'The Passion' rivals Star Wars in sales

Palm Beach Post ^ | 2/22/04 | John Lantigua

[giotto]

The last time I checked (two weeks ago), the nearest theatre that was scheduled to run The Passion of the Christ is 28 miles from me. Now, checking Yahoo movies, one of my local multiplex cinemas is sheduled to run it beginning Wednesday, with eleven showtimes. Most of the other movies have only 2-6 showtimes, with three being the average. I guess theatres' phonelines must have melted down over the last week or so.

[semaj]

"Why does the movie have to keep being called "controversial"?

Jesus told his disciples that they would be despised and hated. Jesus said that the world would hate them, but admonished them not to be troubled, because the world hated Him first. The powers that be tried their best to destroy the Messiah, knowing that they failed in the attempt, they now go after the Master's servants.

Pity the poor benighted fools, they go to their destruction.

[semaj]

"I doubt that. I expect a *very* big opening week, but a fast drop-off."

I, for one, plan to see it at least 4 times.

[Stopislamnow]

I think Titanic is going down.

Gonna see it twice myself. Once with church, once with fiance.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Why does the movie have to keep being called "controversial"?

Haven't the foggiest. This one focuses only on His death and there is not a lot of controversy there. If it had been about His life or ministry I could see it. But even most skeptics believe that He lived and died. Just not that He was God.

[ApesForEvolution]

I can't wait to see it!

[maro]

Don't you think there are a lot of balding middle-aged studio execs screaming into their speakerphones: "What do you mean, you don't have a script? I want a ****ing Jesus movie proposal on my ****ing desk by Friday or you'll be back breathing ricin fumes in my ######## mailroom on Monday!"

[NittanyLion]

I saw Saving Private Ryan and somehow didn't burn down the local German bar.

Speak for yourself, Neville.

(Just kidding...)

[agrarianlady]

The South Florida office of the Anti-Defamation League sent a mailing to 1,700 area churches Tuesday asking Christian leaders to "speak out against anyone who uses the film to fuel the passion of hatred toward Jews and Judaism."

This seems so bizarre. We have Communion every week at our Presbyterian Church (PCA) in which we read Jesus' words on the night he was betrayed. We focus on His death every week.

You would think if the leaders of these 1,700 churches hadn't mentioned circumstances of the crucifixion by now . . . it's just unreal that the ADL would have to think they have to warn evangelical Christians in this country of any such thing.

[billorites]

"Even with the DMCA it would be awfully hard to copyright the Jesus action figures."

Why should this film be any different? Such is the nature of Hollywood.

There will be PlayStation II games where you battle each other to cast the first stone.

Or try to nail Barrabas to the cross the fastest.

[Dante3]

I don't understand either why it is being called controversial. At least one of the stars is Jewish and has given interesting interviews. However, the controversy sure has helped the film. Some friends were not going to see it but now want to see what the fuss is about.

I can't recall "King of Kings," a well-done film about Jesus made many years, draw this kind of attacks.

[eno_]

Thing is, you could actually do a glow-in-the-dark Jesus dashboard statuette packed with a Happy Meal(tm) in the Spanish-speaking markets in the U.S. Mel? You listening?

[billorites]

I don't care if it rains of freezes
'Long as I got my Plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car.

Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my Plastic Jesus I'll go far.
Plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car

I'm afraid He'll have to go.
His magnets ruin my radio
And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar.
Riding down a thoroughfare
With His nose up in the air,
A wreck may be ahead, but He don't mind.

Trouble coming He don't see,
He just keeps His eye on me
And any other thing that lies behind.
Plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car ...