Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)
2/24/04 | FR MOVIE REVIEWERS

Posted on 02/24/2004 11:28:50 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Announcements; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: atonement; calvary; catholiclist; christ; christian; christianity; cross; crucifixion; everlastinglife; film; gibson; golgotha; history; hollywood; israel; jesus; jesuschrist; love; mel; melgibson; messiah; movie; moviereview; movies; passionofthechrist; passionreview; redemption; romans; sacrifice; salvation; sin; sorrowfulmysteries; thepassion; truth
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 381-400401-420421-440 ... 761-772 next last
To: cyncooper
"He suffered died and was buried, on the third day He rose again"

This movie is intended to impress on us what is meant by "suffered".

"This is My body which I have given up for you"


Exactly.

401 posted on 02/25/2004 7:42:58 PM PST by formerDem (God writes straight with crooked lines.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 353 | View Replies]

To: All
Just got home from theater.

go see it.
402 posted on 02/25/2004 7:43:11 PM PST by bonfire
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 400 | View Replies]

To: MomwithHope
please ping me when you post your review of the Passion.

It might take a while. There is so much to digest. But in a nutshell, it's the greatest movie ever made. No question about it.

403 posted on 02/25/2004 7:43:56 PM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 391 | View Replies]

To: PleaseNoMore
....I wondered if at some time all of us haven't had a little of Peter and even Judas in us at some time or another....

Of course. The story is universal and is meant to mirror humanity.

That's why those opposing the film are so offensive.......acting as if they are so perfect, that they never sinned, or have no human weaknesses.

404 posted on 02/25/2004 7:45:14 PM PST by Liz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 393 | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
Gotta agree with you on the crow - seemed a bit out of place and a little bizarre and over the top. Even visually it lagged behind the other scenes, it looked like an old Hitchcock movie ripoff.

Though like you, it's my only real criticism and certainly doesn't take away from the whole experience.
405 posted on 02/25/2004 7:46:29 PM PST by over3Owithabrain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 403 | View Replies]

To: PleaseNoMore
Just came back from the movie. Same reaction from the audience,silence and tears.Ive been home two hours and I'm still numb.Everyone should see this film.
406 posted on 02/25/2004 7:46:48 PM PST by lucidloony
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 399 | View Replies]

To: Liz
If there were legal recourse for gross mischaracterisation and character assassination, it should be taken against people like Foxman and his fellow travellers.
There was no anti-Semitic overtones or undertones in the film. In fact, the word 'Jew' didn't even register. What I did see was a group of religious leaders who were filled with envy and hate to the point of killing someone who 'threatened' them. In fact, in the scene where Jesus is first brought before Caiphas, an argument breaks out, and a small group of the priests storm out, not agreeing at all with the situation.

Graphic, yes. Especially the scourging. But scourging was not an afternoon tea. The movie portrayed in brutal realism an approximation of what it must have been like.

Catholics would recognize instantly the Stations of the Cross, which are portrayed vividly on the screen.

The most heart rending moment for me: The second stumbling, when Mary briefly has a flashback to the child Jesus, rushing to his aid when he falls on the steps. The same scenario is acted again as Jesus stumbles under the cross, and a mother's love overcomes fear to once again embrace and comfort her child. Then the heart piercing response as she is at his side: " See mother, I make all things new. ". ( A bit of artistic license taken here in the movie, but illustrative ).

If nothing else, the movie tends to put into perspective just how terrible and dark a price was paid in order for man's salvation.

Two quibbles:

1. While several of the Roman soldiers displayed realization of what they had done at the moment Jesus' death, none uttered the phrase 'Truly, this man was the Son of God'.
2. The Resurrection was portrayed only briefly.

Crowd reaction: Could hear quite a few sniffles starting at the scourging. Not a peep during the movie. Most were pretty quiet walking out. Surprisingly, a lot of teenagers attended. No small children. Interesting mix of people, from the elderly to the teenagers as mentioned before.

407 posted on 02/25/2004 7:48:46 PM PST by Tench_Coxe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
But in a nutshell, it's the greatest movie ever made. No question about it.

I agree.

408 posted on 02/25/2004 7:49:03 PM PST by PleaseNoMore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 403 | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
I understand..........it could take a year and I would still want to read your review.
409 posted on 02/25/2004 7:51:19 PM PST by MomwithHope
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 403 | View Replies]

To: Tench_Coxe
I drove by the local mega-theater an hour ago - it was PACKED. Never is like that on a Wednesday. People streaming in and out, in an unusually quiet and subdued fashion.
410 posted on 02/25/2004 7:52:20 PM PST by over3Owithabrain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 407 | View Replies]

Does anyone want to comment on the depiction of Pilate? "What is truth?" is one of my favorite Scriptural verses, a verse that holds great significance for us today. It is the question of our times. It smells of "the accuser." It is the question of the professors. It is the question of the media.

At one point, in a private moment, Pilate asks his wife several questions. "Is there truth?"

"Yes."

Desperately, "How do I know what it is? How can I recognize it?"

"You will recognize it when you see it."

Later, after Pilate washes his hands in an attempt to absolve himself of his responsibility in Jesus' sentence, Pilate glances over to his wife, who turns and walks away.

411 posted on 02/25/2004 7:54:28 PM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 404 | View Replies]

To: keats5
Want to add this thought to your query.......Mel has said the Satanic portrayals were inspired by his reading of CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. You might want to check it out to explore the theme. It is a great book for Christians.
412 posted on 02/25/2004 7:57:54 PM PST by Liz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 359 | View Replies]

To: BushCountry
" So, my fear is that this movie will change me. I don't think I am alone."

Boy, do I "think" I understand what you mean.... me, well, I felt I should go and see... "IT".. "THE MOVIE"...I bought tickets... and went to the show and was so nervous I was shaking...
Did it change me? well....what can I say....after seeing the movie, I feel like my Dad just took me outside and paddled my a$$ !!
It will be OK my friend.... the worst that will happen will be that you will feel a sense of ... "coming back to base values."
that ain't so bad ;-)

413 posted on 02/25/2004 8:01:02 PM PST by Thinkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 179 | View Replies]

To: over3Owithabrain
Though like you, it's my only real criticism and certainly doesn't take away from the whole experience.

Actually, it would have worked wonderfully if the crow had just fluttered there for a moment while the bad thief cursed Jesus.

I left the theater six hours ago and I still feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks.

414 posted on 02/25/2004 8:01:17 PM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 405 | View Replies]

To: Liz
I thought the crow was a nice touch. I don't recall reading that particlar version - but still a nice touch.
415 posted on 02/25/2004 8:03:43 PM PST by goo goo g'joob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 50sDad
I just received info from a church in California where the pastor is doing a series of sermons on Understanding the Passion and the first week they had over 3000 visitors!! Is that awesome?
Our church is arranging for us to have a free ticket to take a visitor to the movie. I believe God is going to answer our prayers for revival.
I know things could get worse in America but it is almost difficult to imagine how other than total lawlessness.
416 posted on 02/25/2004 8:03:55 PM PST by tutstar ( <{{---><)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Hildy
You said exactly the same thing I would say. As a piece of art, it was a touch surreal. Many parts of the movie brought tears to my eyes.
I, too, believe Mel Gibson was trying to convey to all of us with his movie, how brutal - yet, personal the beating and crucifixion of Jesus was.
For the most part, I have never liked movies that I have to "read", but this effect worked in The Passion of Christ.
417 posted on 02/25/2004 8:04:14 PM PST by scan58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 364 | View Replies]

To: MineralMan
You can't really have an opinion about the movie until you see the movie. I saw it today. It was incredible. Troubling, sad, violent and uplifting all in one film. It's about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life. If you want ALL of what Jesus taught, you'll have to wait for Mel to make a prequel or read the book.

I'm going back and taking my daughters. Yes, it's a brutal depiction of Christ's scourging. But it's the truth and I will prepare them for it and talk with them afterward. It's a must see.
418 posted on 02/25/2004 8:05:50 PM PST by manic4organic (An organic conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Tench_Coxe
Enjoyed your review, and your observations and comments.

I believe Mel said he was inspired by the art of Carvaggio, and other artists. Some of the scenes look like they came right out of a Renaissance painting. The Medici were great patrons of the arts and one or two became Popes.......ergo, Catholicity influenced the commissioning of artworks.
419 posted on 02/25/2004 8:05:51 PM PST by Liz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 407 | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
I saw the movie Mon. night and couldn't really discuss it much until today. It seems like the movie keeps flooding back to me in pieces. I thought at first it was too heavy to see again, but now I think I want to review it soon.
420 posted on 02/25/2004 8:07:21 PM PST by over3Owithabrain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 414 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 381-400401-420421-440 ... 761-772 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson