Everyone remembers the varied and numerous reactions up the release of The Passion of the Christ back in February of 2004. Many people were very outspoken on both sides of the perceived controversy. I think that my biggest issue with all of those speaking out were doing so prior to seeing the film. That is always a dangerous game to play, I don't feel that anyone can make such absolute judgments prior to actually viewing the work in question, without doing so invalidates you arguments and makes your stance suspect. That is not to say that you can't have feelings one or the other about wanting to view the material, I often will take critics early word about the order that I want to see something in or whether I want to take the time, that isn't the same as commenting on content which I haven't seen.

I should also say that I am a practicing Catholic who felt that the feature was an incredibly moving experience and the best film I saw theatrically in 2004. I also feel that the besides the content it is also a technical achievement as a pure film. On top of that I also feel that it transcends the Christian aspects of the film, even if you are not a believer I think that it is possible to take something away from it with you. Ok, this is not a review of The Passion of the Christ, it is time to move on to what this column is about.

Writer/Director Tim Chey has made a film to help put on display the impact that the release of he film had on people around the world. The first thing that jumped out at me was that this is not an objective view, it pretty much only shows the positive aspects, or attempts to refute the naysayers. In that respect, I find it to be much in line with a Michael Moore documentary, taking facts and showing only what you want to be seen, or twisting what facts are there to fit into what you want to there.

The film is a conglomeration of talking heads, and despite the lopsidedness of the proceedings, I would be lying if said I wasn't intrigued by the film. We here from Rabbi's, Christian leaders, a Jewish group for Jesus, as well a number of moviegoers. They all speak of how emotionally moved they were after seeing the film, or trying to explain away any criticisms. I have a hard time trying to be terribly critical, it is clear that his heart is in the right place, but I feel that too much time is given to convicted murderer Dan Leach and Norwegian terrorist Johnny Olsen. I am fascinated that these two were moved to turn themselves in following their respective viewings of the film, I believe that anyone, no matter how despicable their acts may be, can be saved, but we linger way too long on these two.