FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

[Liz]

All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.

Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.

Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.

[Ichneumon]

I guess what I find odd is why you would think we would care one way or the other why an atheist would or would not want to see this film.

I found it interesting.

I came to this thread to read reviews about the film,

Clearly this thread is intended to be not merely a clipbook of reviews, but also discussions of the impressions that Freepers have about those reviews. Many believers have already commented on the public reviews, are you going to complain about them too?

not wade through self-absorbed posts by atheists who supposedly don't give a rip about religion

Where did he say that he "didn't give a rip about religion"? On the contrary, he made it entirely clear that he was quite interested in it.

yet are drawn to religious threads like bears to honey.

No more so than the Christian creationists who swarm into almost every science thread to "explain" how wrong mainstream science is.

And I wasn't aware that film reviews were somehow a "religious" topic, regardless of the subject matter. Should only Southerners be allowed to express opinions on "Gone With The Wind"?

And could some folks be a bit less defensive, please?

[Liz]

Look forward to your review.

[Ichneumon]

Read the thread... It speaks for itself.

I did, and I found nothing "disgusting" about the poster you have attacked.

I'm not going to do it for you!

You're not going to defend your insults either, I see.

[ReasonGuy]

Thanks for not flaming me. Posting my review made me nervous - I sincerely don't want to offend anyone - but it's the truth, for me at least.

To answer your questions:

Was the film moving? The first third of the movie was interesting because the violence wasn't overwhelming. I felt as though I was learning something.

The whipping scene was moving because it was so unjust and graphic. From then on, the film became grueling to sit through. If I didn't have to watch it for work-related reasons I would've left.

So the film began as both interesting, educational, and moving but as it went on, became monotonous, difficult, and numbing.

To answer your second and third questions: it was very interesting to see a portrayal of the crucifixion done in a contemporary style. I think a retelling of Jesus' life that included Jesus' teachings, done with Hollywood-style production values could make for a fascinating film.

As it stands now, "The Passion" doesn't leave a great impression. Simply put, I was repelled by the violence, and there wasn't much more to the film beyond the violence. To be fair, I'm sure that there will be non-believers who will want to learn more. Especially since the film raises far more questions than it answers.

Hope this helps.

[Ichneumon]

I am an atheist too, but you just seem scared to watch the movie. Sorry, but it is kind of obvious.

I don't find that "obvious" at all. What do you believe he would be "afraid" of?

[workerbee]

Some liberal columnist up here in Boston wrote a column in the Boston Herald that anybody taking their child to see this movie should be arrested for child abuse.

I don't know if I'd go that far, but I think it's irresponsible. Someone on another thread said he's taking his 6 yr old daughter this weekend (based on seeing it already). I don't care how "mature" or well-schooled in the gospel, no child that age should be watching this film.

[Martin Tell]

More recently after many years of discussion, the Anglican church reached rapproachment with Rome.

Canterbury's position on ordination of women slowed things down considerably, and the more recent USA Episcopal Church "consecration" of a practicing homosexual as "bishop" has effectively killed any hope of reconciliation between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.

[Liz]

Thanks for all your great contributions to the thread.

BTW I never meant to imply Lewis was a Roman Catholic. Anglican and Catholic beliefs are similar on key issues. Lewis' work is used by Catholics as an example of Catholic teachings. In recent years, the Anglican church--after many years of discussion---reached rapproachment with Rome.

[Liz]

I think there is a separationist Anglican church forming over the homosexual issue.

[Skooz]

Ichneumon,

It would be much easier if you could enumerate in advance what we are allowed to think and post here. It is embarrassing that some are so impertinent as to post inaccuracies which you must then labor to correct.

Please, share with us little, unenlightened proles your monumental wisdom and mammoth powers of open-mindedness BEFORE we make such mistakes in front of the whole world.

Basking in your blindingly enlightened presence,

Skooz

[Jhensy]

Interesting posts, thanks.

[Ichneumon]

[this film appears to tell just part of the story of Jesus...the ugliest part.]

LOL!!! It is the MOST BEAUTIFUL PART!!! He died for us, He KNEW He was going to, and He did so willingly! He LOVED us that much!

While choosing to sacrifice can be a beautiful thing, that doesn't make the actual physical event itself beautiful (consider someone falling on a hand grenade, for example), which I believe was his point, especially if the film's focus seems to be more on the gruesome aspects than on the spiritual ones, as quite a few reviews have asserted.

Where you see UGLINESS.. we see only BEAUTY.

I've read several dozen reviews of the film, and even the most complimentary reviews indicate that the depictions of the violence are indeed not "only beauty".

[pointsal]

If advertising content or MTV has no potential adverse impact on the social fabric, why has anyone raised any objection to whatever is included in the presentation by Mel Gibson? Is there a special decoder ring to "tell" the average bubba-viewer when okay-PC material is headed our way? If so, please send me the address so that I can subscribe.

[Liz]

Nice, very nice, take. Love your allusion to the "decoder ring." LOL. It's all about hypocrisy. That is all.

[BushCountry]

I hope it proves valuable to others, but I'll not be there.

Since most people on this thread are too kind, I will say it. I wish you weren't here. Basically, you're the turd in the punch bowl, uninvited on this thread. Who cares what a so-called "Godless Athiest" thinks about the The Passion of Christ. I don't and I doubt many others do either.

This movie has touched people of faith in a profound way, please let them bask in its glory. There are too few movies from Hollywood that don't degenerate Christianity, let them enjoy this one.

As a personal side note, I am also fearful of seeing this movie. That says a lot about the power of it.

[plain talk]

Well, it seems you are the one being quite defensive and I wasn't even posting to you, whoever the heck you are (what? yet another atheist sniffing at the honey?)

[alnick]

To answer your second and third questions: it was very interesting to see a portrayal of the crucifixion done in a contemporary style. I think a retelling of Jesus' life that included Jesus' teachings, done with Hollywood-style production values could make for a fascinating film.

I've heard that Gibson has said if this movie is a success he may do more movies based on Bible stories. A movie, produced by Gibson, about Christ's life and/or movies based on Old Testament stories would be fascinating.

[commish]

Hope this helps

It does, very much. Thank you again.

I think a retelling of Jesus' life that included Jesus' teachings, done with Hollywood-style production values could make for a fascinating film.

Maybe mel will get message's like this and make a "prequel" so to speak ;-)

Seriously though, If you are interested, check out "The Greatest Story Ever Told" -- It is a great movie which covers much more than just Jesus teachings. Another good one is "Jesus of Nazereth".

Finally, if you can put up with 5 hours worth of movie, "The Gospel According to John" is a magnificent retelling of Jesus life and ministry.

[Ichneumon]

It would be much easier if you could enumerate in advance what we are allowed to think and post here.

Anything you like. As am I.

It is embarrassing that some are so impertinent as to post inaccuracies which you must then labor to correct. Please, share with us little, unenlightened proles your monumental wisdom and mammoth powers of open-mindedness BEFORE we make such mistakes in front of the whole world.

Oh, puh-lease... When I have a question about someone's post, I ask it. If their reply helps me better understand their position, great, that's how I learn. Or if they find they don't have a good answer and reconsider what they've written, that's fine too. Either way we gain a fuller appreciation of the ideas and views being talked about.

This is called "discussion". Surely you've heard of it.

Basking in your blindingly enlightened presence,

Sighing at your attempt to shut down discussion by being defensive and sarcastic.

[hunter112]

I don't care how "mature" or well-schooled in the gospel, no child that age should be watching this film.

Roger Ebert's review said that if it had been anyone besides Jesus depicted on that cross, it would have unquestionably been rated NC-17.

I imagine that the film will bring out the best and the worst in people, much like this thread has done.