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The Passion Christ - Movies, Music, Fashion, Sports - Posted: 25th Feb, 2004 - 7:14pm
Posts: 58 - Views: 4962
2000s This movie has spread so much controversy that one has to wonder if it is doing any good for those who watch. Was Mel Gibson trying to convert anyone? Was this merely a story of the pain and suffering of Jesus? Did you think it was too violent?The Passion Of The Christ
I got this e-mail from Agene with a Review about this movie from Keith Merrill (LDS director who wrote "Testaments"). Its quiet long but pretty interesting, maybe she later can put a link or more info about how she got this info, she asked me to put it here:
QUOTE Passionate Choice
By Keith Merrill
Are you going to see The Passion of The Christ?
The decision is upon you. It opens in theaters February 25.
Mortality is little more than the endless process of making important choices - and surviving the consequence. Your decision to see -- or not see -- The Passion of The Christ may ultimately itself be one of passion. Unless you've been in a coma -- or care nothing for movies or popular culture --you know by now that The Passion of The Christ is Mel Gibson's controversial feature film that focuses on the last 12 hours of Jesus' mortal life.
I wrote about the film before I'd seen it. My perspective was professional.
See "Shared Passion".
This time I have seen the film. My perspective is personal. Word of the film has spread primarily as a result of myriad private screenings with Christian clergy, Jewish critics, selected media, high-profile hosts including,
Michael Medved, Bill O'Reiley, Opra and Paul Harvey. And from time to time guys like me.
My face-to-face dialogue with Mel Gibson about his film and my own efforts to portray the Christ in The Testaments was an exciting tale to tell
But I could not even discuss it with my wife. Before the screening, we signed a confidentiality agreement with a promise to say nothing of our experience, nor share our reactions in private or in press. The long silence gave me time for the unforgettable images of the film to distill upon my mind. It gave me time to incubate my feelings and measure them against my understanding of the Savior. During the period of imposed silence, I gave much thought to what I would eventually say to you here. My feelings are conflicted. I wonder if I should write anything at all.
I was released from my "Vow of silence" a few weeks ago. This is the moment of truth. What do I tell you about the film? Do I recommend that you see it or take it off your list?
Very little. Yes. No. Maybe.
The Passion of The Christ is much more than "Only a movie." In comparison to the movies of fantasy, escapism, hedonism, and even decadence that dominate our popular culture it is much, much more.
As a motion picture, The Passion of The Christ is a brilliantly-crafted piece of art. Gibson's enormous talent as director was evident in Braveheart
In this film he is even better. This film is distinguished by a personal passion that transcends his earlier work in significant ways. Gibson's deep belief in the Catholic tradition and the passion of Jesus is evident in every frame.
I am grateful to Mel Gibson for his talent and his sacrifice. I am grateful that he created this intense vicarious experience as an emotional supplement in my quest to know the Christ and look upon his face. But that is me and you must decide for yourself. It is not a film for everyone by any standard.
The controversy swirling about Gibson's film from its earliest beginnings has been focused on four issues.
(1) No English is spoken in the film. The announcement that the dialogue would be in ancient Aramaic with English subtitles shocked Hollywood insiders and left audiences around the world trying to imagine the story of
Jesus as a foreign language film.
(2) The film is accused of being anti-Semitic. Jews and others have condemned the film as "Fanning anew the flaming plague of prejudice that has afflicted the Jewish people for 2000 years." They express fears that the film could actually result in bringing violence to Jews. They are wrong.
The Jewish community and anti-defamation league is fearful that the film emphasizes the role of Jews in the death of Christ. They are right. The Jews are depicted as culprits in the death of Jesus, but their fears ignore historical reality. In the version of the film I saw, the role of the Jews is not unduly "Emphasized," but they are clearly and accurately implicated according to the Biblical history.
(3) The film is extremely graphic in the depiction of the torture and death of Jesus. Whatever other issues you may consider in your decision to see or not see the film, it is important that you become fully aware of (A) the intensity of the experience and the gripping, painful realism of the torture and merciless treatment of Christ and (B) Gibson's merciless graphic window on those awful events. Your sensitivity - and tolerance -- to the graphic realism of the events surrounding the capture, trial, torture and death of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament must ultimately be your primary consideration. For your and for your family.
(4) Mostly for Mormons. The film is rated R. Some of you have said that the
MPAA rating board has made your decision for you. "If the film is rated R, I am not going." Others wonder how we can ever expect to depict with realism the greatest of the Book of Mormon stories on the big screen without the blood of battle - and the inevitable R-rating from the distorted "Make love not war" morality of MPAA - and not support films like The Passion of The
Christ.
Consider seeing the film only if you are sincere in your quest to gain greater insight into the death of Christ. I say "Death of Christ" because that is what the film is about.
Consider seeing the film only if you seek a deeper and historically detailed appreciation of the last 12 hours of a life that changed the world.
Consider seeing the film only if you can glean from the brutality of the images a better understanding of the ultimate purpose of His life. Consider the film only if you are confident it will engender good thoughts, inspire righteous choices and allow you to retain the Spirit of the Lord. The graphic nature of the images notwithstanding, nothing I saw deprived me of the spirit of the Lord. To the contrary, seeing the Savior through the eyes of his mother touched the deepest part of my soul.
People experience films differently. Some are enveloped and engaged. Some are entertained. Some are objective observers. Some are consumed by the subjective power and vicariously experience feelings and emotions otherwise impossible. You must know thyself in facing the decision.
Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this "Invitation only" gathering of "Movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth."
The Passion Of The Christ (Hover)
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Post Date: 24th Feb, 2004 - 6:52am / Post ID: #
Christ The Passion The
I got it in an email from a friend. She wanted to know what I thought, and would I go to see it. She got it in an email as well. I finally found a link 
https://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/040216Passionate.html
I want to go see the movie, but I would rather go with a group of my Church members. 
Edited: AGene on 24th Feb, 2004 - 6:54am
The Passion Of The Christ Sports & Fashion Music Movies
U.S. audiences see Gibson's 'Passion'
From CNN:
HICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- The buzz that launched a thousand and more commentaries flickered to life on cinema screens Monday as "The Passion of the Christ" drew early bird audiences to Mel Gibson's R-rated version of Christianity's 2000-year-old foundation.
"I was gasping for breath," said Kathleen Lewandowski, who caught a preview of the film with her husband, Greg, at the River East 21 Cinema in downtown Chicago.
"You are constantly reminded of scripture and able to follow along," she said. Asked if she thought there was an anti-Semitic message as some critics have claimed she said "No, Christ kept saying, 'Forgive them for they know not what they do.'..."
https://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/...reut/index.html
Christ The Passion The
Well the Pope has given his 'thumb's up' on this...
ROME, Italy (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II has seen the controversial Mel Gibson movie, "The Passion of Christ," and he liked it, Vatican sources said Wednesday.
Here is what he said: 'It is as it was'
Post Date: 25th Feb, 2004 - 11:45am / Post ID: #
Christ The Passion The
ONE FILM CRITIC"S VIEW
Mel Gibson's controversial movie "The Passion of the Christ" opens Wednesday across the United States. The film depicts the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus.
Film critic Michael Medved joined CNN's Bill Hemmer to discuss his
thoughts on the movie. "I think that a crucifixion and scourging is highly
violent. Look, this is not a movie for kids. It is a movie that does put that
violence in context. It shows the idea of sacrifice, and it emphasizes [it] in
a way that I think a lot of people don't expect, that this sacrifice, that
this death, that this suffering, was chosen by the main character, was chosen by Jesus, at least according to the Gospel's accounts. It seems to me that what this movie is showing, is that there's a tremendous appetite on the part of the American public for more faith-affirming films. This is a segment of the audience that has been ignored by Hollywood for years. Mel Gibson is connecting with that audience, and I say bravo for him."
This segment was excerpted from "American Morning," which features daily interviews with top newsmakers and celebrities.
The Passion Of The Christ
| QUOTE |
| Well the Pope has given his 'thumb's up' on this... ROME, Italy (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II has seen the controversial Mel Gibson movie, "The Passion of Christ," and he liked it, Vatican sources said Wednesday. Here is what he said: 'It is as it was' |
Reading CNN yesterday the Vatican sources said it was not true that the Pope gave his thumb up about the movie, he didn't even see it they said.
Post Date: 25th Feb, 2004 - 7:14pm / Post ID: #
The Passion The Christ Movies Music Fashion & Sports
WOW! That was more than a, bit long Review.
I do want to see the movie. I mean come on it is Mel. But seriously, that is not the main reason why I would pay my $30.
I am a believer of Christ and I think it was about time that someone did a movie that was real and not that ' holier-than-thou" TV flick. Christ was a real person, also the pain he went through. I can't wait to see it.
Renee
TOPIC: The Passion Of The Christ