The Passion a dangerous movie?

[Shipscat]

I'm watching the news, and at the first showing of the Passion in Wichita a woman in her fifties, seemingly in good health, had a heart attack during the scenes where Jesus's hand and feet were nailed, and died.

Now they have clergymen outside the theater offering counseling to people just coming out of the movie, and they're putting health warnings out on the news.

[grinner]

bah... I have a problem with this. This situation is going to be used as Propaganda AGAINST the movie. No one knows the Health History of this woman... she may have had a history of heart problems. Wait until all the information is out before coming to a conclusion.

[Shipscat]

Well, the local news wasn't making a value judgement about the movie..I mean, when you think about it, it means the movie is a success in showing not only graphic scenes but in getting people emotionally involved.

[grinner]

I just read a stringer on a news service (that won't let you copy) that was very Anti-Passions and used this as an argument for shutting down the movie.

[Third EYe]

I haven't seen the movie. I feel fine, I'll let you know how I do later.

[Shipscat]

It just reminds me of all the people throwing up at the Exorcist and passing out...

[Antrobus]

All I know is that Roger Ebert said it was the most graphically disturbing movie he'd ever seen - and he went on to give it and "A". And he's seen 'em all!

I guess it's extremely graphic - showing a great deal of blood, skin being torn and ripped apart and the sound of breaking bones.

One critic said that it would be likely that many would walk out of it due it's large focus on the torture, blood, etc.

I guess some may have to be carried out!

[canadadoc]

Well - I did not see this newscast but people have heart attacks in many places including in front of their own TV all the time. We rarely hear about that. Unfortunately an acute and fatal heart attack can occur at any time in those at risk. So sorry for this woman and her family.

Personally I never go to graphically violent films - so have not seen many very good recent movies for this reason. This film will probably be out of my range of comfort. It sounds like a film that can evoke strong emotions so I am very interested in hearing the opinions of any who see it.

Interesting post - thanks Shipscat.

c.

[Twich]

I saw it. It IS graphic. I know people who are taking their kids and I'm angry at them. I've never experienced such a thing in my life...it's incredible.

And honestly, it's changed me.

But we'll have to see how the press spins this. It could be anything...but I'll bet they make it into something bad.

On the flip side, Matthew Perry just said on the news that it's on the top of his "to-do" for the weekend. I find some of the people supporting it in Hollywood very interesting.

[DentArthurDent]

Interestingly, I saw a making of kinda thing on Pax [local general station with a Christian focus] and it looks difficult but worth it... I think I'll wait for the DVD... Faith is a very personal thing for me. I wouldn't be able to see it with strangers...

AFD

[Bargaintuan]

For once, I don't think the violence was gratuitous. It was making a point.

My main problem with that movie is the final scene. It broke completely from the tone of the rest of the film, and seemed hokey to me as a result.

[Twich]

As a Christian though, the final scene was necessary to the story. Otherwise, there was no reason for any of the preceding parts of the story.

[stellar]

I saw it Saturday. The only problem that I had was that it should have been NC17 to actually prevent these moron parents from bringing their infants to see the movie. Children can't read and even those who can cannot rationalize what they're seeing in front of them. These kids will carry a serious trauma with them for a long time and probably associate that trauma with Jesus Christ.

The movie itself was moving and extremely well done. It had flaws in that some of it was too campy, e.g. Jesus making the modern table and saying it was the wave of the future and MAry not buying it. The few flaws were completely overshadowed by the strengths. The violence is graphic and realistic. The most graphic would be the scourging. It's not over the top. To go further would be unnecessary, to hold back would have been to cheat the subject matter.

IMHO the Ressurection was done perfectly. It put the whole story in perspective. This was a man who suffered enormously for a very long time and the end shows that he did it purposefully, he could have stopped it at any time and healed himself and proven to the Romans and Jews that he was something more than what they took him for - but he stayed the course even though the course was hard. IMHO this figure chose the course with purpose, he knew the course meant suffering and death and he had to go through it all the way to succeed.

The Ressurection was simple and straight forward. To me it was like a "and now for my next trick" moment. It put everything into context.

There were a few emotional people, but overall everyone left in silence and probably stayed that way for a while.

[Darth Buddha]

Unfortunately I haven't seen it yet.

The only BAD thing I've heard is that on the first several nights, there were busloads of evangelicals from all over the place trying to spread the good word to those coming out of the film.

Even when told no, they were apparently quite aggressive ... reaching the point of attempting to physically detain or slow people down... as in hands on.

Christianity is O.K. by me.. but I believe evangelism should be strictly monitored... go over the line, and it is criminal...

You all know what I am talking about.. the Mormon who puts his foot in the door when you try to close it. The Jehnovah's Witness who verbally abuses you and tells you that you are going to hell when you insist you are not interested.

And so on, and so on...

After all, the arrogance of these folks. A simple "no" should do.

[NebariNookiee]

I personally rather see Dawn of the Dead -- now there’s a resurrection I can sink my teeth into. :smokin: -- Snoogins

[BlackThorn]

Review from an "outsider."

Saw it Monday afternoon, and started off a bit peeved when I found out we missed the first couple minutes becaue the theater started the movie ten minutes early.

I didn't think the violence was too heavy. If anything, it was appropriate for the subject matter. Unlike earlier movies, Passion gave a true feel for what a person going through that would face. It's ugly and it's horrible, but that's the truth of the matter.

I didn't see anything anti-semitic in this movie. However, I could see how someone looking for it could find it. It showed the politics at the time involving a select group of people, but it also showed the point of view of many other Jews who opposed what was going on. The mob was portrayed as a mob. To show any less would have been totally unrealistic. You can't please everyone.

All around the actors' performances were excellent all around, but the one that stuck me most was the woman who played Mary (mom, not Magdalene) -- can't remember the name of the actress. Her portrayal of a woman having to watch all of this happen to her son was exceptional, and the scenes involving her brought me close to tears. The biggest one for me was the intermittent cuts between her running to Jesus when he fell as a little boy and her running to him when he fell while trying to carry the cross. Powerful piece there. And then her look of utter desolation at the end when it was finally over. Perfect.

I personally didn't think Pilate was portrayed as too sympathetic, but then, I also know that some people wouldn't have been satisfied if he'd been portrayed as anything less than an early day Hitler, so . . . He didn't come across as good or bad, really. Just a man stuck in a very inconvenient position, considering the time. Yet another pawn in a grander scheme, much like Judas, if you go by the canon that it was all meant to unfold this way.

The table scene would normally have been out of place, but I saw it as showing another side of him as a person. It showed that, like us, he had a humorous side and a creative side, and I thought that added to the film overall.

Okay, I heard all about how scary the demons were, but I have to say I had a very hard time not busting up laughing over those. It wasn't the fault of the movie, really. They just resembled a certain picture I once posted here of a goofy looking kid I saw in a local real estate ad, and everytime I saw them in the movie, I kept flashing back to that goofy picture. :shrug:

Overall, I thought it was a great film. Gibson went for realism, and he hit it on the mark through most of it (won't go into a certain sound effect when a certain fellow got his eye pecked out that sounded exactly like a sound effect from a penguin video game I played as a kid.) Beautifully filmed and beautifully scored (gotta get me that soundtrack.) I'm sure this will definitely be up for a slew of Oscars next year, and I'm already looking forward to owning the DVD.

[generic_screenname]

I didn't see anything anti-semitic in this movie. However, I could see how someone looking for it could find it.

Moviegoers exit the theater after seeing The Passion

[Selena]

From what I've heard from people who have seen this movie ... it is dangerous in one respect ... it will change your life forever in how you perceive what Jesus did on the cross.


Mel Gibson and James Dobson (Focus on the Family) have both stated that they do not believe this movie is appropriate viewing for anyone under the age of 12, unless the child is very mature.

[BlackThorn]

:spew:
g_s . . . do you know how hard it is to clean V8 off a keyboard? Neither do I, but I'm now going to find out.

[Digger]

Originally posted by BlackThorn
I'm sure this will definitely be up for a slew of Oscars next year The cynic in me says that it will win for best foreign language film and for little else and that there will be a huge uproar becuase of it.

[trinamick]

Originally posted by Darth Buddha
Unfortunately I haven't seen it yet.

Christianity is O.K. by me.. but I believe evangelism should be strictly monitored... go over the line, and it is criminal...

You all know what I am talking about.. the Mormon who puts his foot in the door when you try to close it. The Jehnovah's Witness who verbally abuses you and tells you that you are going to hell when you insist you are not interested.

And so on, and so on...

After all, the arrogance of these folks. A simple "no" should do.

Actually, no Jehovah's Witness would tell you you were going to hell, since they don't believe in a burning hell. And I have never heard a JW or a Mormon be verbally abusive. I appreciate the fact that they are trying to help other people. I don't consider it arrogance. If you're not searching for something it seems unnecessary, but if you're looking for answers it's a different matter. Guess it's all in perception...

[mfa96]

Originally posted by trinamick
If you're not searching for something it seems unnecessary, but if you're looking for answers it's a different matter. Guess it's all in perception...

The difference here is if you are looking for answers you go to find them, not have them come knocking on your door- and the door of everyone else as well.

[Darth Buddha]

Perhaps I was mistaken about which exact sect the fruitcake at my door was. I thought he had "the watchtower"
with him.

[trinamick]

Actually, there are many people who don't know where to go for answers, and they appreciate someone coming to them. Granted, not everyone is looking for answers, and they certainly have that right, but these ones feel they have an obligation to seek out interested individuals. I have to admire them for at least living up to their beliefs and doing what they feel is right.

[UTChick]

I saw the film & thought Mel Gibson did an excellent job portraying a very difficult subject matter. Luckily, I was able to see it w/ my husband & some dear friends. That was helpful.

I, too would not let my children see it. Their understanding of what Jesus did is not developed enough to handle the portrayal of it in a realistic manner. It would only serve to petrify them to death, not enhance their understanding of Jesus' sacrifice.

The violence wasn't excessive IMHO. It was, what it was back then. It was a very brutal, violent time period.

It's a difficult movie (more so for those who believe), because you can't just say, oh well, that's Hollywood - it's fake. Although the actors are just that, acting - the story is real, hence, the inability to escape what is being told.

It will most likely affect you in some manner. It's incredibly intense.

I did like the resurrection scene. It felt it was necessary to the story.

I've read where Mel Gibson didn't want to be in the movie, but one part is him - it is his hands nailing Christ to the cross - that was his personal statement as to his own involvement w/ Christ's sacrifice. I thought that was very spiritual on his part.

I hope Hollywood will give Mel his due, but all-in-all - that's not what matters & it isn't why he made the movie.

I'd recommend anyone to watch it - yes, it's horrific & I don't watch those movies (normally), but this is a story of the greatest story ever told & it's done extremely well. It will be an extremely long time before anyone can really improve on this movie's execution. It's an experience. I don't really know of any other movie that can say that.

[Scarran Raptor]

hey could be worse, Imagine if Quentin Tarrantino directed it

[grinner]

Originally posted by Scarran Raptor
hey could be worse, Imagine if Quentin Tarrantino directed it then we would really have seen the ear come off.

[trinamick]

:lol And Jesus would have gotten shot a couple times just for good measure.

[stellar]

And, somehow, Tim Roth would be in the movie.

[grinner]

Isn't he always?

Same with Steve Buscemi

[generic_screenname]

hey could be worse, Imagine if Quentin Tarrantino directed it

Hmm...

Jesus: You know what the funniest thing about Galilee is?

Peter: What?

Jesus: It's the little differences. A lotta the same sh*t we got here, they got there, but there they're a little different.

Peter: Examples?

Jesus: Well, you know what they call pita bread in Galilee?

Peter: They don't call it Pita bread?

Jesus: No, they're from the house of David there, they wouldn't know what the f*ck Pita bread is.

Peter: Then what do they call it?

Jesus: Unlevined bread.

Peter: Unlevined bread? Man, that's some f*cked up sh*t.

[trinamick]

:spew:

That reminds me of Jay and Silent Bob... hmm...

[stellar]

John
You remember Antwan of Rockamora? Half-black, half-Summarian, used to call him Tony Rocky Horror.

Jesus
Yeah maybe, fat right?

John
I wouldn't go so far as to call the brother fat. He's got a weight problem. What's he gonna do, he's Summarian.

Jesus
I think I know who you mean, what about him?

John
Well, Caiphus fu**ed his ass up good. And word around the campfire, it was on account of Caiphus' wife.

Jesus
What'd he do, covet her?

John
No no no no no no no, nothin' that bad.

Jesus
Well what then?

John
He washed her feet.

Jesus
Washed her feet?

John nods his head: "Yes."

Jesus
That's all?

John nods his head: "Yes."

Jesus
What did Caiphus do?

John
Sent a couple of high priests over to his place. They took him out on the bridge by the temple and threw his ass over the edge. He fell four stories. They had this garden at the bottom, enclosed in clay, like one of them hanging gardens -- Summarian fell through that. Since then, he's kinda developed a speech impediment.

Jesus
That's a damn shame.

[NYPinTA]

:spew: g_s, stellar, if I were you two, I would step away from the computer.. there might be a sudden power surge...

[generic_screenname]

What? God like humor. Take the duck-billed platypus, for example...

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by grinner
bah... I have a problem with this. This situation is going to be used as Propaganda AGAINST the movie. No one knows the Health History of this woman... she may have had a history of heart problems. Wait until all the information is out before coming to a conclusion.

Exactly grinner! I feel the same way.

[stellar]

Originally posted by generic_screenname
What? God like humor. Take the duck-billed platypus, for example...

Exactly. How could God create 9 planets in this Solar System and name one Uranus if he didn't like a good laugh now and then?

[NYPinTA]

Originally posted by generic_screenname
What? God like humor. Take the duck-billed platypus, for example...

:g2f: Zap!!

:lol

Originally posted by stellar
Exactly. How could God create 9 planets in this Solar System and name one Uranus if he didn't like a good laugh now and then?

I don't think He named it... that one is all on us. :lol

[Selena]

I take it the above irreverent dialogues do not come from any widely accepted and recognized scriptures?

[stellar]

No. Alas they're Apocryphal.

[Selena]

Originally posted by stellar
Exactly. How could God create 9 planets in this Solar System and name one Uranus if he didn't like a good laugh now and then?

:g2f: no, no, no Stellar! ... God did not do the naming ... he let Adam do that. After all, the poor dude sat around the garden of Eden for ages without any companionship (of the female variety) so he had to do something to while away the hours. Now Adam ... that's the guy that had the really warped sense of humor. e.g. the tse-tse fly ... don't you think he could have come up with something better than a silly name like that?

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by Selena
I take it the above irreverent dialogues do not come from any widely accepted and recognized scriptures?

Pulp Fiction...sort of.

stellar and g_s, those were great!

How 'bout the wallet scene? Or when they talk about pigs?

[stellar]

Originally posted by Selena
Now Adam ... that's the guy that had the really warped sense of humor. e.g. the tse-tse fly ... don't you think he could have come up with something better than a silly name like that?

Let's not forget the titmouse and the beaver.

[NYPinTA]

Originally posted by Selena
:g2f: no, no, no Stellar! ... God did not do the naming ... he let Adam do that. After all, the poor dude sat around the garden of Eden for ages without any companionship (of the female variety) so he had to do something to while away the hours. Now Adam ... that's the guy that had the really warped sense of humor. e.g. the tse-tse fly ... don't you think he could have come up with something better than a silly name like that?

Adam did that?! :lol I didn' think there was anything but fruit and trees in the garden.. and the random snake of course. Now the name 'oranges' I blame on him. No imagination that Adam fellow. Thank goodness Eve got there in time to name the grapes something other then 'purples'. Can you imagine that?
"Nice wine."
"Ah yes, it was made with the finest purples in Southern France. Glad you like it."

Originally posted by stellar
Let's not forget the titmouse and the beaver.
:spew: if I was divine, *Zap* right in the kisser.... :lol

[GcleffGinger]

We just saw the passion. I took my 13 year old, it was quite appropriate for that age. But he then commented, "Wow, how could Jesus take all that beating? If I were him I would have taken out my AK47 and blasted those Romans away."
...Hmmm, well so much for the history lesson.

[AgentSun]

lets not forget lake titikaka in africa :)

GcleffGinger, your 13 year old seems to have mixed up The Passion with Ahnold "I'm da Govahna" Schwarzenegger... :P

i think grinner summed it up best: we dont know the medical history of the woman and it isnt safe to assume that it was caused by the movie.

i still havent seen it...i will next week. and after then i'll be able to more correctly figure this whole graphic violence deal out, re: is it too graphic.

[Scarran Raptor]

I can see it now

Jesus: I'm looking for Hattori Hanzo

Bartender: what would you need with Damascus steel?

Jesus: I have a vermin problem

Bartender: they must be some big rats

Jesus: Huge