“He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!” Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he’s not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, the hapless Brian has to contend with the pompous Pontius Pilate and acronym-obsessed members of a separatist movement. Rife with Monty Python’s signature absurdity, the tale finds Brian’s life paralleling Biblical lore, albeit with many more laughs. The film was widely controversial when it was released. Ireland banned it until 1987. Norway banned it for a year because it could be considered blasphemous. In Sweden it was advertised with the slogan: “So funny that it has been banned in Norway.” Life of Brian is now a cult classic and a touchstone for comedic subversion of religious authority. Make it a double-feature with Monty Python and the Holy Grail playing at 8:30.