Jesus Challenges Moses at Box Office

Internet movie data base (IMDB) ^ | 2-27-04 | Lew Irwin

[Jack Armstrong]

the film may have benefited from the recent controversy that was ignited when several Jewish leaders warned that it could incite anti-Semitism by blaming the Jews for Christ's death. Instead, they noted, the movie appeared to exploit a more insidious form of anti-Semitism as "the film the Jews didn't want you to see."

[Jack Armstrong]

Jesus Challenges Moses at Box Office

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ exceeded estimates on Wednesday as it took in $23.6 million, well above the $15-20 million that had been forecast by distributor Newmarket, and the fifth-largest Wednesday opening in history. The film also earned about $3 million in private screenings for church groups earlier in the week, the distributor said. "This number would be impressive for a mainstream blockbuster, let alone a subtitled historical-religious epic," Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations, told today's (Friday) New York Times. The film is likely to become the highest-grossing bible-themed movie in history, analysts agreed. The current record is held by Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, which took in $65.5 million in 1956 ($446 million in 2004 dollars). Meanwhile, several analysts observed that the film may have benefited from the recent controversy that was ignited when several Jewish leaders warned that it could incite anti-Semitism by blaming the Jews for Christ's death. Instead, they noted, the movie appeared to exploit a more insidious form of anti-Semitism as "the film the Jews didn't want you to see."

[Jack Armstrong]

In a related IMDB page for viewer ratings.
IMDB members have given Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ a strong 7.8 (OUT OF10) rating.
Out of over 2800 pollers, the bulk of the audiance (65.3%) gives Passion a "10".

1882 65.3% 10
278 9.6% 9
153 5.3% 8
98 3.4% 7
51 1.8% 6
42 1.5% 5
27 0.9% 4
31 1.1% 3
35 1.2% 2
286 9.9% 1

Arithmetic mean = 8.4. Median = 10

[Eala]

Meanwhile, several analysts observed that the film may have benefited from the recent controversy that was ignited when several Jewish leaders warned that it could incite anti-Semitism by blaming the Jews for Christ's death. Instead, they noted, the movie appeared to exploit a more insidious form of anti-Semitism as "the film the Jews didn't want you to see."

So let me see if I have this conspiracy theory straight:

Mel Gibson figured out that some Jewish leaders (?) would protest the movie for being anti-Semitic, so he craftily made it non-anti-Semitic in order to exploit the more insidious form of anti-Semitism using their protests.

Wow. Fiendishly clever, that Mel.

[Jack Armstrong]

Is there such a thing as exploiting STUPIDITY?

[Jack Armstrong]

But seriously .
These grosses , these dollar numbers, I am very interested in how the media-liberal-elite will stiffly turn their heads next winter , come Oscar time.

I predict Mel will not get diddly squat from the pharassitical Academy of (politically correct) motion pictures!

However he will be laughing all the way to the bank!
God Bless Saint Mel!

[Eala]

God Bless Saint Mel

I'm not ready to canonize him yet, but we are seriously thinking about contributing to his bottom line tomorrow in contrast to our usual habit of waiting until a movie is almost gone from the theatres before we go see it.

OTOH, a local radio talk show host (plug: KVI 570 AM's John Carlson) noted that the downtown Seattle ("Sodom on the Sound") theatre he went to on Thursday morning was at 1/3 capacity. So we're likely to go there.

[xzins]

Instead, they noted, the movie appeared to exploit a more insidious form of anti-Semitism as "the film the Jews didn't want you to see."

Horse-puckey....they're isn't an anti-semitic bone anywhere in the gospel account of Jesus' crucifixion.

I'm going to see it because of the sacrifice. Don't they get it?

If he wasn't REALLY dead, then what's the point of saying he came alive again? This crucifixion was so brutal there will little doubt that Jesus died even in the mind of the most skeptical.

I'm going to see it because of the sacrifice. It was my sin that had this horrible beating and torture come upon him. It will show me how awful is that sin.

[franky]

***"Jesus Challenges Moses at Box Office"***

A modern day secular Transfiguration???

[Jack Armstrong]

G2822 κλητός klētos klay-tos' From the same as G2821; invited, that is, appointed, or (specifically) a saint: - called. We use the term "saint" in it's most general sense... that is ...one who is called out...or... a saint is one who is a believer. This expression is one I have come to use when ever discussing members of the body of Christ or His Church. Not to be confused with Saint, a term of human achievement bestowed upon so pious archetype of one particular denomination or sect.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

And how much of C. B. DeMille's THE COMMANDMENTS script came from the Bible? Very very little.

[A.J.Armitage]

And if people stayed away, it would prove they were trying too hard to avoid appearing anti-Semitic and thus subtly anti-Semitic.

And if the movie made middling sales, it would prove that only a minority wanted to see it while most avoided the subtle anti-Semitism, thus showing those who did see it as looking for anti-Semitism and thus, subtly anti-Semitic.

[Eala]

Not sure what prefaced your note (my browser didn't render it), but after seeing the movie all I can say is: God Bless Saint Mel!

[AnAmericanMother]

Well, how was it?

[Eala]

AnAmericanMother,

Several times now I have essayed responses to your question. I've squelched all of them before this. It's a powerful movie, and it is not a "pretty" movie. I was unable to look at all of the ugliness it presents -- but if you want to have some idea of what Christ Jesus suffered on our behalf, I think it is here in this movie, unvarnished.

[AnAmericanMother]

I think I understand what you mean.

Nobody's reaction is exactly the same - but everyone seems to agree that it is remarkable and that you won't walk away unchanged.

My husband and I want to see it together, before the kids do. He had a Scout function tonight, so I think we may try to go tomorrow.

[Eala]

I'll be interested to hear what you think -- after you've given it some time. Do leave yourselves an hour or two or three afterwards for "quiet time."