While the summer blockbuster season draws to a close as school begins, the home video industry gears up for its most lucrative quarter.
Dropping temperatures equal raised profits for video stores, as less people have time to go out to the theater and catch a flick. The most popular alternatives, especially in the past four years, are DVDs. With loads of deleted scenes, enhanced sound, droll commentaries and the option of seeing Steven Seagal films in their original widescreen format, DVDs are the most popular medium for watching films, not only for their convenience, but also for the immense replay value – especially if the film is good enough.
Yet, while this time may be where the studios release the early summer action flicks, the big releases are not exactly great for sitting down with a bucket of popcorn:
“The Passion of the Christ” – The most controversial film of the year came out on DVD this week. Mel Gibson’s personal portrait of the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life is the bloodiest, cruelest and most intense film on Christ ever to be released.
It is also the most cinematic film, depicting his struggle in poetic music, heart-wrenching performances and stimulating visuals. This is Gibson’s dramatic testament of faith, and he invites the world to join with him.
Christian or not this film is powerful, portraying Jesus at his most human and divine. The DVD does not contain many extra features, which is surprising due to the lengthy editing process the film had to endure.
With no deleted scenes or commentary from the director, there is no insight into the territory that the film could or would have gone without the controversy.
However, this is a pious film, and all those bells and whistles would make it seem worldly, so Gibson merely has the basics – plus the Good Samaritan insertion of commentary for the visually impaired.
Regardless, the high quality of the film makes up for any lack of DVD extras.
“The Passion of the Jew” – Mel Gibson’s film sent shockwaves of religious piety throughout the world, but he was not immune from the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are among the most gifted satirists in the country.
This collection of three episodes from the Comedy Central show derides the confused religious tradition in America. The title episode has Kyle, a young Jewish boy, attend a screening of “The Passion,” leading to him asking his synagogue to apologize for killing Christ – playing off the heavy debate of alleged anti-Semitism in the film.
Another episode mocks Christian heavy metal bands -showing the formula used by the industry to market and exploit Jesus through fake spirituality. The trio is rounded out with a satire on and the sexual scandal in the Catholic Church – which is apparently masterminded by a giant Catholic spider.
This DVD is a perfect lighthearted complement to superficial religious devotion that may occur from watching “The Passion,” done deftly through the demented eyes of the people that brought you talking Christmas fecal matter.
