The whole hoo-hah over the film The Passion of the Christ of course makes me reflect on the hoo-hah that surrounded the last two major films dealing with that subject: The Last Temptation of Christ and, of course, The Life of Brian.

In the first case, I think I’ve figured out why the religious right went so nuts–Scorsese forgot the definite article in the title. If he had only called it The Last Temptation of THE Christ, all would have been well.

I can just hear Truman Capote’s voice: THE Christ! Why a man with your intellect can’t use his articles…

As for the other film, hey, it’s Monty Python. Bound to piss off someone there, even though it never once makes fun of (the) Christ or God. Go fig.

Back to the Gibson film. What is really starting to bother me about the film is the marketing. Did you know that they are selling crucifixion nails as necklaces? Branded to the film, of course. Ew! I mean, the cross is already a bit gruesome as a symbol, but the nails?! No. Wrong.

Then of course there are all the issues of anti-Semitism, gruesome violence, etc. And, let us not forget, all the people preaching IN THE THEATRES. If I were considering seeing the film I certainly wouldn’t want to go if I thought I’d have some Christian wacko trying to convert me in the aisle.

Anyway, I got an email from a friend asking if I was going to see The Passion… I responded:

I think I’ll wait for the dvd. I want to see the alternate endings.