The Passion of the Christ

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
The Passion of the Christ
190
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: 02-28-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 9:53am
Yes, the sacrifice Jesus endured for me and you does cause me to stop and stand in awe when I reflect on it. But it didn't take Gibson's movie to invigorate my senses to that amazing realization.

In fact, I saw the movie the other night with my husband and some church friends. Many were obviously touched, as was I, but I also found myself disappointed. Later, my husband said that if he could describe the movie in two words, he would say it was "shallowly intense" and I mostly agreed.

Let me explain why. The violence and suffering was intense and brought me to the point of tears a few times, but I thought it was shallow in the context of the movie b/c the actual film did little to lead up to and explain the true significance of the Jesus' suffering and the resurrection scene was almost an after-thought, though it was just as important.

I thought that many aspects of the movie were painfully drawn out and could have been shortened to add more "meat" to the story. It did not really allow the viewer to get to Jesus as a person like you and me before he endured the shame of the cross. I would also have to say that the movie is obviously not "exactly" as it happened. Even from a simple reading of the scriptures, one would realize that many liberties were taken in the creation of this film (as with any other). However, for the most part, I was happy to see a fairly accurate portrayal of the account.

In the end, I did find myself reminded once again of the significance of living a life worthy Christ's sacrifice. But I also hoped that people would not just take away from the movie an emotional experience, but see as a chance to go back to the Bible and read again the true and amazing story...and share it with their friends.

Always in love with my Lord,

J

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:21pm
I have been wanting to see this movie for a long time and was very excited to sit through it. My husband and I went last night. I was a little worried as I sat down to see all the high school kids and college kids, thinking in my head, oh gosh they are going to chat. To my surprise throughtout the whole movie, no one talked, got up to use the restroom and was into the movie just as much as I was. I am willing to see this movie again. I sent my girls with my mother to the 1:00 movie. I wanted to see it first before sending them. I heard of the violence, but have seen worse. In my opinion, this is the way it happend for Jesus. There was nothing pretty or nonviolent about it. The whole time I was crying, thinking, this is what he did for us. When Mary pictured Jesus as a young boy falling and she runs to him to help, and now can't do anything for her son, this hit me hard. She portrayed exactly what I would of been feeling. I am so proud of Mel Gibson to get so real with this movie and showing how it was exactly in my mind, though hard to picture it. I was extrememly moved by this movie and believe everyone should see it. I am also happy to know that there are movie makers that are telling stories of the bible that are just as interesting as any other movie. I laid in bed and thanked God once again for the life he has giving me. I hope everyone who see's this movie ends up feeling so loved and blessed for what he endured, as I did.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:47pm
I had a chance to see the movie on Wednesday and it was amazing. The movie is very graphic, but reality is sometimes that way. Sometimes you watch a movie and know that its all studio, actors and Hollywood. The Passion is 1,000 miles away from any of those things. For me, the move was so realistic and captivating, I felt like I was there being a witness for the very first time. The move eventhough it's said in Latin is done with such passion and conviction that you forget that it's not said in English and your reading subtitles. All of the actors are the most realistic actors I have ever seen. They are truly spectacular in their craft. To sum it all up The Passion is heartfelt, dramatic, realistic and truly an amazing film of its time. Don't forget to bring a box of tissue with you. YOU WILL NEED IT!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:54pm
I felt the same way. I was in shock when i saw it. I am speachless. I feel it's a very personal thing between each and every individual and God. Regaurdless of why Mel Gibson made the movie, I for one am glad he did. It was a shock to see that much hatred and cruelty the roman guards put upon Jesus. But Jesus said forgive them Lord. For they know not what they do. It's about forgiveness. It's about Love. It's about how the Lord loved and still loves us so much that he gave his own son to show us. He sacrificed his child. Would you?

The bottom line is that this movie does get people thinking. It got our attention. It got the story told.

I recently heard a joke. It goes like this:

A priest and a taxi cab driver died and went to heaven. The priest, who dovoted his whole life to the church was given a shack to live in. The taxi driver was given a mansion. The priest went to God and asked him why? God said that yes in fact you devoted your whole life to the church but the taxi driver got more people to pray to God.

I probably messed it up a bit. But the point is that you could spend your life going to church every Sunday but are you there heart and soul? Do you live a christian life beyond those doors?

Sorry guys. I got carried away with this post. I didn't mean to go into all of that. I guess that's what i carried away from the movie. Got me thinking that's for sure.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 2:00pm
The move eventhough it's said in Latin is done with such passion and conviction that you forget that it's not said in English and your reading subtitles.

I just had to respond to what you wrote. You wrote it exactly how I was trying to explaign how I felt to my husband. I got lost in the movie and forgot I was even reading subtitles. I was lost in their(the actors)emotions.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 2:49pm
Oooooops I guess I'm in the wrong place for natives huh...oh well
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 4:41pm
Im 13 and I saw The Passion of the Christ on wednsday (the opening). I was really surprised that I got a ticket because I thought it was going to be sold out. It was a very emotional movie. I went with my two friends and all of us were crying the whole movie and we were so drained that we couldn't cry anymore.It really made an impact on me. I suggest that if you go see it....bring a lot of tissues!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 6:36pm
Did Andy Rooney seriously say that? That's frightening to me. I'm a believer. I was raised Catholic. Although not a practicing Catholic any more, I am very much a practicing Christian. Mr. Rooney is a self-admitted secularist. Even if I shared those same values and beliefs, I can't even imagine uttering something like that, if for no other reason than because I'd be terrified of the small chance I may be wrong and everyone else right and the consequences I would face. But that's just me.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 6:40pm
My mom and I went to see it together on opening day here in Southfield, Michigan. We took in a 5:25 pm showing. Lucky for us because all of the latter showings were sould out. This movie was the most compelling and touching movie that I have ever seen in all my 31 years. I've never heard so much ohhhhhhs and awwws and outright crying. With everything that is going on in the world, this movie can at the right time, because is speaking wholeheartedly to everyone of us through this movie. Its a stark realization of magnitude of Christ's sacrifice for us all. I still have visions of the movie when I sleep. It really has caused me to take a different look at life and the choices I make a person. Great movie I highly recommend it to everyone.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 7:08pm
I saw the movie today and I will say that it was one of the most emotional moments I have ever witnessed. I am a Christian..and I do agree that Christ's Ressurection was an important thing...however, what Christ went through to show mankind how much He loves them is very important as well. I do agree that the movie was excessively violent..however, it WAS more than that in real life. He went through more than was even depicted in this film. In the bible it says that he was so brutalized that you could see his bones, he was unrecognizable as a man due to the torture he was put through. I think that people NEED to see what He went through, and even if it means some shock value..than so be it. Too many things are sugar-coated with religion in society, people need to see how it really was, what exactly HE went through that horrible day.

People keep talking about how gory the movie was, how no child under the age of 16 should see it...I am not denying that the movie wasn't indeed gory, explicit in it's graphic nature...but, it seems that people tend to shrug off the goriness in numerous secular movies that are thrown at adults and kids much younger than 16. It seems that some parents have no problem letting their teenagers see movies such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, and all of the other blood bath movies that are out there...and they think nothing of the horrific violence that is portrayed through the minds of these vicious killers...yet, when a story is told of an innocent man who had to go through terrible hell and die for you and me..it becomes a problem.

I agree that there is too much violence in entertainment today..but the world should know the suffering that Christ went through for the greatest cause of all..and I commend Mel Gibson on his bravery and obedience in creating such a film.

Thanks,

Erin

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