lmao... yeah it just won't be complete without that!
I don't know what to think! I'm not religious so i probably won't relate to the movie and I think Mel is finally losing his mind! But I have a lot of respect for him because of the risk... yada yada! I love Mel just as much as i always have!
/me sings "Always look on the bright side of life" *whistles*
Referring to Buffy's point above, I find that they always tend to make a fuss about religious movies. Look what happened when Dogma was released. And in Kevin Smith's own words....its a movie with a rubber poop monster in it!
You're dead right Faith. Going back a bit further, I remember the ridiculous fuss surrounding the release of "Life of Brian". I lived in Leeds at the time and to see it we had to travel to Bradford because Leeds City Council decided to ban it. I've never understood such knee-jerk reactions...
When all is said and done they are just films presenting one person's (OK, "group's" in Monty Python's case) take on a story. If they make people ask questions about that story or take more interest in it then, in my opinion, they are doing their job as cinematic art. But I would say that is true for any film, not just the ones about Christ's life.
Obviously, some films do not possess this deeper quality but I would say that they are just entertainment not art...and there's nothing wrong with pure entertainment...
When all is said and done they are just films presenting one person's (OK, "group's" in Monty Python's case) take on a story. If they make people ask questions about that story or take more interest in it then, in my opinion, they are doing their job as cinematic art. But I would say that is true for any film, not just the ones about Christ's life.
A very excellent point indeed! If you leave a movie that makes you think about what they have presented then they have done their job. I for one never just see a movie at face value.
It was certainly the case for me with Dogma, it asked and answered several questions that had been in my own mind at the time.
I cant wait to see it. I'm going to dragg my boyfriend to it. It's all they've been talking about in youth group and church for the past month. I've heard it's pretty violent and stuff, but I think I'll surive. I'm still trying to decide if I believe in God or not...maybe this will tip the scale.
Yeah, its going to be violent so you can see what he actually went through. Although, Mel Gibson said that he didn't want to make it sooo bad that people will run out screaming. haha. It's rated R for the violence.
Yeah, I have also heard about it being anti-semitism but Mel Gibson has said many many times that it isn't. So, hopefully it isn't.
saw it and all i know is that this is I am left with the question
what is the point of this film exactly other than to offend every other religion but catholic and being a catholic I am bothered by this film.
The most interesting thing I find about the hype leading to the movie's release is the people who are most doing it: the critics. These elitists are just having a conniption (sp?) fit over a movie that's going to be attended by plenty of Christians. I'm referring to the usual suspects at the New York Times and certain Hollywood critics who hate anything that "promotes" what they perceive as Christian values.
I might pay to see this movie not because I'm a deep believer but because to get at those elitists who think they know better than the rest of the population. :: tu ::
And first - yeah I did forget about Dogma. But in my defense it was not at the same scale as this backlash...and I think the outcry was misplaced...but moving on...
This movie is amazing. It's not the kind of movie you can say "I loved it" but it is a great piece of filmmaking. And it is not anti-semitic. Of course, any story about Jesus can be construed anti-semitic, but I was expecting some huge departure from the 'accepted story' which paints Jews in a horrible light. But it wasn't there.
It could have been much much more unflattering to Jews than it is actually. I'm thinking that since Jewish groups were denied pre-screenings like the Christian groups had, that a lot of the hype about this film is based on assuptions of what people thought it would be like because of Gibson's father's and his religious beliefs.
The group painted in the worst light is the Romans, cause they are the ones doing the torturing an laughing and having a jolly time of it. Having said that, what I think is really good about this movie is that each group of people is shown having both faults and um...what's the opposite of faults...good points.
Okay, if you don't want to be spoiled at all, don't read on, but I'm not going to say anything that will really spoil it for you.
You have Peter who is to be the foundation of the Church denying Jesus, Judas (who I *think* was his most beloved) betraying him. You have the aforementioned Roman soldiers, but then you have other Romans who try to help along the way. Pilate, who has to choose between rebellion and saving Jesus. You have the Jewish high priest, who really condemns Jesus, but then you have other Jewish leaders saying how its a travesty, he is innocent and he should be set free. Then there are the Jewish people who follow their leaders and condemn Jesus (it's a bit unclear but it appears some people have been paid to drum up anti-Jesus sentiments). You also see that the core behind all this is the Jewish leadership's belief that Jesus is blaspheming.
So it really gives you the message of not following "the mob", of having your own thoughts and beliefs and not just going along with whatever you're told. And with that not getting so fanatical is not the right word but about your beliefs that you can't see what the truth is and what is right. Also that no one's perfect.
If this movie comes back to bite anyone involved in the butt it will be a travesty, because it is excellently done. Monica Bellucci, who plays Mary Magdalene, doesn't say much but she is very good. The interactions between Mary and Jesus are just heartbreaking - I cried more than during Return of the King. And of course this is the film of Jim Caviezel's career.
The only part that confused me, for anyone who saw it and perhaps is better versed than I in the story (I will mark this a spoiler, because its a very dramatic scene and don't want anyone to not get the full effect)
Why do the two Marys wipe up the blood of Jesus?
Also, the demon bits were a bit odd for my taste - didn't really go with the realism of the rest of the film - but it did make it interesting I guess.
In short, I would say, wait to pass judgement until you've seen it. It is a movie, I don't think it shoves Christian doctrine down your throat, and I don't think the piece itself is anti-Semitic. It's very realistic. If you don't do well with blood you might want to weigh how bad you want to see it or cover your eyes. I feel like I've just run 10 miles lol and need a nap after seeing it - its exhausting
That's my 11 cents 🙂
dr Morgus said:
saw it and all i know is that this is I am left with the question
what is the point of this film exactly other than to offend every other religion but catholic and being a catholic I am bothered by this film.
Clarification: If I was unclear, I am not accusing Mel Gibson of creating a film that he intended to be anti-semitic; what I was trying to say was that it could be used in that sort of light. It's not so much the film itself, but how you use it.
On a completely different note: I find it disturbing that some are encouraging parents to take children and adolescents to see the film, and some are even trying to use it as a teaching tool. It's rated R for a reason. Children shouldn't be seeing such a grotesquely violent film full of disturbing images. I couldn't even look at a picture printed in the New York Times because it made me feel sick.
I want to let everyone know that I really admire the fact that we can have such debates without yelling and screaming (figuratively of course) at each other. 🙂
April 1st here, I really want to see this movie, I'm not Christian (well I'm baptised but in my mind I'm atheist at this moment), but I still think this movie is worth it, 'cause of all the controvesy. And if it the story is dissapointing, there's always the gore to look forward to 😀
Clarification: If I was unclear, I am not accusing Mel Gibson of creating a film that he intended to be anti-semitic; what I was trying to say was that it could be used in that sort of light. It's not so much the film itself, but how you use it.
On a completely different note: I find it disturbing that some are encouraging parents to take children and adolescents to see the film, and some are even trying to use it as a teaching tool. It's rated R for a reason. Children shouldn't be seeing such a grotesquely violent film full of disturbing images. I couldn't even look at a picture printed in the New York Times because it made me feel sick.
I want to let everyone know that I really admire the fact that we can have such debates without yelling and screaming (figuratively of course) at each other. 🙂
I completely agree with that - this is NOT a movie for children. It is very emotional, not only for the violence (thought that is a big part). My parents used to take me to R rated movies when I was young that had social redeeming value and I turned out fine (I think) - but this movie defiitely is NOT for kids. The fact that it's about Jesus does not make it kid-friendly. I mean, I have no problem with gore (lol), but I was cringing.
My one 'shame on you' comment is for Ed Koch who said that there should be a disclaimer on the film before it starts saying that it was the Romans who killed Jesus and not the Jews.
So its fine to put blame on the Romans? Why do we need to point fingers at anyone? Shame on him...
I completely agree with that - this is NOT a movie for children. It is very emotional, not only for the violence (thought that is a big part). My parents used to take me to R rated movies when I was young that had social redeeming value and I turned out fine (I think)...
Somehow it seems that R-rated movies that are meaningful are less appropriate for children than those that are just pointlessly violent and include excessive amounts of foul language. My friend's parents showed him Schindler's List when it first came out (he was about six) and I think it scarred him for life. It seems that there is more at stake when a child does not fully understand a meaningful movie than when it is an R-rated thriller. I am sure you turned out fine, though. 🙂
I heard on the news some lady had a heart attack and died while watching the movie, but that doesn't have anything to do with this. Um. What is so controversial about the movie? I mean, I know it's a violent film as you guys have mentioned, but am I missing something?
When you guys talk about an 'R' rated movie, whats that? Is it like the highest? In the UK we have U, 12, 12A (under 12's can get in with over 18's - thats a new one), 15 and 18.
An R rated movie means that you can't go in if your under 18 without adult accompaniment. The WORST rating here in the states is an NC-17 (No children under 17----not even with adult accompaniement)rating-which usually only go to complete porn in adult theaters-but did go to Show Girls too 🙂
I read a few articles about this film in the Times. The UK Jewish higher-ups (sorry UK Jewish guys - I can't remember the name of the organisation quoted) were not happy about it, as it perpetuates (allegedly) the myth of Jews as the Christ killers. Now, I have a lot of time for the senior rabbis who seem to get featured in the UK press as being sensible, reasonable folks and at least one article seemed to substantiate the stance of Gibson senior as anti-semetic and suggested that Gibson junior may take after pappy...
My one 'shame on you' comment is for Ed Koch who said that there should be a disclaimer on the film before it starts saying that it was the Romans who killed Jesus and not the Jews.
So its fine to put blame on the Romans? Why do we need to point fingers at anyone? Shame on him...
I'm with you on this one, what makes it any better to put blame on the Romans? The problem is people generalizing. You can't blame a "group" of people, because everyone is an individual. If blame had to be put anywhere, I'd place it on the ignorant.
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