Seiclty Flaar* Passion of Christ a must see Not being a Christian, or a religious person at all, it is difficult for me to understand the full weight, the full religious implications of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ. It is easy for me to dissect the filmmaking and the humanistic sides of the film, but with the spirituality. I admit that I'm a bit ignorant. Nevertheless, I believe The Passion of Christ is an outstanding film on manv levels. Jim Caviezel, an amazing actor (his performance in Terence Malick’s The Thin Red Line is one of my favorites of all time) plays the role of Jesus of Nazareth. His per formance is deeply humble, and at every moment, you believe you are watching Christ. You see the love in Caviezcl’s eyes, and that is something to behold. The film is based on the violent events that occurred during the final twelve hours of Jesus’ life. Gibson pulls no punches when it comes to the violence. You see everything. Like you would in a schlock horror film, but it is not meant to titillate your dark side. The violence speaks to understanding. Understanding the gravity of the situations, to be as “true” and real as possible. Speaking frankly, this film is brutal. The Passion is not an easy watch, but it is fascinating. The writing in the film is what 1 find interesting. If you go to see The Passion, do not expect to see a Hollywood film on Christ. It is not The Ten Commandments or even The Last Temptation of Christ for that matter, it is in a league of its own. There is really no story in the film, no dramatic line of action, no distinct plot, no real attempt at charac terization. it is a moment in history, and you cannot take your eyes off the screen. Gibson eaters to the intelligence of his audience. Everyone knows what happened. We all know the story, and Gibson does not waste time in pointless characterizations and plot dev ices. 1 mean, how do you characterize Christ? Emotion is what carries the film forward. The bottom line is this: The Passion of Christ is a tribute. Gibson is basical ly stating that what Christ endured, what Christ suffered through, was all in the name of humanity. This is what Christ did for our sins (if you believe in that sort of thing of All 1 can say is it’s about time. Whether or not the music industry figures out if The Darkness is for real, or an attempt to bring back some of the long lost 70s and 80s musical beats, it doesn't matter. With their latest album Permission To lxin/1, The Darkness reminds music lovers that we don’t need to be so serious all of the time. Many people agree with the notion that lead singer Justin Hawkins voice resembles Freddy Mercury and that their style of music is a cheap impersonation of earlier tunes of the music we proudly grew up on. Cheap or not cheap, Freddy or no Freddy, it’s refreshing to hear some familar I sounds with some new rhythms mixed in to one terrific CD. I Permission To Land is a masterpiece which was long over due; With songs like the popular “I Believe In A Michflle O’Mal Ityf Thing Called Love”, or-‘‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman”, we can not only enjoy the past, but be proud that I this type of style still exists and that a handful of musicians aren’t embarassed to bring it to the surface again. T DARkiNtssi s ‘ m P°. ss '^ e not t 0 * au gh w ben Justin belts out the line “...just listen to the rhythm of my heart.” His voice I is infectuous and l would be lying if I said 1 didn’t replay the song over and over again. 1 WARNING: At first, the album annoyed the hell out of me, but after a second listen, 1 noticed myselfecatdb- PERMISSION TO LANdj jng on to the fun chorus lines and began singing along. But be bold, be brave, and like The Darkness, ypu will come out on top. • - ' C ' T - , IReviewecl By: I I Art is i /Croup : lAlbuM TitlE: I‘LAbE t : I IRelease Date: jCEN RE : I Overall Rating: By MATT MOSLEY Film Reviewer DEEZ AtIanTIC RECORdS July 7, 2005 ** * ★ WPSH The Reactor Radio Club t Bfci & $ s. Rock course). Boom! Plain, simi and to the point. Now, I feel I must answer the question that everyone who plans on seeing the movie want to know, is it anti-Semitic. Well, 1 believe whole-heahedl that Mel Gibson was not tryin: to make! an anti-Semitic Film. Why would someone stake'hi: one religious group? Got me The Passion Of Chnst captures history IP I wouldn’t. Ido not see the this emotional film about the suffrage of portrayal of the Jews as being Christ, slanted, but at the same time, I can see how the Jewish community would be upset. The Jews are very passive aggressive in the Film. They are seen as planting the seeds of crucifixion. They take him to the Romans and the Romans carry it through. Is that really what happened? 1 don’t know.. Is that anti-Semitic if it did? No, I do not think so. It would be true then. So Gibson walks a fine line, and I think he walks it Straight. I believe he did what he could, and it is up for each person to decide. Could the outcry from the Jewish com munity be about perception, not anti-Semitism? The Jews have been unjustly perse cuted ever since the day the sun initially made its way up over the horizon. That is a terrible thing. They have been the objects of SO much hate throughout time. Now,’if the Jews did have a hand in the persecution of Christ, as the movie and scriptures state, do you think the Jewish community is a bit upset because the roles are reversed? They are perceived as persecutors instead of victims. 1 know Jesus was a Jew, but he was still persecuted for his beliefs. Interesting theory. The film makes you think. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers