Passions of the Christ. . . yeah, I'm going to hell
 

OK, so I sat down to watch the Passions of the Christ (herein referred to as the TPOTC) on the DVD . . .

. . . I'm not the religious man by any means. At best I'd like to follow the Buddha (though not a true religion), at worst I guess I am the Agnostic. However, I do enjoy studying religions and their mythologies (yeah, fire up the flames!). I was a little disappointed to find out that the TPOTC (OK, if you haven't figured it out yet, all of the "the"s are a joke) only follows a few days in the events of an epic story. The film may be great to somebody who is a believer, but I found it to be rather inaccessible to a pagan like me. It begins in the middle of the story (only some background info is given sparingy through flashbacks) and ends before his resurrection. Somebody like me who does not know the whole story does well to catch up half way through the film and be left hanging at the end. Also the characters, save Jesus (no pun intended) and Mary are unknown and left without introduction or recognition. Again, for somebody who is devout, no problem. For a heathen like myself, issues arise.

Who or what was the Faustian being lurking around? What was the deal with the bald little Evil Mini-Me thing?

Did anybody else watch the opening sequence and think that this may actually turn out to be a werewolf flick? (Constant looks at the full moon, fog rolling into the moores, rather pained look on Jesus's face . . . )

They did do a great job setting it up for a sequel though. Can't wait for the direct to video to see how many brains Jesus eats now that he is back from the dead . . . (I told you I'm going to hell!)

(While this is written in a humorous tone, my bland sense of humor has been oft take the wrong way on here. Hence this disclaimer. Read past the humor/blasphemy -depending on your take- and let's talk!)

You can go to hell because you don't like/make jokes about a movie?

Good thing I don't believe in that stuff...

You say that you enjoy studying religions, yet point out that only a believer would know what is going on. I myself, am not only agnostic, but I tend to lean toward atheism, yet I had no trouble understanding everything because I am very familar with the story. If you don't know about it at all, I can understand your point, but I disagree with the contention that it would only be comprehendable for "a believer". I also went in knowing that it wasn't a comprehensive film and maybe I was better prepared for what I was getting.

all I got was that Buddhism wasn't a true religion. hmm ok.

Well for not knowing how successful the film would be, it simply wasn't practical to make (and fund) a four-hr film about the life of Christ. Maybe they'll make a prequel.

The story is pretty basic, I don't quite understand the whole confusion thing..

To answer your questions about that wierd woman walking around - that was supposed to be a representation of Satan. The monster under the bridge and the little kids were demons. The evil-mini me, well that's up for interpretation I guess. I suppose it was Satan's way of mocking Mary and Jesus.

Personally I don't think the film needed any of the effects, but obviously Mel didn't consult with me beforehand.

Abob why the need to treat your post sarcastically? Straight-forward would've worked fine.

Wow a Passion sequel joke!??!?! Who comes up with this crazy shit?

Personally I'd like them to make a TPOTC prequel trilogy explaining things like his origins and his path on his journey to be a unifying Force who will bring balance.....never mind they'd never do that. ;)

Can they just show the film with these fellas on the lower third?
http://uncensored.citadel.org/pub/incoming/mst3k.gif

I want to respond, but I can't think of anything witty at the moment.

Speaking of strange things about this movie...

Did anyone notice in the ending credits that someone was credited as being the movie's "Muppeteer"?

Where the hell were Muppets in the movie?!?

Reading the Passion article in Cinefex - they built a full-body animatronic Christ for the medium and wide shots of him on the cross.

You could totally see the strings

-or-

How would you have liked to be the guy to have your hand up jesus' ass?



Take your pick on whichever is most offensive.

Woof! Ouch! I'll be sure to save you a seat in hell.

I think it's not even a few days, but the last 12 hours of his life (not counting the flashbacks).

And really, it wasn't my impression that this film was meant to be for anyone not already familiar with the story. It was supposed to be like a "passion play" which, if I understand the term correctly, is supposed to be a kind of dramatic reenactment of the last moments of Jesus Christ.

I think the most accessible part (for those not very familiar with the story) was the telling of his mother's grief.

I also consider myself agnostic, but I thought it was a very powerful film. Which is to say that I don't believe that these events actually happenned, but I could certainly sympathize with the symbolism it implied in his acts and the affect it would have on the faithful.

I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone who didn't know the basic outlines of story surrounding the crucifixtion, and/or who either disliked religion, or found religion to be somewhat ridiculous.

I didn't see TPOTC, but since I don't believe in god I'm gonna guess that it's a terrible film. Also, I didn't read any of this thread, but I'm gonna go ahead and assume it's also terrible as well.

Hm, I thought that it was a little overrated. I'm a devout Christian and I didn't enjoy it. Like you said, it would only really be enjoyable to someone who was already familiar with the story, and really defeats the purpose of having a blockbuster movie about Jesus's life. I honestly thought that The Last Temptation of Christ was a better movie in that it provoked the audience into thinking about the life of Christ and Christianity in general.

Really, the whole movie just boils down to an extended version of the execution scene in Braveheart, which was done much better and had a bigger impact because we were emotionally invested in the characters. TPOTC was just a 2-hour gore fest IMO, very immature, and very lacking.

It's almost as good as "Mermaid in a Manhole".

Why was a woman used as the devil?
Satan was God's most beautiful and favorite angel, so if you were going to cast someone to play that part he would have to be a Brad Pitt looking type. And by casting a woman and making her look unattractive , but if you look carefully one can see some beauty.

And Satan is only in the Bible with Jesus in the dessert when Satan tempts Jesus 3 times. Oh and in the Book Of Revelation in the final battle.

But you know Satan had to be lurking around in the scenes that were filmed even though it was not written in the Bible, because this was important.

IMNSHO, it wasn't really supposed to be a woman. It was supposed to be completely androgenous. Unclear sex.

Actually, it's not....rather it wasn't intended to be at first. From what I've read, the original Buddah was adament that people should not diefy him. His focus was on personal and spritual growth...not creating a religion. Different sects of Buddhism have since diefied him.

You mean they <b><i>faked</i></b> it ?????

Just wanted to throw in my $0.02 here. I agree with the OP that the movie had little or no explanation of the people or events.

Overall, I thought the movie was pretty underwhelming. Too much use of slow motion! Having seen the movie for the first time just recently, I have to admit I was left wondering what the big deal deal was? From my understanding it was just a very literal translation from the bible of Jesus' last twelve hours, nothing more, nothing less.

*stands with palms up shrugging shoulders*

You missed the crucifixion of the Ewok then, I take it?

That seems to be what most people believe but it actually is based far more on the "visions" of a nun, Anne Emmerich (1774-1824), than it is on the gospels.

http://www.emmerich1.com/DOLOROUS_PA...SUS_CHRIST.htm

I think it's pretty evenly divided. He basically put together everything that's said in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Because there's stuff in Mark that's not in Luke, and vice versa for the others. Jesus of Nazareth was pretty much based on Luke. This is like a 4-in-1.

What's not in the Gospels he took from Anne. Like the dialogue of the devil for example and I think the whole deal with Pilate's wife.

Well that is just a statement about religion requiering a deity, which I don't think any definition of religion would adhere to. You are right that most Buddhists sects do not belive in him as a God, even the ones that keep him as the most supreme bodhivistas.

But no God does not equal no religion.

Don't forget the most important: the excessive brutality of the floggings (which, IMO, make the film lose any connection to reality because no one would live through such beatings) and the overdone brutishness and sadism of the Roman soldiers administrating the beatings (making them cartoonish, drooling subhumans, IMO). After, Mary wiping up the excess blood with cloths given to her by Pilate's wife (yes, I know you mentioned her) is right out of Emmerich. There are other things too such as how many times Jesus fell.

The point is there are many extrabiblical things lifted from Emmerich and some touches added by Mel (such as pecking out the eyes of the thief). I hear all the time how closely the film is based on the gospels, yet much of it isn't and hardly anyone seems to notice.

What - you mean like http://www.boognish.com/ween_archive.../its_pat07.gif ???

I always knew something was screwy with him/her/it!

If there ever was a movie ordained by Satan, that would be it. I still hurt from watching that movie.

there's something very reassuring that there are some of you out there that have the same attitude as I do that feel TPOTC is a flawed overrated film.

our minister at church had a couple of weeks on the movie subject after going to a screening and having a meeting with other ministers and "experts" about the material in the movie. their oppinion was that actually jesus wouldn't have even been able to be recognized because of the beating he took and that the movie's violence was only abot 2/3 as bad as he endured. this discussion seems the same as people who hate horror flicks discussing RE or people who hate musicals commenting on chicago, etc. making fun of something that you have no interest in or DESIRE TO ACTUALLY LIKE is something i would expect from a bunch of high schoolers.

I finally saw it this week, and was also underwhelmed. No disrespect to the story it was trying to tell, but the movie was more padding than substance. It took at least 30 minutes of the film just for him to walk up the hill to the crucifixion area. That felt a bit excessive to me.

I hope Gibson gets with Kevin Smith to persue Smith's idea of The Passion of the Christ: The Animated Series.

"No, I will not a Passion of the Clerks animated series. Now a Passion of the Christ animated series, that'd be fucking genius. Every week, just have someone else beat the shit out of Jesus. 'Lord, why does this keep on happening to me?'"

I am one of those who have no desire to see this film, no matter how much it makes, how critically acclaimed it is or how many awards it may win.

I'm not a religious person, but I enjoy a few religious movies, especially The Ten Commandments. Which is a entertaining movie, without really being too religious. But with Passion of the Christ, it's just too religious and way too preachy for me.

I remember when POTC was coming out at the theaters and on the news reports you had all these people fainting and crying and such and I knew it was not my type of movie.

If I want to be preached to, I'll go to church.

Just my opinion.

This is a great example of why you shouldn't comment on movies you haven't seen. I don't remember a single bit of that film that could be considered "preaching".

:up: What he said.

Holy shit! People were passing/crying from Pirates Of The Carribean?!? -wink- Sorry, but the overuse of acronyms for films have rapidly become anacronyms for me.

I "enjoyed" Passion...if it can be labeled as "enjoyment." I thought it was well done, shot etc., but like others, felt that those not knowing the general story of Christ would be lost and would probably feel like they were watching a snuff film.

Oh yeah...I too did not feel that I was being preached to. Also, while I don't believe in Jesus Christ as the "son of god", I do believe it's very possible that the man himself existed, and might have very well been through much of what his life is "documented" as having been. Or perhaps, it's a compilation of various acts done by various people all put into one "ultimate" character?

Or maybe I should go read "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal" again.

:hscratch: I've never seen it, but its too religious and preachy?

It is, of course, very religious. But it's simply a very "impassioned" reenactment of the last 12 hours (with a few flashbacks) of the life of Jesus Christ. It is, visually, very powerful just as a film, but there's not really a story in the traditional sense and, ultimately, I believe its main purpose in being made is to help the faithful to more fully appreciate the sacrifice made for them.

I guess you could say it was "preachy" in the sense it's definitely trying to make you feel a certain way, but I think what most people think of when they hear "preachy" is having religious teachings being shoved down their throat, and that certainly isn't the point of this movie.