MEL GIBSON SNUBBED

The Conservative Voice ^ | Jan. 25, 05 | Joel C. Rosenberg

[hoosiermama]

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.

[LauraleeBraswell]

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.

[AHWilde]

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.

[brigada]

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.

[Peace will be here soon]

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.

[Lil'freeper]

Really, isn't it like 2 hours of violence? ... I would have probably been sickened by the violence.

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.

[xJones]

Hey, Gibson approached Hollywood for backing, and they turned him down flat. He got up though, invested $35 million of his own cash, and then approached Hollywood distibuters to get the movie shown in a lot of theaters. He was turned down by every major Hollywood distributer, and had to go to the little known New Market Films, based in Britain.

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!

[Colosis]

Maybe, it's because I can't comprehend the meaning behind it from a personal level.

Bingo!

[hoosiermama]

Jonny, I do not do violence, but found it to be one of the most beautiful movies I ever seen....When others were in tears at the crucifixion, I felt joy, because I knew how it ended......As an old hymn says: HE LIVES...HE LIVES, HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART! Just that fleeting glimpse of the resurrection at the end made my heart leap with joy!

Rent the movie...If you need to look away at time or pause it do....but see the movie.

[afnamvet]

The movie will make you cry.

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.

[KiloLima]

I am a Christian and the crucifixion is a mystery to me too but a blessed mystery. I know that it has to do with redemption and eternal life -- God's love gifts to we who believe -- but I strive to understand it. Maybe I should see "The Passion." I haven't yet.

[KiloLima]

Thank you for the recommendation and the encouragement. Understanding what He went through may be the missing piece of my faith.

[Dick Vomer]

The movie was great in the Saving Private Ryan, Bridge Over the River Kwai, Cool Hand Luke, sort of way.... there is violence but love and personalization of the violence.

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.

[samiam1972]

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
:-)

[Tempest]

To be quite honest with you my Christian education is quiet deficient as well. But I try to make up for it, in the strength of my faith.

Anyways to answer your question. I believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy ghost are one in the same. (AKA The Trinity) Hence, not being polytheistic. You get a pass being omnipotent and all that.

[hoosiermama]

It certainly isn't easy to watch, and maybe I'm a bit weird, but viewing it brought me much peace and joy....Friends were troubled by it, we each reacted to different parts in varied ways...IMO The Bible reading before and after you view it is important. OTOH my friend's preacher had a discussion session which he felt was important....

One of the Jr high students that saw it, approached me the next day with a big hug. He said "words just don't express how much I appreciated seeing you at the movies last night"

When I asked him what he thought of the movie, he summed it up "I'll be thinking about it.....for the rest of my life!"

[silent_jonny]

every time I went to church the crucifix scared me.

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.

... and He began to be sorrowful and
deeply distressed. Then He said to them [His disciples],
"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.
Stay here and watch with Me."

He went a little farther and fell
on His face, and prayed, saying,
"O My Father, if it is possible,
let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
(Matthew 26:37-39)

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.

[Argus]

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.

[af_vet_rr]

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.

[silent_jonny]

That should say: Knowing He was about to be tortured and crucified ...

Spent all that time formatting and I didn't proofread :)