The Passion of Christ, Buff's Review
 

My New Favorite Movie

I'm not joking, this is my new favorite movie. It's definitely the most powerful movie I have ever seen, a title heretofor held by Saving Private Ryan (closely followed by Braveheart), in terms of invading my psyche. It's the first movie that I shed a tear in since I was 4 years old and watched Bambi (when Bambi's mother gets blasted).

The part that really punched me in the chest was when Jesus falls carrying the cross for the second time, and his mother runs to him and they do the flashback.

And as for the claims of anti-semitism, I just didn't feel it. The Jewish leaders who demanded Jesus' death were displayed as self-serving, as was Pilate, and the mob of Jews who fell in line with their leaders were offset by groups of Jews begging for the beating to end. It seemed very fair to me.

Be you religious or not, I think you'll get something positive out of this movie. At the very least, this movie will cause you to think about who you are and whether or not you're being the person you ought to be. I know most of you are above reproach, but I definitely came away feeling somewhat inadequate -- I don't know if I have what it takes to suffer through a beating like that for my convictions.

That's my take. If you've seen it, please share your thoughts.

Buff

The movie didn't impress me.

And I to didn't see any anti-semitism whatsoever. Au contraire, it's the authority figures who where portrayed quite negatively. Does that mean the authorities are gonna start complaining to? :)

I thought it was incredible.

I thought it was well crafted movie, personally I think Cecille B's The Ten Commandments was better but that's just me, it's not that special to me :2 cents:

Buff,

I'm more interested in the movie after your review.

I'm not into martyrdom for myself though.

Will I like it as much as Gandhi? Probably not but I'll give it a shot.

I am not religious in any way, and that's why the movie didn't do it for me. There is other subjects in other movies that strike me more.

It absolutely didn't cause any emotional response in me.

Colin, the movie is excellent on many levels -- it's creative and artistic, it's got great camera work and sound, it's got the feel of authenticity with the wardrobes and language and buildings, and the acting is stunning.

The story is probably the best story ever told:

On a purely humanist level: a man being beaten down and giving his life to fight the powers that be. And, laying down your life for your fellow man.

And then if you're religious, you've got the Son of God letting himself be humiliated and tortured to death so that the rest of us won't have to pay the price for our own sins.

It's powerful.