Given the huge pro-Gibson push we saw from Jordan and others on the Twin Peaks Gazette when Gibson’s The Passion was first released in 2004, the relatively muted response here surrounding Gibson’s new film, Apocalypto, is rather interesting ---although, given the fact that Gibson’s sainthood is (at least temporarily) on hold, perhaps it is not too surprising.... 

Can't get much higher than #1 at the Box Office can you...?  Seems like some people do have a sense of perspective after all!

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,20906632-10388,00.html

I have a problem with the title. Apocalypto sounds so goofy.

I don't remember the Gazette passion of the Passion all that well, Gavin. Maybe I overlooked the thread. Never saw it myself but my interest has been perked by Apocalypto especially since Mel Gibson isn't in it. I have a teeny bit of expertise on ancient Mesoamerica and about 5-6 shelf feet of books dedicated to the topic, so I'd like to see how the subject matter is handled.

So far, I've read great reviews (Variety and Rolling Stone, I think) along with some sniggering negative LA Times articles. "Mel -- you're part of the problem; not the solution." "The New Gore." "Scholars Say Apocalypto Not Intirely Accurate." Stuff like that. I am expecting more as the days go by and as the BO continues to rise.  When the LATimes gets a bee in their widdle bonnets, they keep up the attack as they did during the Arnold Schwartzeneggar first gubernatorial campaign.  One LAT critic went bonkers over James Cameron and Titanic which devolved into a back-and-forth open letter writing campaign.  Really funny!!!

Last night on Mad TV they did a hilarious version of Apocalypto with the subtitles talking about Jews and wars and yada yada.

The footage I have seen looks magnificent but I will not be adding any $$ to MG's coffers any time soon. Probably rent it when it makes its way to Netflix.

Oh goodie, something to look forward to! Tonight's Delight - Season 2 of Sleeper Cell on opposite the increasingly lame Desperate Housewives. I've made my choice.

Mel Gibson is a mess of a human being. I rather suspect when the time comes for his grudging Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscars, more than a few old codgers will re-enact their indignant backs-to-the-honoree stance, just as they petulantly did with the great Elia Kazan.

Susan

I snuck in to the last 10 minutes.  Was graphically gory and only a little intriguing, played like an action movie.  I liked Passion okay, but think Mel is a drunken f*ckwit and that will forever make it harder for him to please me. 

It was number one but only at 14M, one of the lowest number one's ever in the month of December.

I snuck in to the last 10 minutes. Was graphically gory and only a little intriguing, played like an action movie. I liked Passion okay, but think Mel is a drunken f*ckwit and that will forever make it harder for him to please me.

Last ten minutes? Why are you expressing a negative opinion on a movie you havent seen? Watch the bloody thing first. 

I'm not allowed to have an opinion on the last 10 minutes?   

I've given movies less of a chance over the first 10 minutes.  

geez - don't remember talking too much about the Passion here. I remember a thread but I don't remember singing its praises (even though I "liked" it - hard to use "like" with the Passion).

In any cases, maybe the muted response here from the likes of me is because I've had more important things going on in my life than running to see the latest movie? Haven't been to a movie since this summer or early fall. That being said, I do want to see the movie, but don't know if I will get to it until DVD.

Since Apocalypto beat Braveheart for the weekend, I don't think the rest of the USofA is having too much of a muted response.

EDIT....

BTW Gavin, I looked at the SINGLE thread from the old board regarding POTC, Hyde was the first person who posted The Passion thread.  Furthermore, it doesn't look like *I* even posted in this thread......see file.... So unless you know of another thread in which there was a "huge pro-Gibson push" from me, I think your statement is wrong above. Don't need an apology from you, but it sure would be nice if you could at least get your facts straight (for once).

I'm not allowed to have an opinion on the last 10 minutes?

I've given movies less of a chance over the first 10 minutes.

You shouldnt say the movie is shit when you didnt even watch it. Theres probably hundreds of movies out there that if you only watch the last ten minutes it will look crap. And the same goes for only watching the first ten minutes. In my entire life I have only ever stopped watchin a movie before the end once. No matter how good or bad. If your going to judge what apocalypto is like based on the final tem minutes then why should anyone even watch it.

That's all from the old Passion thread?  I guess my interest was insufficient. 

To defend Angel a bit (and because I love her and know her to be a more than fair film critic-at-large), I think the 10 minute review is fair game.  I can't tell you how many films I've reviewed over the years before seeing them.

Susan 

I'm not allowed to have an opinion on the last 10 minutes?

I've given movies less of a chance over the first 10 minutes.

You shouldnt say the movie is shit when you didnt even watch it. Theres probably hundreds of movies out there that if you only watch the last ten minutes it will look crap. And the same goes for only watching the first ten minutes. In my entire life I have only ever stopped watchin a movie before the end once. No matter how good or bad. If your going to judge what apocalypto is like based on the final tem minutes then why should anyone even watch it.

Whether or not you can judge a movie by a 10 minute clip aside...

Dude- did I ever say it was shit? No. I said it was "only a little interesting," meaning I may watch it if it was on TV. Easy does it, cowboy.

Ooo.  I've also been known to stop reading a book if I'm bored by the first or second chapter, or not read a book altogether if a bit from the middle turns me off in the bookstore.  And end relationships after the first date if the other person is boring.  Life is too short to give something your attention for longer than it deserves.

"I've also been known to stop reading a book if I'm bored by the first or second chapter, or not read a book altogether if a bit from the middle turns me off in the bookstore.  And end relationships after the first date if the other person is boring."

AMEN to that. Watched Amelie the other night and WISHED I had  turned it off (since Kelly fell asleep anyway). There's two hours of wasted time...