The Passion of the Christ

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

I thought it was OK, but I really don't see what the big hubbub is all about. I just felt like there wasn't enough context for what you were seeing. I understand that yes, this is a passion play, and passion plays by design don't get into the message of Christ. I just don't understand why you need to make a movie out of it.

I thought, FWIW, that Last Temptation of Christ taught me much more about the teachings of Jesus than The Passion, while still being brutally graphic for those that need that sort of thing. Plus, from a purely technical standpoint, Scorsese has it all over Mel Gibson when it comes to filmmaking acumen.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Sounds like the same opinion as Christopher Hitches, who also called it a snuff film. Amusingly enough, he didn't see it, either. All I can say is, if it looks like a snuff film to you, then that's just you. What I saw was as far away from pornography as anything can be.

Also the opinion of a character on SouthPark. They had an episode about it.

So-so episode really.

I'll eventually see it (Passion), but have a high barrier of entry for me to get off my lazy butt and go to a theater, so it'll be on cable someday I'm sure.

 

[drnuncheon]

I think that if you're strongly Christian, you may well be inspired by knowing just what Jesus went through for you - and you'll also know what the heck is going on.

I'm not, so I was left alternately bewildered ("Now I know how your mother felt when she was watching Lord of the Rings with us," I told my wife. "Who are all of these people?") and, frankly, revolted by the level of violence and bloodshed - and this coming from someone who enjoyed Kill Bill.

I won't say anything more for fear of stepping over The Line (tm) - I suppose if anyone wants to discuss it we could take it to Nutkinland.

J

 

[Endur]

I think your emotions are exactly what is intended by the movie makers.
1) Being inspired by what Jesus went through for you;
2) Being revolted by the violence that was inflicted on him;

In Kill Bill, you are supposed to like the violence. Here, you are supposed to be revolted by it. The people who are inflicting the violence are "evil". In Kill Bill, the primary violence inflicter is the heroine of the movie.

In regards to knowing who these people are, I didn't recognize them either.

I think that if you're strongly Christian, you may well be inspired by knowing just what Jesus went through for you - and you'll also know what the heck is going on.

I'm not, so I was left alternately bewildered ("Now I know how your mother felt when she was watching Lord of the Rings with us," I told my wife. "Who are all of these people?") and, frankly, revolted by the level of violence and bloodshed - and this coming from someone who enjoyed Kill Bill.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I think your emotions are exactly what is intended by the movie makers.
1) Being inspired by what Jesus went through for you;
2) Being revolted by the violence that was inflicted on him

I dunno...I liked it, but not really that much. For me, the violence had me revolted in the since that I just wanted to say "Jeez, I get the point already."

It felt like it was almost bloody just for the sake of being bloody.

 

[drnuncheon]

I think your emotions are exactly what is intended by the movie makers.
1) Being inspired by what Jesus went through for you;

...assuming those are your beliefs. They're not mine, which is probably why I didn't care for the film, and wasn't particularly inspired by it.

Effective? Perhaps. I think it rests too much on the assumed knowledge and beliefs of the audience. A really well-done movie would have made you care about the main character and what was happening to him in more than an abstract, "nobody should have to go through that" way. But this film gives you 5 minutes of doubt, and then it's straight to the beatings.

J

 

[Trainz]

"DANGER WILL ROBINSON ! DANGER !"

 

[KenM]

OK, I have not seen the Passion. But with Kill Bill, you know its "hollywood style" violence, so IMO it does not shock you as much. What I heard about The Passion, I have to agreee with what was said about it on South Park. "it really GUILTS you into beliving."

 

[Ashwyn]

My grandma saw this the other day, and she said it was boring. "I learned all that when I was 6!" is a direct quote from her. I don't have any intention of paying to see it. I'd rather watch a movie about how someone lived, than how they died, that's what matters to me.

 

[Dirigible]

*waves*

Just saying hi.
- Darkness,

Moderator

Subtle.

I'm happy to stay off the politics/religion subjects that are frowned upon at ENWorld, but this is too funny to not comment on. I had a vision of this guy staring at a screen measuring how much anti-semitism has risen or fallen

So, how would you measure this? 7% less people accept the offer of a bacon sandwich after seeing tPotC? 7% fewer people punch a photo of a rabbi when offered after the film? Curious.

But this film gives you 5 minutes of doubt, and then it's straight to the beatings.

Mel 'this movie needs more beatings' Gibson.

Was Cavaziel actually struck by lightning twice during the filming, or is that a new urban legend?

Anyway... I think I'll go see it. I don't expect it to change any of my opinions of beliefs, but it'll be nice to gain perspective on the arguments.