Your personal religion views aside. What do you think about this movie. Mel Gibson is a great moviemaker. Plus the stories about them making this movie are pretty good.

We already had to ditch one thread on this topic due to inappropriate responses. Remember, religion is a taboo subject here at DV Info. Technical discussions only, please. Thank you,

sorry Chris that's why I said those views aside. I'm sure there can be some points made about movie making!

I haven't seen the movie yet, but the clips played on Leno the past two nights didn't impress. Bizarre speed effects are one of my pet peeves--why did Mel Gibson feel that this movie needed to look like Braveheart and Gladiator? For example, in the betrayal/arrest, the scene abruptly transitions into artificial (post-generated) slow motion when Judas kisses Jesus, then jars back into regular speed for a line of dialogue. Then we're subjected to five or six in-camera slow motion close-ups of centurians. Then a post-generated ramp up to fast-motion for the ensuing skirmish, the camerawork straight out of Saving Private Ryan. A 30-second clip with no fewer than 10 changes in camera speed--it is the gospels or a Linkin Park video?

An interesting experiment: When it comes out on DVD, retime all the slow motion work to real time speed at home, and see if the film's running time doesn't end up at 30 minutes or so.

I enjoyed the cinematography, well done for the subject matter.

I thought the slo-motion shots worked, but I think it was overdone at the end, some scenes became over-dramatic during the carrying of the cross, but they did end up highlighting some good images.

Even though I know the story, the movie was still suspenseful. Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, it did, and then it got even worse, I was cringing at several points in the movie. It's not hitchcock, it's more like watching Hell Raiser, but in reverse.

I haven't seen it yet.. low on funds. But my friend just saw it and he really liked it. He said it seems as though everybody in the theatre was crying except him. He's not really religious, but he said if its all true, he definately did a lot. I still want to see it sometime... maybe when it comes out on DVD...

$125 million for 5 days. It beat out Lord of the Rings.

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Hurd : We already had to ditch one thread on this topic due to inappropriate responses. Remember, religion is a taboo subject here at DV Info. Technical discussions only, please. Thank you, -->>>

Is it not simpler to just make flame, disrespect, and personal attack taboo? It is obvious that politics are not taboo on DVI so why religion? The fact is everyone believes in something even if it is the DVX100. There is no real way to fairly off limits subcategories of opinion, and belief. Just my two cents Chris, but you seem to be taking the easy way out.

As for the movie, I want to see it for many reasons. One BIG reason is these kinds of movies in the past have been plagued with low production value. Even if the story was done right the production side ruined the movie. I want to see what big bucks and talent can do to in presenting the passion story. I only hope there is enough story left in there to carry all the visuals. I will probably see it next week.

Chris, thanks for all the hard work you put into this forum.

//As for the movie, I want to see it for many reasons. One BIG reason is these kinds of movies in the past have been plagued with low production value. Even if the story was done right the production side ruined the movie. I want to see what big bucks and talent can do to in presenting the passion story. I only hope there is enough story left in there to carry all the visuals. I will probably see it next week.//

Surely, you don't mean this in the history of film. Biblical films used to be the "Star Wars" of their time and the most expensive movies.

"It is obvious that politics are not taboo on DVI so why religion?"

All the Michael Moore threads were eventually locked up...

<<<-- Originally posted by John Heskett :
Is it not simpler to just make flame, disrespect, and personal attack taboo? It is obvious that politics are not taboo on DVI so why religion? -->>>

You sure you read the forum rules when you signed on? Politics are just as taboo as religion. Flames, and personal attacks are also not tolerated here.

My biggest fear is someone will spoil the ending.

What, you didn't read the book?

I enjoyed the entire film, but, yes it did shuttle back and forth in the opening sequence ( slo-mo, fast, etc). Besides all that a very important furniture mystery was solved. Mel attemted to make a series of moving Carravagio paintings and I think he did just that.

Does the movie establish which lucky son of a gun made off with the grail?

The book is long with some pretty tough sledding and a lot of negativity. Thou shalt not this, thou shalt not that.

It reads like it was written by committee.

Probably lost a little something in the translation.

I had an employee who was training to be a Lutheran minister. We were talking one day and he mentioned he "prefers to read the Latin version" (!).

I saw the movie last night. I though it was excellent. I did notice the changes in the the speed that you all have mentioned. At first it did kind of annoy me. But then I started to like it. It gives an interesting feel to the movie. One shot that really stuck out to me was when the lifted him and the cross up. I don't know what you would call the shot, but looked like they used a crane, it had an extremely shallow depth of feild and the camera was moving upward and the background was seperated really good. Ha, like I said I can't describe it really well but if you know which shot I'm talking about, I think it was really nice.

I think the slo-mo was a little overused, but it must have been on purpose. If we take a moment and think like a viewer instead of filmmakers...it probably has a certain effect on people watching.

In my opinion, some of the filmmaking techniques were used because of the "test screenings". Apparently, there were tons of test screenings...and it must have an impact. People must have said..."give us a chance to breath".

Well I saw the movie tonight. Mel Gibson did a great job of telling the story. The subtitle thing didn't even bother me. I thought when I first heard he was using subtitles it was kind of dumb. But after seeing the movie I'm glad it wasn't in english.

Hello all, here's my two pennies... :] I thought that the movie was great. The slow motion didn't bother at all, but you're right in that it made the film look like Bravehart. Despite this, I think it worked, and it did so for millions of other (crying & spiritually touched) viewers. It certainly highlighted key elements in the story.

Yet, I must admit I was left confused at some parts of the movie. There were some parts of the movie that were left underdeveloped, like when Jesus marked the line in the dirt (in slo-mo). I didn't get that part. I've only read a few lines from the Bible and that's it. It would've helped to make the movie more accessible by explaining more behind that whole sequence.

But all in all, I think it was a beautifully crafted film. The color and the costumes were appealing. The use of Aramaic and Latin was a nice touch of realism as well. The flashback sequences were great too because it gave some important background to the characters. I really liked the sequence with the Mary and Jesus and the wooden chair as it made me smile.

But if you ask me if Mel Gibson told the story well? I'd say yeah, he did. I'd give him an A- since he did needed to clarify some story points. But in the end the movie is still powerful, disturbing, and beautiful. Anyone out who hasn't seen it, should watch it! :]

They were going to stone the woman to death for having an affair or something. To make it short,,,,,if you have never done anything wrong, never sinned, cast the first stone. They all threw down their stones.