[Aquinasfan]

In remarks released Wednesday on Catholic News Service, three staff members of the USCCB's Office for Film and Broadcasting said the film might be overly violent but not anti-Semitic. "Concerning the issue of anti-Semitism, the Jewish people are at no time blamed collectively for Jesus' death," said a review by Gerri Pare, David DiCerto and Anne Navarro. "Rather, Christ freely embraces his destiny." The reviewers went on to call the movie "an artistic achievement in terms of its textured cinematography, haunting atmospherics, lyrical editing, detailed production and soulful score."

That's good. Now I think it's time for them to seek employment elsewhere.

Even Democratic front-runner John Kerry weighed in during a visit to Los Angeles yesterday, telling reporters that the movie could be anti-Semitic. "I am concerned," Mr. Kerry, a Catholic, told reporters. "I don't know if it's there or not, but there's a lot of it around now. I think we have to be careful."

What an asinine comment.

[Freedom2specul8]

"... "This town is rocking," he said, "wondering what it all means. ..."

Hmmm..what does it mean? That Christians want good movies too? That they are a legitimate target audience. I'm amazed at hollyweird's density.

[ladylib]

I wonder what Babs thinks about it?

[MamaTexan]

Early detractors of Mel Gibson's hit film, "The Passion of the Christ," are backing away from their critical remarks

BACKPEDAL

bump

[avg_freeper]

"I don't know if it's there or not, but there's a lot of it around now. I think we have to be careful."

Wow! He out did Clinton!

Not only does this comment depend on what the definition of both "there"s are, it also depends on the meaning of either of the "it"s. He actually said nothing four times in one sentence.

[blake6900]

LOL...once again butts in the seats takes precedent over "moral conviction". Some of these movie folks had such deep convictions that when the ticket sales data came in, they were on the horn seeing if Gibson wanted to do The Passion 2.

Suddenly this flick isn't as anti-Semitic as was once believed. I guess money does talk, loud and clear. Curious, huh?!

[hosepipe]

Paging Mr. Gibson....Paging Mr. Gibson....
NOTE: Mr. Gibson you're masterful treatment of the Passion of Jesus Christ has uniquely positioned you to make an unprecedented display of Ann Coulters book "TREASON" because there is simply no other producer able or courageous enough to do it... please do take it into consideration for you're NEXT PROJECT....

Signed:
About every real patriot remaining in the U.S.A.
also; a few moderately patriotic ones, even...

[countrydummy]

bump! And loving it!

[Lancey Howard]

According to the Feb. 20 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Mr. Gibson told actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus, that "The Passion" could be a career wrecker. "You don't have to do this," Mr. Gibson reportedly told the actor in fall 2002. "After you finish this film, you may never work in Hollywood again."

First, Mel Gibson has a lot of class.
Second, the great actor, Jim Caviezel, has a lot of guts.
(For that matter, so does everybody who took part in making the movie.)

Caviezel and Gibson both deserve Oscars, but in Hollywood it won't happen.

[spodefly]

Hollywood is filled with hypocritical whores. These about-faces were totally predictable once it was clear the film was a money maker.

[Diddle E. Squat]

This tangential nugget buried in the story shouldn't be overlooked:

Debate over the film has sprung up across the country. A Denver pastor, the Rev. Maurice Gordon, displayed the message, "Jews Killed The Lord Jesus," in front of Lovingway United Pentecostal Church Wednesday. The sign outraged Jewish and Christian passers-by. One bystander brought a ladder and removed the word "Jews."

Good for him.

[VOA]

According to the Feb. 20 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Mr. Gibson told actor
Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus, that "The Passion" could be a career wrecker.
"You don't have to do this," Mr. Gibson reportedly told the actor in fall 2002.
"After you finish this film, you may never work in Hollywood again."

Not to over-laud Jim Caviezel, but from the interviews I've seen, I get the feeling
that if he never worked in Hollywood again after "The Passion"...
he'd do just fine.
And end his days many years from now as a happy man.

[traumer]

"backing away from their critical remarks after the movie grossed a record-setting... "

$$ is God in Holywood !!