man, not God. Nothing so divides men as their belief in the same god,” he said. The setting seems to portray a foundation for Monty Python’s invention. The movie doesn’t leave you with a split­ ting-laugh-ache, and an empty mind. In fact, the movie may provoke the fewest laughs of any two hours of Monty Python, because it deals in such a tender subject. But Monty Python, if nothing else, does the movie with, as much taste as they can, without losing their unique style. “Life of Brian” is performed in the tradition of Monty Python humor. The opening scene is depicted as grand a visual landscape as “Ben Hur” or the movie, “The Ten Commandments.” Python humor, however, is geared to biting satire with the motivation of irrelevant humor. They could insult and inspire the human condition in one breath, in or out of Bible texts. A grand opening scene with a holy overture, and realistic Jerusalem landscape, turns to iM the three wise men in the home of Mary, and Brian, in the manger. Mary reputes their * visit, calling it a joke, when they claim he’s the Messiah. She lets them in at the discovery they have gold and frankincense. Python, though, doesn’t claim that Brian is the representation of Jesus. Brian, “is the boy born down the block from Jesus Christ, who grows up to be mistaken for the Messiah.” Another example of Python technique is when Brian and his mother attend a stoning where a ragged, bearded old man is about to be executed for saying, “that halibut was good enough for Josuah.” The old man, certain of his future, con­ tinues to repeat the phrase until he is replied by several stones about the head and shoulder. Graham Chapman as Brian becomes an instant prophet. Photo Courtesy The action of the group (who a few phrases about lilies] I are all dressed as men, but are pity for you pig,” the two joining the other officers. Brian birds, which a small audil groups clash while Brian makes his escape. really women) is interrupted, by The chase scene that results does not understand, but lai the stoning organizer. The gallantly suggests an alliance. But it ’ s too late. The Pilate ar ­ leads Brian to a high ledge begins a profound statenl phrase is repeated by several my has spotted Brian who where he jumps to an almost which he doesn’t finish, j I members of the group and the It is these words, and incl stands in the spotlight, his certain death. But much to his organizer finally says it himself. plete sentence; “will be giva counterparts lie unconscious. surprise, Brian is literally sped He is stoned, instead. Next Brian encounters the off by a space craft, manned by unto you...” that his follol Brian’s anti-Roman in­ prison cell, where a man, two cyclops, whose eyes are base their faith on. At the eng volvement begins when he of the movie they are hundrel joins a group called “The clearly past his prime, is held steady by a hand growing in number. All at once thel out ot their heads. The ship chained to the concrete wall. People’s Front,” who organize asking for “a sign” and even the kidnapping of Pontius He begins to paint really grim crashes, and Brian non- worship one of Brian’s !o| challantly leaves the wreckage, pictures of crucifixion, calling Pilate’s daughter, Pilate, sandals, which he loses whilj and is spotted once again by Brian “ lucky. You don ’ t have played by Python Michael trying to get away from them! Palin, is a half-witted Julius to be chained to a wall for the the Roman soldiers. With all the religious contl Brian escapes to People ’ s rest of your life. ” Caesar, who bites his nails and Finally, Brian is taken to the Front headquarters, and backs the plot and message]the] rolls his “r’s”. He looks like a movie hopes to instill are col true leader, dressed in the headquarters of Pontius Pilate into a rickety porch,’ which veyed by leaving the charactl breaks under his weight. Brian finery of his office, but when he in possibly the most side-split­ flat, except for Brian, whd ting scene of the movie . Pilate ’ s falls on an unsuspecting opens his mouth, he becomes feminine mystique and odd beggar, who seems to be side­ seems to be complete!! just another Roman. lining as a prophet (see bewildered by all his attenl The front gains access to an diction break up his guards, throughout the movie. Attha whose repressed giggles turn to photo) . Here; Brian has no underground sewer, and are choice to become an ad-lib very least Monty Python coil almost to their destination uncontrollable laughter when prophet, because the Roman be telling what it’s really like la when they confront another Pilate utters his close friend’s Ì army is close at hand. He utters be mistaken for a Messiah. 1 party, who are out on the same name of Bikus Dikus. Not even •t scam. After some argument, the technique of doing chicken lips could keep one guard from and liberal comment, “tough Near Clairmont: Grapevines amass 30 varieties It was a good summer for very sweet Euopean grape, grapes, said Phil Evans, or­ Golden Muscat, an aromatic namental horticulture instruc­ seedless grape, and the white tor. At least it was at the Portland grapes, which are a College’s table grape plot near vigorous midseason grape, usually picked in mid­ Clairmont Hall. Within four rows of vine, September.” But now that it’s mid­ nearly 30 varieties of table grapes can be found. Among October, Dave Meyer, head of them are some of Evan’s the agriculture department at favorites: Pearl of Casaba, “a the College said, “Between the Photo by Kelly Laughlin birds, bees, humans, and an extremely warm fall season, the grapes have all but been eaten up completely, but that’s what they’re for, right?” The grapes were picked vigorously for the last three weeks, according to Evans, but new cuttings won’t be available for sale until the early winter. The cuttings will be sold for 25 to 50 cents, but students at the College can now pickup a grapeplot list from the main of­ fice at Clairmont. “Until then, my horiculture classes will be pruning them, and getting the vines ready for the cutting in the winter,” Evans said. The purpose of the grape plot is two-fold, said Meyers. Originally, the plot was planted from donated cuttings by the Northwest Experimental Station in Aurora. Its orien­ tation in 1974 prompted Meyer to involve the horticulture department in fruit and vegetable production. Ad­ ditionally, the plot tempts College students and faculty to test one of the most popular fruits around, fresh from the vine. | Crown Jewelers | || Gem Of The Holly Farm Mall g 1 B S.E. Me Loughlin, Milwaukie Gold Filled and 14K Gold Chains For Men & Women Beautiful Pendants and Earrings Courtship Engagement and Wedding Rings ALWAYS 10% OF J| IALWAYS W ON ALL NON - SALE JEWELRY FOR | S Clackamas Community College ■ g Students with a current . Í 3 student bodv card. Clackamas Community Col^H