Posted on 01/25/2005 4:03:56 PM PST by brigada
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2237
After writing and directing the most brilliant and controversial motion picture of 2004, and turning an investment of some $35 million of his own money into a $700 million worldwide box office take -- plus an additional $245 million in DVD and video rentals and sales -- Mel Gibson was not nominated for a "Best Director" Oscar. Nor was The Passion of the Christ nominated for "Best Picture."
Did you catch that?
Create the first film in a generation based on the "greatest story ever told" that actually gets people thinking and talking about the things that matter most in life and it's not even worthy of an Academy Award nomination.
Turn thirty-five million into a billion and you're not even the same lofty category as Mike Leigh.
Mike who? Oh, the guy that directed Vera Drake. Vera who????
The Passion did receive three nominations (makeup, music and cinematography). But that is a snub by any definition.
It seems the Oscar this year goes to....religious bigotry.
Hollywood is so repulsed by people of faith it can't even bring itself to consider -- forget reward, just consider -- a powerful, provocative film about the most influential person in the history of mankind.
It's sad to see the world's greatest entertainers so hostile to faith in general, and to Jesus Christ in particular. With all the separations, divorces, affairs, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and suicides going on in Tinsel Town these days, Jesus is the special effect that city needs most.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Was it that good of a movie? Really? Would it have been enjoyable and or meaningful to non Christian me?
This isn't a surprise.
Movies that make the most money aren't always the best movies.
Mel Gibson's religious blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ" missed out on main categories, but did pick up nominations for cinematography, makeup and original score.
Michael Moore's gamble to hold his hit film "Fahrenheit 9/11" out of the documentary category - to boost its best-picture prospects - backfired. The movie was shut out across the board.
I can't speak for you. I felt it was one of the most powerful films I have ever seen.
I suppose it depends on how open minded you are?
Liberal controlled Hollywood.
I don't give a democRat's A** what the academy thinks. I don't watch the "Oscars", and I don't pay any attention when a DVD has "Academy Award Winner" printed on its cover (probably less). An academy award has no more relevance to me than a razzie. It's just the hollywood nutballs patting themselves on the back, and that's all it is.
At least Hollywood was fair and balanced. They snubbed Michael Mooreon too.
Do you think Mel cares, or was surprised? I don't. In fact, I would consider a snub by the Academy to be a badge of honor.
Argh! Box office sales are no measure of a movie. Plenty of *great* films fly under the radar and never make much money. The reverse is true, too - take Fahrenheit 9/11.
Besides, The Passion got three nominations for technical categories. That's three more than Moore got.
I have a question, does Jesus perform any miracles in the movie or is it just him being crucified. I don't want to see some guy hung from a cross.
I never ever got that. I didn't grow up with much religion (We never went to church but had one) but I know that every time I went to church the crucifix scared me. It really really did. Maybe, it's because I can't comprehend the meaning behind it from a personal level.
That's probably why it got nominated for best cimematography.
amen to that, brother..we are indeed known by our enemies..
At least Hollywood was fair and balanced. They snubbed Michael Mooreon too.
No, the Democratic party in trying to appear more moderate is separating themselves publically from the Michael Moores. The Democratic party and the Hollywood elite go hand in hand.
I haven't seen it, either, for the same reason--the violence. I'm not squeamish about violence, but as a Christian I am hesitant to see Someone I love--and Someone I know loves me--being tortured and beaten. I know that it happened, and why, but I don't think I could sit there and watch it.
If you look at any of the "ART" films with subtitle and excellent cinematography it truly fits in that category.....The tree nominations: cinematography, makeup and original score....would reinforce that premise.
Isn't it ironic that it is nominated for original score when the text is not in English, is from the bible, and the music is so indicative of the emotions of the plot and like a fine opera is crucial in telling the story.
I have a "Christian question"
How is Jesus GOD, if Jesus is GOD's son? Isn't that polytheism?
Not to offend anyone, but really that's how deficient my Christian education was.
I thought that going in too. But it is a work of art far beyond any of the Hallmark Card religious movies I saw in my youth. There is no accounting for taste but I know of no one who has seen the movie that has not had strong feelings about it.
That says something.
Lauralee,
Yes, he did perform a miracle. He rose from the grave. As a believing Christian, that is the greatest miracle ever. Sorry that the crucifix scares you. I truly do understand where you are coming from.
I feel blessed because when I look at it, I feel God's love and ultimate sacrifice that he gave to all his children.
I haven`t seen this movie, I will say that straight off. But why do people need to see The Passion of the Christ receive an oscar ( in any category )? Would it make the movie more meaningful to you? I just don`t get it.
I don`t care what hollywood does, says, thinks, or whatever. I guess that is why I am not offended by their actions. Just snub their movies, you will feel a whole lot better.
Stop worrying about hollywood and their silly oscar awards, and put your efforts in more important things.
And well you should be - it's the sign of a healthy conscience. We are truly blessed to live in a time and place where we have the luxury of being sickened by the thought of such violence.
The bulk of human history was full of it, however.
Needless to say, New Market made a fortune from marketing The Passion, and all the Hollywood distributors realized that they hadn't shut the movie down, instead they'd lost a golden opportunity. And I just read from the New Market Films website that The Passion has been nominated for three academy awards!!!!!!
"January 25, 2005 The Academy Awards® have nominated Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST in the categories of Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, and Best Original Score."
YEE HAW!
Bingo!
Rent the movie...If you need to look away at time or pause it do....but see the movie.
The movie will make you uneasy.
The movie will make you question why He endured this.
The movie will make you truly know that He loves you.
Thank you for the recommendation and the encouragement. Understanding what He went through may be the missing piece of my faith.
There is the love of a mother, who sees what her son's mission in life is and devoutly watches him and remembers his boyhood and how she witnessed him mature.
There is weakness set against bravery and the ambivalence of a man who knows his mission in life. It shows Christ as he realizes the sacrifice and is not full of portrayed as "fearless" but as showing the bravery of a soldier who is afraid but overcomes his fear in order to do his job.... that is the true "courage" that is dealt with on the screen.
Those who portray this as a "snuff" flick are hypocrites when they "adore" Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, or any other generic violent, sex dripped movie released within the last 40 years.
If you don't "get" the crucification.... that's OK. It is only about a man giving up his life for your soul. no big deal,huh?.. that's all.
It's easy to be cynical...that's the easy way.... it's hard to be a person of faith and be unashamed of it....not a braggart but by living your life and realizing that we all fall short of the grace of God... and he gave his son for us to witness his forgiveness.
Hi Laura-
Try reading from this link. It explains the Trinity with some quotes from early Church Fathers. Not sure if it's what you are looking for but might help.
http://www.catholic.com/library/God_in_Three_Persons.asp
From another Laura Lee
:-)
Jesus was scared, too.
Knowing what was about to be tortured and crucified, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray that God would take this terrible burden away from Him.
There's nothing wrong with being afraid of the crucifix. It's completely natural. Fear in this case brings respect for the sacrifice that was made.
It's the mystery of the Holy Trinity. How can light be both a particle and a wave at the same time? Many mysteries there are, seen and unseen.
I don't know that it's any kind of bigotry on Hollywood's part - I think it's more along the lines of ignorance. What film critics prefer, the rest of America doesn't. Remember Saving Private Ryan? It was beaten out by some artsy fartsy romance. There are plenty of other examples over the past thirty years or so. You have people who want to be in these types of movies, who vote for the awards, and so of course they are going to vote for the artsy fartsy movies so they keep getting made.
Spent all that time formatting and I didn't proofread :)
I want to. Every time I go to the video store, I look at it on the shelf and I try to get the courage to rent it, but I always chicken out. Maybe next time.
Mel doesn't care he's been snubbed by Hollyweird. He's happy how many people turned out to see the film.
I think Mel's award will come from a higher power.
He's even happier that many lives were touch by it.....IMO money does mean as much to him as the witness he was able to share.
I've long said that Mel Gibson supports Mel Gibson.
I have not seen the movie although I know folks who have and found it quite moving.
I reckon Mel is glad for the money, and cares not a whit for the award.
Hear hear.
Steven Speilberg?
yeah, naturally, this higher power is 20th century fox. their rights to distribute the dvd means a cash cow (sort of like a false diety, something mr gibson should be familiar with) for him and everyone that worked on the film. it's obvious that mel gibson was dealing with hard times creating the movie, but he knew well that the payoff would be great. so great indeed that he pulled out last minute his deal with mattell and passion of christ dolls and playsets. he would have made a whole lot more money if he did, though, but he isn't one to be greedy.
How do you know who Mel Gibson supports?
I happen to know Mel Gibson through his wife and children, and he is one of the most thoughtful and caring people that there is!
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