Gap divides critics, viewers as ‘Passion’ keeps top spot
Among the top 50 Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” – grossing more than $213 million since its Feb. 25 release – already is among the top 50 films of all time at the box office. |
"People are checking it out because of word of mouth," Bob Berney, president of Passion distributor Newmarket Films, told USA Today. "It's gone beyond churches renting out theaters. We're across the board with ethnic groups and ages."
FIRST-PERSON: Revisionism takes on ‘The Passion’
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--The movie was not out yet and already it had caused a major debate. Why would a movie depicting a story so commonplace within Western culture cause such division? Hundreds of movies about Jesus are rerun every Easter. Why would this new one bring out the critics?
Nothing else would work: Man watches ‘Passion,’ accepts Christ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--When nothing else worked, Betty Neal said, "The Passion of The Christ" caused her longtime friend to accept Christ.
With permission slips, high school students attend ‘Passion’
ARDMORE, Okla. (BP)--With permission slips from their parents, more than 500 high school students in the Ardmore, Okla., area viewed “The Passion of The Christ.”
Professions of faith, recommitments among results of ‘Passion’
One of the major components of the effort was to rent a theater and pass out decision cards to everyone who attended the showing of The Passion. During an early showing the church secured the day before the movie officially opened, 59 people indicated on the decision cards they had accepted Jesus as Savior after watching the film and listening to a Gospel presentation.
FIRST-PERSON: Jesus in the movies
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)--How does an actor portray a personage that is both man and God? Here are several movies that have tried. While Jesus is not the central figure in some of these films, the power of who He is is evident:
FIRST-PERSON: To-may-to, to-mah-to: Reviews vary
McMINNVILLE, Ore. (BP)--Rotten Tomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com) is a website dedicated to all things cinematic. Among its offerings, it provides visitors with access to a huge collection of critical reviews. The site boasts of having information on more 100,000 movies and links to 360,000 reviews. To say Rotten Tomatoes seeks to be comprehensive would be an understatement.
FIRST-PERSON: The crucifixion: God’s grace for my sins
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)--As if there hasn't been enough ink spilled on the subject, forgive my humble effort at engaging the cultural phenomenon known as, "The Passion of The Christ." Mel Gibson's controversial film is now in theaters after months of media attention and Christian curiosity that have made the movie one of the most anticipated works to come to the big screen in years.
FIRST-PERSON: ‘The Passion’ & the Book
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)--There is at once consternation and criticism, along with much anticipation and excitement regarding Mel Gibson's retelling of the crucifixion of Christ in "The Passion of The Christ."
Chapman, MSNBC panel discuss question, ‘Who killed Jesus?’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--In contrast to what some critics have said, "The Passion of The Christ" portrays the biblical truth that all of humanity -- and not just one group of people -- is responsible for Jesus' death, Morris H. Chapman told a national television audience Feb. 25.