I'm procrastinating, so of course I'm blogging.
I need to watch The Passion of the Christ before Wednesday and, as the whole class discovered last week, I am none too thrilled. Mel Gibson's crazy movie aside, I am very excited about my Religion and Popular Culture class. However, I always forget that not everyone knows me and/or understands my sense of humor. Needless to say I think I mortified 20-some people into stunned silence by calling this audacious Aramaic adventure in the fine art of flogging a "snuff film."
Later on the phone I tried to argue with my mom that I just don't enjoy watching violent movies. She quickly reminded me that I do in fact like violent movies. Yeeeaaaahhh so Fight Club, Grindhouse, Pulp Fiction, V for Vendetta, The Matrix, Kill Bill and American History X are all some of my favorite movies. Yes, I love watching Dexter.
That doesn't mean I like to watch chunks of someone's flesh come flying off, especially not when people see it as "such a powerful movie". I just don't get it. But maybe it's more than violence, maybe there's something else that bothers me. I just can't put my finger on it quite yet.
So tomorrow (not tonight because the Big Love season 3 premiere just started) I will once again watch "The Passion" and expect a full update when I figure out exactly what it is that bothers me.
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3 comments:
Unfortunately, the violence depicted in the scourging and crucifixion is brutal--there isn't anyway around it. It was purposely a cruel, painful and slow form of execution. Our word excruciating comes from the same root as crucifixion. Sometimes it would take days for a person to die.
I don't think that Gibson used the brutality as a means of sensationalism, but rather wanted to show believers and unbelievers what Jesus suffered on their behalf.
On the other hand, having seen it once, I'm not sure that I'd care to see it again...and I don't have to.
Sorry.
There's a difference between cinematic violence and wanton gore. The movies you listed are (as you know) some of my favorites as well. The Passion of the Christ, on the other hand, is one of only two movies I've ever walked out on. I felt like puking. Anyone who enjoyed it should apply for a post at Guantanamo Bay.
I bookmarked Dexter online and I'm going to get started on it, promise. Although now I just want to watch American Psycho. :D
I know what you mean, Lindsey. I too hate that movie. And I used to like "Kill Bill," and "The Matrix" too but I find them harder and harder to watch these days. I think I'm getting more sensitive to the violence.
I think what bothers me most about "The Passion" is that it hits so close to home. Jesus was/is a person I love. I try to follow his teachings in my life. He is a figure with whom I am very close. I feel like I know him. So it's like I'm watching someone pretending to be my brother being beaten to a pulp when I watch that movie. And there is no hope shown in a resurrection. It's basically a 3 hour long guilt trip. I only watched it once and I will never watch it again.
Ok, those are my feelings on that horrible movie.
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