Now I don't want to start a holy war here (and I mean that literally) but is anyone else GENUINELY surprised that 'The Passion of The Christ' isn't being mentioned at all for the Oscars?

Granted, 'quality' Oscar contender films don't normally spring up until Winter. But, I can clearly recall reading and seeing on TV back in April/May how the Gospel according to Mel was a shoe-in come nomination time.

And I ain't a pious person by any means - and Hollywood doesn't appear to have any scruples either (Roman Polanski alleged child molester? Sure, have an Academy Award on us - no, no, we'll ship it to ya) But (and I apologize for this is beginning to sound like an Op-Ed piece), is it maybe because 'The Passion' is TOO religious? I dunno. And don't gimme any of that antiquated BS of Jews owning the media crapola. I'm half Jewish and I proudly take Yom Kippur off work.

"And don't gimme any of that antiquated BS of Jews owning the media crapola."

Jews don't own the media but there are several who carry a lot of weight in Hollywood (Spielberg, the Weisteins or Katzenberg come to mind). I'm sure they wouldn't like to have the big Oscar winner be the son of a guy who claims gas chambers never existed (or some such idiocy). Or maybe the academy acknowledges that, for once, the box-office shouldn't govern the awards and that crap movies (as I'm told PotC is) shouldn't even be considered.

I think the problem is that if the Academy chooses Passion then the people who think Fahrenheit 9 11 was the best film will be pissed.  If Fahrenheit is chosen then the religious right will have fodder for their campaign against the Hollywood liberals.  I don't think the Academy want a replay of the 2004 Presidential campaign so neither film will win for best picture.  I read somewhere that Mel isn't interested in winning for best film either.  I think what this is is a case of Hollywood not wanting to take sides.  A catch 22 situation if you will.  If I recall, Fahrenheit is up for best movie because Moore didn't want it in the Best Documentary category (for which it would almost certainly be a shoe-in).  I'm guessing that Passion will win in some other categories though like best makeup for making John Caviezel a bloody mess. 

C'mon guys - frankly I am little disappointed. I thought for sure someone would mention that 'The Passion' isn't that good a flick (don't misunderstand - it IS good, just not Best Picture good).

But both of you bring up 2 good points. Except for last year (when Best Picture went to LOTR AND it earned a bazillion dollars) the nod has been going toward quasi-independent films. Ya gotta admit, Miramax has been making the Academy its bitch in the last few years.

Moreover, I completely forgot about Fahrenheit 911. How delicious it is that 911 and 'The Passion' will (for lack of a better word) cancel each other out due to each of it's respective content.

I also read that Michael ('The Peoples' Demagogue) Moore actually began a vain attempt to get Bush on the ballot for Best Actor. What a douchebag.

I haven't seen Passion so I can't comment. I liked Fahrenheit 9/11, but I don't think it should win for best movie.

So it is, Moore is pushing for Bush to get best actor.  Here's the link in case your interested:

 http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/entertainment/special_packages/summer_movies/trailers/9256408.htm

What a crock of BS.

Bush isn't good at much of anything, including acting. No one, not even his so-called supporters, actually believes his schtick. They just pretend to because it furthers their own agendas to do so.

If they had an award for Best Puppett, he might take that, but then again I haven't seen Team America, so I couldn't say for sure.

He would even come in 2nd if they had a Best Villain award (Osama or Saddam would take that one).

Best Talentless, Spoiled Child of Wealth? Nope, Paris Hilton gets that one.

Most Humiliating Jingoist? Nah, I'm feeling Toby Keith for that one.

But I'm still willing to talk alot f smack about it. Kidding.

Kind of.

Anyhoo...Call me crazy, but I think that even if Fahrenheit didn't exist, there would be no talk of Passion for any Oscars, aside from perhaps Best Aramaic Film. (sp?)

From what I know, it has no story (watch a man get tortured for two hours because, aw heck, all you Christians know the story anyways), and is spoken in a language that no one has spoken for eons. Doesn't sound like it really should win any awards. That flick that Bill Shatner put out (Incubus, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059311/) in Esperanto sure didn't win anything.

On top of that, I just don't thnk that Passion is a movie that most voting members of the Academy would find "great." Oh sure, some of them may like it, but the group as a whole is either a)Jewish, b) non-religious altogether, c)quite liberal or d)Madonna. In any case, I doubt it's their cup o tea.

.

I did not see PotC because it looked boring. It looked like a boring story that waaaaaaay too many people take waaaaaay too seriously. You could replace "PtoC" wih "Titanic" in that last sentence to reflect my feelings on that film too.

I heard Moore say that he has his best documentary Oscar, he did not want to stand in the way of newer talent. I find that admirable.

Sorry Marc I read your original post and I gotta say How the heck are you half jewish?? Do you only believe in the first half of the Torah? maybe only the odd pages? how does that work?

Well, to be honest I only play it up on holidays. Dad's Jewish, Mom's Catholic - so, that makes me... nothing - according to the Torah. Do I exploit it? Maybe if I wanna get drunk on Purim. Other than that, I leave the theological conversations to those that know what the Hell they are talking about (read: Not Me).

Isnt f11 a total lie? well at least theres a website somewhere out there that states over 50 of the movies "bullshit lies" as michael savage put it. but you know i have no idea!

well lets see. I havent watched the passion or so called the tourching, but how can a movie that is only shown in small theaters even get out to the public let alone oscars awards! they wouldn't even show it at hoyt's cinemas!