Life of Jesus Christ

Last month, Professor Danny Mandia let us watch “Passion of the Christ” directed by Mel Gibson. I remember the first time our professor told us about watching the film I was really excited and somehow sad. Excited because it’s been how many years since I watched the film, sad because I will definitely witness how Jesus Christ suffered for us. How Jesus Christ was crucified and died. That is really heartbreaking.

Passion of the Christ The Movie.

As what i have watched, Passion of the Christ depicts the final hours of Jesus Christ starting from prayers in Garden of Gethsemane after the last supper and his betrayal on the hands of Judas. Jesus was handed to the soldiers and was brutally flagellated.

On that certain scene, i caught myself crying. Tears are falling from my eyes. I am really saddened on fact how they treated jesus christ like an animal. Jesus christ did nothing wrong to be treated like that. Every stroke jesus received from the soldiers definitely breaks my heart. That brutal scene made me realized all my mistakes and bad deeds. And the only words that comes from my mouth was “oh Lord sorry”.

Jesus was ordered to carry a wooden cross while walking up to Galgotha and when he hangs and left to die, her mother went to him and told him that she will always be there for him. The scene captured my heart and made me cry even more. I realized that mothers/parents are the ones who will never betray and leave you. We should treasure every moment that we are engaged to them. The unconditional love from our parents are priceless.

The film gave a lot of lessons to me and opened up my mind on what really happened to Jesus. With the problems we are encountering now, that’s just nothing compared to the sufferings Jesus Christ experienced. Let’s have faith to him and we will be blessed.

If you haven’t watch the film yet, this is a copy of the full movie.

The New Hollywood and Independent Filmmaking

In 1960, the Hollywood industry was fine. The films were still patronized by the viewers such as The Sound of Music and Dr. Zhivago. But by 1969, problems arouses. Hollywood companies were loosing $200 million a year.

The producers was alarmed on the circumstances they are encountering so they think of strategies to make the Hollywood back. They produced counterculture-flavored films that suits for the taste of the young audiences. Some of the most popular films are Easy rider and MASH. Unfortunately, it was not effective. Viewers prefer films aimed at a broader audience. The most successful films were Godfather, Jaws, Star wars, Obsession and Taxi Driver.

The Godfather (1972)

Easy Rider (1969)

Taxi Driver (1976)

Jaws (1975)

M*A*S*H (1970)

Francis Coppola, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Brian de Palma and Martin Scorsese were the directors who really gave a break to Hollywood industry and became a New Hollywood. These directors was known to be the “Movie Brats.” (click this to know more about them)

During the 1980’s, fresh talents came out and won recognition and New New Hollywood was created. Jon Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s works were still shining that time. The resurgence of mainstream film includes directors from outside the Hollywood. Also, women filmmakers became successful such as Amy Heckerling,  Martha Coolidge and Penelope Spheeris. Some independent filmmakers shifted to mainstream but making a film with medium-budget pictures with known stars but some choose to stay into Independent film.

The young mainstream directors continued the tradition of Classical American cinema. Continuity editing was still present, they stick with the story telling but revived some visual techniques. Spielberg used deep-focus techniques while Lucas developed motion-control techniques. They both led the move toward the digital sound and  high quality theater reproduction technology.

There is always a growth in everything. Most of the thrilling films were created by the younger generation of directors but like their mentors, they are still using the tradition of Classical Hollywood Style. There may be changes but not that big. The Classical Hollywood Style is still there and will forever be there. 🙂