See what can happen when you give somebody an Oscar? The Times reports today (on the front page, no less) that controversy regarding Mel Gibson's new Jesus movie, The Passion is heating up as Mel begins screening the rough cut to friendly audiences. One such hand-picked person made the following statement, sure to be a pull quote on the movie's publicity poster:
"Mel Gibson is the Michelangelo of this generation," said the Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Why is this story so newsworthy months in advance of the release of a movie rumored to be screened in Aramaic and Latin with no subtitles (nothing says good popcorn flick to CC like dead languages)?
Mr. Gibson's vision "pays tribute to Judaism," Mr. Lauer said, by underscoring Christianity's roots. The controversy, he added, has built a considerable buzz about the movie. "You can't buy that kind of publicity," he said.
And why would Mel need to, when he has the Times and Matt Drudge for that?
Posted by karen at August 2, 2003 5:59 PM