'The Passion of Christ'

[RS Davis]

[glow=red,2,300]Robert Novak Wrote:[/glow]"Hollywood actor Gibson, who spent over $25 million of personal funds to produce 'The Passion,' has finally found a distributor to begin its showing Feb. 25 -- Ash Wednesday. A campaign by some Jewish leaders to radically edit the film or, alternatively, prevent its exhibition appears to have failed. This opens the door to religious conflict if the critics turn their criticism into public protest. That is not because of the content of 'The Passion.' As a journalist
who has actually seen what the producers call 'a rough cut' of the movie and not just read about it, I can report it is free of the anti-Semitism that its detractors claim."

- Rick

[Kender]

Awesome. I look forward to watching this movie.

[RS Davis]

Kender said:

Awesome. I look forward to watching this movie.

Me too, actually.

- Rick

[Leelooblues]

I won't see it, I abhor religious movies. Which brings me to this ridiculous attempt at editing it: Don't like?
Don't watch! Some people really like to get upset over bullshit.

[RS Davis]

Leelooblues said:

Which brings me to this ridiculous attempt at editing it: Don't like? Don't watch! Some people really like to get upset over bullshit.

Seriously.

- Rick

[Kender]

Leelooblues said:

I won't see it, I abhor religious movies. Which brings me to this ridiculous attempt at editing it: Don't like?
Don't watch! Some people really like to get upset over bullshit.

Well, normally I don't care for religious movies myself. The controversy about this one, especially since it appears to be about nothing, however, makes me more interested. I'm curious as to just how well this was done.

[RS Davis]

Deacon Keith Fournier
I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion" but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions. I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in Washington D.C. and greeted some familiar faces.

The environment was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. I lived out of Northern Virginia over three years ago and realized at that moment that I did not miss this kind of approach at all. I live in southeastern Virginia now, among people who are neither geographically nor constitutionally close to "the beltway" mindset or manner.

The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened.

From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever experienced. In addition to being a masterpiece of film making and an artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same.

Stills...

















- Rick