The Passion Of “The Passion” (The Passion of the Christ)

opinioneditorials ^ | February 28, 2004 | Frank Salvato

[Dr. Scarpetta]

In a strange sort of way I found myself nervous to see it and rightly so.

Some people that I talked to had those same feelings. I'll be seeing it on Sunday. I heard a movie critic on Scarborough say last night that she was overwhelmed by the public response and would NEVER have predicted it.

[KeyWest]

An exceptional and truthful review.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

This movie is so HUGE. I predict that the Hollyweird Establishment won't wait until next years' Oscars to smear it but will launch an all out blitz against Mel at this week's ceremonies. Not that their rants are likely to do anything but give The Passion even more free publicity. In their blind and overwhelming narcissism, the little stars and starlets actually think that their opinions carry weight outside of their own tiny bubble worlds. But if you watch the AA's this year, which I don't plan to do myself, you will be able to discern PURE EVIL lurking behind all the tinsel and spotlights. I suggest you spare yourselves and read about it later on FR.

[Semper_guy]

Very much looking forward to seeing it. It's great to see Hollywood put out a personal film of religious devotion. I hope more stars try to do the same! Kudos to Gibson--being Christian is hardly chic in Hollywood, it took a lot of guts.

[Bazooka]

Haven't seen it yet, but noticed that it copped a fair bit of flak in the media, both from film critics and religous activists (who complained about latent anti-semitism).

[HitmanLV]

I predict that the Hollyweird Establishment won't wait until next years' Oscars to smear it but will launch an all out blitz against Mel at this week's ceremonies.

Don't bet the mortgage on that one. Mel will probably be in attendance but I don't think any of them have the guts to come out swinging on the heels of the movie making $100mil in 5 days. They would be in friendly territory inside, and then will have to walk out into the lions den after the show.

I don;t even expect shots at Dubya. These guys are arrogant but not that stupid. Momentum is shifting away from them. Expect one joker, though, to thank their homosexual lover and make a quip about same-sex marriage, but nothing else.

[NYer]

The flashback scenes are the ones that have the most effect as they put the moment into perspective.

Maia Morgenstern gave a magnificent performance in bringing Mary to life!

But the one scene that grabbed me was Peter, after he realizes that he has just denied Christ 3 times. He slumps down against a pillar, eyes glazed over, mouth open, body trembling. He portrays the weaness in all of us, our commitment never to sin again, only to repeat the offenses over and over again.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[uncbob]

I heard a movie critic on Scarborough say last night that she was overwhelmed by the public response and would NEVER have predicted it.

That's cause these types live in their own insolated world and are out of touch with the average American

Course since the American public still makes it profitable for Hollywood to put out the slop they do by patronizing the movies and renting DVDs etc what else would they think

I might also add I wonder how many of the faithful seeing this movie vote for the Godless left wing democrats or abortion loving politicians

[sgtbono2002]

The Local Washington DC critic on channel gave it 2 and half stars.

[Lanza]

NM I am expecting the same thing at this weekend's Oscar's. I fully expect for some of these celebs to make sarcastic remarks about the Passion whne they accept their Oscar (although it will be in between the Bush bushing).

[Lanza]

The Houston Chronicle film critic gave it an "F."

I saw it, and it was awesome. I want and need to see it again. I really don't think you can intake it all one time (especially reading subtitles). I plan on going again, but not in the next few days. The theatre is sold out- even for matinees.

[NewHampshireDuo]

The movie was incredible. All the scenes keep replaying in my head (we saw it two days ago) but 2 scenes keep repeating themselves to me, both of which made me cry. The first was Mary, who was compelled to wipe the courtyard of Christ's blood after the flagellation, and the other scene was the tear that fell from heaven as the camera panned down from far above the Crucifixion site and when it hit the earth, a terrible earthquake shook the world....

[NTegraT]

"but will launch an all out blitz against Mel at this week's ceremonies"

Hollywood also knows that we don't and won't butter their bread. They will see this as a fluke because the majority of folk who attended Mel's movie are not movie-goers (tho we used to be) and will never be again. But there are still some good and not so good Catholics and Protestants in the audience of the Oscars so we might not see them stoop too low in public.

[USMARINE6]

The Left Wingys are falling all over themselves to label the movie anti-semetic because they want to discredit what they see as a mobilization of the Christain Right. Left wing Jews like Carl Bernstein act like the movie is aimed at painting the Jews as Killers of Christ & thus fueling anti-Jew sentiments. One Rabbi stated that it would increase the hatred for Jews among the Arabs. :-) Making a Jew hating Arab hate a Jew more is quite a trick. Another lefty Jew, Alan Colmes is ranting on & on about the anti-Jew movie as he calls it. The reality is that Christains are the best friends the Jews ever had. Another reality is that the Facist Left always wants to silence Christains.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I might also add I wonder how many of the faithful seeing this movie vote for the Godless left wing democrats or abortion loving politicians

I know two of those people.

[FormerACLUmember]

My favorite scene?: A single drop of water, perhaps a tear of the Father, falls to earth upon the death of Jesus... and rips the world apart, sending the arrogant Satan screaming in rage over the forgiveness of sin.

[GulfWar1Vet]

Great article about the film. Very true.

I saw the film last night and I still have scenes rushing through my head.

Yes, it was brutal, yes, it was graphic. Yes, I cried during the scourging..and yes, I can truly say that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Go see the film. It will change you!

[Tredge]

In a strange sort of way I found myself nervous to see it and rightly so. On the day I knew I was going to see it (Wednesday) I told myself from time to time "This is going to be rough." I was trying to gird myself so that I wouldn't cry - I'd heard enough to know what was coming. I was going to see it with my sister and I didn't like that - I wanted to be able to cry if I wanted but I wouldn't do that if she was next to me. I get teary in movies from time to time but I don't tell my sister or my parents. But fortunately the theater was so crowded we couldn't sit together. After the movie I emailed my parents to tell them to see the movie, and I told my father I wept. I felt very good after I told him that. There is something in this film that makes things different.

[Rays_Dad]

But the one scene that grabbed me was Peter, after he realizes that he has just denied Christ 3 times. He slumps down against a pillar, eyes glazed over, mouth open, body trembling. He portrays the weaness in all of us, our commitment never to sin again, only to repeat the offenses over and over again.

_______________________________
NYer

You are very correct in that statement. I couldn't help but think over and over again, that Jesus did all this for me. In brief moments of reflection, while seeing the brutality put-forth to Jesus, if felt sickened knowing that I would continue to sin. <- If that makes sense. If not I am sorry, it is early