Passion and the Apocolypto.

In the last couple of weeks we decided that we here at the LCT wanted to see the last two films by Adolph Gibson. Provocative: yes. Visually well done: yes. Worthwhile: yes and no.

First: Apocolytpo. This film was visually stunning and very interesting from a anthropological and visceral perspective. As we weren’t alive at the time – it was a wonderful journey into the life, community, customs, and practices of the time. It was a truly remarkable telling of the perception of what actually brought an end to a unique but barbaric people.

The film is fascinating as it humanized the barbarism and rituals of a people that did everything to appease the G-ds. Apparently human sacrifice and vanity is what made the G-ds satiated. The one thing that we really loved about this movie was the manner in which the people developed community and lived a life or purpose. Of course this story was told from one interpretation and could be completely paying an injustice to what the society and culture actually represented. This theory is our only true conclusion which we affirmed after we watched The Passion of The Christ.

Second: The Passion of The Christ. We tried to remain objective and open minded when watching this film.. But seriously… How did this film ever see the light of day, let alone get funding and distribution. Not only was the brutality off this film unnecessary, but in all honesty- how could something with such a blatant Anti-Semitic perspective be allowed to be released? If Hitler had survived the war- he probably would have been on the red carpet with Mel Gibson in support of the film.

According to this re-telling of the crucifixion of Christ- not only was it the Jews who were the aggressors, but it was the Romans who were defiant and unwilling to commit the act. We got the allegorical message that it was the devils intervention that manipulated the actual barbarism of the act- but in all honesty we found the portrayal of the Jewish people- specifically King Herod insulting to the average persons intelligence. Numerous people were crucified for various crimes- more than just Christ was crucified for heresy, but leave it to good old Mel to manipulate fact for the sake of conversion.

In the film, it was not the spear of a centurion that killed Christ- but rather an act of mercy to insure that he was already dead and no longer suffering. We are all for making a buck- but come on! The only thing that the movie didn’t propagate and would have at least made the film more entertaining- would have been the fortune teller or prophet that would have commended Nazi Germany for avenging the crucifixion by means of a purge (The Holocaust.) Although this would disprove the Gibson family tradition of denying the Holocaust having happened.

In summation: one good film and one travesty. The LCT really hope that the average person who sees The Passion of The Christ can take it upon themselves to do some research and realize that the film is heavily slanted.

Fact: The religious community did condemn Christ- Just as they condemned ANY member in the community that undermined the belief of one G-d and anyone suspected of heresy. Fact: It was a Roman act and Roman centurions who killed Christ- NOT Rabbis. Fact: It was the spear of a Roman that actually killed Christ and caused his death at the end of his crucifixion.

Perspective: It was not a Jewish act or Jewish law that killed the son of G-d. It was a religious personification of the time that condemned and punished persons who believed they could rise above the pious beliefs of organized religion, and cultural standards of Roman rule and law. This was the same belief that propagated The Crusades, The Inquisition, and most religious zealotry of modern times.

We at the LCT apologize for the soapbox antics of today’s entry- but it needed to be said. Here’s our tribute to Heir Gibson.