Debney scores 'The Passion of the Christ':

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Yes, at the box office.

Dude I really cannot see that happening.

Maybe in American but not worldwide.

I mean in order for that to happen it would have to outdo Titanic in countries where Christianity is not that big like India, China, Japan, the Middle East.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

Yes, I mean in the U.S.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Hmmmmm even in the U.S. it might have a tough time. I dont know how many people are still that religious here. The American public it too hyponotized into thinking all the movie they must flock to must be ENORMOUS budget CG-athons.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

hehe. Well, we need to realize people wil be going in large groups too, and they will see it more than once, I bet.

And the controversies, etcetera will make people flock to see it.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Yeah that sorta stuff always helps.

BTW is this movie going to have subtitles or not? It was reported the film was not going to have them, then early preview screenings did have them.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

It was filmed in aramaic and latin, and will be presented with subtitles

[Rogue_Leader 2]

It was filmed in aramaic and latin, and will be presented with subtitles

Ahh so they are gonna have them then? Because Mel's original vision was to have the entire film without them. Which I felt kind of would have presented a very unique and immersive vision.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

But no one would have understand anything. Well, we should because we should know the history of all this, but sometimes you wonder "what are they saying".

Here's a very interesting article on the movie

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Yeah I've seen that and others like it.

Its pretty ridiculous when Biblical History is being scrtinized for anti-semitism.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

I wholeheartedly agree.

Not to mention this leader guy who sneaked into the movie... classic

[Rogue_Leader 2]

How religious of them.

Sneaking into a movie!

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

HAHAHA

[Rogue_Leader 2]

You know I actually saw a spoof of this film's trailer online.

However, I dont think I should put up the link here. WAY too many people would get offended.

I'll admit I found it somewhat amusing, but I honestly found myself feeling guilty laughing at a spoof of a movie that is about the death of Jesus Christ.

[Morlock 9]

I find it hillarious that not only did they sneak in, but they can't be sued or anything, because they didn't sign the non-disclosure agreement!

BTW- I know many people that know the Rabbi Marvin Hier mentioned in the article. He won an oscar in 1997.

[Morn 7]

What are you talking about, the US is the most religious place in the 1st world, most of europe is basically totally secular. I think there might be interest in the movie there, this is an unusual project about a well known tail.

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

Also, these events happened in the Middle East, I guess there will be somewhat of an interest there.

[Morlock 9]

Believe me, there is. (Although not the kind Mr. Gibson would like I suspect)

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

But I don't get why are they so preocupied with what really happened. It's a mystery.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I'm glad I didn't bet you Hector, wherever you are, at this rate the Passion will beat ROTK in 2 or 3 weeks and may well rival Titanic.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Its made 212 million after 12 days of release apparently. Thats including an estimate for this weekend. Its expected to be higher when final numbers come out tommorow so it could really be 215 or 217 million after 12 days.

Thats DAMN impressive.

I dont think this will beat Titanic here though. I suspect it will make over 400 million with ease though.

[Morlock 9]

I don't know if it's so surprising, with all the publicity Gibson did and got. And although it almost for sure won't, there is a slight chance for it to beat Titanic. Because Titanic made all that money by 15 year old girls going 6-7 times. The Passion could make it by having churches and devout Christians going 6-7 times at least. I guess it just comes down to who has more faith- 15 year old girls in the hunkiness of DiCaprio, or devout Christians in the Passion and sacrifice of Christ.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

What makes me laugh is all those people protesting and complaining the films "Anti-semitism" (which I dont feel there is any) actually HELPED the movie in the end. If they had kept their mouths shut it probably would not have done as well as it has so far.

I'll bet Mel is probably laughing his ass off at those folks right now.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Because Titanic made all that money by 15 year old girls going 6-7 times. The Passion could make it by having churches and devout Christians going 6-7 times at least. I guess it just comes down to who has more faith- 15 year old girls in the hunkiness of DiCaprio, or devout Christians in the Passion and sacrifice of Christ.

SORRY MORLOCK, 15 year old girls don't have that kind of boxoffice clout. They didn't make Titanic the hit it was, regular movie goers did. You are purporting one of the great ongoing movie myths. As for repeatability, most people I know who saw the Passion, myself included, do not want to view the film again anytime soon. It is a difficult film to watch and is not entertaining, though it is profound.

[AC1 3,565]

Yeah right, as if the girlies were DiCaprio free, ha! Morlock has his facts together. It was a complete DiCaprio craze of unseen proportions. All their allowance went up in smoke because of Leonardo's white dental work.

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

Alex Cremers

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Oh, for once Morlock and Alex agree, I'd feel bad if I didn't.

I actually think Morlock is dead on. There are many 15 year-olds all over the world, and all sooned and sighed at DiCaprio's sight. That definetly helped a movie that would not have beaten all records otherwise.

[AC1 3,565]

And then there's that record thing but let's not get into that again.

[MSM 85]

I think they took Debney because he did Bruce Almighty.

[Lurker 5]

I think they took Debney because he did Bruce Almighty.

Neil

[MSM 85]

I think they took Debney because he did Bruce Almighty.

Neil

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Yeah right, as if the girlies were DiCaprio free, ha! Morlock has his facts together. It was a complete DiCaprio craze of unseen proportions. All their allowance went up in smoke because of Leonardo's white dental work.  

Oh, for once Morlock and Alex agree, I'd feel bad if I didn't.  

I actually think Morlock is dead on. There are many 15 year-olds all over the world, and all sooned and sighed at DiCaprio's sight. That definetly helped a movie that would not have beaten all records otherwise.

Stick together gentleman, you're still wrong, otherwise how would you explain DiCaprio's other films not coming even close, where were the fans for the beach or the Man behind the Mask(or whatever it was called). Your statements that 15 year old girls generated nearly 2 billion dollars in tickets sales is idiotic and complete unsupported.

you also complete discount the FACT that the Titanic is one of the most popular subjects. People in general are facinated by this disaster. In and of itself it tragedy that facinates millions. It certainly didn't hurt the boxoffice that before the film opened the Titanic Exhibit was touring here in the states, it was a huge success, no doubt in large part to all the 15 year olds that visited.

[AC1 3,565]

DiCaprio, the new God in town, was worshipped, not only by the 15 year young girlies, but by their mothers and grandmothers too. It was like a earthquaking parade of mad females marching towards the cinema-plexes. You had to be there to understand the phenomena that was DiCaprio, Joe.

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Alex Cremers

[Morlock 9]

SORRY MORLOCK, 15 year old girls don't have that kind of boxoffice clout.  They didn't make Titanic the hit it was, regular movie goers did.  You are purporting one of the great ongoing movie myths.  As for repeatability, most people I know who saw the Passion, myself included, do not want to view the film again anytime soon.  It is a difficult film to watch and is not entertaining, though it is profound.

How do you know it's a myth? I happen to know that both my sisters- who at the time 16 and 20 saw the film between themselves 8 times (the younger one saw it 5 times, the older 3). I don't know this for a fact, but I don't think much else could explain it. Don't get me wrong- I love the movie, I think it's a great movie (unlike Alex), but great movies often don't get any box office attention, and the fact that no movie has ever done nearly as well has to be attributed to something.

And Titanic was Leo's showiest role to date, it puts him on full display, he's dashing- and I'm sure the girls wished he'd save them too.

And I was also fascinated by the Titanic as a kid and as an adult (Actually, the movie fully fulfiled those fascinations, and actualy ended my long interest in it in a very satisfying way- I guess seeing it action was the only thing I was missing), but that doesn't explain 600 million in the US and 2 billion worldwide.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

I think they took Debney because he did Bruce Almighty.

Unless Jesus delivers his "Sermon on the Mount" by talking out of his rear end in a deleted scene I DONT THINK that was it.

[nja 0]

. . . you also complete discount the FACT that the Titanic is one of the most popular subjects.  People in general are facinated by this disaster.  In and of itself it tragedy that facinates millions.

A most excellent point and the real bottom line here. Everyone wonders what it was like the night the big boat went down and Cameron gave it to them in grand style.

No doubt the love story and DiCaprio helped bring in the ladies, but that was all secondary to the public?s fascination with the incident itself.

[Ollie 859]

I saw Titanic 2 months into it's run. While there were alot of teens at the show a large majority of the audience was made up of adult couples.

[AC1 3,565]

I saw Titanic 2 months into it's run. While there were alot of teens at the show a large majority of the audience was made up of adult couples.

It called "action & reaction", Mark. The moms were acting pretty suspicious back then. What was it they needed to see so badly? Why were they dressed up to kill so all of a suddenly? Why were they acting like their own wild teenage daughters? Naturally, the wifes' husbands didn't trust this strange behaviour and volunteered to pay tickets for the whole family, so they could find out firsthand what was causing these women's mouth to foam. Action & reaction is the key to Titanic's success.

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

Alex Cremers

[Ollie 859]

.....um yeah, sure......

Heavens forbid the movie was actually good and it was getting a good return audience.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

But Mark, we all know now that a movie's quality has nothing to do with its income. Freaky Friday, anyone?

[JoeinAR 1,759]

. Freaky Friday

Oh thats a good example of a big boxoffice hit???

Jamie Lee Curtis did get great reviews for the movie though.

[Morlock 9]

And I found Freaky Friday cute.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

. Freaky Friday

Oh thats a good example of a big boxoffice hit???

Jamie Lee Curtis did get great reviews for the movie though.

Well, it was the first example that crossed my mind as a formulaic, unoriginal movie crossing the $100 million mark. I could dig up others (Freddy Vs. Jason, pops to mind, but I'm only 60% certain) for popular acceptance.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Well even though this probably will not beat out Titanic, I wouldn't mind seeing it at least cross 400 million.

That would at least put it in the top 3 movies of all time.

Not bad for a religious movie made for just 30 million dollars with practically NO advetising.

[Ollie 859]

Oh I would say this film had plenty of FREE advertising.

[Lurker 5]

Oh I would say this film had plenty of FREE advertising.

Indeed.

Neil

[JoeinAR 1,759]

saw Titanic 2  

really was it any good, I wondered after 2 billion dollars if they would make a sequel.

by the way Mel Gibson is now going to work on

The Resurrection, the sequel to the Passion