The Passion of The Christ

Hasbeen, c'mon. Two right off the bat that I can think of is crushing the serpent in the head (bruising his heel) in the garden. According to the Bible, it didn't happen there. Embellishment. The other is all the times (I honestly didn't count) Jesus fell while carrying the cross. It seemed like 1000, but but that point I was so sick of the overuse of slo-mo that it felt like it drug on for hours on end. According to the Bible, he fell 3 times and on the last time, Simon helped him carry the cross. I know in the movie there was at least one more occurrence of falling after Simon arrived. Embellishment. There are more, but I'd have to rewatch the movie (which ain't happenin') to refresh my memory, but even you admitted earlier they were in there.

My point in the parts of the interview I quoted was that Mel said it was his version of what happened, what he wanted to show. He wanted it to be extreme. Shouldn't the factual Bible account be extreme enough?

I understand you wanting to believe he made this film with purely a righteous heart, but he's in the business he's in to make money. I'm sure young stars and starlets start out their career with dreams of doing it all for "art", but in the end, most sell out. That's why there's junk out there. Quick buck. Look at Gibson's film career. There are quite a few stinkers in there (and I used to be a big Mel fan) I'm not saying this was his intent with this film, but look at the box office for past "religious" films. They make the cash. Trust me, Mel knew exactly what he was doing. It's his business to know.

 

Holy cow.

I can't believe that's there. I wouldn't have, if you hadn't just showed it to me. Dry that one out and you could fertilize the lawn with it.

Reference from Genesis 3:15, but misused. Man was to crush the snakes' heads, not Jesus. Point by you.

Blatant exaggeration for dramatic effect (i.e. embellishment ). Another point by you.

I'll concede your points, Muff. There's a lot more 'dramatic effect' in the movie that I realized at first. I still think the primary goal of the movie was to tell a part of Jesus' story in a way it's never been told before. But I can't deny the scenes I did notice, and the ones you've pointed out.

I just took him at his word. His position throughout the whole thing has been he's been wanting to make this film ever since he rediscovered his own faith. He wanted to share the story in mass media, and he had the resources to do it. His words, not mine.

Agreed.

Gotta disagree with you there. The last big moneymaking religious film (in POTC-like numbers) I'd wager was probably The Ten Commandments or Ben Hur. How much money did Dogma, or The Order make? The Prince of Egypt made some money, but just about anything animated from Disney does. Can you think of any blockbuster religious films released in the past 20 years that were anywhere near as successful as POTC?

 

I was talking mainly about Braveheart. Hell, I still can't see even small parts of that one without sitting to watch the whole thing.

And yes, there's a cadre of radical Bible-humpers who are trying to make much more out of this than a simple movie. Ever since I joined this board I've spoken my mind on the Talebangelists who dream of a Christian theocracy in Amercia. They're going to crow and holler and do their tapdance no matter what. This movie just got 'em riled up.

Having yet to view the movie myself, I can't comment on it in detail. But judging by the accompanying dog-and-pony show, it seems to be having a polarizing effect among those who crave division and conflict... the Hawks of the "Culture War," if you will. More when I see this movie. Can't promise when that will be.

 

Alright, HB. I'll concede your points as well, but will you at least admit that the movie was made for entertainment? And as entertainment, it clearly missed.

 

If it was made primarily for entertainment, you're absolutely right -- it failed. And not only that, it was doomed from the start, IMO.

 

That must have been a novel feeling for you.

 

The Book is better than the movie

 

i live with a man that is 14" taller than me and outweighs me by quite a bit. i feel small often but thanks for the compliment baldy.

 

All i got to say is it was a great movie, very powerful as well.

and that Builder guy, that guy is a freak