'Passion' Already Tops 'Last Temptation' at Box Office

Newsmax ^ | 2-23-04 | Carl Limbacher

[truthandlife]

Here's a fun fact sure to enrage Mel Gibson's enemies, whose constant attacks have only given him and his movie more free publicity. On a hunch we did some research and found that "The Passion of the Christ" has already beat the equally controversial "Last Temptation of Christ" in ticket sales.

As of last week, theaters had already reported $8 million in advance sales for Gibson's movie, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday.

At this rate, "The Passion" will by Wednesday's launch have easily outsold Martin Scorsese's 1988 dud, which offended many Christians with its randy Jesus and its ridiculous Brooklyn-accented Judas.

"Last Temptation" had a domestic gross of only $8.38 million for its entire run, according to the Wall Street Journal, quoting Exhibitor Relations Co. Its three-day open was a woeful $400,000.

[11th Earl of Mar]

If the ADL had just kept their mouths shut, many people would have never heard of the movie.

The Lord INDEED moves in mysterious ways.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The "Last Temptation of Christ" was garbage and everyone knew it. 25% of their sales was to critics.

[Ronin]

True... very true...

Now, what do you want to bet that Foxman and the ADL try to hit Mel up for a cut of the profits from the movie?

Sort of a "ya know, if it wasn't for us you wouldn't have made so much money and it would be a great way to prove that you are really not such a bad person... small bills please... no sequential serial numbers..."

I really do think that their outrage about this movie was more aimed at generating publicity for their own organization and with it, donations, than it had to do with any perception of bigotry.

[TedsGarage]

Nikos Kazantzakis is a wonderful Christian writer, but that was a terrible movie. It was miscast from top to bottom. Harry Dean Stanton as John the Baptist? Harvey Keitel as Judas? David Bowie as Pontius Pilate?

The best part of the movie for me was the scene when Jesus meets with one of the Zealots. The woman sitting behind me said, "That guy looks SO Jewish." Duh. You should have been wondering why Willem Defoe didn't.

[ravingnutter]

I am going to give my mother (who lives in MO, I live in Texas) 5 tickets and gift certificate to a local restaurant for her birthday so she can take my sister's family out to dinner and to see the movie. I am going to have to find someone here to go with, hubby NEVER takes me anywhere!

[doggieboy]

I wouldn't know it the "Last Temptation of Christ" was garbage or not. I have no wish to see it. However, I am very much looking forward to seeing the "Passion".

[commish]

Actually I am surprised this hasn't been tried yet. Something on the lines of :
"we here at the (insert ADL or any other groups name here) beseech Mel Gibson to donate XX% of the proceeds of The Passion of the Christ to (Insert name of organization here) as a gesture of faith and a show of support in our fight against anti-semetism (or favored cause)

[bondjamesbond]

Don't give them any ideas!

[Ronin]

You actually thinking Foxman isn't already thinking along those lines?

He just hasn't figured out the best way to make the pitch yet.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Well, this news is sure to leave a few "scholars" down in the dumps.

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

Quite so, and any attempt by Foxman to extort an "additional" commission can be deflected as follows: "You already got your commission from all the extra contributions your ranting drummed up for ADL... don't spend it all in one place, jerk."

[af_vet_1981]

Now, what do you want to bet that Foxman and the ADL try to hit Mel up for a cut of the profits from the movie?

Why would you write this comment ?

[jackibutterfly]

God! I HOPE so!

[Ronin]

Pure cynicism.

I cynically think that Foxman is stirring up controversy because it is good for him and his organization and not because he has any pure motives to prevent anti-semitism or promote Judeo-Christian relations.

And, I cynically predict that once it becomes apparant that Mel Gibson is going to make a ton of money on this movie, partially because of the controversy he has created, he is going to rationalize that Gibson owes him somehow.

I have said before, in numerous posts, that I think that Foxman has done more damage to Judeo-Christian relations with his grandstanding than the movie will ever do.

Those are my opinions on the subject and I stand by them.

[af_vet_1981]

Now, what do you want to bet that Foxman and the ADL try to hit Mel up for a cut of the profits from the movie?

Pure cynicism. I cynically think that Foxman is stirring up controversy because it is good for him and his organization and not because he has any pure motives to prevent anti-semitism or promote Judeo-Christian relations. And, I cynically predict that once it becomes apparant that Mel Gibson is going to make a ton of money on this movie, partially because of the controversy he has created, he is going to rationalize that Gibson owes him somehow.

So you think then that Abe Foxman is after Mel Gibson's money. How does that make you any different from someone who thinks Mel Gibson is making his movie for money ?

I think neither of them are in this for money.

[Ronin]

Maybe it doesn't make me different at all. But I cynically note that Mel has invested a great deal of his own money into a project, created a product, which he is selling. This is what capitalists do.

I have not read anywhere, although I may be wrong, that Mel has said he didn't plan to make money with this movie.

And, as long as I am being cynical, let me further note that whenever you have an organization that pays people to fight anti-semitism, you are going to have a group of people who will not be paid if there is no anti-semitism to fight -- so they will make sure they find some.

[SauronOfMordor]

you are going to have a group of people who will not be paid if there is no anti-semitism to fight -- so they will make sure they find some.

Or, more precisely, will do all they can to generate some

[af_vet_1981]

And, as long as I am being cynical, let me further note that whenever you have an organization that pays people to fight anti-semitism, you are going to have a group of people who will not be paid if there is no anti-semitism to fight -- so they will make sure they find some.

Is that your view of our War on Terrorists, that we have a group of people who will not be paid if there is no terrorism -- sto they will make sure they find some ? I do not share that view. I think some people rise above the baser motives ascribed to them.