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JESUS
NEWSLETTER #61
Pop Culture From A Spiritual Point of View
October 23, 2003
Greetings from David Bruce, Web Master
This
page was last updated
October 23, 2003
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Main Topic: JESUS ON THE BIG SCREEN!
1. MEL GIBSON'S PASSION GETS DISTRIBUTOR
New Developments Are Taking Place
2. GOSPEL OF JOHN OPENS WIDE IN NOVEMBER
David Reviews this 3 Hour Film
3. RUNAWAY JURY FILM REVIEW
The Meaning of the "Nicholas Easter" and "Marlee" Characters
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1. MEL GIBSON'S PASSION GETS DISTRIBUTOR
CHANGES NAME, SETS RELEASE DATE
New Developments Are Taking Place
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• The name of the film has been changed from "The Passion" to "The Passion of Christ."
• Mel Gibson has decided to distribute it through his own company, Icon Entertainment, in association with art-house distributors Newmarket Films which has distributed such independent film hits as Memento in the past. Major studios shy away from controversial films.
• The Los Angeles Times reports that Gibson is looking to debut the film on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004.
• Gibson has put $20 million dollars of his own money into this $25 million dollar production.
• Christians have only themselves to blame for the controversy surrounding the release of this film. In 1988, when misdirected Christians protested Universal Studio's "The Last Temptation of Christ," it had the effect of closing the doors to any future major Hollywood studio production of films about Jesus. More recently, in regards to "Passion" misdirected U.S. Catholic Bishops released
a public statement accusing Mel Gibson of anti semitism. They had not seen the film, and based their opinion on an unofficial and stolen script. They later apologized and returned the stolen property. Since then the Vatican has praised it. But the cat was out of the bag and it isn't going back. When will the Church stop their stupid moralistic rock throwing. As Jesus said "You reap what you sow." It makes me weep when I see Christians throwing stones.
• Now the Anti Defamation League (ADL) is raising concerns. ADL director Abraham Foxman states, "We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, could fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate."
• Rock throwing "christians" are only throwing fuel into the fire. The ADL reports receiving racist hate mail after condemning the film which adds gravity to their concerns regarding the film. An example of an actual rock throwing "christian" hate mail is: "Whether you like it or not, the Jews of the time were instrumental in Jesus' death. We don't need anymore revisionist history.
Didn't the Holocaust teach you anything?" Such hate makes me cry. I beg Christians to put down their rocks. Please love and respect others. To hate Jews is to also hate Jesus, who was Jewish.
• Gibson, has made attempts at bridge building by inviting the ADL and other groups to screenings of the film in an attempt to defuse criticism. Bridge building! Wow! What a great idea. Sure beats throwing stones.
Post your comments here
THE PASSION OF CHRIST BULLETIN BOARD
THE PASSION OF CHRIST Links:
—Review
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film w/Links
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum
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2. GOSPEL OF JOHN OPENS WIDE IN NOVEMBER
David Reviews this 3 Hour Film
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Note: To avoid confusion, in this review the term "The Gospel of John" refers to the film, and "John's Gospel" refers to the biblical book.
Here is a heads up. The Gospel of John might open in a theater near you in November when it opens to a wider distribution.
I saw this important film in Toronto, Canada, where it was produced. To sit and watch the entire Book of John unfold made for a unique and amazing movie going experience. In some ways it was like hearing John's Gospel for the first time, again!
I was struck by the feel of authenticity. Great historical care was given to the props, costumes and settings. The screen writer did an excellent job of placing the Gospel conversation within corresponding cinematic backgrounds that really enhanced the message. The acting and production values were first rate. The producers were wise in assembling a first rate group of scholars as advisors.
While I watched the film, I kept wondering how the film would come across to someone who was not as familiar with John's Gospel as I was. My question was to be answered following the film.
In attendance was the famous Canadian film critic, Brian Johnson, who writes for MacLean's Magazine (the Canadian equivalent of Time Magazine). I found him to be delightful soul. He did not strike me as a particularly religious person, nor did he demonstrate much familiarity with the Bible. Therefore, he was a real godsend. I was very interested to find out how the film and its message stuck him. That opportunity came
later that day during the taping of a network CBC-TV show, A Test of Faith. We were both guests on the show.
As we talked, he noted that the narrative kept telling us who Jesus was. Johnson stated, "I got the point." His main criticism was that the Gospel's writer kept making the point, over and over again. "I got the point already! The writer was redundant."
Johnson helped me to understand, as it never had been before, that the main concern of the gospel writer was to identify who Jesus was. As the gospel itself notes, "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life." --John 20:31 (NLT).
Bottom line: The purpose of John's Gospel came through loud and clear in the film.
There was another guest on that CBC-TV show: Dr. Adele Reinhartz, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and Professor in the Department of Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University, Toronto. She is a renowned Jewish scholar who has written two important books on John's Gospel. She is part of the board of advisors for the film.
I wanted to know from her how John's Gospel came across to her as a Jew. I suppose I should state that the film took great care to center on Jesus' teaching to "Love one another." The introduction in the film made it clear that Jesus was, in fact, Jewish. The film was very inclusive, even to the extent of visually making Mary Magdalene part of the core disciples of Jesus. In one scene, Jesus takes a stand against
the violence done to an African slave (John 18:10-11). Clearly, the film's intent, in a visual manner, was to connect all people in very loving and affirming ways.
Even though the film clearly is not anti semitic, in any way, what about the Gospel itself? Is John's Gospel anti-Jewish? I asked Dr. Reihartz about this matter. And to my surprise she said had written a book on the subject entitled, Befriending the Beloved Disciple: A Jewish reading of the Gospel of John (New York: Continuum, 2001).
What was her answer? She basically stated that the outcome to the question is found in the basic presumptions that the reader brings to the text. If one wants to find anti semitism, they will. If the reader comes with other grids, and she identifies three other grids (presumptions) in her book, the outcome will be different. She was honored as a finalist in the 2002 National Jewish Book Award in Jewish-Christian Relations,
and winner of the 2003 Frank W. Beare Prize, 2003, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. A very impressive achievement.
What a wonderful thing! This film furnished me the opportunity to enter into meaningful conversation and friendship with a delight secular reviewer and an honored Jewish scholar. What a joy! The film gave opened up common ground for the 3 of us to enter a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other and our differences. I believe God smiled. As Jesus said, "My commandment is this: Love one another, just as I
love you." Herein is the reason way this film is important. —Review continued here
Post your comments here
GOSPEL OF JOHN BULLETIN BOARD
GOSPEL OF JOHN links:
—Review
—Review pt2
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Cast
—About this Crew
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum
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3. RUNAWAY JURY FILM REVIEW
The Meaning of the "Nicholas Easter" and "Marlee" Characters
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The buzz on this film has to do with Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman in a film together. They have real life buddies for over 40 years. And together they do such an excellent job in this film. In music terminology, Hoffman has been characterized as "jazz" (improv acting style) and Hackman as "classic" (precise acting style) and in concert they create wonderful music together with amazing counter point.
They are simply a joy to watch.
This suspense-thriller comes from John Grisham doing what he is famous for —good story telling. 
This story revolves around Rankin Fitch (Hackman) who is a stop-at-nothing high-priced jury consultant who secures juries. He is up against an honest lawyer Wendell Rohr (Hoffman) who believes truth is the best offence.
 In this particular case, jury member (Cusack) and a mysterious woman named Marlee (Weisz) give Rankin Fitch a run for his money. But who is these mysterious couple? What are they doing? Which side are they on? Or, is there something else going on? It's an excellent story,
filled with surprises and revelations.
Here is the classic battle of good and evil set in the context of a jury room.
 Spoilers: Now with a name like Nicholas Easter, you know something is a foot in the mind of Grisham. Nicholas has to do with Christmas
(incarnation) and his last name has to do with, well... Easter! (resurrection). And sure enough, true to his name, Nicholas incarnates himself into this particular jury. And he is able to bring an Easter resurrection to an injustice that happened years ago at the hands of the same people who are trying to secure this jury. 
There are other little hints in this film, like the butterfly (a symbol of metamorphous death and resurrection) in relation to the Marlee character. Her name means "descendent of Mary." In the biblical story, a young woman by the name of Mary brings forth the Redeemer Savior. In this story Marlee brings for a sense of redemption to past injustice.
The meaning of other names are note worthy as well. Wendell (the good attorney) is a German name meaning "Seeker". And the evil attorney's name, Fitch, means "Ermine", a bold little carnivore ferret-like mammal.
The over riding themes in this film are justice and mercy.
Post your comments here
RUNAWAY JURY BULLETIN BOARD
RUNAWY JURY links:
—Review
—Trailers, Photos
—About the Film
—About the Cast
—About the Crew
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum
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