Commentary: Movie industry is two-faced in its criticism of 'The Passion'

Ogden Standard Examiner ^ | 2/28/2004 | JIM BURTON

[Destro]

Can you find me an article that indicates what the Hollywood in-crowd has said about the "Passion"? I am not talking movie critics - just movie industry people.

[LowOiL]

Wife, Mom, and Sister are loading up now to go see "The Passion of Christ".

Take that Hollyweird....

BTTT

[Pied Piper]

I think the baby was supposed to be a symbol of humanity -from infancy to senile old age, it's utterly corrupt -it seemed like Satan was pointing out -again- how worthless we all are, that's his job after all, the accuser of the brethren. I thought he was mocking Jesus for being willing to pay the ultimate price for something so completely vile -happy to be cuddled in Satan's arms, as it were. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.
I don't know if that's how Gibson meant it but it worked for me.

[GulliverSwift]

That's one possibility, but it could be that perhaps he was trying to convey that he wanted to take over with his son. That character was really poor. He ought to have talked more and been more of a taunter. Like he might have said something while Jesus was up on the cross being reviled about "Look at them, is it really worth it?" etc.

The Satan character ruined a lot of the scenes with his bizarre and near comic "evilness." Like with the snake thing. Yes, I know the allusion to Genesis but there ought to have been a point for him in letting out the snake. He would never be so stupid as to try and kill him with it.

And the baby thing just ruined the scourging scene. Mel had a very moving scene in there and then he stuck than in. Overall, it was a good film aside from Satan.

[stripes1776]

I think cultural conservatives who complain about 'violence in movies are gonna look kinda silly from now

One big difference. Please tell me which other Hollywood movies that portray violence show God as the recipient of that violence for the purpose of redeeming mankind and the world. The story line and context of the violence make a big difference.

[RayChuang88]

It is obvious the liberals and their friends in the mainstream media are scared to death of Christianity and the fact 90% of the people in the USA are Christians. This is going to be a long war. The "Passion" simply brought it to a head. I am sure the liberals are most concerned about the long term implications this event may have on politics.

Their fear has become reality. The very fact this movie has done over US$65 million in box office revenues just in three days show that the movie could become a catalyst for a great Christian revival. A revival that is almost singularly 100% opposed to the views of the Left--and it will have a huge effect on the 2004 Presidential elections.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"Kill Bill", the Quentin Tarantino film filled with blood, gore, endless murders, rapes and mindless violence.

You just described every Tarantino flick. It's artistic and enlightened for Pulp Fiction to show a long graphic scene of Travolta shooting up a big shot of heroin, him narrowly saving a girl from a drug overdose by putting a shot of adrenalin into her heart, then accidentally blowing a guy's head off (complete with brain matter in his and Sam Jackson's hair) but a movie depicting a religious scene is just awful.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

It is now time for the forces of secularism to be defeated in America. We must band and bond together for we are in a cultural war where loss is not an option. If the secular politicians ever get full control of America, our country is finished. The election coming in November is not just another election, it is a critical path junction where America will decide whether we live or die as a country!

[walden]

"Uh... I think the hypocrisy works in the other direction as well. I think cultural conservatives who complain about 'violence in movies' are gonna look kinda silly from now on considering the fact that it's they who are taking 10, 11, 12,... year olds to see a movie where a man is tortured to death for two hours. I assure you, 'Hollywood' is gonna use this and throw it back in conservative critics faces the next time they complain about how violence in movies is harming children."

The question is, what is the purpose of the violence? Prior to Passion, I think the most difficult movie violence I have ever watched was "The Longest Day", the D-Day assault on the beaches at Normandy. It was violent, but there was nothing gratuitous about it. If you read history, the real event was far, far worse than any movie presentation could be. But why show it? Well, what does it say about the human spirit, that a man can see dozens, even hundreds of men ahead of him killed, one by one, and still force himself to go forward?

This movie is the same-- as believers know, the story here is Christ, who knowingly, willingly gives his life for our sins. The violence of the Roman soldiers, the uncaringness of Pilate, the bloodthirstiness of the crowd, the remorselessness of Caiphus and the high priests-- none of this is news. Human nature is no different today than it was 2000 years ago.

Both movies elevate our spirits. The other violence, the Kill Bills and whatever else, do not.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39081

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[maro]

That's close to my reaction. The film portrays the Romans as sadists. It is true that the Jewish leaders are portrayed as unrelenting in demanding crucifixion, but how could Mel Gibson avoid that and remain true to the Gospels. The movie is also balanced by the fact that the most favorably portrayed characters, Jesus and Mary, are Jews. Satan, on the other hand, is played as non-Jewish. This film is not anti-Semitic, not at all.

[LiteKeeper]

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