The [Perfect] Passion: Three Reviews and a letter (The Most Complete and HONEST review yet)

The Ornery American ^ | Feb 29, 2004 | Orson Scott Card

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST - PRINT

[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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[ontos-on]

This is a difficult topic for me because there is obviously much good done by charity. But I mean the charity industry [and its political subversiveness, including the large foundations etc.] but with regard to Imus, I mean he sets up his and his family's retirement home in New Mexico where he and his family can go and he can even do his radio show from, and it is all ....a charity. He gets millions in tax deductible donations from corporations who want to be a part of the great work for the handful of kids only several times per year. And he goes on and on how he does not get anything out of it....yet he and his wife after him and his son after them will all get an effective "life use" out of this multimillion dollar resort as long as they "work" on the "ranch" for the "kids".

I am sorry. I am a lawyer and recognize a lawyer's grand setup when I see one. He is slick. He avoids the burdens of ownership, yet reaps all the benefits for generations. It is like saying that value is not only in the bank account, it is in time and the use of valuable things, even if nominally divorced from title.

[jwalsh07]

No apologies necessary. I happen to agree with you. The ranch is self serving. The amount of money he takes in compared to the amount of kids he helps is too high of a multiple. But he doesn't need my money, he's got corporate money up the ying yang.

We'll continue to donate to those we always do with an eye on expense ratios and issues near and dear to our hearts.

Nice chatting with you, adios.

[TXBlair]

I'm going to insert my opinion here and say that you should DEFINITELY see the movie right away! I saw it a couple of hours ago; if I had known last week what I know now, I would have seen it sooner. It is breathtaking, for lack of a better word. Some words of advice...bring Kleenex (even if you think you won't need them--someone else might!); don't eat a heavy meal beforehand like I did--not that the on-screen violence will leave you neauseous, but your body may feel very tense during those two hours, and a full tummy won't help; finally, if you're a fellow female--waterproof mascara! (That may sound silly, but I had no idea how much I'd cry.)

[Ann Archy]

What a Fabulous article and what a terriic letter asking Mel to withdraw the movie for any awards......BRILLIANCE!! And use the mney made to make MORE great films....3 CHEERS FOR GENIUS!

[ontos-on]

Thanks, but I wanted to add that private money given as you say to that which is close to your heart, is really the form in which an individual can real-ize his own vision through giving his idea a material basis in the world. It is what freedom is really about. That is the true meaning of property. As the competing visions get established in the world there is a true marketplace of ideas in the form of actualized conceptions which thereby influence and inspire in a particular direction.

I am afraid that it is this form of property that the left really wants to cut off at the knees, because it wants to be totaly the arbiter of what is done and actualized in the society. This regulation is accomplished through law and masquerades under the rubric of "offense" or some hidden injury whichmust be remedied.

The real meaning of the leftist refrain about wanting to "change the world" largely consists in doing away with the many individuals actualizing themselves through materialization of their different visions. This is why the left is against individualism with such a vengance. They do not really believe in a true "diversity" where competing realizations of visions in the material world could compete for men's allegiance. Their meaning of "diversity" is tolerance for and exhaltation of merely trivial differences. Any idea or vision would have to be leveled into conformity with the one true beliefimparted by the state.

All that is involved in the notion of "charity". Good evening.

[FlyVet]

I watched it this afternoon. The disgusting Satan figure, with the worm peeking out his nose, sending the snake to Jesus' feet, in his agony in the garden....Mary, gutting it out as best she could, knowing this was his purpose, he MUST do this, and she had to accept it...the complete sadism of his Roman tormenters, rejoicing in ripping his body into hamburger, Simon of Cyrene first wanting no part of it, then helping, then screaming for them to leave him alone, becoming his brother...all too much. I will have to wait for the DVD release, so I can watch it in solitude, so I can absorb it all. I can't call it a "movie", it's something else.

[MEG33]

Thanks for the ping.I loved this thoughtful piece.

[semaj]

"(The Most Complete and HONEST review yet)"

I agree. The author's suggestions to Mr. Gibson are spot on and his analysis is very focused and insightful. If I had the chance to speak to Mr Gibson I would tell thank him for the wonderful thing he has done.

[onyx]

Thank you for the ping, --- you're right -- an outstanding review.

[Texas2step]

Thanks for posting... BTTT

[chuckles]

..."(remission of sins = redemption of all mankind)"...

Its a small descrepency, but makes alot of difference. Jesus died for those that accept His sacrifice. If He died for all mankind, there is no need for Hell. He died for His sheep, His church, His people.

I hear this phrase alot about "all sin" or "all mankind" and that gives a non believer comfort to think he is covered. You must repent for a sin to be covered by the Blood. One must repent an believe Jesus died for YOUR sin, and make Him Lord of your life. Simply knowing the story of Jesus is not enough. That is why it is blasphemy for someone to say a Muslim, etc, is saved. Jesus made it plain that only believers can recieve attonement. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, but insist he wasn't the Son of God, and even say He didn't die on the cross. He was seen after the "aledged" crucifiction by many, ergo, it was a trick, played on the Romans. If Allah and God are the same, then how do you think He will react when you deny the Lordship of His Son? The Muslims have a large surprise waiting for them after their next murder/suicide.

If you think I'm closed minded and bigoted, wait till they meet God!

[GeorgiaYankee]

excellent review!

OSC and Glenn Beck are my favortie Mormons (hey, that sounds like a 60's sitcom!)

[gobucks]

"That part where the cross was flipped over on Jesus stomach"

You know, it was the last thing I expected too. Talk about a bizarre scene. But, they treated him like he wasn't even human doing that...and that scene thus captured, like the whole movie, the message perfectly of what we're supposed to 'get'.

Our world is far too inhuman these days.

[gobucks]

You're very welcome.

[gobucks]

You are welcome!

[gobucks]

Well, I think if Mel just makes religious movies alone, his job security is infinite. I hope he makes a few more.

[gobucks]

"The real meaning of the leftist refrain about wanting to "change the world" largely consists in doing away with the many individuals actualizing themselves through materialization of their different visions. "

You have given me food for thought. I've been recently re-calibrating my entire approach to our my 'stuff' serves as a faith interface to anyone who walks in my front doot. For example, the wall hangings. Some of them, acquired years ago, are like 'trophies'. But, they're not so useful for my purposes these days.

Our tax system, something that very, very badly used to upset me (now, I'm merely able to calmly grit my teeth), is in essence what these leftists most hope to use to maximize their 'materialization'. No wonder it feels like a spiritual attack.

I am mystified that the implosion of the USSR has not dissuaded their efforts an iota. How is it that data point, along with the collapse of the Eastern bloc is so easily ignored do you think?

Ah, maybe you don't need to answer. I think I know. It's a question of the consequences of losing an identity. Most people, unlike Christ (surprise, I can relate), can't bear a cross, for they are bound to the idea of how much they 'own' themselves.

A leftist can't bear NOT evangelizing via this communal property hijacking, b/c to quit would mean to lose their rewards from their 'god'. Given they can't see a spiritual alternative source of nourishment, they default to theft mode and call it 'charity'. There's a word for that, though inadequate. Pitiful.

[gobucks]

You're welcome. So many of the other reviews were so empty - I was glad I found this one to share, with the assist of Sloth to OSC.