Wow. Chronicle's Eric Harrison gives "Passion" an F

[Fenris]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/moviestory.hts/ae/movies/reviews/2418357

It isn't awful merely because of Gibson's obsessive need to zoom in and linger on bloodletting, although this makes it difficult to watch. It's awful because everything he knows about storytelling has been swept aside by proselytizing zeal. Without doubt, this is a heartfelt expression of religious faith, but it is so naked an expression -- untempered by detached, mediating intelligence -- that it speaks solely to the converted.

<snip>

He also kept his movie away from reviewers for as long as he could. It now appears he may have recognized that it would disappoint anyone viewing it through anything but a narrow, religious prism.

<snip>

Gibson's interpretations -- visual and textual -- overwhelm Passion. His bloodthirsty Roman guards are caricatures of sadistic villains. His Jewish high priests are manipulative, cold ... evil.

Yes, one could argue that he drew his interpretations from the Bible, but he chose what to emphasize. By focusing on the brutality, he pushes the brutalizers to the fore.

<snip>

The bulk of the movie, however, is Gibson exercising his obsession with martyrdom. It's as if he took the 10 most painful minutes of Braveheart, Payback or Lethal Weapon and stretched them to two unbearable hours.

-----------------------------------------

By the way, he gave "Welcome to Mooseport" a C+ and "Barbershop 2" a B-. In fact, I can't recall this guy ever giving anything a score below D. I am speechless.

[Kamika]

1. lol

sounds great :P

[VOX]

2. Ha! Mel's heavily into pain and suffering...

May he get the help he needs.

[Bridget Burke]

3. He gave "Gigli" a C-!

This must be a new record.

[Fenris]

4. Damn straight!

A C-?

[Robb]

5. Full disclosure,

...he did give "Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones" an "A".

I gave it "the finger". :)

[Fenris]

6. Touché!