The Passion of the Christ

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>I was wondering if anyone was going to see this contraversial movie, that is released this Wednesday. It is about the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life. I want to see and probably will twice. It is in Aramic and Latin with English subtitles (like in kaiju movies). Hmm...?

[Archaic_Avenger]

the things been at least nearly rated R for violence! http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif &nbsp; that makes me too mad to even think about seeing it.

Rodan2000

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>Why does that make you mad? It is rated R for violence because Jesus is crucified. That is a bloody, violent event. It shows the flogging and the beatings that Christ suffered. It is what happened. How does that make you mad?

[Goji Son]

I am going to see even though I am not a Christian per say and I am kinda wondering what it's intentions may be. &nbsp;I mean, Jewish people are offended because they say it's Anti Semetic but yet it's true that the Jesus was killed by the Jews and Romans. &nbsp;And I am also question the fact that it is only being shown in the 'Bible belt' of America. &nbsp;Is this because they know that this film will only appease the most bonafide Christians or are they just trying to avoid unnecissary controversy. &nbsp;I guess that's why I am going to go see it, to find out.

[Neo-Crucifer]

Quote[/b] (Rodan2000 @ Feb. 21 2004,19:22)]the things been at least nearly rated R for violence! http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif * that makes me too mad to even think about seeing it.

Rodan2000
Yes, as we all know, Jesus died without shedding a drop of blood!!!! I wonder why He said his blood would be given up?


Gorjirus just hit the nail on the head (pun not intended). Jesus' death was a horrible event, and so violent it's no wonder people aren't crucified anymore. Thing is, Jesus' crucifixion was worse than the norm (most victims were tied, not nailed, and the crown of thorns). Making this film... something not to show children.

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>I did not know that the movie was only going to be shown in the Bible Belt. That is very interesting. At least that means that I will get to see it. Once with my church youth group and again with my family most likely.

[Melkor]

My aunt has seen it, and she tells me that the Crucifixion is, indeed, brutal. But Mel's purposely made it that way because he wanted to show just how much Christ suffered for our sins. I mean, most Jesus movies today are too sugarcoated that oftentimes the true meaning of the Passion is lost... But enough about that. I am going to see this film, if only for the Crucifixion alone. And the charges of anti-Semitism, I must judge for myself if they be true or not. I was also not awares that TPOTC will only be shown in the so-called 'Bible Belt'...

In any case, watching 'The Passion of the Christ' will surely be an experience. Controversial movies are always the best kind, and I am sure the controversy around this movie will backfire. And guys, don't let the thread turn into a religious debate.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[Cosmos]

<font color='#0000FF'>It's hard not to tell the story of the cruciffixion of christ without having a Anit-Semetic angle...
It was the Pharisees that were cheifly responsible for the deed.
So to telling the truth makes in this instance makes you anti-semetic, I guess.
this movie comes with good timing, I just finished reading the NRSV bible, with carful attention and I can't wait to watch a mighty Whitey play a Semite.

... http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nonono2.gif

Last temptation was a pretty good JC flick, for the record...
I truly doubt that this movie will be more than propaghandistic promotional for a religion with thinning numbers.

No matter what Im going to hell *http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif *and so are all who arn't devout catholic.

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>No, it's baptists who are the only people who are going to heaven, or so I hear. Namely these baptists.. (http://www.landoverbaptist.org)

I'm a very unreligious person, but I still am interested in seeing the Passion of the Christ. From the trailer, it just looks like a very beautiful film. The controversy has only made me want to see it more. I don't get why people place so much blame on the Jews for &quot;killing&quot; Jesus. They merely turned him in. It was the Romans who carried out the crucifixtion. And Cosmos, you are right, Jesus movies are too sugar coated. The times that Jesus lived in were very violent and depraved and the only film before The Passion that has really depicted that is The Last Temptation, which I thought was fantastic.
But we all know the best controversial religious movie will forever be The Life of Brian.. http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Saruman]

Quote[/b] (WitchKing667 @ Feb. 22 2004,22:14)]No, it's baptists who are the only people who are going to heaven, or so I hear. Namely these baptists.. (http://www.landoverbaptist.org)
That is such an awesome website, I check it out frequently, its to funny not to. &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[biohazard85]

Quote[/b] (WitchKing667 @ Feb. 22 2004,22:14)]Namely these baptists.. (http://www.landoverbaptist.org)
Accept Christ, Get a Free PlayStation 2!

This type of thing makes me glad that I am an Atheist.

[Raptor]

You want controversy? Check out what was on the front page of our town newspaper (names/locations omitted/aliased):

Film stirs passions
By PAT IVEY-Courier News

The Mel Gibson-directed movie, &quot;The Passion of the Christ,&quot; will be opening Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, as it will in theaters across the nation, thanks to the persistence of area pastors and their congregations.
The movie has been getting a large amount of attention in the national media since its premier viewing, which took place in several locations across the country Jan. 20.
Pastor Mike of Trinity Baptist Church said he was given tickets to the premier showing in Chicago and traveled to the Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, a suburb of Chicago, to see the movie.
&quot;We had the privilege to not only see the screening, but to see Mel Gibson,&quot; he said.
&quot;He held a live question-and-answer session with us that day.&quot;
He said the room in which the showing was held was packed, and all parking areas around the church were full.
&quot;It was really something just to see that,&quot; he said. He had heard reviews of the movie before he attended the screening and wanted to see the movie for himself so he could come back to the area and share his own feelings about the movie with local pastors.
He said Gibson told those present at the screening this movie has been a passion of his for about 12 years.
&quot;He feels this (the story of Christ) is the most important event of human history. He wanted to do a movie on the life of Christ. The movie is the last 12 hours of the life of Christ and begins in the garden of Gethsemene.&quot;
Gibson also told those present he has been working on the movie for three years, but the Hollywood community refused to back the project.
&quot;They refused because of accusations by major critics of anti-Semitism,&quot; Mike said.
Gibson said he was so committed to the project that he directed and produced the movie himself and poured over $30 million of his own money into the production.
&quot;He understood this movie could have been a career-ender for him as far as Hollywood goes. I believe Mel Gibson's heart is in this movie. I believe this movie will go down as the biggest blockbuster of all time.&quot;
Mike said seeing the movie was a powerful experience and was unable to put into words the impact it had on him. He returned home and went to the Ministerial Alliance with his feeling that the movie should be brought here.

At that same time, he contacted management at the Malco Theater to find out if the movie would premier Feb. 25 as it would across the nation.
&quot;At that time she assured me the movie was not scheduled to come here,&quot; he said.
Mike was among thousands of people who viewed the Jan. 20 premier. Also viewing the movie in a theater in Florida was Abraham Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League.
The Anti-Defamation League immediately filed objections to the movie, stating fears that seeing this movie might spark anti-Semitic feelings and activities, not necessarily in this country, but in the more violent areas of Europe and Arabia.
In an impassioned speech to the Anti-Defamation League, Foxman made the following comments.
&quot;We are being told that, theologically, the whole world is guilty in the suffering of Jesus, for He died for all of us. I'm not asking for very much, and people say to me, 'So, what do you want?' I don't think he'll change the film; I don't think the film is changeable. He's entitled to his film.
&quot;I'm asking for a postscript, because Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor and I saw the film two weeks ago at a mega-church, and at the end of the film, 5,000 people sat in stunned, pained silence, only punctuated by some sobbing and wailing for the pain and the anguish of the suffering, and ending up in prayer.
&quot;When we walked out, a little pamphlet was given out, and it said, 'God killed His son.' Not the Jewish eyes that saw that film. That film did not say God killed Jesus. That film for two hours said the Jews, the Jews, the Jews.
&quot;And if you walk out of that film in pain and in anguish, where is that anger going to go? To God, or to those portrayed so crudely on the screen in this film for two hours -- the Jewish people.
&quot;I believe in epiphany. If I did not believe that we can change the minds and hearts of people, I wouldn't go to work, and the Anti-Defamation League wouldn't have been around for 90 years.
&quot;Is Mel Gibson an anti-Semite? No. He's a true believer. Is his anti-Semitism intentional? I don't believe so. But I worry about unintended consequences, especially when they mesh in history. Is the film anti-Semitic. No. But its consequences, its impact, its message may fuel anti-Semitism.
&quot;Hitler, in 1934, visited the Oberammergua Passion Play, and when he left, he proclaimed (and I paraphrase): 'The whole world needs to see this passion play, for then they will understand why I despise the Jewish people.'
&quot;Many, during the Holocaust, who killed Jews from Monday to Friday went to church on Sunday and there was no disconnect for them, because, after all, all they were doing was killing 'Christ Killers.'
&quot;So for us, the possible impact of a passion play on the global scene with a global producer, with an icon, is not a fantasy, it's a serious anxiety. For us, it is a flashback into history.&quot;
Mike and other pastors of the Ministerial Alliance felt the movie should be made available to the people of this area, so they encouraged the members of their congregation to conduct a telephone and e-mail campaign, urging the management of the Malco to take steps to bring the movie to this area at the same time it opens in other areas of the country.
On Feb. 12 Mike received a call from the Malco telling him the movie would be opening Feb. 25.
&quot;I believe the community involvement encouraged them to bring it here,&quot; he *said.
According to Sharon B. at the Malco, the initial showing on Wednesday is sold out, as is a second showing scheduled to accommodate the churches requesting tickets on that night.
She said the movie will be shown as long as churches are requesting tickets. It is scheduled to be shown Thursday, Feb. 26, beginning at 7 p.m. However, if churches request blocks of tickets, a 4 p.m. or 9 p.m. showing will be scheduled to accommodate those requests.
The movie is scheduled to be shown at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Monday through Thursday showings are scheduled at 7 p.m., but additional showings can be scheduled if requested by large numbers of people in a church or other organization.
Anyone wishing to reserve a block of 10 or more tickets should contact Wanda D.
Sharon said any individual wishing to see the movie should call the Malco on the day they wish to attend. A message will be placed on the answering machine stating whether or not tickets for that day's showing will be on sale to the general public. She added anyone under 16 will not be allowed to view the movie with a church group or individually without a note from their parents stating they have permission to see the movie, because of the R rating of the movie.
Mike agreed, saying he feels because of the violence portrayed in the movie no one under 12 should view it.
The Wednesday showings have been sold out to Pathway Church of God, Church of God, Mary's Chapel Baptist Church, The Revival Center, New Liberty Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church. Anyone who is a member of any of these churches and wishes to see the movie should contact his or her church office as soon as possible for ticket information.
&quot;One of the main reasons we wanted to get the churches together to do this was to make sure it was sold out on opening night,&quot; Mike said. &quot;We wanted to lead the way in responding to this movie. I know the impact this movie will have on people who go see it. There will be people leaving this movie seeking to know Christ and desiring to do more for the Lord.&quot;

Now I ask you all, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SITUATION?

[kent]

Quote[/b] ]Now I ask you all, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SITUATION?
I'm not sure to be honest with you.
But I am planning on seeing it sometime within its spending time in theaters. I don't think I will see it the first week making that most of the people will wanna see it then. But I hope to see it.

[Melkor]

Regarding the Church's position on the Jews: 'Nostra Aetate', one of the more well-known documents of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, absolves the Jews of collective guilt; but it still holds the position that the Jews, were in fact responsible for the death of Jesus 2000 or so years ago.

DECLARATION &quot;NOSTRA AETATE&quot; (http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html)

Just thought everyone ought to know about this.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>I know that it is going to be big in my area. The theater said that all Monday-Thursday 7:00 pm showing until March 27 are sold out, being bought by area churches. Wow. That takes alot of money to buy out that many showings.

[Raptor]

Exactly. And at a time and in an area when their and community food pantries and humanitarian aid ministries/organizations are in dire need of financial support. Also note that the theater did not initially have the film scheduled, despite the prospect of a good turn out. But now that it has been scheduled, one must be a member of a church to obtain admission for the first shows. Whatever happened to first come/first served where EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF AFFILIATIONS, has an equal chance to see the film at these times? The Malco could just as well sell ALL tickets at the window, the groups could bus their members in early, etc.
I'm seeing bad business sense here on both sides. The &quot;movie will be shown as long as churches are requesting tickets&quot; and &quot;if churches request blocks of tickets, a 4 p.m. or 9 p.m. showing will be scheduled to accommodate those requests&quot; is particularly worrisome as they sure don't listen when other popular films are making the rounds that they &quot;don't have scheduled&quot; and folks try to get them here...

[The It]

This is definatly a movie I must see. I believe it will either beat TITANIC or at least come VERY close. Ive seen leaked clips of the Crucifixion scene. Its a little disturbing seeing as it looked like spinal fluids squirting out of his back. But I think it will be a DOuble thums up movie.

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>I agree. With all the publicity surronding, some people are going to see it just to see what all the comotion was about. It will be very interesting to see how much it will make.

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#32CD32'>I am a believer in Christ, and I'm going to see it in theaters tonight. I am happy no one is offending the Christian religion yet, keep up the good work guys. &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>You stink. http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I don't know when I will get to see it. I just know that I will. Could you give us a review tomorrow?

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#32CD32'>Yup, maybe even tonight when I come home.
I'm gonna have to be going to the theater 20 minutes from now as I'm typing this. Since the movie is 2 hours, I should be back by 10:00

[Jet Jaguar]

I'm going Sunday for free.
Our Church got a great deal!
I'll post here after I see it

[Showa Mothra #1]

Quote[/b] (The It @ Feb. 25 2004,15:38)]This is definatly a movie I must see. I believe it will either beat TITANIC or at least come VERY close. Ive seen leaked clips of the Crucifixion scene. Its a little disturbing seeing as it looked like spinal fluids squirting out of his back. But I think it will be a DOuble thums up movie.
That's what they said about about the The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, yet it didn't. Also, is their a problem if it doesn't beat Titanic, I'm aware the most people seemingly depise the movie, but getting angry because it doesn't get beaten at box-office is pretty stupid, if you ask me.

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#32CD32'>I saw the film... and all I can say is.... wow.
I really don't know how to begin, but I saw it as the most powerful and MOVING film I have ever seen! The theater was jammed packed, and I won't be surprised if this truns out to be one of the highest grossing films ever. Don't pay any attention to those stupid critics who say the film &quot;has no interesting characters, is simplistic, and a complete failure.&quot; This film is a masterpeice, the entire audience was in tears, and so was I. As I walked out of the theater, I saw many still sitting in their seat, touched, apparently wanting to see the credits. (never have I seen so many people staying tosee the end credits)
Don't take your kids to go see it, the press ain't kidding with it as being brutal- perhaps too realistic.
I hope this inspires many non-believers to start reading the Bible to learn about the one and only true religion.

[Raptor]

Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ Feb. 25 2004,21:20)]I hope this inspires many non-believers to start reading the Bible to learn about the one and only true religion.
I'm hoping it doesn't just take a masterful work of cinematography for folks to all of a sudden &quot;get religion&quot; if they don't already have it, whichever &quot;faith&quot; they might choose...
Here's a CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/passion.wrap/index.html).

[biohazard85]

Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ Feb. 25 2004,22:20)]I hope this inspires many non-believers to start reading the Bible to learn about the one and only true religion.
A movie has never made me change my beliefs or thoughts and I don't see any reason why I should change just because of this movie. I have enough people trying to sell me on the word and work of god, and I’m telling you I don't pay for BS.


Also, no one take offense to this, it's just my ill opinion. http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[The It]

Quote[/b] (Heisei Mothra @ Feb. 25 2004,20:13)]Also, is their a problem if it doesn't beat Titanic, I'm aware the most people seemingly depise the movie, but getting angry because it doesn't get beaten at box-office is pretty stupid, if you ask me.
Who said I was angry? All I said was I think it would come close to Titanic. Where &nbsp;did get that I was angry? I just dont care fot the movie Titanic. Its so............boring. At least I thought so. I'm just saying Ive seen better movies that havn't beaten Titanic. So be calm.

Anyways, back on subject.

My friend went to see it last night. He said the the scenes when they are tourtoring and beating him are worse then the crucifixion scene itself. Like, he said (Dont read the following unless you want to hear something utterly disturbing:you have been warned:) that during the beating, Jesus' rib cage is exposed. The evil dudes put glass on the ends of their whips and and the whip gets stuck in Jesus's ribcage. So the dude thats using the whip pulls real hard and his ribcage snaps. Thats supposed to be one of the many very brutal scenes. (okay the weak stomached can read again now). My friend also said that at the end, there was no applause. Everyone either walked out silent or in tears.


And the best part is there is NO PREVIEWS!!!!!! WHOOHOO! http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[Goji Son]

This topic was made for the purpose to talk about the movie not to sell the word of Christianity. &nbsp;So please, keep this straight to the point.

[Kaiju Nexus]

Quote[/b] (biohazard85 @ Feb. 26 2004,15:50)]Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ Feb. 25 2004,22:20)]I hope this inspires many non-believers to start reading the Bible to learn about the one and only true religion.
A movie has never made me change my beliefs or thoughts and I don't see any reason why I should change just because of this movie. I have enough people trying to sell me on the word and work of god, and I’m telling you I don't pay for BS.


Also, no one take offense to this, it's just my ill opinion. http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

biohazard, you are my new atheist friend. lol


anyway, about the movie . . . im not going to see it. &nbsp;and ill tell you why. &nbsp;considering how insanely devout a catholic mel gibson is, i wouldn't doubt that he would donate a good deal of the profits of this film to organized religion. &nbsp;and i am NOT a supportor of organized religion, or any religion in general for that matter.

please, no one take offense to what i am about to say, but I don't just not like Jesus. &nbsp;I REALLY don't like Jesus. &nbsp;He was the starting point for Christianity, which has since been responsible for MILLIONS of deaths. &nbsp;Also, I don't really understand the reasoning behind praising a manic-compulsive schizophrenic (and yes, i have proof to back up that claim, straight from the bible. &nbsp;and don't tell me that that isn't definitive proof, because then you'd be disclaiming the validity of the entire basis of your own beliefs). &nbsp;Once, again, it would just be ridiculous for anyone to take offence to this, because it is not any of you i am talking about, it is a person who supposedly lived 2000 years ago.

. . . have a nice day &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Gothmog]

<font color='#FF0000'>Even though I have the same beliefs(or more exactly, non-beliefs)as biohazard and DBZelda7, I will see this movie. Why, you may ask? Because it may be interesting to watch. Seeing things out of someone elses perspective and seeing a so-called &quot;Jesus movie&quot; worthy of it`s name for once.
But, I seriously doubt I will walk out of the theater in tears. That just won`t happen.

[Goji Son]

Quote[/b] ]I REALLY don't like Jesus. &nbsp;He was the starting point for Christianity, which has since been responsible for MILLIONS of deaths.

You know, the US government is responsible for MILLIONS of deaths also but you seem to have no complaints.

I'll ask again nicely, please keep this on a level playing field. &nbsp;I don't want to know anyones opinions on what they think of Jesus just critisize the movie. &nbsp;And if you are not going to see the movie then why bother making a post that just screams flamebait?

[Kaiju Nexus]

Quote[/b] (Goji Son @ Feb. 26 2004,18:11)]Quote[/b] ]I REALLY don't like Jesus. *He was the starting point for Christianity, which has since been responsible for MILLIONS of deaths.

You know, the US government is responsible for MILLIONS of deaths also but you seem to have no complaints.
who said that?! &nbsp;i have a LOT more beef with the American government than I do with Jesus, one single guy who probably had no idea of the reprocutions his actions would create.

anyway, im sorry i went on a rant. &nbsp;ill just stay out of this. &nbsp;sorry.

[Goji Son]

I wasn't saying you didn't really have beef with the US I was just making the point that it's not just Christianity that kills.

[The It]

I just went to get some tickets for a veiwing on Saturday but our local theater is booked for three weeks! Wow

[Tomzilla]

I just want to see this movie because it has a lot of attention surrounding it. All these news articles...

(Personally, I'd like to read a review of the movie from an athiest point of view.)

[Melkor]

I saw the movie...

Quite simply the most POWERFUL movie I have ever seen. Never before have I seen a film which depicts the last twelve hours of the life of Christ in such an in intensely moving way. Everything about the movie is simply sublime: from the subtitles, to the many symbolisms found in the film, it really shines with brilliance. Never mind the naysayers: 'The Passion of the Christ' is, quite simply, THE absolute must-see movie for 2004.

I really liked that the Devil was portrayed by a woman. Yes, that is a woman. The Devil, in the own words of Mel Gibson, is nothing more than the 'Great Ape of God'-- he can only mimic or ape what the Almighty can will, and though the Devil may appear in the guise of something fair, it is rotten and dead inside. And the baby she carried-- it just looked exceedingly horrible, like something wrestled out of a demon's nightmare. Hmm, a mockery of the Madonna and Child?

The Crucifixion is just... powerful. Brutal, yes. But every bit important to remind modern-day Christians just how much and how brutally Jesus suffered for the salvation of mankind. As I said before, oftentimes &quot;Jesus movies&quot; are too sugarcoated that many Christians lose focus on one of Christianity's most fundamental doctrines. I admit, I flinched at some of the more sadistic scenes in the film: proof that I had been &quot;sugarcoated&quot; too much.

I really can't praise, laud, and exalt this movie too much. There are no words fit to describe it. 'The Passion of the Christ' is quite simply an experience, and a brilliantly made one at that. It is definitely THE most powerful movie I have ever seen, and I doubt if ANYTHING else can come close to the grandeur of TPOTC; not even ROTK. It is children's stuff compared to this one [ but nontheless &quot;kid's stuff&quot; i'll never get tired off! ].



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>I saw the film and I'm honestly not sure what to think. It is a beautiful film, yes, excellent cinematography, music, the performances are wonderful. It's a good film but a terrible movie because there is absolutly nothing etertaining about watching a man being flogged, tortured and crucified in graphic detail for two hours. The film starts out great but degrades into complete and utter horror, what spirituality the film does have is quickly overshadowed by the film's unpleasantness. It really is like a snuff film, like a Catholic version of Guinea Pig: Flowers of Flesh and Blood. Everything is rendered in such graphic detail that you can exactly feel all the pain that Jesus endures, every lash of that cat o' nine tails. And don't even let me get started on the film's historical accuracy, Pontius Pilate was depicted as a very sympathetic leader and very near frees Jesus (when history says that he was quite cruel) and the Jews are a leering mob hungry for Jesus' blood, though at least the Roman guards are depicted as being sadistic, drunken idiots. I was also slightly bothered by the fact that Gibson had to portray Satan as a woman, though his/her scenes were very powerful indeed, but I still think it's rather misnogystic, though I wonder if she might have actually been the demon Lilith. I honestly wonder what Mel Gibson was thinking when he decided to make a film like this. The Last Temptation of Christ was grim and violent at times, but it was still a very entertaining film, this, as I said, was devoid of entertainment and is damn near unwatchable. I don't think that the film should be boycotted, but I do wish to warn most people that this film is truly disturbing, brutal, unbearable and will cause you to lose sleep and this is coming from someone whose favorite films are works like Dawn of the Dead, Battle Royale, Kill Bill Vol.1, etc. I find it very ironic that the same born again Christians who skewered films like Natural Born Killers are lauding this film and TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SEE IT.

[Melkor]

^ Witchking, I do have to agree with you that the portrayal of the Crucifixion reached a very sadistic pinnacle. There was just so much blood and gore in this movie that I was initially worried that it more sadists might be entertained than the everyday movie-goer. However, many people need a good dysentisizing from too much sugarcoated Gospel accounts. The reality is [ at least according to Christians ], Jesus was crucified, a slave's death and a painfully barbaric one at that. When the Roman centurion hammered nails into his wrists, of course blood splattered out, and scourging in itself is already a pretty painful thing. But I know your concerns, I found many of the scenes unbearable and disturbing as well.

As for Satan being a woman, I don't think it was a misogynist thing to do. Rather I think it was a grim mockery of the Madonna and Child. If you happened to observe the baby the Devil was holding, it had a horribly ugly and fairy face. I heard someone in the theater I went to whisper loudly, 'I think it's a baby antichrist', though I think that's a bit too farfetched.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[Kaiju Nexus]

Quote[/b] (Melkor @ Feb. 27 2004,03:34)]It is definitely THE most powerful movie I have ever seen, and I doubt if ANYTHING else can come close to the grandeur of TPOTC; not even ROTK.
words can not express the hilarity of this sentence. &nbsp;not because of its content, but because you transformed the title of the most powerful movie youve ever seen into an acronym. &nbsp;if this does not prove the ultimate saturation of laziness in the very essence of american culture . . . i dont know what does.

no offense, of course, melkor. &nbsp;im sure you too can see the humor in it.

[Emperor Violenjiger]

Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 26 2004,16:42)]I don't just not like Jesus. *I REALLY don't like Jesus. *He was the starting point for Christianity, which has since been responsible for MILLIONS of deaths.
I wouldn't call myself I religious person, but... You're getting the Catholic religion up with Christianity. The Catholics were responisble for all the horrible stuff, like slavery for example. They are the one who made up there own set of rules and claimed to be based on the Bible, when they're not. Everything the Catholics teach is the opposite of what the actual Bible says. I could go on listing if necessary.

http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingseesarsmilie.gif

[Emperor Violenjiger]

Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,09:49)]Quote[/b] (Melkor @ Feb. 27 2004,03:34)]It is definitely THE most powerful movie I have ever seen, and I doubt if ANYTHING else can come close to the grandeur of TPOTC; not even ROTK.
words can not express the hilarity of this sentence. *not because of its content, but because you transformed the title of the most powerful movie youve ever seen into an acronym. *if this does not prove the ultimate saturation of laziness in the very essence of american culture . . . i dont know what does.

no offense, of course, melkor. *im sure you too can see the humor in it.
Everybody has different tastes when it comes to movies. You don't have to be Christian or Catholic to enjoy a movie like this, it's only a movie. And movies are made for entertainment. I think you're letting your hate and disbelief in religious matters cloud your judgement.

[Kaiju Nexus]

Quote[/b] (Lord Khandejifer @ Feb. 27 2004,11:57)]Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,09:49)]Quote[/b] (Melkor @ Feb. 27 2004,03:34)]It is definitely THE most powerful movie I have ever seen, and I doubt if ANYTHING else can come close to the grandeur of TPOTC; not even ROTK.
words can not express the hilarity of this sentence. *not because of its content, but because you transformed the title of the most powerful movie youve ever seen into an acronym. *if this does not prove the ultimate saturation of laziness in the very essence of american culture . . . i dont know what does.

no offense, of course, melkor. *im sure you too can see the humor in it.
Everybody has different tastes when it comes to movies. You don't have to be Christian or Catholic to enjoy a movie like this, it's only a movie. And movies are made for entertainment. I think you're letting your hate and disbelief in religious matters cloud your judgement.
first of all, what does that have to do with what you quoted?!

second of all, i agree. &nbsp;i am letting my hate and disbelief cloud my judgement in this situation. &nbsp;What do you want me to say? &nbsp;I am a brutally honest person, and anyone that really knows me can tell you that. &nbsp;I'll be the first to admit that my opinions are biased and imperfect. &nbsp;I would be an arrogant ***-hole to say otherwise.

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>Catholicism isn't that bad. Southern Baptists are so much worse and even more corrupt, people like Pat Robertson have dedicated their lives to making money off of Jesus. Catholics may have started the Inquistion and the Crusades, but it was paranoid fanatic Protestants who carried out horrors like the Salem Witch Trails and justified slavery with the Old Testament, etc.
I am not a believer in Jesus. I think he is a great man and I do very much admire him for his message of love and the fact that he sacrificed himself to get his message across, but I have moved away from Christianity because of all the hatred that it has spawned, the whole obsession with Hell and eternal damnation, etc. People take so much of what the Bible says much too seriously, much of the Bible is simply metaphorical and exists to teach lessons. I completely disagree that Christianity is the one true faith, they all have elements of truth and fiction, that's why I'm basically an agnostic and an atheist, though I would have to say I prefer Buddhism the most of any religion.

[Kaiju Nexus]

Quote[/b] (WitchKing667 @ Feb. 27 2004,12:43)]. . . that's why I'm basically an agnostic and an atheist, though I would have to say I prefer Buddhism the most of any religion.
how can you be agnostic AND atheist? &nbsp;an agnostic believes in a higher power, or god, but not in organized religion. &nbsp;an atheist believes in NO higher power of god, but essentially in nature itself, or anything that is not relating to a higher power.

and just so you know (im sorry im going off on these rants, i just get carried away in these kinds of discussions http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ), buddha never wanted to be considered a god, or have his teachings presented as a religion rather than a philosophy. &nbsp;so, in essence, the buddhist &quot;religion&quot; is blasphemous to what Buddha stood for in the first place, and that for all individuals to find their own nirvana in their OWN way, not by a religious doctorine.

[Jet Jaguar]

Let's keep the rhetoric to the point:
DISCUSSING THE MOTION PICTURE
Not your personal views on Catholics,Baptists,Atheists, or Druids, or WHATEVER
We're THIS close to closing this.....

[Kaiju Nexus]

^^

okay, okay, im sorry. &nbsp;ill stop . . .

[The It]

Quote[/b] (WitchKing667 @ Feb. 27 2004,05:13)]It's a good film but a terrible movie because there is absolutly nothing etertaining about watching a man being flogged, tortured and crucified in graphic detail for two hours.
By what Ive heared about this movie, Ive come to the conclusion that the filim was not meant for entertainment purposes. I agree, whats entertianing about seeing a man being tourtured beyond human beleif (almost, well actually it is at a barbaric stage) and then watching him be killed in probably the goriest way humanly possible? I think that Mel Gibsons, The Passion of the Christ, was really meant for christians, catholics, and all humankind, to just take a minute to think and realize what this man went through for the salvation of us all. Its one of those movies not meant for entertainment, but meant to make you think and remeber.

[Raptor]

I go to the movies for ENTERTAINMENT. TRAINING FILMS and INSTRUCTIONAL FILMS are a &quot;genre&quot; in their own right and directed to their particular audiences. There are even films geared for specific ages, beliefs and other demographics, just like &quot;Christian&quot; book stores. They don't even try to appeal to the &quot;masses&quot; as this so-called &quot;spectacle&quot; has done. I personally do not intend to see it, either for its &quot;message&quot;, cinematic execution or whatever. As The It said, &nbsp;&quot;whats entertianing about seeing a man being tourtured beyond human beleif...?&quot; There is enough REAL, LIVE violence without having to see &quot;movie magic&quot; of it SUPPOSEDLY in context of &quot;getting a message across&quot; or &nbsp;WHATEVER Mel Gibson might intend to accomplish. I think it is meant more for Christians but not so much an &quot;inspiration&quot; as a cash cow.

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#32CD32'>I am a bit tired of everyone complaining about how violent the Passion of the Christ is. Unlike many other violent Hollywood films YOU guys watch, this violence in the Passion actually had a purpose! Ironically, many of the people who complain can sit through Halloween or Friday the 13th movies.

[Raptor]

Without getting this topic into a religious discussion, I can see what you're getting at, HV. I like the character of Michael Myers and consider him &quot;evil personified&quot;. IT'S JUST A MOVIE, and a particular genre where one expects such EFFECTS. http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I just wonder why the heck we don't see the same reaction from the folks who are so &quot;inspired&quot; and enthused by this FILM's &quot;violence&quot; take to heart REAL TIME victims of vicious crime and other atrocities, OFTEN IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS AND ON THE EVENING NEWS?
Like I mentioned before about churches buying up blocks of MOVIE TICKETS instead of supplying food pantries, shelters, outreach, etc. with their often limited funds, why not REALLY do some good instead of spectate?
I'll be curious to see how many of the re-inspired/born again &quot;Christians&quot; do some REAL &quot;missionary&quot; work as volunteers instead of hitting the streets as so many evangelists and nothing more...

[Emperor Violenjiger]

Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,12:05)]Quote[/b] (Lord Khandejifer @ Feb. 27 2004,11:57)]Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,09:49)]Quote[/b] (Melkor @ Feb. 27 2004,03:34)]It is definitely THE most powerful movie I have ever seen, and I doubt if ANYTHING else can come close to the grandeur of TPOTC; not even ROTK.
words can not express the hilarity of this sentence. *not because of its content, but because you transformed the title of the most powerful movie youve ever seen into an acronym. *if this does not prove the ultimate saturation of laziness in the very essence of american culture . . . i dont know what does.

no offense, of course, melkor. *im sure you too can see the humor in it.
Everybody has different tastes when it comes to movies. You don't have to be Christian or Catholic to enjoy a movie like this, it's only a movie. And movies are made for entertainment. I think you're letting your hate and disbelief in religious matters cloud your judgement.
first of all, what does that have to do with what you quoted?!
Melkor liked the movie and you're laughing in his face about it because you don't believe in religion. It's a movie about a Biblical event that I'm sure you don't have to be religious to enjoy. It's only a movie. I just find it stupid how you laughed in his face, because he liked it. Maybe it is one of the most &quot;powerful&quot; films, I don't know, haven't seen and probably won't. I'm sure if the events of the Bible happened differently, and plot for this movie (was as it is) was fiction you might even consider seeing it (note: key word, consider).

Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,12:05)]second of all, i agree. &nbsp;i am letting my hate and disbelief cloud my judgement in this situation. &nbsp;What do you want me to say?
I don't know, why not give it a chance? Just because it's content is of something you don't believe in doesn't mean you have to hate it. Might actually be good (In The Navy was good, for a propaganda song). Or atleast stop complaining about it every five minutes.

Quote[/b] (DBZelda7 @ Feb. 27 2004,12:05)]I am a brutally honest person, and anyone that really knows me can tell you that. &nbsp;I'll be the first to admit that my opinions are biased and imperfect. &nbsp;I would be an arrogant ***-hole to say otherwise.

[The It]

^^^

I must agree with Lord K. You cant really determine if it will be good or movie unless you see it with your own eyes. Like the phrase, dont judge a book by its cover. I know alot of non-christions, atheists, agnostics, who went to see the film, and even they were moved by it. No, it hasnt changed their opinion in their spiritual beliefs, but they all agreed it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to see and there all glad they did. And all agreed it was very good.

Think of it this way, All in the Family. You might not of ever heard of it so I'll tell you anyways. All in the Family was an old TV show that expressed bigotry, racisiom, ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS, ect. And though most of the time they brought up their disbelief in the Christ and other religious beliefs, it was still a good show and I thought it was really good. The Passion of the Christ is kinda the opposite of All in the Family. They express their Beleif in CHRIST and it will most likely be a good movie. Mabye not as entertaining, due to the gore, but I think it will be worth all to watch.

So I wouldn't go all out on some one who has actually seen the movie and liked it, when you yourself Havn't seen it and you think its stupid cause he liked it. If you'd seen the movie, Id understand more. But you havn't.

[Melkor]

...

This topic is just a hair's breadth away from being closed. There is a disclaimer here that clearly condemns any form of religious debating, and this topic is slowly sinking into that category. There's a reason why this topic was put in Movie Chat, to discuss the movie and not religion. I hope I've made this VERY clear.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[The It]

Quote[/b] (Melkor @ Feb. 27 2004,21:27)]...

This topic is just a hair's breadth away from being closed. There is a disclaimer here that clearly condemns any form of religious debating, and this topic is slowly sinking into that category. There's a reason why this topic was put in Movie Chat, to discuss the movie and not religion. I hope I've made this VERY clear.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif
Did my post sound like it was for religious purposes? I didnt mean for it that way. I meant to prove that the movie might be good. If it sounded to religious, I apologise. I didnt mean for it to sound too religious like.

[Raptor]

Same here. The film did have an unusual impact on people (and an apparently wide-ranging one).

[WitchKing667]

<font color='#000F22'>It's a bit hard to discuss a RELIGIOUS film without debating religion.
I think Mel Gibson should retitle the film &quot;Jesus Christ: The Flowers of Flesh and Blood&quot;.

[Melkor]

It, the warning was for all, the thread was slowly turning into a religious debate, hence I posted that. I didn't find your post &quot;preachy&quot; at all, and as I said the warning was for everyone to try to restrain themselves from turning this into something we all don't want to see.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[Jet Jaguar]

Well I saw THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST yesterday afternoon
It is an Amazing piece of work
Moving,gripping,brutal and still conveyed the love that Jesus has for us all
The people who focus on the gore and blood are missing the point
This is a movie about sacrificial LOVE
And well done I might add

Props to Mad Max! http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Cole Deschain]

<font color='#0000FF'>Saw it on Ash Wednesday. It has my Agnostic Seal of Approval- Powerful movie, no matter what you believe. Well done.

Although it appears I was the only person in the theatre who understood how a scourge works.

[imposterzilla_exe]

Yeah I hear it's a powerful film and it really ins't meant for entertainment, it is meant to give a message that a man came here to die for us, even if you don't believe in the religion he was giving his life for a cause which is a noble thing. &nbsp;I think it's harsh if you laugh at someone over that.

[imposterzilla_exe]

All in the Family also was a good sitcom. &nbsp;MEATHEAD!http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jet Jaguar]

Quote[/b] (imposterzilla_strikes_back @ Mar. 02 2004,00:39)]All in the Family also was a good sitcom. *MEATHEAD!http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Let's stay on topic please &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[china]

<font color='#F52887'>I just got back from seeing this movie. Personally I really did not like it. There were some good things like how they spoke in Latin and Aramaic. The acting was pretty good also. But there was no depth to it. The biggest selling point was the horrible violence that was just sickening to me. The best parts in the movie were the flash backs. But They were not enough to make me really feel anything other than ill. If there was a message it was lost on me and buried in all the gore.

[GBandit]

you must not know much about the Bible then, Mel said if your not familiar with the bible, dont see it cause you wont follow it.

I thought it was the Greatest movie I ever seen, including Kaiju movies, It is the first movie that made me cry.

WAR
http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingkongsmilie.gif A1

[Doctor Whu]

Quote[/b] (Lord Khandejifer @ Feb. 27 2004,11:41)]I wouldn't call myself I religious person, but... You're getting the Catholic religion up with Christianity. The Catholics were responisble for all the horrible stuff, like slavery for example. They are the one who made up there own set of rules and claimed to be based on the Bible, when they're not. Everything the Catholics teach is the opposite of what the actual Bible says. I could go on listing if necessary.

http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingseesarsmilie.gif
So tell me, just exactly what part of the South are you from?

[Jet Jaguar]

As I said before, Let's NOT get personal.
Discuss the movie, not each others' beliefs or lack thereof.
FINAL WARNING

[Solar_Behemoth]

Quote[/b] (Jet Jaguar @ Mar. 03 2004,15:49)]FINAL WARNING
<font color='#32CD32'>http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif Final warning guys! &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif &nbsp;Do you hear that? &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif Let's talk about the movie! &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif &nbsp;http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[china]

Quote[/b] (konga1 @ Mar. 03 2004,10:50)]you must not know much about the Bible then, Mel said if your not familiar with the bible, dont see it cause you wont follow it.

I thought it was the Greatest movie I ever seen, including Kaiju movies, It is the first movie that made me cry.

WAR
http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingkongsmilie.gif A1
<font color='#F52887'>Excuse me!!!! Don't tell me I don't know anything about the bible just because I did not like this movie. That is very arrogant of you!!!!

And sorry to MODS for this reply but that was just insulting to me.

[Cosmos]

<font color='#0000FF'>I too am very suspicious of this movie...I just finished reading throught the New Revised Editition of the bible, and didn;t get anything more out of this movie having just read the 'good book'.
I get the distinct feeling that this movie was meant to get a whole lot of people back in the pews, powerful...indeed.
All the best propaghanda is.

[Raptor]

There's going to be a movie called JUDAS on TV fairly soon that was made several years ago, I believe. It's being scheduled now as a direct result of PASSION as I understand it.

[Jet Jaguar]

Yeah, I saw a Preview for that.
I'm betting we'll see a lot of &quot;religious&quot; TV shows and movies here in the near future

And henry_venetta ,
curb your sarcasm please

[Tomzilla]

(Do people know the meaning of the words: &quot;Don't discuss RELIGIONS IN THIS TOPIC&quot;? If someone makes a rude comment, IGNORE them please. I don't know why someone across the internet can set people off so much to ignore the rules already mentioned and go out of their ways just to try and defend themselves. People, you really don't need to defend yourselves. I mean that on a positive note.)

[Doctor Whu]

UPN is going to have a sitcom with Judas as the main character next Fall. The show is called: &quot;Oh, that Judas!&quot;

Its basically about all the mishaps and shinanigans that befall Judas as he tries to betray Christ. Starring Dean (Lois and Clark) Cain. Sounds better than Voyager!

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>You cannot be serious.

[The It]

Im Trying to use my &quot;scources&quot; ( http://www.rodansroost.com/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ) to get a copy of the filim. Im kind of anxious to see it. It looks really good.


By the way, Is it true that during the filiming of the Crucifixion scene the man that played Jesus was struck by lightning? Somebody told me that today but I highly doubt it...

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>He was struck by lightning, It was in a Newsweek interview. And I believe he was not only sturck by lightning once, but twice.

[Cole Deschain]

<font color='#0000FF'>Yep. So was somebody else on the crew...

[china]

<font color='#F52887'>Wow!!

I also heard the actor who played jesus was hit for real at one point so he'd be able to react more real......

Funny, this movie has been in my head all week since i saw it......

[Gorjirus]

<font color='#FF0000'>He was hit, but it wasn't on purpose. It was an accident. The flogger missed the protective board on his back TWICE.

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#FF7F00'>Heh heh, I hope moviebuffs and critics who said this film will be a complete failure at the box office look like idiots now.


380 million dollars, still in 2nd place at the box office, and has at least another few weeks at the box office, this film will probably total at $430,000,000. and then when it is released on DVDs, another $200,000,000.

That is alot of money and guess what?

Mel Gibson is donating IT ALL to churches and charities all around the world. That shows how benevolent this guy is.

Mel Gibson has definately created a masterpiece, and has touched hearts from all around the world.

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>I saw the movie not to long ago. &nbsp;It was powerful and really showed what jesus had to endure for our sins.

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#FF7F00'>I still can't figure out why people complain how violent the film was, and becuase of the violence, they hate the film.

Yet they go out and see Dawn of the Dead or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and enjoy it! Makes absolutely no sense.

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>They are just trying to find a fault. &nbsp;When violence is unnecissary and gratuitous it is alright but when violence has a purpose its wrong. &nbsp;Gosh what an oxymoron.

[Goji Son]

Some people see the violence as unneccissary and sort of takes away from the spirituality of what Christ went through. &nbsp;I don't know, my only complaint was that there was no plot, I mean, yes, everyone already knows the story but if you let it just stand alone there is nothing there but 2 hours of a man getting brutally lynched. &nbsp;Good film but I think it could have been better.

[china]

<font color='#F52887'>Well, i already said my opinion in other thread. I think the movie is well made and very artistic but I personally found no entertainment value. And i watch movies to be entertained. But thats just me.....

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#FF7F00'>Quote[/b] (Goji Son @ April 03 2004,23:15)]Some people see the violence as unneccissary and sort of takes away from the spirituality of what Christ went through. *I don't know, my only complaint was that there was no plot, I mean, yes, everyone already knows the story but if you let it just stand alone there is nothing there but 2 hours of a man getting brutally lynched. *Good film but I think it could have been better.
There were other things in the film besides the torture of Christ. Still, I agree with you Gibson over did the brutality a bit too much.

Some people say &quot;Gibson should not focus on how Christ got killed, he needs to focus on what he taught.&quot; That is a rather ignorant statement, IMHO, because the whole point of the religion is that God suffered for our sins AND his teachings. Gibson also did include many of Christ's teachings in the film as well.

Plus, if Gibson made a movie with just Christ's teachings, then people will just make fun of him and blasphemy him terribly, just what 50% of people do today. At least Gibson got people to pay Christ some respect and feel bad for him here in America, whether or not they believe his teachings or not. This why I believe Gibson focused the film of the suffering of Christ, so people will respect him.

[Melkor]

I personally thought the movie was never meant for entertainment purposes, but rather a wake-up call to other Christians. Hence the extremely intense, even brutal nature of the film. As a whole I was very pleased with it, I think it did a very good job of rekindling my faith. All I can say to Mr. Gibson is, more power, and to the nayayers and critics, 'I told you so'. Also interesting to note are the various confessions that have sprung up after viewing 'The Passion of the Christ'. Among them is this one, from a self-confessed neo-Nazi slash murderer: Confessed after seeing 'Passion' (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article762867.ece).



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[china]

Quote[/b] (Melkor @ April 04 2004,00:04)]I personally thought the movie was never meant for entertainment purposes, but rather a wake-up call to other Christians. Hence the extremely intense, even brutal nature of the film. As a whole I was very pleased with it, I think it did a very good job of rekindling my faith. All I can say to Mr. Gibson is, more power, and to the nayayers and critics, 'I told you so'. Also interesting to note are the various confessions that have sprung up after viewing 'The Passion of the Christ'. Among them is this one, from a self-confessed neo-Nazi slash murderer: Confessed after seeing 'Passion' (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article762867.ece).



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif
<font color='#F52887'>Oh yes! I completely agree!!! But personally I watch movies for entertainment and thats all. I'll leave the life changing experiences up to my family and freinds....


http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Zigra]

<font color='#0000FF'>You know, the funny thing is that a lot of the movie's success is probably because of all the controversy surrounding it before it's release. In other words, if those critics and nay-sayers had just kept their big mouths shut, the movie might not have done quite as well as it did http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Wiz]

<font color='#FF0000'>I thought The Passion was a very moving movie. &nbsp;It kinda puts things in perspective.

[Saruman]

Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ April 03 2004,21:42)]I still can't figure out why people complain how violent the film was, and becuase of the violence, they hate the film.

Yet they go out and see Dawn of the Dead or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and enjoy it! Makes absolutely no sense.
I think your misunderstanding what people mean.

Its Religious groups that are always telling people not to go see movies because of violence, bad language and what not. But then you turn around and have a film like &quot;The Passion of the Christ&quot; and because it’s a subject that they are fine with, that makes the extreme violence acceptable.

Basically people are pointing out how hypocritical it is. Violence is still violence; it doesn’t matter what the subject matter is.

[Zigra]

Quote[/b] (Saruman @ April 04 2004,16:31)]Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ April 03 2004,21:42)]I still can't figure out why people complain how violent the film was, and becuase of the violence, they hate the film.

Yet they go out and see Dawn of the Dead or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and enjoy it! Makes absolutely no sense.
I think your misunderstanding what people mean.

Its Religious groups that are always telling people not to go see movies because of violence, bad language and what not. But then you turn around and have a film like &quot;The Passion of the Christ&quot; and because it’s a subject that they are fine with, that makes the extreme violence acceptable.

Basically people are pointing out how hypocritical it is. Violence is still violence; it doesn’t matter what the subject matter is.
<font color='#0000FF'>Amen, brother! *waits for the irony of that to sink in*

[Solar_Behemoth]

Quote[/b] (Saruman @ April 04 2004,16:31)]I think your misunderstanding what people mean.

Its Religious groups that are always telling people not to go see movies because of violence, bad language and what not. But then you turn around and have a film like &quot;The Passion of the Christ&quot; and because it’s a subject that they are fine with, that makes the extreme violence acceptable.

Basically people are pointing out how hypocritical it is. Violence is still violence; it doesn’t matter what the subject matter is.
<font color='#FF7F00'>Good point...

But at least the violence in this film has a message to it, and not pointless violence like zombies ripping out people's intestines and eating them or people getting dismembered by a chainsaw. Okay, I can see why that violence has a purpose too.... but....

Ouch. I'm speechless.

[Jet Jaguar]

People who decry violence have a point, but sometimes we NEED to see brutality for what it really is.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN was brutal, but brought the horrors of war to the front for all to see
DAWN OF THE DEAD is brutal, but has no basis in reality.
Maybe when it's Reality, we need a different standard from &quot;Entertainment&quot;??
I personally was very moved by &quot;The Passion&quot;
Props to Mad Max!

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>You can be told how badly brutally christ was beaten and hung on the cross but it really doesnt sink in till you actually see it. &nbsp;Alot of times the message is sugar coated people dont see him as beaten to near death before he was hung but it happened. &nbsp;I think mel gibson put the right amount of violence in there. &nbsp;If you say lessen the violence to pg-13 level people are gonna assume that he was beaten to the extent of what that movies shows but he was beaten suffered to that much of an R rating and to change that would lessen the actual perspective of what he went through. &nbsp;And besides christs death wasnt for entertainment it was for the people to be saved.(though it was for the entertainment of the ppl back then)

[Zigra]

<font color='#0000FF'>Adding to Saruman's comments, it's funny how some of these t.v. evangelist types denounce films like Harry Potter as being &quot;evil influences&quot; on their audiences, but somehow a violence-filled movie like PotC is okay for people of all ages. I guess anything is okay and justifiable if a &quot;Christian message&quot; is attatched to it.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with PotC itself. I just think these hypocritical religious fanatics are amusing http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>I really dont like those televagelists. &nbsp;I just dont get them. &nbsp;Try watching TBN(Trinity Brodcasting Network) and you get to see them in action. &nbsp;They have more tele thons than pbs and more satelites than NASA.

[SuperXAsh]

It also just shows the grim reality of how things went back then. How punishments were executed, and how fortunate we are to be in this day and age and not back then, when they'd flog you, whip you, and whatnot. Compared to the #### people back then went through, even for the most minor of offenses, we're all pansies in comparison.

Very deep, yet very depressing. I'm not going to go out and say it was an experience... cause it just sounds stupid to me. Every movie you go to... you experience it... you see it, hear it, and realize what's going on. So to say that this movie was an experience... just sounds rather dumb to me.

Dawn of the Dead's an experience... Hellboy's an experience.

I like this movie for what it doesn't do. It doesn't sugar coat Jesus' last hours. It doesn't censor what he went through in one of the most violent periods in history, the punishments weren't censored, it's basically not what you were told and/or shown in the Book.

It takes a very important story in the Bible, takes away all the happy sugar coating, and all the censorship... to show a more realistic version of what one man went through.

I wouldn't call it very artistic, for the fact that for almost the entire movie... you see a guy get the #### kicked out, whipped out, and flogged out of him throughout 95.5% of the movie. The only calm and peaceful time in the flick is in the beginning before the ***-kickings, and before the ungodly amounts of blood.

They coulda added in a little bit more story to it, cause it only has bits of pieces of whats going on, and I mean in between each brutal beating and torture. I liked the flashbacks the most in the flick, cause it adds a certain... ironic twist to the &quot;present&quot;.

One thing I woulda done different is when the Devil is represented and/or shown. They coulda down that a little better. I also would've taken out his scene during the whipping/flogging, cause it had no real point to the movie (those who saw it will know what im talking about). It totally disrupts what's going on, and you're left there with a question of &quot;WTF?&quot;.

Don't go to this if you're in a good mood... you'll probably lose it after the first five minutes of the movie. Not saying anything remotely related to any kind of execution should be fun to watch... but this movie's pretty damn depressing.

I left with a better understanding of that part in the bible, and with a better idea of what punishment really was like back then (chaotic, savage and brutal). Today's stuff is practically a cake walk compared to that time.

http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kinggojismilie.gif &nbsp;http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/gamerasmilie.gif &nbsp;http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/kingkongsmilie.gif

[Melkor]

Quote[/b] ]I also would've taken out his scene during the whipping/flogging, cause it had no real point to the movie

I heard that that scene was supposed to mock the Madonna and Child. Basically, Satan is saying to Jesus what a loving, caring mother she/he/it is, and that it would never let anything happen to her/his/its 'child'. Jesus, on the other hand, was being scourged to death [ 32 times with those stick things, I didn't recall how much with the flails ], but God isn't doing anything to stop the bloodshed. Call it a literal 'last temptation' of sorts.

What I'm interested in is an explanation for the grim, smiling, rotting donkey judas sees just before he hangs himself. Or was that even a donkey, I've heard some people claim it was actually a lamb or something.



Peace,



Melkor



http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/darklord.gif

[Cole Deschain]

<font color='#0000FF'>Perhaps the community's scapegoat...

Eh. I'm no theologian.

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>I'd like to know when jesus fell right after the garden of gethsemane and he was hanging there with judas right by him. &nbsp;What was that monster thing that jumped out at cha after jesus was pulled up.

[Solar_Behemoth]

Quote[/b] (MothraMan @ April 05 2004,16:16)]What was that monster thing that jumped out at cha after jesus was pulled up.
<font color='#FF7F00'>Demons playing mind games. (as told in the Bible)

[Bagoth]

<font color='#0000FF'>I think Cartman made the best statement which was,&quot;Prove Mel Gibbson, Wrong Kyle.&quot;

[china]

<font color='#F52887'>The most powerful moment for me in this movie was when Mary went to clean up the blood of her son after the flogging. So, it doesn't just show the pain Christ went through....

[VoradorReborn]

Is that in the Gospels? I've heard that Gibson added that part in...

[Solar_Behemoth]

<font color='#FF7F00'>It was in the Gospels. All of the movie but a few parts were in the Bible.

Gibson did not make any of this stuff up.

[MothraMan]

<font color='#0000FF'>I thought the most moving part was when it flashed back to when jesus was a kid and fell and when he fell as an adult.

[Raptor]

Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ April 03 2004,20:42)]I still can't figure out why people complain how violent the film was, and becuase of the violence, they hate the film.

Yet they go out and see Dawn of the Dead or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and enjoy it! Makes absolutely no sense.
According to the March 22nd box office figures, Universal's DAWN OF THE DEAD dethroned POTC. Just goes to show you America loves its blood and guts (and dead guys). The two top films in the US at the time were the most violent and bloodiest to be in the top 10 since... probably forever? &nbsp;Can anybody remember a time when TWO films with this much bloodshed were as well received?

[Goji Son]

But hears the thing, DOTD was gone within a week then came Hellboy then over Easter everyone went and saw the Passion and it got back to number 1. &nbsp;And now who is the leader this week? &nbsp;KILL BILL Vol. 2! &nbsp;And the thing is the Passion is more intense than any of these films and that's the difference. &nbsp;You can have the violence but the intensity is what makes it borderline between playful and serious. &nbsp;That's why people complain about the film while Kill Bill and DOTD are concidered nothing but joy rides, which they are. &nbsp;They are two totally different types of films, The Passion and Kill Bill, DOTD, etc., that really have nothing in common other than bloodshed.

[MechaV]

Quote[/b] (henry_venetta @ April 05 2004,21:00)]Gibson did not make any of this stuff up.
Nope,just all the dialouge and a good portion of the beating scenes.

http://www.kaijuphile.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif

[godofPH]

This movie was recentley released on VHS/DVD. This was a VERY controversial movie. It was called AntiSematic, it was called the greatest Christian movie of all time. Did you see it? What are your thoughts on it? This will probably turn into a flamewar, but thats not important. My opinoin was it was as realistic as it can get and the Satan scenes were weird, and my jock pal was crying "NO MORE! NO MORE!" when the romans were beating the life outta Jesus with the chains.

[PyrasTerran]

I had a good time. Not really a bad film in my opinion, if not a bit preachy.

[Draco]

Stupid snuff flick with an astronomically high budget. Was I supposed to actually give a rat's *** about the guy that got the crap kicked out of him? A waste of $6.75 and two+ hours of my life. On the plus side some of the costumes and sets where kinda spiffy and the first scenes in the forest are really beautiful if you just ignore all the people. And their was a lot of blood and gore, which normally means that the movie isn't going to be very good, but if I lower my standards to the minimum threshold the movie is usually at least be fun to watch. No such luck here though, they actually managed to make buckets of blood and gore boring.

Honestly, their was little to no character development or back story, and some half assed message about just accepting whatever life throws at you (or at least I think that was the message, to be honest I got really bored about halfway through and just started watching the scenery). Really, if they had wanted to make a gore pic they should have just made a slasher or a monster on the rampage pic, then the picture would at least be fun to watch in a cheezy sort of way. And by just stealing from other such pics they could have created much deeper and more fleshed out characters to get killed off. They could maybe even build a character that we could care about before they die! (Novel idea that)

So in short, I can't say I was impressed by it.

Just my opinion though.

[RexRaptor]

I had a good time. Not really a bad film in my opinion, if not a bit preachy.This is a film, on part of the Bible, its ment to be a bit Preachy...

[BS Digital Q]

Was I supposed to actually give a rat's *** about the guy that got the crap kicked out of him? Yeah! After all, this IS one of the most controversial persons IN HISTORY we're talking about!
And their was a lot of blood and gore, which normally means that the movie isn't going to be very good, but if I lower my standards to the minimum threshold the movie is usually at least be fun to watch. No such luck here though, they actually managed to make buckets of blood and gore boring.
Well that's your opinion, but for once, we have a rendition that doesn't make any cheap little "dumbing down" of the story that is ssssooooooo typical of the Christian community and their "renditions." A particular example of that is the movie "Joshua," a supposed "retelling" of the story of Jesus in todays modern times, which was worst dumbing down of Jesus EVER. :crazy: :cursing:

Honestly, their was little to no character development or back story To quote P.J.O'Rourke, "I found God and lost my talent."

Really, if they had wanted to make a gore pic they should have just made a slasher or a monster on the rampage pic, then the picture would at least be fun to watch in a cheezy sort of way. And by just stealing from other such pics they could have created much deeper and more fleshed out characters to get killed off. They could maybe even build a character that we could care about before they die! (Novel idea that)

*rolls eyes*

Do you not understand that cannot turn the story of Jesus's last hours into a slasher fest?! Those are two WAY different stories brotha! The reason Gibson even had the gore was 1) He had more guts than any Christian filmaker would ever have, 2) He wanted to portray Christ's suffering in a more gritty, painful way, something you find lacking in other so-called "renderings" of the life (or fragments of) of Christ. Literaly, this was not supposed to be powered by charachter development, although that would have helped, but by the sheer emotion carried over from the screen. That amount of emotion was hard for me to ignore, and rarely have I encountered that much in a movie.

Overall, if you look at my perspective, this movie in infinitely better than some of the half-baked so-called "Christian" movies that either want to make nice, sweet movies for middle America, or try in vain to reach out to teens with their misguided "cool" factors (such as recent convert Stephan Baldwin, who is going the wrong way with his attempts at producing Tony Hawk wannabes and apocalyptic B-movies).

End of rant at both my fellow Christians and those who do not understand.

[Dark Warrior]

If I'm being honest.....in my opinion,an average film at best.At times boring,at others just not interesting and well,it did show good moments,just not enough of them.And to be honest,I just spent half the time wishing I was watching Life Of Brian(on the whole,just a better film altogether.....and some nice critism on religion aswell).

So,thats my opinion...take it or leave it.

[Wiz]

This is a film, on part of the Bible, its ment to be a bit Preachy...
It wasn't meant to be "preachy". This is a sort of history document, like any other. There wasn't anything in the movie that said or suggested that you need God in your life or you won't go to heaven.


Really, if they had wanted to make a gore pic they should have just made a slasher or a monster on the rampage pic, then the picture would at least be fun to watch in a cheezy sort of way. And by just stealing from other such pics they could have created much deeper and more fleshed out characters to get killed off. They could maybe even build a character that we could care about before they die! (Novel idea that)

Ok, that might make it a little more "fun", but that would defeat the purpose of Gibson making this movie. He wanted to make this movie the most realistic and accurate movie about the last few days of Christ before, and during his crucifixtion according to the Bible. If there was some sort of monster, that would have been completly contrary to the goal he was trying to achieve. And also, the film wasn't meant to be fun, or necessarily entertaining. It was meant to give a realistic perspective on how Jesus's life was and how badly he was treated in his last days. Most people know about how he was beaten and wipped, but you don't really feel the whole calliber of it until you've seen it.

[PyrasTerran]

It wasn't meant to be "preachy". This is a sort of history document, like any other. There wasn't anything in the movie that said or suggested that you need God in your life or you won't go to heaven.

Oh yes, Mel Gibson is a devote Catholic to the point his father believes the holocaust never happened, but no, he didn't add any of his preachiness to the flick.

You can easily translate the film into being a way to scare Catholics back into their faith.

Of course the true theme is to show the ultimate example of love and devotion, though because it is done in such a way that some people don't understand how J-man could have continued going on, it's easily taken as being simply too violent for its own good.

1) He had more guts than any Christian filmaker would ever have,

'Shame he didn't have more brains to make a Christian film that showed more of Christ's miracles and teachings, not just his last 12 hours. That would have harbored much better praise from people and critics alike, because they'd atleast be getting some veggies with their meat.

2) He wanted to portray Christ's suffering in a more gritty, painful way, something you find lacking in other so-called "renderings" of the life (or fragments of) of Christ.

He forgot the most rudimentary lesson, however: you make a film truthful, and you should cover the whole story, not just the tragic end. The payoff of Christ's torture and death would have been alot more emphatic if we could see more of Christ actually helping the same Hebrews that sent him to death. Speaking of Hebrews, Gibson simply didn't do a good enough job of portraying this film. Otherwise, we wouldn't be getting a complaint from the Jewish community that it is anti-semetic(sp?). Lots of movies have portrayed other races to be cruel and the enemy whatnot(Roots, Grave of the Fireflies, etc.), but they don't get rapped for attempting to purposefully bare ill will against the enemy race of the film.

That amount of emotion was hard for me to ignore, and rarely have I encountered that much in a movie.

It's easy for Christians to take the film to absolute heart, but even some Christians(such as myself) knew that the teachings could have been done much better. To the general public, the film is basically saying "look how much this Arab man from Bethlehem has suffered for your cause, so you owe him"

Overall, if you look at my perspective, this movie in infinitely better than some of the half-baked so-called "Christian" movies that either want to make nice, sweet movies for middle America, or try in vain to reach out to teens with their misguided "cool" factors (such as recent convert Stephan Baldwin, who is going the wrong way with his attempts at producing Tony Hawk wannabes and apocalyptic B-movies).

Saved! is a very interesting Christian satire of a film, and I recommend it more to the public than Passion of the Christ, which in the long run, can only please Christians the same way a Godzilla movie pleases kaiju fans, no matter how shoddy it is.

Stupid snuff flick with an astronomically high budget. Was I supposed to actually give a rat's *** about the guy that got the crap kicked out of him? A waste of $6.75 and two+ hours of my life. On the plus side some of the costumes and sets where kinda spiffy and the first scenes in the forest are really beautiful if you just ignore all the people. And their was a lot of blood and gore, which normally means that the movie isn't going to be very good, but if I lower my standards to the minimum threshold the movie is usually at least be fun to watch. No such luck here though, they actually managed to make buckets of blood and gore boring.

Honestly, their was little to no character development or back story, and some half assed message about just accepting whatever life throws at you (or at least I think that was the message, to be honest I got really bored about halfway through and just started watching the scenery). Really, if they had wanted to make a gore pic they should have just made a slasher or a monster on the rampage pic, then the picture would at least be fun to watch in a cheezy sort of way. And by just stealing from other such pics they could have created much deeper and more fleshed out characters to get killed off. They could maybe even build a character that we could care about before they die! (Novel idea that)

So in short, I can't say I was impressed by it.


It seems the rest of the world disagrees. ;)

This movie is one of the highest grossing R-rated movies of all time, I believe all the way up at the top 3.

[BS Digital Q]

It's easy for Christians to take the film to absolute heart, but even some Christians(such as myself) knew that the teachings could have been done much better.

Of course I agree with you on that, but every Christian usually messes up on some form of theology or doctrine. But what I thought Mel wanted us to feel more emotion, almost in a sense like the "feelies" in A Brave New World.

Saved! is a very interesting Christian satire of a film, and I recommend it more to the public than Passion of the Christ, which in the long run, can only please Christians the same way a Godzilla movie pleases kaiju fans, no matter how shoddy it is.

Saved! to me was a weak attempt at appealing to the Christian community after the success of TPOTC. I have been to a couple Christian colleges and schools and I have not seen any of the so-called bigotry that was presented in Saved!. Overall, I have to disagree concerning Saved!, which to me was a Christian basher disguised as a Hollywood Christian A-movie (A-movie it was, but Christian?!), along the lines of movies like Born on the Fourth of July and Inherit the Wind.

But I am glad to find that there are other Christians on this forum besides me and Obi-juan.

[PyrasTerran]

Of course I agree with you on that, but every Christian usually messes up on some form of theology or doctrine. But what I thought Mel wanted us to feel more emotion, almost in a sense like the "feelies" in A Brave New World.

Those feelies weren't necesarily a good thing in BNW :/

Saved! to me was a weak attempt at appealing to the Christian community after the success of TPOTC. I have been to a couple Christian colleges and schools and I have not seen any of the so-called bigotry that was presented in Saved!. Overall, I have to disagree concerning Saved!, which to me was a Christian basher disguised as a Hollywood Christian A-movie (A-movie it was, but Christian?!), along the lines of movies like Born on the Fourth of July and Inherit the Wind.


The movie nonetheless has lots of truth, though at the same time it can also differ with the region you live at. Around here, the Christian faith can get kinda scary. I suppose I was able to relate to Saved! more than some.

But I am glad to find that there are other Christians on this forum besides me and Obi-juan.

It's just about the largest religious faction in the world, meeting Christians in any fandom is bound to happen.

[BS Digital Q]

Those feelies weren't necesarily a good thing in BNW :/
Exactly. :sly:

(^%*#&^&$#%&%$# digit rule)

[godofPH]

Honestly, their was little to no character development or back story, and some half assed message about just accepting whatever life throws at you (or at least I think that was the message, to be honest I got really bored about halfway through and just started watching the scenery). Really, if they had wanted to make a gore pic they should have just made a slasher or a monster on the rampage pic, then the picture would at least be fun to watch in a cheezy sort of way. And by just stealing from other such pics they could have created much deeper and more fleshed out characters to get killed off. They could maybe even build a character that we could care about before they die! (Novel idea that)
They didn't need character development because anyone who has heard the whole story of Easter knows who the characters.

[Cole Deschain]

^ Perhaps.

But I can see his point, honestly.

[Cookson]

THIS IS MY OPINION OF THE MOVIE.

I have never seen the movie and I refuse to se this movie. Mel Gibson is making a movie about what he believes what happend about Jesus. He's making money on what he think happend to are savior and I think is wrong. We dont REALLY no what happend to Jesus and I think it's just wrong when someone makes a movie like this. I also hate when people cry about the movie, I tell them it's just Mel Gibson idea of what happend. Am sick and tired of people crying over this movie because they think thats what happend but we dont axactly know what happend. Mel Gibson is a J@ck@$$ in my opinion.

THATS MY OPINION ON MEL GIBSON AND THE PASSION.

[Draco]

Do you not understand that cannot turn the story of Jesus's last hours into a slasher fest?! Those are two WAY different stories brotha! The reason Gibson even had the gore was 1) He had more guts than any Christian filmaker would ever have, 2) He wanted to portray Christ's suffering in a more gritty, painful way, something you find lacking in other so-called "renderings" of the life (or fragments of) of Christ. Literaly, this was not supposed to be powered by charachter development, although that would have helped, but by the sheer emotion carried over from the screen. That amount of emotion was hard for me to ignore, and rarely have I encountered that much in a movie.

I wasn't honestly suggesting that they turn this into a slasher pick. I was simply criticizing the movie by suggesting that the average teeny bopper slasher has a better plot, better characters, and is overall more entertaining to watch. In the future I guess I will try to just state the point rather then use lame attempts at humor to get it across. K?


They didn't need character development because anyone who has heard the whole story of Easter knows who the characters.

Yes, but I am looking at the movie as a movie, not a piece of christian propaganda, and as a movie it fails almost completely to both give me any frame of reference for the events going on and to create characters that I have vested interest in or sympathy for. Thus the scenes of brutal torture come off as nothing more then that, scenes of brutal torture caught with a shaky hand held camera. I might as well be watching faces of death which does basically the same thing ('cept those are actually mildly entertaining). Also, anyone who doesn't subscribe to the Christian faith (a clear and overwhelming majority of the world actually) and have only a passing knowledge of christian beliefs probably aren't going to have the foggiest idea what’s going on.

Besides, if they had made the movie about Jesus’ life rather then his death, it would have been an all around more interesting and engaging picture (the brief flashes of past events are probably the only good scenes in the entire movie, and if they had been expanded on this review would probably be written in praise rather then scorn). Especially since it has always seemed (to me at least) that the important part of Jesus’ message was what he did during his life, not that he died. And from what I understand of Christian mythos, no matter how much suffering they show on screen, no film could ever come close to showing even an ounce of the true suffering of Jesus. After all, upon his death he took on the burdens of all mans sins. The beating he took on screen would be but a drop in the ocean in comparison.


Pyras, I would remind you that just because a movie makes a bunch of money, it doesn't suddenly make it a good film. According to imbd (http://www.imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross?region=world-wide) it's the second highest grossing R movie in between Matrix Reloaded and Troy. That should say something right their.

[Melkor]

The usual warning applies. I think you all know what that is.

Anyway, the following is my personaly opinion on 'The Passion of the Christ'.

I thought it was a great film. It definitely movied me, to the point of nearly breaking up in tears I think. I'm pretty sure that this film was meant for Christians, Catholics to be in general, as a wake up call to orthodoxy. I mean, just look at any church constructed since the late nineties to today: almost all of them are disgusting to the eyes and unconducive for reverent worship that is meant for God. Mel is a devout Catholic. One of the core doctrines of Catholicism is that Christ, God the Son, humbled Himself to be born of the Virgin; and in doing so, redeemed the world. Isaiah 53 says, 'He was wounded for our transgressions; by his stripes we are healed'. This is THE fundamental doctrine of the Catholic Church. Most Christian movies often show only the preacher/healer side of Christ, and never the Man of Sorrows part. The fact is, Jesus died for our sins; His Death and Resurrection are undeniable to a Christian. To sum, I think Mel made this film to show what really happened two thousand years ago.

Oh, and about the 'inaccuracies'. It is primarily based on the Gospel accounts, but 'The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ', written by a German nun [ Anne Catherine Emmerich, who had some interesting visions of her own ] also played a part. But none of the Gospel accounts were changed or altered in any form.



Peace,



Melkor



:darklord:

[PyrasTerran]

Pyras, I would remind you that just because a movie makes a bunch of money, it doesn't suddenly make it a good film. According to imbd it's the second highest grossing R movie in between Matrix Reloaded and Troy. That should say something right their.

It says that I loved the Matrix series, and that people can't get enough of epic films(Gladiator, Troy, etc.). Troy isn't on my favorites list, but it's not that bad a film. People didn't like the Matrix: Reloaded, from what I can tell, because it was too confusing, too dramatic and too much technobabble for an American film(even though it was trying to have a Japanese animation feel and atmosphere). Of course, when you look at it in those terms, it's like looking at Kill Bill and saying its martial arts effects and gore sequences suck ***, making the movie bad.

And if Matrix: Reloaded was so bad, then people wouldn't have gone to watch it after it was released the first day. A movie gets highest grossing bragging right from multiple views(people who went to see it again) or consistent views(people who went to see it from positive word of mouth), not the premiere viewing. It certainly wasn't a failure, or it wouldn't be so high up there.

[Wiz]

THIS IS MY OPINION OF THE MOVIE.

I have never seen the movie and I refuse to se this movie. Mel Gibson is making a movie about what he believes what happend about Jesus. He's m...aking money on what he think happend to are savior and I think is wrong. We dont REALLY no what happend to Jesus and I think it's just wrong when someone makes a movie like this. I also hate when people cry about the movie, I tell them it's just Mel Gibson idea of what happend. Am sick and tired of people crying over this movie because they think thats what happend but we dont axactly know what happend. Mel Gibson is a J@ck@$$ in my opinion.

THATS MY OPINION ON MEL GIBSON AND THE PASSION.
That's not exactly Mel's idea about what happened. It is what the Bible said happened. Think of his film like you do about any other film based off of a historical event (WWI, WWII, or anything else). Mel took the information from the Bible and made it into a movie, just like all the other movies like the Patriot, or something. If you compare the film to the Bible's version of the story, they are almost identical. Mel put VERY few things that weren't said in the Bible in the film. It is just a historical document like any other.

We don't know exactly how it happened, but what the Bible says is just as reliable as what any other other thing about history says. What makes textbooks more reliable than the Bible? It's just the fact that they are used in school. For that reason many people think that the text books are fact and the Bible is fiction.

[EternalMothra]

Well, that might not be the point. The Bible I believe to be true. Usually, in schools in these days, the Bible has been banned. Text books just states things in their own way. The Bible was written by the prophets in the ancient times, and Jesus's followers. There's no proof for the Bible to be a work of fiction.

Anyway, from what I heard The Passion of the Christ is a very touching movie. It possibly will be one of the most popular movies of all time.

[Wiz]

Well, that might not be the point. The Bible I believe to be true. Usually, in schools in these days, the Bible has been banned. Text books just states things in their own way. The Bible was written by the prophets in the ancient times, and Jesus's followers. There's no proof for the Bible to be a work of fiction.

Yes, Yes! That was exactly the point I was trying to make!

[Daikaijuking]

If you ask me, i think that the people who wrote the bible over exaggerated, It was probably those stories of people who did great things and as they were passed on and on people changed them more and more and made them more fake. Like, i don't beleive Jesus did all the giving sight to the blind or raising the dead. I don't think people heard god talking to them, they just probably woke up one day and think ,"I'm gonna go do good deeds now"

[anguirus55]

No one's "banned" the Bible. But there is no objective reason to take it as literally true, much less in public schools. There is no evidence it was written by God. It has many authors, some writing hundreds of years after the fact in the case of the Old Testament.

Does the Bible have a lot of good, accurate history? Yes. Scholars have uncovered hard evidence for many of the events it chronicles. Does it make stuff up as well? Yes. You'd think the Egyptians would have noticed and recorded a global flood 3,000 years ago instead of going on with their business like nothing happened. The flood myth was modified from ancient Sumerian stories relating to the flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates.

Was Jesus the Son of God? I don't think so, but I'm not going to get on your case if you do. Was he a truly good and decent person who got nailed to a post for suggesting that people be nice to each other for a change? Evidence points to yes. But I have a feeling he'd be less than impressed with certain Christians, past and present...

[Wiz]

But there is no objective reason to take it as literally true, much less in public schools. There is no evidence it was written by God. It has many authors, some writing hundreds of years after the fact in the case of the Old Testament.

Most of the time people wrote the stories in teh bible soon after they happened, and no, God didn't write the Bible, but he told the people who did what to write. Maybe he didn't tell them in the form of actually talking, but perhaps in a dream or something.