[JFC]

my in-laws just saw it. They are 75 &76 years old. They told me this is going to start a new age in BELIEF! They were so moved that they got tickets for the rest of the family.

[AJ504]

I just went to the first public showing here in rainy Augusta, GA. I arrived at 11 for the 12 noon start. I was 15th online to get in, yet there were at least 150 more waiting to get pick up their tickets at the ticket window. The local CBS affiliate was there filming the crowd (of all networks, eh?)

I am Catholic, went to Catholic schools and this film was outstanding! As the lashings began, I could hear quite a few people in the crowd sobbing and crying. I sat high up and could only see 1 gentleman get up and leave...but that was a good five minutes after the lashings.

To me, there was no blame tacked on to any particular group. I tried to see the things the NYT reviewer saw... but I didn't. Roger Ebert's review was very fair, as was the guy from our local paper.

I don't know how the reaction around the U.S. will be, but when the film credits started, the theater was full of applause...which just happened to read "Directed by Mel Gibson".

Good job, Mel. You done good! ;)