I'll probably not go see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST in theater, unless Donna really desires to go. However, Roger Ebert's review certainally, makes me wonder if I'd want to go even then. I doubt that this is a film that Donna would wish to see, other than the subject matter. Like Ebert I remember watching numerous 'biblical' epics over the years, and while I'm not religious (nor spiritual, in any fashion) I can certainly feel if a film is able to convey something to me.

Personally, when reading a book or watching a film with a religious theme, I allow myself to suspend my disbelieve in such things. Just I can enjoy something like POLTEGEIST and not believe in the supernatural, or ET and not believe in extraterrestrial travel, I can accept for the period I'm involved in the 'reality' of what is being presented.

Ebert makes a lot of very good points (as usual) and I think he hits the nail on the head (if you'll pardon the pun, given the theme of the film) when he ends with comments re the MPAA. This is the same group which gave an NC-17 to Trey Parker's ORGAZMO, which was a spoof of porno movies. There was no graphic sex, although there was nudity. Apparently, as witness the hysteria regarding Janet Jackson, it is more important to keep kids away from bare breasts than the beating and impalement on a cross.

As usual, just my $.02