Posted on 02/18/2004 6:37:16 AM PST by presidio9
Mel Gibson's controversial new movie "The Passion of the Christ" was igniting plenty of passion yesterday - even though opening night was still a week away. First Lady Laura Bush said she was looking forward to watching the R-rated film about the Crucifixion of Christ.
"I think it sounds very interesting, and I'd like to see it," the First Lady told reporters while visiting a high school in Bentonville, Ark.
But lots of others weren't so sure.
Gibson's story of the torture of Christ isn't just brutal, it's an exercise in cinematic sadism that opens on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25) at 18 theaters across the city and 2,000 more throughout the country.
And that left many New Yorkers interviewed by the Daily News wondering whether the one-time "Lethal Weapon" star took the violence too far in his portrayal of "The Passion of the Christ."
They joined a chorus of other critics who fear the movie unfairly scapegoats Jews and who accuse Gibson of straying from the Gospels.
For many parents - even churchgoing parents who don't quibble with Gibson's interpretation of the Gospels - the violence might be too much for their kids.
"I don't think my children would get it," said Debbie Sparber, 45, of Manhattan, a Christian whose kids are 12 and 9. "They'd misunderstand what they're seeing."
Richard D'Alessandro, 45, a Manhattan-based actor who has appeared on violent shows like "The Sopranos," said there's no way he'll take his 9-year-old, Giancarlo, to the film.
"Violence is violence, no matter what the subject matter," said D'Alessandro, who is a Catholic. "For whatever religious value this film may have, the violence makes it out of the question."
Despite the blood and gore, many religious groups such as the New York-based Catholic League have already prepurchased thousands of tickets - virtually assuring Gibson will recoup the $25 million he sank into making the movie.
That Gibson's "Passion" is expected to do boffo at the box office is all the more remarkable because six months ago he was struggling to find a distributor.
True believers like Jurema Farr, 41, of Sparta, N.J., said Gibson's recounting of Christ's last 12 hours alive is something her three kids need to see - even if it sickens them.
"They need to know and learn about what happened to Jesus Christ," said Farr, her 8-year-old, Ulysees, and 6-year-old, Orion, in tow. "You have to show your kids the truth, even if it's violent."
Dr. Alan Hilfer, a child psychologist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, disagreed. He said kids that age aren't ready for that kind of graphic violence.
"I have seen some of the clips, and it was pretty gruesome," he said. "This is not cartoon violence."
But Manhattan psychiatrist Wayne Myers said "kids from religious families are already programmed to believe in this, and their parents will explain this as this is our Lord suffering."
In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Gibson admitted he pumped up the violence because he wanted to push the viewer "over the edge." He said he wanted viewers to feel "the enormity of Christ's sacrifice."
Gibson also denied the movie is anti-Semitic, but has resisted requests by Jewish groups to add a postscript to the movie reminding viewers that it was the Romans, not the Jews, who ultimately crucified Christ.
Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League asked Pope John Paul yesterday to tell his flock that Gibson's controversial movie is not the gospel truth.
"It's Mel Gibson's version of the Gospel, it's Mel's gospel," he said.
Joseph Starrs of American Life League's Crusade for the Defense of our Catholic Church, said Gibson is true to the New Testament.
"This film is many things, but it is not anti-Semitic," he said. "If this film were, then the Gospel itself must be, because it is on this indisputable truth of the Gospels that the movie is based."
Everyone does it. It will cut Medicare. It's the economy, stupid. We should all just take a deep breath. There is no controlling legal authority. I don't recall. Democrats are being partisan. It's my private life. Anyways, the stock market is doing well. It's a risky prosecution scheme. We should just put this past us. It will blow a hole in law enforcement. Presidio9 is an out-of-control prosecutor. I was on hold for nine minutes; I never talked to anyone. America is too sophisticated for that. We have forgiven Laz. This is 2004, anyways. You are being mean-spirited. Democrats do it too! It's all part of a Vast Left Wing Conspiracy. I lied to my diary. Four years and Forty Million Dollars! I don't have a specific recollection. We're going to WAR, Larry! WAR! There is no credible evidence of any illegal activity by any covered person. Can't we just move on? He was traumatized as a child. But that's not what's important here. There are Laz Haters who will stop at nothing. There's no evidence of that. You're just overreacting. Maybe the Secret Service Log was wrong and Laz wasn't really at the White House the whole time. So what? It’s all about SEX, SEX, SEX! I can think of worse things. I mean, look at the "economy". You don't want to mess with that do you? Senator, there is no one who would have rather found that note than me. Give Laz a break, guys. It’s for the CHILDREN. The most ethical poster in our nations history.
You bet.
"Categorical denial from Freeper raises more questions than it answers"..... Developing.
(Pontius Pilot washes his hands)
Spare Barabas!
I'm not sure about here on FR. I haven't seen any on FR. I'm refering to people I've met in person, or in chat rooms. I do, however, agree with your sentiment.
Thanks.
I have no opinion about that rotten freak bastard, Matt Drudge.
Mel Gibson has so much more depth of thought than most other Hollywood producers, who simply do exploitive sex or violence movies to simply titillate the audience and make some money. Mel is making movies with a message.
Pilot: What? You would not have me spare your king?
Nah. Plenty of presidio9's threads got moved to chat that I wasn't on.
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