"Ebert & Roeper" to air early-bird preview of "Passion"

Well, looks like the lamestream critics are going to start weighing in on this one. I have a feeling that Roeper is going to like it, but you never know with Ebert.

I don't think Roeper will like it. Number one, it's not an American Pie sequel, and number two, he's a liberal puke.

Ebert gave "Last Temptation of Christ" 4 stars and said:

"Among those who do not already have rigid views on the subject, this film is likely to inspire more serious thought on the nature of Jesus than any other ever made.
That is the irony about the attempts to suppress this film; it is a sincere, thoughtful investigation of the subject..."

"I see that this entire review has been preoccupied with replying to the attacks of the film's critics, with discussing the issues, rather than with reviewing "The Last Temptation of Christ" as a motion picture. Perhaps that is an interesting proof of the film's worth. Here is a film that engaged me on the subject of Christ's dual nature, that caused me to think about the mystery of a being who could be both God and man. I cannot think of another film on a religious subject that has challenged me more fully. The film has offended those whose ideas about God and man it does not reflect. But then, so did Jesus"

Any yo-yo movie puke from Chicago is as liberal as they come.
I say WHO CARES what they think?

Didn't Rog and Dopey like the work of fiction that won best Documentary last year?

Seems consistent for Roger to praise a fiction film about a real man (who depending on acceptance of belief systems and amount of faith, could also be God incarnate).

Yes, somehow this fictional film "Last Temptation..." should be required viewing of Christians. < /sarcasm >

When did it become a sacred text?

All the critics gave "Last Temptation of Christ" great ratings, simply because the movie caused such a firestorm among religious people. Yet in retrospect, it's considered one of Scorcese's worst pictures. When critics now talk about Scorcese's body of work, they rave about Taxi Driver or Mean Streets or Goodfellas; Last Temptation is not praised now.

I say WHO CARES what they think?

Amen! I am far more interested in hearing the reviews of fellow FReepers after they see the film.

I don't think Roeper will like it. Number one, it's not an American Pie sequel, and number two, he's a liberal puke.

Roeper wrote a piece last week on the way Hollywood attacks Catholics and Christians, and seemed to be insinuating that the anti-semitism charge of the film isn't true. He mentioned that he saw the film, though didn't comment on whether he liked it or not.

National Critic Reviews Mel Gibson's "Passion" Movie Feb. 18, 2004

KSL NEWS

Until now, it's all been hype and speculation about Mel Gibson's new film "The Passion of the Christ" But, today Carole Mikita talked with a nationally recognized critic who has actually seen it.

Richard Roeper of "Ebert and Roeper at the Movies" says it is one of the most intense movies he has ever seen, but he means that in a good way.

Richard Roeper/ "Ebert & Roeper at the Movies: "IT IS, I THINK, THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE ABOUT THE FINAL DAYS IN THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS CHRIST AND WE HAVE SEEN, OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS OF CINEMA, LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF MOVIES MADE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AND I THINK THIS RANKS RIGHT AT THE VERY TOP."

Richard Roeper says "The Passion of the Christ" is a stunning work of art. Many wondered if Mel Gibson was taking too much risk using 30-million dollars of his own money. Roeper says this is a blockbuster.

"IT LOOKS LIKE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE, IN TERMS OF THE SET DESIGN, THE CINEMATOGRAPHY, THE AMOUNT OF EXTRAS THAT ARE USED IN THIS FILM, THE LOCATIONS SHOOTING, THE ACTING, IT ALL OSCAR QUALITY. "

Carole Mikita: "There are pastors, church leaders of a number of Christian denominations that have, in recent years, warned their members not to go to R rated films."

RIchard Roeper: "PEOPLE SHOULD BE CAREFUL. I DON''T THINK THIS IS A MOVIE THAT 8 OR 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN SHOULD SEE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, BECAUSE IT'S JUST TOO INTENSE AND IT'S JUST TOO VIOLENT. SO, I HOPE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MOVIE HAS EARNED IT'S 'R' RATING, IF ANYTHING IT'S CLOSE TO AN 'NC-17' RATING."

Recent articles have suggested that Gibson went too far in some scenes, with graphic depictions that some in Hollywood will not want to work with him after this. Roeper doesn't agree.

Carole Mikita: "There have been some very interesting behind-the-scenes marketing techniques with this film, as well."

Richard Roeper: "LIKE NOTHING WE'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE. AND I THINK MEL GIBSON'S BEING A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS WHEN HE SAYS HE HAD NO IDEA ALL THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. HE'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR THE LAST YEAR FANNING THE FLAMES AND NOT SHYING AWAY FROM THE CONTROVERSY BUT IT'S WORKED REAL WELL, HASN'T IT?"

"The Passion" opens next Wednesday, and there are many theatres nationwide that are already sold out for the entire day.

...says it is one of the most intense movies he has ever seen, but he means that in a good way.

I'll say he thinks it was intense! Look at all those CAPS!!!

THIS IS SERIES!!!(!!!)

OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS OF CINEMA, LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF MOVIES MADE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST AND I THINK THIS RANKS RIGHT AT THE VERY TOP."

Then again Richard Roper would probably exclude all of those films made before 1945 since they would likely be in black and white...

I HOPE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MOVIE HAS EARNED IT'S 'R' RATING, IF ANYTHING IT'S CLOSE TO AN 'NC-17' RATING."

Kill Bill surprised it's fans (including me) that IT got an R instead of an NC-17. I don't think that either Rog or Dopey comment on that at the time. I also think that Roger missed much of the point behind Kill Bill Volume 1 (he seemed fascinated by the idea of tough women in an action film).

Just because someone likes a movie doesn't mean that they like it for the right reason. AntiChristians may like the Passion because the brutality that Jesus has to endure.