The Passion Of The Christ

[matt35mm]

Hmm.  That's interesting.

Also, I just remembered--I've never heard louder music in a movie.  I just didn't like the score at all, and the use of it.  It's the kind where, y'know, Jesus stands up and the music "swells."  But I've just never heard louder swelling in a movie before.

[edison]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A middle-aged woman died of an apparent heart attack on Wednesday while watching the climactic crucifixion scene in "The Passion of the Christ" at a morning showing in Wichita, Kansas, a television station reported.
The film was stopped and a nurse in attendance went to the unidentified woman's side, a spokeswoman for KAKE-TV in Wichita said.

"It was the highest emotional part of the movie," she said. A crew from the TV station was at the special showing, which was sponsored by a radio station.

The woman, who was in her 50s, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, where a spokesman would only say she had been attending a movie. The county coroner's office said an autopsy would be performed.

[edison]

Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" took in an estimated $15 million to $20 million after just one day of release, a remarkable number for a religious-themed movie so divisive that no Hollywood studio would touch it.

"The Passion" rang up $7 million in matinee ticket sales alone in the United States and Canada on Wednesday, said Rob Schwartz, head of distribution for Newmarket Films, which Gibson hired to release the movie after studios balked.

With an estimated $3 million from private screenings for church groups Monday and Tuesday in advance of Wednesday's official opening, grosses for "The Passion" were expected to climb as high as $20 million once evening screenings are counted, Schwartz said.

Final numbers were to be released Thursday.

That falls far short of the single-day record of $43.6 million held by "Spider-Man," but "The Passion" already has passed the receipts that other modern religious films took in during their entire runs, among them "The Last Temptation of Christ" ($8.4 million) and "The Omega Code" ($12.5 million).

"The Passion" opened on 4,643 screens in 3,006 theaters.

"I think the prospects are certainly good for at least hitting $100 million overall. Then again, we have to see how the rest of the weekend plays out," Schwartz said. "Hopefully, if we continue the torrid pace we're starting to set now, that's an achievable number."

Gibson put up the film's $25 million budget out of his own pocket. After theater owners take their cut, about half of the box office take will come back to Gibson, who then pays Newmarket a percentage fee for distribution.

The film, starring Jim Caviezel (news) as Jesus, is a bloody depiction of Christ's final hours and crucifixion. The movie's box-office prospects benefited from months of debate as Gibson built grassroots support by screening it for church groups and excluding potential critics, while some Christian and Jewish leaders complained that it could fuel anti-Semitism by implying Jews were collectively responsible for Christ's death.

[©brad]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A middle-aged woman died of an apparent heart attack on Wednesday while watching the climactic crucifixion scene in "The Passion of the Christ" at a morning showing in Wichita, Kansas, a television station reported.
The film was stopped and a nurse in attendance went to the unidentified woman's side, a spokeswoman for KAKE-TV in Wichita said.

"It was the highest emotional part of the movie," she said. A crew from the TV station was at the special showing, which was sponsored by a radio station.

The woman, who was in her 50s, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, where a spokesman would only say she had been attending a movie. The county coroner's office said an autopsy would be performed.

wonder if this woman's family could sue?

wouldn't be the first time; oliver stone got sued when two kids took acid, saw natural born killers, and went out and killed a couple.

[Raikus]

The disclaimer is in the title.

If you have a weak heart, seeing something entitled THE PASSION is something you shouldn't do.

[abuck1220]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

Post of the month, or at least the week.

I don't see why people are so bent on giving Gibson their money.  I couldn't be less interested.  It's just amusing seeing this thread balloon so much.  Makes us no better than anyone else who'd eat up Gibson's tripe.  You would think some would be offended at the commercialization of these figures.  I know it didn't start out that way, but he is cashing in big time on this.

that was a stupid post.

[ono]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

Post of the month, or at least the week.

I don't see why people are so bent on giving Gibson their money.  I couldn't be less interested.  It's just amusing seeing this thread balloon so much.  Makes us no better than anyone else who'd eat up Gibson's tripe.  You would think some would be offended at the commercialization of these figures.  I know it didn't start out that way, but he is cashing in big time on this.

that was a stupid post.

That was a stupid response.  And by mod-age's report, it shows mine was quite apt.  It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot instead of opening it and removing all doubt.

[Pas]

It was a great movie and the violence was awesome as predicted. There was like 5-6 grandmas who were crying all along the thing which gave a nice touch to the feeling of the film.

Ten people left the theater in the first hour.

Seriously, have you ever seen a better looking Satan ?

[Jeremy Blackman]

I can't wait to see this, only because I know I'll have a strong opinion about it.

[mogwai]

Seriously, have you ever seen a better looking Satan ?

please... somebody... bring a digital camera to a screening and make me proud.

[abuck1220]

any news on a McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in?

Post of the month, or at least the week.

I don't see why people are so bent on giving Gibson their money.  I couldn't be less interested.  It's just amusing seeing this thread balloon so much.  Makes us no better than anyone else who'd eat up Gibson's tripe.  You would think some would be offended at the commercialization of these figures.  I know it didn't start out that way, but he is cashing in big time on this.

that was a stupid post.

That was a stupid response.  And by mod-age's report, it shows mine was quite apt.  It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot instead of opening it and removing all doubt.

thanks for the advice, but i'll stand by my opinion of your post.

-you call the film tripe. have you seen it? no? then maybe it's a little premature to call it tripe.

-you're apparently upset that gibson is making money of the "commercialization" of the film. yeah, a 2 hour plus, sub-titled religious film starring   jim caviezel ....sounds like a real cash cow! if he had made the movie into a 90 action movie starring himself you'd have a point. as it is, you don't.

[Ravi]

-you're apparently upset that gibson is making money of the "commercialization" of the film. yeah, a 2 hour plus, sub-titled religious film starring   jim caviezel ....sounds like a real cash cow! if he had made the movie into a 90 action movie starring himself you'd have a point. as it is, you don't.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/articles/news/?id=040225potc.htm

'Passion' Nails $26.6 Million on First Day
by Brandon Gray
February 26, 2004


HOLLYWOOD (Box Office Mojo) – Perhaps Ash Wednesday should be renamed Fat Wednesday.

Fueled by an unprecedented media frenzy and religious fervor, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ has delivered on the hype.

Playing on 4,643 screens at 3,006 theaters, the $30 million production took in a whopping $26,556,573 on Wednesday – ironically prompting most in the industry to use the Lord's name in vain.

In the process, The Passion burned onto the record books, notching the biggest opening day for a movie released outside the summer (May-August) and holiday (November-December) seasons. Hannibal was the previous title holder with $19.8 million posted in February 2001. Even if one subtracts the $3 million from private church group screenings on Monday and Tuesday that were folded in to the Wednesday gross, The Passion is still comfortably on top.

Among all opening days, The Passion land at No. 9, but it reached No. 3 among all Wednesday bows, behind only The Return of the King's $34.5 million and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace's $28.5 million and ahead of The Two Towers's $26.2 million and The Matrix Revolutions' $24.3 million.

The Passion's opening day far exceeded Newmarket's and Box Office Mojo's Wednesday projections that it would come in at around $20 million, based on matinee grosses from around 28% of theaters. That shows that projecting so early can be as inaccurate as if the news called the winner of a political primary with only a fraction of precincts reporting.

With less than 900 theaters reporting mid-Wednesday, The Passion had rung up over $7 million from matinees alone. That was about 18% behind what The Return of the King had at the same point on its opening day, and around 4% behind The Matrix Reloaded. The Passion ultimately followed a similar pattern to Return of the King.

In just one day, The Passion has become the highest-grossing Christian-themed movie of recent memory. It's a genre that's been ghettoized as a niche market up until now – former champ Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie grossed a modest $25.6 million in its entire run.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-02-24-passion_x.htm

Posted 2/24/2004 3:08 AM     Updated 2/25/2004 12:06 PM
   
Promoting 'The Passion'

By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY
NEW YORK — Smart, grass-roots marketing and merchandising, along with a healthy dose of controversy, are replacing the typical film's $30 million marketing budget to spread the word about The Passion of the Christ.

 A nail pendant is among the official movie merchandise for The Passion of the Christ; a large one on a leather string sells for $16.99.  
By Mary Altaffer, AP

Moviemakers Mel Gibson, Newmarket Films and Icon Distribution, with the help of hired marketing guns, have enlisted churches and Christian retailers to build buzz around the movie. It opens tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, the day that begins the solemn pre-Easter season of Lent, and the signs point to a strong opening weekend. (Photos: Mel Gibson's 'Passion')

Churches are encouraging group ticket sales, and stores are stocked with film-related products, such as licensed cross-nail pendants, crosses, coffee mugs, coffee-table books and artwork.

"When you have star talent like this, you want to maximize opening weekend," says Mitch Litvak, president of The L.A. Office, an entertainment marketing firm. Studios typically spend $20 million to $30 million on marketing if they want a blockbuster opening, he says.

In this case, the film's backers are turning to the country's 120 million churchgoers. The moviemakers are providing churches with free marketing materials to help fill theater seats — and pews. Among the items are posters and postcards for direct mailing with the line: "Best outreach opportunity in 2,000 years." One promotional tool points preachers to www.sermoncentral.com for free sermon ideas that promote the movie while preaching the Gospel.

The licensing and distribution of merchandise also play a key role, especially for retailers serving a growing market for religious goods.

"By having religious-themed articles in the marketplace, it does draw people's attention to (the movie)," says Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association. "If it's done tastefully, it could be a good marketing ploy."

About 2,000 Christian specialty stores are selling Passion articles, and distribution is expected to reach an additional 1,000 by month's end, says Dwight Robinson, director of marketing for Bob Siemon Designs. The company is the lead licensee for Passion and a distributor of jewelry and other goods.

"A lot of accounts out there have been holding back, but in the last few weeks they have gotten inspired," Robinson says. Siemon has a multiyear deal with Icon and pays a royalty based on a percentage of sales.

Other elements of Passion marketing:

•Witness cards. More than 1 million "witness cards," which promote the movie on one side and have an evangelical message on the other, have been distributed, Robinson says. A pack of 25 cards — intended to promote Christianity — sells for $5.95.

•Jewelry. Siemon shipped about 100,000 small and large pewter nail pendants on a leather string in the past week. They cost $12.99 and $16.99. "The nail is a symbol of the Crucifixion, just like the cross," says Tara Powers, spokeswoman for Family Christian, the country's largest chain of Christian specialty stores with 320 locations in 39 states. The chain is carrying Siemon's full line of Passion goods. "It's a way to share faith with other people," Powers says.

•Books. The biggest seller at Family Christian is a colorful, behind-the-scenes coffee-table book about The Passion, selling for $24.99. "We sold 3,000 copies in just one week," Powers says.

•NASCAR. Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller asked that the hood of the race car his company sponsors, Bobby Labonte's No. 18, be emblazoned with the Passion logo in the recent Daytona 500. Miller wanted to contribute to the film's promotion.

•Art. Carpentree in Tulsa is selling framed paintings and prints based on the movie for $30 to $100 as part of a three-year licensing deal with Icon.

"Sales have skyrocketed," says Golda Browne, marketing director for the Passion line. "We're working frantically to keep up with demand." The company has sold 20,000 prints and pictures in just three weeks. Coming soon are signed and numbered oil-on-canvas paintings.

•Co-op commercials. Ad company faithHighway has the rights to a 20-second movie clip and has signed up 300 churches, at $795 each, to air the trailer on TV with an additional 10-second plug for their church. For $1,790, the company will put the church's pastor in the ad. "We're seeing record sales, and for salespeople that means record commissions," says Dan Hedman, director of conferences and training.

Some Christians think the marketing is risky. "The promotion is all very great until you see the movie," says Michael Guglielmelli, a priest at St. Francis Catholic Church in New Jersey. "In a sense, you don't even know what you're putting your name to."

[ono]

Thanks for the info, Ravi.  I rest my case.

[Ghostboy]

.
Also, the message of love -- love your enemies, etc, which is a beautiful one and one of the great things about what Jesus taught -- is conveyed excellently during the Last Supper; a few minutes later, during the crucifixion, one of the thieves dying at Jesus' side laughs at him and promptly has his eyeball plucked out by a crow. It's a cheap, pointless moment. These two moments blatantly contradict each other, and are an excellent microcosm of almost every problem there is with Christianity[/b].

what  do  you mean by this......???


btw........you   did a great review....just curiouis about what i highlighted

What I meant was that Christianity has long had a history of persecuting their enemies and disbelievers (actually, that goes for almost every religion). This goes from the destruction of indigenous cultures to the blanket judgement passed today regarding who is saved and who isn't.

My full review, expanding on some the ideas in my previous post, can be found here.

Onomatopoeia is correct in criticizing the merchandising of this movie, as it is sort of ridiculous (it reminds me of that bible story of the merchants in the temple), but abuck is quite right in critizing him for his open dismisal of the movie and of us for wanting to discuss it.

I watched 'The Last Temptation Of Christ' again last night; I'd strongly recommend watching it back to back with 'The Passion.'

[abuck1220]

Thanks for the info, Ravi.  I rest my case.

i don't get it...what was your case?