The Passion Completely Ignored by Golden Globes (Nomination list says it all)

Angelqueen.org ^ | December 14, 2004 | John Grasmeier

[AAABEST]

Nomination list highlights culture gulf between Hollywood elite and intended clientele



Not that it’s any surprise, but the Hollywood whose-its have once again done what they could to stick their proverbial fingers into the eye of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”.

Never mind foreign films, “The Passion” became one of the biggest cinematic events in recent memory, yet it is nowhere to be found among the Golden Globe nominations. Let's face it; it wasn’t expected that the whiney cheesy lefties in Hollywood would allow a movie about Jesus to actually win anything, but they could have at least feigned having a clue it by giving this landmark film a token nomination.

Although none of us unwashed types from the Hinter-villes have ever seen or heard of any of the earth-shaking classics up for nomination, it's revealing to take a look at the completely unknown “masterpieces” that are in the running for best foreign film. They are:

· “The Motorcycle Diaries” a Brazilian film that glorifies notorious Cuban communist Che Guevara.

·  “House of Flying Daggers” brought to you by communist Red China.

·  “The Chorus” and “A Very Long Engagement” both from socialist France.

·  “The Sea Inside” - a story from Spain that advocates assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Yep, “The Passion” has nothing on this list of beauties.

From the get-go, “The Passion” had lacked the basic ingredients that are gimmies with films that reach its level of success.

None of the big distributors (who are now kicking themselves) would pick it up, hence forcing it into a limited theater distribution and unconventional pre-release promotion. Unlike most blockbusters of its caliber, it had an “R” rating, which cut out the kiddie-crowd dollars. It was an independent, sub-titled foreign film that was released mid-week during the off-season. The old-media critics, who suddenly discovered en masse that they didn’t like “violence” in their movies, panned it relentlessly. It had none of the pre-release big money advertising hoopla associated with an anticipated blockbuster. Yet despite all of this, consider the following. “The Passion”:

·  Had the highest opening take ever of a movie outside of summer release.

·  Has the record for the highest five-day opening in history for any film released on a Wednesday.

·  Is the highest grossing religious movie of all time.

·  Claims the 3rd highest 5 day opening in movie history.

·  Had the 9th highest grossing opening day of all time.

Additionally on the first day of its release, DVD sales of the Passion were over 4.1 million. 9 million were sold after the first week – second only to “Finding Nemo” for the all-time record. If the trends continue, Gibson is set to personally make somewhere around one half of a billion dollars from the production.

In other words the public at large has made Mel Gibson's soon to be classic film a huge success despite it being outside the pre-cut template set for most films that bring in the revenues it has. Alas, the public at large doesn't get to pick which films are good, we have snobby liberals to do that for us.

It seems that along with their values and politics, Hollywood’s movers and shakers taste in movies are light years apart from their clientele’s.

[kingsurfer]

I noticed that.
Bit odd considering it was so amazingly succesful and controversial.

[AAABEST]

Passion ping

[Route101]

Not surprised at all........

[fdsa2]

Why would it be listed among "best foreign" films?

[R. Scott]

It was not unexpected. Hollyweird is the capital of the Left Coast.

[tiamat]

Neither am I.

Bumping this anyway.

[kingsurfer]

It was filmed in Italy.

[kingsurfer]

And it was in a foreign language.

[bobjam]

They tried to claim that The Passion was not technically a foreign film becuase it was not in the language of a foreign country (such as China or Spain). Of course if someone did a sob piece about Amazon natives being displaced and abused by evil American capitalists bent on chopping down the rain forest for profit and had the dialogue in some obscure native language, the intellegentsia of Mordor Hollywood would be all over like stink on auk. If they wish to be technical, Latin is tyhe official language of a foreign country called Vatican City.

[MikefromOhio]

Shouldnt really be surprised...

in fact, not getting nominated just shows how badly Hollyweird has been stung by Mel this time around....

I would be happy that it didnt get nominated.

[diverteach]

It's just one way that the hollywood blue state elitist' feel they can get back at the red state evagelicals for winning the election. Personally, unless it's another movie on par with "The Passion", I'll not support hollyweird by going to anymore movies.

[Noachian]

Would Mel Gibson rather have a chunk of metal on his shelf or mega-millions in the bank?

Hmmmmmmmm...tough question......give me a minute......

[Brilliant]

It's Hollywood's opinion.

[JesseHousman]

Mel Gibson doesn't belong in that group of secular humanist hedonists.

He knows The Passion was the best of the best and was the most inspirational motion picture made.

If more Catholics saw that film the Church wouldn't be in the satan inspired state it's in today and confessional doors would be worn off their hinges.

[trickyricky]

I wouldn't think Gibson would want "The Passion" associated in any way
with the vermin of Hollywood.

[Stubborn]

My sentiments exactly!

[Lil'freeper]

I, too, am not surprised. But I'm going to pick on this author for trotting out one of my biggest pet peeves. Box office sales are no way to judge a movie. A movie isn't 'great' because of how much money it makes or how many people have seen it. There have been big-grossing films that are pure trash. Make the argument based on artistic merit. "The Passion" certainly has it in spades.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

What's a "Golden Globe?"

[Dante3]

Seems for years Golden Globes have lacked much credibility, mainly an in-group admiring each other.