Defend my labor's cause,
good Giovanni, from all strictures:
I live in hell and paint its pictures.Michelangelo Buonarroti
(And a big thanks to you too, Mel -- in advance.)
Excellent description, because that is exactly what it is. In fact, it's probably the greatest work of religious art for centuries, and because it is a movie, it addresses all the senses. It's like combining Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Handel's Messiah, the Sistine Chapel, Velazquez, El Greco and Dante.
I'll be seeing it a second time tonight. I won't rule out a 3rd.
I believe you got it, Anna. But the clogged ears of a world paralyzed by selfishness will be hard pressed to "rise and walk".
Thanks for your critic. I have yet to view this work but as I have been reading and studying for many years, my imagination pictured all this already. May HE continue to Bless you and yours.
I got in the car before I remembered that I smoke.....................
.
Where to start?
The hype and reviews would have swayed me in a normal movie. I forgot about all of it as I watched. I forgot that I was a husband, father, friend, and FReeper. I slipped quietly into the movie. Only occasionally did I really remember that it was indeed a movie. Quite a few idiots brought children from baby to teen, but there was just barely a peep from them. Bringing children is just stupid, but bringing mature teens is acceptable as long as they understand the story, know who the players are and have a grasp that Jesus died for us. For our sins.
I never thought about a drink or popcorn, which is understandable considering the gravity of the material. However, after getting into the car when the movie was over I realized that I never once thought about a cigarette. I have been a smoker for 32 years. Smokers will understand.
To the movie.
The cinematography was unbelievable. There were no gaps, only a few breathing breaks that came in handy. One could breath during the flashback scenes for the most part, but during the movie breathing was an option.
I felt as if I was walking in the crowd during some of the scenes, and not during other scenes. I really had to think about why, then being a FReeper kicked in. When I felt part of the crowd I was a rank and file person amongst fellow workers. Craftsmen, blacksmiths, accountants, buyers and the like. When I was not part of the crowd it was during the day when I would have been at work. It was the motley mob of lackeys that we conservatives rail against. The very people who don't work and want higher taxes. They cheered every time the Jewish High Council call for crucifixion. They actually chanted the word in response to their corrupt leaders. They could show up at 9:00am on Tuesday morning. I and all of my friends would have been at work.
Satan walked among them ........ every time. Satan and that damned baby, or the baby of the damned. I have to work on that one as I am really woefully ignorant of the Bible and need to make sure that I am not walking with Satan on occasion.
The Romans were a different story. I could see the difference in rank by attitude. The ones who took great relish in beating Jesus were the scummy conscribes, kicked out of better units, stationed in "hell" and without a prayer of a better life. They were not your average producing, 401k saving, want to retire someday Roman. They were the dregs. The Romans on horseback rolled their eyes and I could see them chanting the same mantra that I chanted throughout most of the movie. Quit hitting him. For your souls sake quit hitting him.
Pilate was a middle manager in a crappy job in "hell". Normally he would have been there for two years and gone back to Rome with a cushy job. He had been there for eleven years and on top of that Caesar was ticked at him. "One more uprising and the blood is yours" is what Caesar had told him.
He was between a rock and a hard place. That is a funny saying and many of us use it. We never discuss what it means. He didn't have any options. There was going to be an uprising either way. He had Jesus beaten 98% to death to save Jesus' life and that wasn't good enough. I am not trying to make Pilate out as a good man as he would not have been in this position if he was a good man. He was stuck. He did have a good wife as she felt the Mother's pain and brought her cloths. It is a shame that you could see the yellow streak up her back when she turned and ran from what could have been a gracious act.
I never felt like a father. There was no place for me to be a father. I was a friend to the Mother. I couldn't project me as a father to Jesus. I hurt for Jesus, but knowing Jesus' power and grace I could not put myself in that place.
The subtitles were not a problem. No problem at all. I actually picked up on some words and phrases and could skip reading some of the subtitles. Other times the character could only say one thing. I didn't have to read those. When the guards were beating Jesus subtitles were neither used nor required. I could fill in the blanks and that kind of sickened me, about me.
The movie's score was masterful. It never interfered and only occasionally became part of the experience. When it presented itself I always knew that the Calvary was coming. It didn't. It never did. I knew it couldn't, but so wanted to see some of our favorite Hollywood heroes come over the hill and righteously kick some butt. I and my friends and my FRiends would have done some stomping.
We all know that it wasn't our place. Jesus could have stopped the proceedings at any time. He could have called upon our Father to bring in 20 legions of Angels at ANY time. They were close, weeping and ready. He couldn't as that would not have cleansed our sins.
That is my take, right or wrong and sorry to be so long winded.
Thank you. I was just saying, on another thread, that I have never seen so many movie reviews that mentioned *none* of those things. Until now.
By now millions have testified that this was their reaction. Yet, William Safire just told us that the only response to the film is vengeance.
Who is blind?
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!!!