Judas

A bad movie, this "Judas". Decidedly that, a terrible movie. It hurt my innards to watch the stilted interactions between the pretty, oh so pretty Jesus and his dark, troubled... I don't even KNOW what, Judas.

It hurt in a strange way, though... the kind of dull, stinging pain that makes you cry out in rage, rend your garments, roll on the floor in agony, then stand up, eat a handful of popcorn and resume watching the movie.

First of all, it's well-known that this movie butchers the Gospels, omits important events, and generally portrays the Savior as a dysfunctional imbecile who plays second fiddle to the troubled Judas (You can tell he's troubled, because he wears dark clothes!), and the only reason it was released at all was so ABC could hopefully ride the "Passion of the Christ" tidal wave and gain some decent ratings for a change. It's clear that the director and writers badly, badly wanted this movie to make an impact on the people, but these people have never heard of nuance, and instead practically force-fed the viewer the "proper" opinions. Never a good way to make a film.

Instead of echoing the poignant performances of "The Passion", the performances in this movie seemed to be channeling Johnathan Schaech's other "menacing, but misunderstood" character from the movie, "That Thing You Do!". I saw far too much of Jimmy in Judas.

I will say, however, that this movie could be a great ally in the fight for the right of gays to marry. Why, Jesus Himself was gay, according to this movie! The "dramatic" scene leading up to Judas' grumble of "Damn you, Jesus" was far too reminiscent of a lovers' spat in a Lifetime movie.

The reason I ask if Jesus owned his own surf board is because he looked like he was born and raised in Malibu. While Judas has its moments,the other 85 minutes of the movie is utter garbage. In the shadow of The Passion, the networks only real motive to show this movie was for profit. Judas has moments of stunning visual achievement (although not historically accurate) and interesting dialogue (questionable) between Pilate and Jesus. Still, I found myself laughing at most of the stuff Jesus says and does. In defense of the Actors in this crap of a movie, it's hard to do anything good if the script is bad. The best-worst line in the entire movie is when after Jesus tells Judas that he wants to take him to paradise with his Father, Jesus says to Judas: "What do you say?" Forgetting proper English along with any traces of biblical authenticity, that line defines the mess this movie is. To anyone wanting to be screen writers or filmmakers, if you want to make a serious movie, use serious dialogue. If not, make a movie like Judas.

Its good intentions are obvious. New perspectives about familiar events, a nuanced story and a subtle portrait of Judas . The only sin - it is not exactly credible. it seems an improvised project and , after so many films about same subject, a too cool Savior can be a great mistake. And, unfortunately, it is it. Sure, many reserves about script and acting, about not the inspired dialogue, but the error remains something perceived as a sort of superficiality looking for give a decent image of a friendship and a controversal character. It is not a rehabilitation, not a good explanation. It is only an exercise, not bad, to define obscure aspects . The story has not exactly coherence. The resurrection of Lazarus is awfull .The effort of Johnathon Schaech works not very well, the temptation to give a modern version to a sacred story is , at the end, not the most inspired idea. And the Lord, he seems too much with a young hippie or a rock star in early career. The good point - Bob Gunton as Caiaphas. But, sure, the film remains a nice try.

This movie is appalling. It is a deplorable attempt to show Jesus as a lunatic with disciples that are bumbling "bumpkin" idiots. Whoever made this film and put it on the air (especially 1 week after the Passion by Mel Gibson), is trying to sway christians and especially jews that Jesus was not the Messiah. Why would disciples be laughing, burping, sticking their stomachs out as if gluttons while with Jesus. Anyone who reads the bible knows that Jesus was in no way anything like that and neither were his disciples. This movie is a travesty. Completely disregards Jesus's sacrifice. Why tell the story and not tell it right? SInce when is Judas such a godly man? Sure he was human and he obviously felt guilty for turning Jesus over to authorities. But he hung himself because he knew that when Jesus died he was responsible for turning him in. He realized he was the Messiah and his guilt was overwhelming. Mr. Johnathon Schaech's portrayal of Jesus was mocking to Christians and Messianic Jews (jewish believers). This was the most deplorable depiction of Jesus I've ever seen. As a believer in Jesus as the Messiah, it made me sick to my stomach to see Jesus portrayed in such a manner. I close on a comment for Mr. Schaech, the casting director, producers and directors of this film that this was a horrible and ghastly depiction of Jesus and you should take a good look at the bible and realize how wrong you are about this man Jesus.

Sadly disappointed the acting was not convincing at all. The film does not sit together and is very inaccurate, it seems to lose focus on the main title character Judas, which by result misses out the point of the film in the first place.

This film does not leave you with any memories at all. There are a few laughs by the choice of dialog, You ask yourself several times 'Did they really say that? The plus side was the soundtrack was undoubtedly the best part of the film. Jesus of Nazareth still runs tops in the *Easter Must watch* joined by the more recent *superb* Passion of Christ.

Blaze