pontmarie

I had feared that this movie would be "irreverent" and that in wanting to bring a fresh view, it would ruin what the story of Jesus means to me. It didn't happen.

Instead, I was treated to a rare Jesus (as the reviewer from Amsterdam says) this was a HUMAN Jesus who laughs and cries like the rest of us. I see nothing wrong with that, there is nothing in the Bible or anywhere that tells us that Jesus didn't share in human emotions, that was the whole point, that he WAS one of us for a while.

True, Debra Messing jars things a little, but the rest of the cast is superb. I have always liked Gary Oldman and he plays a villain like no other actor I know. Jacqueline Bisset is wonderful as Mary and Jeroen Krabbe as the devil is just perfect.

I really don't understand why the bad word of mouth and lack of Oscars. I guess people prefer guns and cars and sex to an intelligent, well acted and disturbing film. As much as I dislike Matt Damon, he is brilliant as Tom Ripley and should have gotten more recognition. Jude, Gwyneth, and my girl Cate round out the great cast.

This account of the Virgin Queen's ascension to power is masterful. Shekhar Kapur's vision and his cast all meld together to bring out the best of a historical account, which, although not 100% truthful, has the gist of who Elizabeth I was. Cate is absolutely magnificent in this movie, and the rest of the actors are superb.