'Passion of the Christ' is most controversial

[ABlairican Pie]

‘Passion of the Christ’ is most controversial
Entertainment Weekly ranked films; ‘Clockwork Orange’ came in second
The Associated Press



Updated: 2:52 p.m. PT June 9, 2006
NEW YORK - Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” ranks as the most controversial film of all time, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The magazine ranks the 25 films that have most shocked, disgusted and divided moviegoers, in its June 16 issue, on newsstands Monday.

EW writes that Gibson’s grisly depiction of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion ignited “a culture-war firestorm unrivaled in Hollywood history.” Despite — or to some degree, because of — the religious uproar, the 2004 film grossed over $370 million at the U.S box office.

Coming in second is Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” Kubrick’s 1971 futuristic film is famous for a violent scene during which “Singin’ in the Rain” is played. Reports of copycat crimes led to the movie’s withdrawal from distribution in Britain.

Oliver Stone has the unique distinction of landing twice on the list: 1991’s “JFK,” ranked at No. 5, and 1994’s “Natural Born Killers,” at No. 8.

“The Da Vinci Code,” now in theaters, charts at No. 13 for the debates spawned by its tale of a Catholic cover-up. Another recent film, “United 93,” ranks at No. 16 because of concerns that it came too soon after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Also among the 25: “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Deep Throat,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “The Deer Hunter,” “Basic Instinct,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Kids.”

Photo dated 19 May 2006 shows a couple walking past a poster promoting the movie 'The Da Vinci Code' on the films opening day in Shanghai. China has ordered the controversial film that has smashed worldwide box-office records, pulled from its theaters, a movie industry executive said 08 June 2006.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[gilligan fanatic]

Surprised the movie about the 12 or 13 year old prostitute was not on there. I can't remember the title though.

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by gilligan fanatic

Surprised the movie about the 12 or 13 year old prostitute was not on there. I can't remember the title though.

"Pretty Baby" with Brook Shields?

[gilligan fanatic]

that's the one

[TJL]

Since I subscribe to Entertainment Weekly, I cannot wait to get this issue in the mail so I can disagree with thier list.

[Brad Russ]

The number one choice doesn't surprise me at all. The Passion definitely ignited the most controversy in any film Iv'e seen in my lifetime.

[Jenya]

Cannibal Holocaust was banned in over 60 countries for it's extreme graphic violence and brutal torture to animals. I'm surprised that film didn't make the list.

[Jenya]

My mistake. It's listed at #20.

[TJL]

I'm surprised Adrian Lyne's 1997 remake of "Lolita" isn't on the list. Becasue of the subject matter, it had a hard time finding a distributor and after a very limited release had its big premire on Showtime.

[Brad Russ]

Originally Posted by Jenya

Cannibal Holocaust was banned in over 60 countries for it's extreme graphic violence and brutal torture to animals. I'm surprised that film didn't make the list.

I was just reading about that movie yesterday. At first I thought I was reading about a documentary, so I had a very sick feeling in my stomache, but after finding out it wasn't real, that calmed me down. It is surprising to me that it was only listed at 20. If it would have had a big Hollywood type opening, I have no doubt it would be higher up on the list.

[Auntie]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

‘Passion of the Christ’ is most controversial
Entertainment Weekly ranked films; ‘Clockwork Orange’ came in second
The Associated Press



Updated: 2:52 p.m. PT June 9, 2006
NEW YORK - Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” ranks as the most controversial film of all time, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The magazine ranks the 25 films that have most shocked, disgusted and divided moviegoers, in its June 16 issue, on newsstands Monday.

EW writes that Gibson’s grisly depiction of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion ignited “a culture-war firestorm unrivaled in Hollywood history.” Despite — or to some degree, because of — the religious uproar, the 2004 film grossed over $370 million at the U.S box office.

Coming in second is Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” Kubrick’s 1971 futuristic film is famous for a violent scene during which “Singin’ in the Rain” is played. Reports of copycat crimes led to the movie’s withdrawal from distribution in Britain.

Oliver Stone has the unique distinction of landing twice on the list: 1991’s “JFK,” ranked at No. 5, and 1994’s “Natural Born Killers,” at No. 8.

“The Da Vinci Code,” now in theaters, charts at No. 13 for the debates spawned by its tale of a Catholic cover-up. Another recent film, “United 93,” ranks at No. 16 because of concerns that it came too soon after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Also among the 25: “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Deep Throat,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “The Deer Hunter,” “Basic Instinct,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Kids.”

Photo dated 19 May 2006 shows a couple walking past a poster promoting the movie 'The Da Vinci Code' on the films opening day in Shanghai. China has ordered the controversial film that has smashed worldwide box-office records, pulled from its theaters, a movie industry executive said 08 June 2006.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

I'm not surprised. IMO I think the reason is most people don't want to reflect on Christ's suffering, what He went through. It's funny though, how most people could go to see a real hack 'em up horror movie and it doesn't bother them at all. But have a movie about religion come out, and everyone starts complaining. Figures

[Brian]

Can anyone give the list? I noticed "Last Tango in Paris" was on the cover. I wanted to see where that was and what other movies made the list.

[TJL]

Originally Posted by Brian

Can anyone give the list? I noticed "Last Tango in Paris" was on the cover. I wanted to see where that was and what other movies made the list.

Here's the list Bri:

1. Passion Of The Christ
2. Clockwork Orange
3. Farenheit 9/11
4. Deep Throat
5. JFK
6. The Last Temptation Of Christ
7. Birth Of A Nation
8. Natural Born Killers
9. Last Tango In Paris
10. Baby Doll (never head of it from 1956)
11. The Message
12. The Deer Hunter
13. The Da Vinci Code
14. The Warriors
15. Triumph Of The Will
16. United 93
17. Freaks
18. I am Curious (Yellow)
19. Basic Instinct
20. Cannibal Holocaust
21. Bonnie And Clyde
22. Do The Right Thing
23. Kids
24. Caligula
25. Alladin - Yeah, the Disney movie.

[Ireneparalegal]

i subscribe to EW. being that they only have room for 25 movies, i am sure those like PRETTY BABY would be on the list if it were the 50 MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOVIES.

[Brad Russ]

Originally Posted by TJL

Here's the list Bri:

1. Passion Of The Christ
2. Clockwork Orange
3. Farenheit 9/11
4. Deep Throat
5. JFK
6. The Last Temptation Of Christ
7. Birth Of A Nation
8. Natural Born Killers
9. Last Tango In Paris
10. Baby Doll (never head of it from 1956)
11. The Message
12. The Deer Hunter
13. The Da Vinci Code
14. The Warriors
15. Triumph Of The Will
16. United 93
17. Freaks
18. I am Curious (Yellow)
19. Basic Instinct
20. Cannibal Holocaust
21. Bonnie And Clyde
22. Do The Right Thing
23. Kids
24. Caligula
25. Alladin - Yeah, the Disney movie.

Where the heck is the Faces of Death movie series??? That showed real clips of autopsies, plane crashes, assassinations, and even animal torture (I'm sickened to say). Surely, that would have to be considered far more controversial than anything on this list. And what the heck was controversial about Alladin?? Very odd list.