Blogcritics: Comments on The Critics Speak

Comment by Rodney Welch

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:18:25 EST

Kinda like that old argument about the validity of the comment vs the silliness of the blogger.

Comment by Shark

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:41:59 EST

Just a few asides: * While he was arguably the greatest painter in history, Caravaggio was also (allegedly) a homosexual and a murderer. Which gets back to the old argument of the validity of the art vs the reputation of the artist. ---Which might also apply to Mel. * This movie should be banned for no other reason than that it allows people like Roger Ebert to preach on TV. Just what we need: more TV evangelists with "faith-based initiatives". Carry on.

Comment by Rodney Welch

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:26:56 EST

My question to Andy Rooney is: "How many million dollars have you made off that I'm-just-an-ordinary-guy schtick that wore out its welcome 20 years ago?"

Comment by particleman

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:18:25 EST

Did anyone see Andy Rooney's commentary on The Passion last night? I found it amusing... He ends the segment with: My question to Mel Gibson is: "How many million dollars does it look as if you're going to make off the crucifixion of Christ?" And i do believe there is something wrong with mentioning Caravaggio and Mel Gibson in the same breath.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:01:12 EST

Thanks Dr. Syd, your perspective is powerful and clearly we shouldn't judge the movie itself without seeing it. I also admit I have a real thing about anyone with even a whiff of Holocaust denial about them.

Comment by sydney smith

Sun, 22 Feb 2004 21:50:10 EST

Thanks for pointing out another source of reviews by people who have seen the movie. Here's a link to one of those reviews at Ain't It Cool News.

Comment by mike hollihan

Sun, 22 Feb 2004 20:54:32 EST

The folks over at Ain't It Cool News have been posting reviews for the past few weeks. Now remember, AICN is juvenile, profane, contemptuous, obnoxious and dismissive. But the vast bulk of reviews have been at the least positive, and some have been glowing. These are folks who couldn't care less about the religious message (or even consider that a liability) and approach it almost purely as cinema. And largely, they like it, though many are surprised at the film's sustained brutality. Seems a good predictor of the film's success, to me. This one will do close to $40 million its opening weekend, easily.