Passion...and your thoughts.

[skipthisone]

I think most of you know how much I like to critic movies. Well I went and saw The Passion last night. I went with a group of people and sat in a sold out theatre with mostly large church groups.

The movie was easily the most intense thing I have ever watched. I cried a few times, I was shocked at the graphic nature of things they showed a few times. My personal feelings on the show are between my soul and whoever takes charge of it when it leaves my body.

As for the technical aspects. This was beyond a well made movie, the sound, the lighting, the cast....it was all done with such grandure it is without words.

As for the anti-jewish views some have said it has. I saw none of it, it pointed out a few high priests that were threatened by what Jesus was teaching. They even had a few lower priests that tried to stop the "trial". No overall anti-sematic views, just like in all historical things, a few bad leaders or people at the top.

I would say anyone with any religious leanings should see it, but with that said it is not for the light of heart.

[Lilith]

Been thinking about this a lot. Braveheart was a great flick as was the one he made on the Revolutionary war. While it dealt with history and historical figures, they were not figures that many people feel they have a personal relationship with today. Did your personal religious beliefs make the movie more intense or would a person from a different historical/religious viewpoint have the same reaction? In other words was the movie more intense because of your beliefs/relationship with Christ or is the movie just so well made that regardless of your perspective you will be overwhelmed?

[jennaflower]

Thank you Skip :) I plan on seeing it... tho getting a seat for it is difficult here... I believe I am gonna have to take time off work to go since all the evening and weekend showings are already sold out. :(

[skipthisone]

I think that if you are Christian it is more likely to effect you deeply. But for anyone the graphic nature of the Passion (btw in this case the word "Passion" is meant literally from the greek translation meaning "To Suffer") should give you thought, maybe not religious in nature, but at least as for the suffering of any fellow human being.

I will say, with no reservation, if you can watch as he is being scourged, some of his skin flying off, and not grimace...you may have something wrong with you.

That scene made me look away, and I have a love of gorry horror flicks...

[Lilith]

TY...I have a friend who contends that she can not possibly watch this in a theater, people eating popcorn, etc. when for her it is such a personal event being depicted. She is dying to see it but feels she needs to wait til she can watch it in the comfort/ emotional safety of her home. If someone is already very emotional about this, would you suggest they wait to see it at home?

[Oldfart]

Lil,

Sharing the grue in a theatre should give a little perspective.

Whether you believe he was the son of God, or a loony, the Man

died a death that if you did it to a dog today, you'd be in jail for years.

[skipthisone]

No, I think you shouldnt watch this alone or with just family. Go see it with others feeling the same way about it. No one in this full theatre spoke, gasped, nothing but crying. The film ended and no one got up for at least 3 minutes...

I will also say this is a movie I will never see again. I think upon reflection I needed to see this movie, but I wont see it again.

[Lilith]

Thanks Skippy, I will let her know how you felt about it. I trust your opinion on movies and if you say it's better as a group experience than I will see if I can get her to go with me.

[Steph]

Skip, thanks for "the passion" explanation. A friend asked me last night why it's called "The Passion of the Christ".

Why "the Christ"?

[kitkate]

wow...skip, this looks like I'm in for a really interesting experience at the theatre :S Not to bring in politics but I'm a "recovering" catholic, now an agnostic. I do agree- no matter what faith you are that the practice of crucifixition is horrible and gruesome.

Anyway, I think the insertion of "The" specifies which Christ. I know its a germanic version of a last name (Christ that is) but it specifies which one we're talkign about. Plus is more definately (and semantically) identifies Jesus as the savior of christians. See my point? The empasis in the sentence would be placed on Passion instead of Christ: and whats more important in this? The Passion...or him getting crucified?

[skipthisone]

The literal definition of the title would be "The suffering of The Christ", which is explanitory in itself to me. Sure it takes some understanding of of whom Gibson means, but it is fairly obvious to most.

And as for that definition that is exactly what the movie is about, and up until the last 8 seconds of the film it never goes away from that line.

[Steph]

Cool, thanks guys.

I was thinking of "The Passions of the Cross" and wondered if it was somehow related but your explanations cover it.

[BlueSwede]

I am not Christian, but I know I couldn't handle the violence; I would have nightmares for months. Plus, I know how it ends; why would I want to go watch that?

[skipthisone]

Originally posted by BlueSwede
Plus, I know how it ends; why would I want to go watch that?

I always find it interesting when people say that about movies.

I always compare it to real life, I mean come on, life isnt even a surprise we all know how it ends. Its all about the portrayal we give...whether you die at age 2 or 92, we all just get that one last beat of the heart. Then game over same ending.

[jseal]

Steph,

The word “Christ” derives from the Greek “to anoint” (khriein), which is itself the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah".

Jesus is “the” Christ because there was more than one individual at that time who claimed to be the Messiah.

[skipthisone]

Perfectly said Jseal...thanks.

[dreamgurl]

i don't plan on seeing it, i was raised southern baptist and over the past few years i have grown apart from this denomination due to things in my life and stuff, anyway enough about me
i think this is a marketing ploy preying on the faith of millions because i feel the ones who go see it will already have faith

i don't make sense half the time so thanks for the time you took to read this

[dicksbro]

STO and jseal ... I'm always impressed by the two of you. Well reasoned and very well informed. Thanks for a marvelous discussion of the film. I'm looking forward to the time we can get to go see it. Everything I've read or heard about the film seems to be in keeping with what you've shared. Thanks.

( My wife has come down with something ... so we'll probably get delayed a bit before we can go :(. )

[skipthisone]

Originally posted by dreamgurl
i think this is a marketing ploy preying on the faith of millions because i feel the ones who go see it will already have faith


I disagree with this completely. Is Gibson going to make money and enjoy making that money yes. But, I think when he set out it was just to make a film of something he believed and he did that with success in my opinion.

People worked to make this film, they should be paid and paid well. Nothing wrong with making money on religious things as long as it isnt fraudulant.

[Lilith]

I heard and I could be wrong but didn't Mel Gibson put up 30 million of his own?

[skipthisone]

He says 30-40, wont give an exact figure.

And he had every reason to believe he wouldnt make that back, most indy films rarely see more than 300 screens. Indy successes finacially are rare, the only big recent one was Big Fat Greek Wedding and it took 3 re-releases to make it big finally 2 years later.

All of those 13 studios that turned down the distribution of this film are right now kicking themselves in the ass.

[dicksbro]

That's what I heard, Lilith ... 25-30 million. And I do believe money was NOT his primary motivation. I was especially impressed with some interviews of people in the cast and how truly impressed and moved they were by Mel's focus and determination.

[jseal]

Lilith,

I read that $30 million was the film's budget, of which $15 million was Mr. Gibson's.

[BlueSwede]

Originally posted by skipthisone
I always find it interesting when people say that about movies.

I always compare it to real life, I mean come on, life isnt even a surprise we all know how it ends. Its all about the portrayal we give...whether you die at age 2 or 92, we all just get that one last beat of the heart. Then game over same ending.

I still say that since I cannot handle films with a lot of violence and especially because I know what happens to him, it is a film that I best skip.

[jseal]

BlueSwede,

You wouldn't, by any chance, be suggesting that you, ah, skipthisone?

[Booger]

Originally posted by skipthisone
He says 30-40, wont give an exact figure.

And he had every reason to believe he wouldnt make that back, most indy films rarely see more than 300 screens. Indy successes finacially are rare, the only big recent one was Big Fat Greek Wedding and it took 3 re-releases to make it big finally 2 years later.

All of those 13 studios that turned down the distribution of this film are right now kicking themselves in the ass.

Most indy films don't directed Mel Gibson either or have such a large audience base to draw from.

[skipthisone]

Actually it would surprise you the number of Indy films that are produced or have a hand in them by big film stars. Traditionally religious film do horribly at the box office. Take for instance the Left Behind films. The book series has sold close to 60 million copies but the 2 movies (both straight to video) have not sold 1 million copies.

The controversy has brought this film to the forfront, no denying you cannot buy advertising like that.

[Steph]

My big boss was living in Omaha when "The Last Temptation" was released on video and he remembers people picketing his local Blockbuster store.

In Canada, we also had "Jesus of Montreal" which did well.

"The Ten Commandments" might have been successful in its day.

I'm guessing there aren't too many films nowadays that centre on a major religion. Is there an audience for them? I'd guess yes. If it's well done, you're going to attract audiences.

I'm sure there weren't a lot of people interested in Scottish history but Gibson made it interesting for them . . .

[jseal]

Steph,

I agree that the subject can be almost anything if the story is well told. Still, there should be SOME substance to the story.

[skipthisone]

Originally posted by Steph
My big boss was living in Omaha when "The Last Temptation" was released on video and he remembers people picketing his local Blockbuster store.

It is a big stretch calling "The Last Temptation" a religious film. If ever a director took liberties with a story. I like it as a film, but it has almost no biblical basis.

[naughtyangel]

We'll be going to see The Passion on Monday evening. Bought our tickets a week in advance and it was the only show with seats left for 2 weeks afterwards. That's saying a lot for my smallish city.

A local girl was interviewed after leaving the theatre by a radio station, she was crying and stated "it was like watching your best friend being tortured and killed". I imagine that will sum up my feelings as well. As much as I dread watching the movie, knowing how difficult it will be to watch, my reasoning is that if He could suffer that long for me, I can bear to watch it for 2 hours.