FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

[Liz]

All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.

Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.

Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Wow..excellent review!

I must say that I hadn't thought about it before, but another poster said in the thread that to them each lashing of the whip represented a single sin being whipped away for all mankind. I haven't seen the film, and I'm grateful to those who have for not posting complete theatrical spoilers. :)

I'm not entirely sure I'll see the movie in it's theatrical run, I may end up just waiting it out for the DVD.

[RippinGood]

TSL is a wonderful satirical work. I seem to come back to read it every few months and I am getting to the point where I can almost remember which "letter" it is that applies to a particular situation.

I received TSL and Mere Christianity as a Christmas gift a few years back. Alas, we were invited to a Birthday celebration and I suggested that a nice gift would be TSL or "MC". A hectic time didn't allow us to get to the store; my wife saw that I had cracked open TSL and not "MC" so my copy of "MC" became the gift. LOL - I haven't yet received my promised replacement...

RG

[plain talk]

I'm just offering the reason I'm not going to see it.

I guess what I find odd is why you would think we would care one way or the other why an atheist would or would not want to see this film. I came to this thread to read reviews about the film, not wade through self-absorbed posts by atheists who supposedly don't give a rip about religion yet are drawn to religious threads like bears to honey.

[Ichneumon]

You disgust me... You truly do...

Why might that be? Because he doesn't believe what you believe, and even though he says it politely, the very concept offends you?

[walden]

"re: CS Lewis
Anglican Catholic convert? He was Anglican, I thought...?"

Correct!

[Ichneumon]

A little friendly advice. Try approaching subjects or individuals you disagree with sometime with an open mind. You and everyone around you will be a lot better off.

It seems to me that "approaching subjects with an open mind" is precisely why he writes, "Because of that and because of the large numbers of people who believe that myth to be true, I'm always interested in depictions of the story."

I'm interested in how you could interpret it in the exact opposite manner.

How much of an "open mind" do you have towards "individuals you disagree with", like him for example?

[Liz]

Mel's film features a key character who is the personification of that almost inaudible voice of deception whispering in our ear. (Mel refers to Lewis' book in his narration of how he went about making the film).

Just as an aside, in a newer revised version of STL (at Barnes and Noble) there's a notation inside about a country minister who remarked that after reading the book, he could have almost believed the devil wrote it. LOL. The genius of Lewis.

[Irene Adler]

"Anglican Catholic convert? He was Anglican, I thought...?"

You are correct.

[CroftonFreeper]

If you don't get it, you won't get it.

[Thinkin]

Bump for later.
Seeing the movie at 6:15 tomorrow night.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

As you can see from my tagline, I'm an atheist

However, from my many readings of the Gospels, this film appears to tell just part of the story of Jesus...the ugliest part.

LOL!!!

It is the MOST BEAUTIFUL PART!!! He died for us, He KNEW He was going to, and He did so willingly! He LOVED us that much!

The night before Jesus died, He spoke to His disciples and said to them:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Where you see UGLINESS.. we see only BEAUTY.

I will pray that one day you will know the peace, beauty, forgiveness, and LOVE of Christ!

[Crispy]

"For me, the Jesus story is an archetypal myth, one repeated in several mythologies. Because of that and because of the large numbers of people who believe that myth to be true, I'm always interested in depictions of the story."

I am an atheist too, but you just seem scared to watch the movie. Sorry, but it is kind of obvious. I will watch the movie because I want to support Mel Gibson for going against the establisment and risking his own wealth in doing so.

Another reason I will see the film is because all the liberals are attacking it. I hope it is the biggest hit of the year.

[lonevoice]

A new FReeper review here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1084810/posts

The poster, Sir Valentino, has been asked to re-post his review on this thread. I hope he will...it's a good one.

[Tribune7]

For me, the Jesus story is an archetypal myth

Granted that you qualify it as applying to yourself, but the reporting of the events surrounding Jesus are nothing like an archetypical myth.

Time, dates, places and people are cited in the reporting, which is contemporaneous -- and deemed so by standard scholarship -- and from multiple sources.

[Liz]

Lewis' writings are used as a textbook example of exemplary Catholic teaching. The teachings are almost identical regarding divorce, abortion, homosexuality. More recently after many years of discussion, the Anglican church reached rapproachment with Rome.

[Liz]

Thanks for the link. I'm looking forward to his contribution to the thread.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

It sure shouldn't. From what I've heard even Jewish leaders who've seen it respected that it is a CHRISTIAN movie about our faith, and said it was a moving experience.

Lets see how many people can show "religious tolerance" when it comes to our faith!

It is wise to remember that Jesus was a Jew and a Rabbi! Christianity began with HIM!

[Crispy]

"I can't imagine that it would be any interest to anyone but a Christian. From a non-spritual aspect, it's a depiction of a man being tortured to death. If you don't know the background, it would seem rather pointless. "

I am going with my brother and 2 friends who are not Christians to watch this movie. I think this movie is going to be popular to a wide range of people.

[gatorgriz]

Read the thread... It speaks for itself. I'm not going to do it for you!

[Liz]

I will watch the movie because I want to support Mel Gibson for going against the establisment and risking his own wealth in doing so. Another reason I will see the film is because all the liberals are attacking it. I hope it is the biggest hit of the year.

Right on, baby. That's what we like to hear on this forum.