So, last night I finally plunked down the now-significant chunkachange to see the Passion. I'm glad I did. "The Passion of the Christ" is just that - a focused retelling of the Passion. I am so used to cringing anytime Christianity is portrayed on tv or in the movies. And during this movie, I didn't cringe once. Squirm, yes. It's not a movie to see lightly.

But, for the first time in my recent memory, I have seen a clear presentation of the Gospel message on the big screen, without having to weed through some alternative secondary agenda.

I have to commend and thank Mr. Gibson for doing this work. He suffered his own cross in the form of a barage from the media of uncritical negative attacks during the last year prior to the release of the film. I admire his courage and dedication.

There are some finer points which deserve some consideration. The movie has a clear Roman catholic slant. Apart from the obvious focus on the violence of Christ's suffering, many of the non-violent images remind me of the pictures that were in my illustrated bible as a kid - the smiling Jesus with the rays of light kind of thing.

But, they weren't saccharine sweet.

All in all, I felt that the characters throughout the movie were portrayed with humanity and depth. The violence was pretty brutal, especially the scourging (was it really that awful?). So, I am hesitant to jump right in and see it again. But, I might consider watching this movie again when it comes out on DVD. As a 20 century image drenched person, the movie helped soften my hardened heart, and that doesn't happen very easily.

Ok...just tried to add comments. I just want to see if this is working.

There are lots of things I want to do with this blog. I am going to begin with just one -- my favorite quotes, courtesy of my new favorite pass-the-time just pick up and peruse book *The New Penguin Dictionary of Modern Quotations" compiled by Robert Andrews and apparently published by some well read Antarctic natives.

"There is nothing the matter with Americans except their ideals. The real American is all right; it is the ideal American who is all wrong." -G.K. Chesterton

I'm not sure I agree with G.K., but I like his quote as a starting place. What is an American these days? I'm not sure I know the answer to that one, either.

I tend to ask more questions than come up with snazzy answers, but hopefully making a record of the questions will help keep a focus, and maybe answers will come.

In the future, I plan to write about the movies I'm watching. Maybe books, too. We'll see.

Hi....this is my third attempt at a blog. The other two are in stasis at one post a piece. A post a day. Just one.