The Passion of the Christ

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
The Passion of the Christ
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Thu, 02-26-2004 - 12:58am
Has anyone been able to see it yet?

I knew it would be opening big, but I was surprised to find out this morning that one of the local 20-plexes was showing it to sold out crowds on every screen from 6:30 this morning to around 11:00 when their usual lineup started and The Passion only continued on a few screens.

I've been reading incredibly moving reactions to it like this one in National Review--

"THE PASSION IN HARLEM

I just got out of a screening at the Magic Johnson Theatres up at 123rd and Frederick Douglass in Harlem. The theatre was packed, with an audience that was about 85 percent black, and included many seniors (of course: daytime). The response to the film was just about universal: Loud applause at the end, and vocal endorsements of the movie as we exited. One sweet elderly lady, I’d say about 80 years old, was shaking her head on the way out, saying: “If you read the Bible, that’s exactly what happened.” Another woman, in her 30s, was brushing away tears. “It’s not the movie,” she said,” it’s the reality of the thing.” During the screening, the man I set next to—a guy in his 20s, tall, strong, and vigorous-looking, nobody’s wimp—gasped at some of the cruelties inflicted on Jesus. (When Jesus’ cross is turned over on its face so He can be nailed to it more securely, this man blurted out, “Oh, s***, that’s too much.”) Before the movie started, there was a little film in which Magic Johnson explained the rules for his theatres: “No talking. . . . No hats or colors . . . . If you have a problem on the street, don’t bring it inside.” I couldn’t help thinking: There is a problem on the street, every street, and this movie is about the solution."

I wanted to see it this weekend, but now the local news is reporting that virtually every showing in Dallas through the weekend is already sold out, so now I have to wait til next Saturday.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Thu, 02-26-2004 - 7:47pm
As you know I'm a regular 60 min. watcher. I was about to look this up, as I couldn't remember AR's comments

 


Photobucket&nbs

Avatar for car_al
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 5:46am
IMO, Gibson’s strong religious convictions are real and should be respected. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t a very smart businessman, who wants to be successful and I see no problem with that either.

BTW many first time filmmakers or those who can’t get studio financing, finance their own films – M. Night Shyamalan, the writer and director of The Sixth Sense, is one who started that way. Although, not many have the financial resources that Gibson has to put three million dollars into a film.

C

Avatar for car_al
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 5:50am
<>

Actually, I believe that its intended audience is the audience for most of his films, that group of predominately young men who may be lost but who have definitely become so jaded by violence that Gibson felt the need to push his violence over the top in order to shock them. IMO this was a mistake on his part – the excessive violence, not trying to reach the lost - but I respect his artistic decision.

BTW, you've made the wrong assumption about me again.

C

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 8:11am
Personally, I found Andy Rooney's commentary to be disgusting. Yes, it was demeaning...but only to himself. He takes potshots at people, and that's his right, but the reality of the matter is he has NO idea what motivated Mel Gibson to make the film, The Passion of Christ. It is evident to me that Mr. Rooney does not have a Christian faith, and that's fine...lots of people don't. But I really do not understand his need to stand up and make obnoxious comments regarding this movie. If he didn't like it, fine....there will be many who do not care for it, whether that is due to the extreme violence, or because the message bothers them. Sometimes I think it would be better if loud mouthed journalists would either muzzle themselves, or find something worthwhile to say.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 8:15am
I would never assume that someone was or was not a Christian.

If that is what you are referring to, then I made a flat out mistake, because I thought you had said that you were not one. Perhaps it was someone else. Sorry.

Renee

Avatar for themummy2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 8:45am
Just my opinion here.....

If you plan to see this film, plan to see it TWICE. The blood, gore and horror are disturbing factors. The "message", however, is there.

See the film the first time to allow yourself (and to prepare yourself) to be horrified, angered, sickened.

See the film the second time to absorb what Gibson was trying to impart as the "message".

Yes, Gibson is an astute business man. But I do not think that his business sense is what was completely behind his wanting make, and subsequently making, this movie.

I think Gibson wanted to depict the Scriptures as told in the Bible - and to depict them as closely as he could, taking into consideration the "sensibilities" of the people who would and will see this movie, but attempting to be true to the culture of the people in those days as is known through reading historical accounts of that era.

The film IS horrifying and stark - over-the-top and true to Gibson's ideas as a film-maker - joyous and sad - raw and real-feeling - but above all, it is a well-written, well-cast, and well-thought out endeavor.

I don't think anyone should make ANY judgement calls regarding this film until they HAVE seen it.....twice. And, yes, I have seen it twice - for the reasons I've stated. One cannot make an honest judgement about this film when they haven't seen it, or have only seen it once and only absorbed the gore and horror. I believe that what Gibson set out to do when he began making this film is something Gibson managed to accomplish.

L.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 11:12am

Hi Themummy Welcome

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 11:27am

Again, I felt it was aimed more at the 'God is talking to me' perception and was very tongue-in-cheek.


Avatar for stacy257
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 12:55pm
I will absolutely NOT go to see this movie. I cannot imagine what good can come out of seeing the last violent 12 hours of Christ's life. From what I hear the movie is so horrific that some people have walked out before the ending. With so much awful in the world, seen daily on the local news, I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to bludgeon people with images of Christ being whipped, beaten, spat on and everything else over a 2 hour period that it takes to see a movie. And then the actors are all saying the movie is about "forgiveness"??!!! I also see it as profane. The most important part of Christ's life was not the crucifixion but His resurrection. If He did not rise up from the dead, we would not have eternal life. The crucifixion is incomplete without the resurrection and from what I hear Christ's victory was the last few minutes only. What a terrible way to recall someone so magnificent. Also it is totally a Catholic point of view and I am Protestant. This is just my opinion.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 12:58pm
I saw the movie the morning it cam out, and I was extremely moved by it. I was a little concerned about how I would react to it also. I am a christian, and being emotional in front of people is not a good thing for me. But as I learned, this movie touched everyone in the theatre, not just me, everyone else was having the same reaction that I was. This movie is a very violent movie, but the crusifiction of Jesus was violent. You will feel like you have been through the experience yourself. Take a lot of kleenex and get ready for the experience of a lifetime! Good work on Mel's part.

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