Mel seems to have lost his sense of humour lately, and I think I know where it is. He left it at "The Simpsons", since that was the last good thing he did. Anyone seen this elusive critter.

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Originally posted by burning man:
Anyone seen this elusive critter.

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The last time I read about this guy he was of course earning millions for directing "The Passion" and losing thousands for making "Paparazzi" which just reaffirms the fact that all humor is lost.

sense of humor lost? neh. Its more than likely he just will wait a litte while after Passions to pull it back out. I mean, it could be concieved as tasteless to quickly jump into a comedy after such a dramatically important movie.

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Originally posted by Nickel-Z:
sense of humor lost? neh. Its more than likely he just will wait a litte while after Passions to pull it back out. I mean, it could be concieved as tasteless to quickly jump into a comedy after such a dramatically important movie.

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What's taste got ta do with it.

Yeah, I miss the old Mel, the one who didn't make a movie solely because the main character has the biggest fan base in the United States. I think the last thing I like him in was "What Women Want." Which was dumb but entertaining.

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Originally posted by Mike:
Yeah, I miss the old Mel, the one who didn't make a movie solely because the main character has the biggest fan base in the United States. I think the last thing I like him in was "What Women Want." Which was dumb but entertaining.

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Funny, though?

Not hilarious, but the idea was sort of funny. And some of the predicaments that he gets into are humorous.

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Originally posted by Mike:
Not hilarious, but the idea was sort of funny. And some of the predicaments that he gets into are humorous.

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So, we can't find the little critter there. Let the hunting of the snark continue!!!!!

Ya know, it occurs to me that the ONE redeeming feture about "The passion...." was its portrayal of the women. These majestic ladies almost bought me to tears, more so than the suffering portrayed.

When I looked around the picture theatre, all I could see was fear!

Was this a horror movie I was watching?

If only for the women, this movie needs to be seen, and the children.

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Originally posted by burning man:
Mel seems to have lost his sense of humour lately, and I think I know where it is. He left it at "The Simpsons", since that was the last good thing he did. Anyone seen this elusive critter.

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He's executive producer of a sitcom called "Complete Savages" on ABC which I have not seen but looks AWFUL. It's a family comedy with Keith Carradine as the father. I'm not sure what the ratings have been like, but I know they placed a Mel guest appearance in the show VERY SOON after it debuted and that's never a good sign...

I just don't know if I can buy Mel in his "old" persona anymore. After what I've read about the extent of his religious beliefs (which seem to have foreclosed on a lot of the rest of his life) and the anti-Semitic things said by his father, I just don't know if I could see Mel the same in a Lethal Weapon-type role. It would seem a little odd.

The last thing I saw Mel in and enjoyed was probably "What Women Want" which was cute but not great. But likeable enough.

I've not seen "The Passion" and I really don't want to. It just doesn't strike me as a way I want to spend 3 hours...

First off, "The Passion" is two hours and seven minutes. Secondly, it is very violent, but the violence is not on screen nearly as long as people seem to remember it. Third, it resembles pornography in no way whatsoever, no matter how creatively one draws the definition. Fourth, it's not a snuff movie because you need a "victim" to have a snuff movie. Fifth, people's reactions to the film do tend to fall along their religious/cultural origins or how much they like/hate Mel Gibson and/or his father.
Sixth, I find the film artistic, poetic and moving, yet difficult to watch, just as it was intended to be. Seventh, the film is far from perfect, but considering its limited scope and intentions, I find it difficult to believe it could have been much better. Last, the message of love and forgiveness comes through much stronger than one of hatred and violence. Sorry to all who honestly and objectively disagree.

I know you weren't replying solely to me, but I should point out that my reluctance at seeing the movie has less to do with the violence, the religiosity, or the views of the man, and more to do with the idea of watching a 2 hour (my bad!) subititled film on a topic that doesn't really interest me. But I will do my duty as a moderately well-educated person and check it out at some point. I can just never bring myself to rent it...when I'm looking for a film, I usually want to be ENTERTAINED and I know that's not the goal of this film. But maybe I should view it in a different light and look upon it as work...

There's a book, in the Philosophy and Pop Culture series (which features books on Harry Potter, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Buffy, The Sopranos, baseball, and the Matrix) on the Passion, so I guess I can work it in as "research."

My bigger question is what will Mel WANT to do after this? Will he be viewed by those who idolize him for the Passion as a sell-out if he does a violent, Hollywood flick? Can he still act in a Lethal Weapon-type role without facing the wrath of his new public?

Does anyone know what he's up to, film-wise? The last thing I saw him in, i think, was the so-so Signs.

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Originally posted by storm_chaser:
I tkink Mr. burning man is right.

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Hmm...you seem to have an odd synchronicity with the views of a certain burning man, storm_chaser. Curious...

Curious? I think phil is phuckin' (that's a Thai word, I think) with ya. Welcome back...I mean, welcome, storm_chaser; happy to have you aboard.