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Mr. Clarkson wrote a book in 1994 titled "Mel the Inside Story" (hardcover). This book was held up and not released in the United States because Mr. Gibson's lawyers were trying to stop it from being published. I have that book and can understand why he didn't want it published. Although it does give and excellent film history, throughout the book the author seems to have a jealousy of Mel and his success and repeatedly slanders and denigrates his father and religious beliefs. This book in paperback is the same book, a little updated. I am a big Mel fan and don't like the author's tone at times, but if you are a fan you will find it extremely interesting and informative. You will just have to take some parts of it with a grain of salt- "he said, she said" stuff and rumors. In any case, if you have the hardcover "Mel the Inside Story", dont bother to purchase this update. I could only rate either of these 3 stars because of the sense of personal bias throughout. A good book on Mel is Lethal Hero which is out of print (I have it, too) but you may be able to get a copy. It has better personal views of Mel, but, surprisingly, some really juicy stuff that Mr. Clarkson missed out on. In any case, MEL RULES!!!

If you really want to know about the life of Mel Gibson, this is the book for you. I swear it must have every little thing that has happened to him since he was born! It doesn't have many pictures and the ones it does have are not very high quality but, if you want information about Mel, well then you've come to the right book. It doesn't miss a thing!

The Passion of the Christ is by far the most compelling Jesus movie to date. The Passion of the Christ is a very emotional film that had the entire audience in tears. The extremely vivid and graphic violence only added to the amount of interest in the film. The Passion was hard to watch at times but in the end a great picture worth seeing several times. The popularity of this film is well earned. The acting was extremely believable and well done; it truly felt like this event was really taking place right in front of my eyes. I can't imagine anyone disliking such a well-scripted and well directed film.
The dialogue was excellently mastered and presented. Mel Gibson truly out did himself and this is an outstanding must-see. The graphic violence was heavy yet not too heavy; those who have a weak stomach should avoid The Passion of the Christ. I can't figure out why some people gave this film such horrible reviews; you have to remember that the majority of people highly enjoyed The Passion of the Christ. After seeing it I couldn't stop thinking about it. I saw this film over a week ago and it is still fresh in my mind. Very powerful stuff that I highly recommend everyone views.

"The Passion of the Christ" is like no other movie I have ever seen. It is difficult to see this as a film, when really it is an experience that, like it or not, you are immersed in for two hours and come out physically and emotionally drained, even if you found yourself without expression the entire time. the film, er... experience enraptures you almost immediatetly, as the film picks up the Garden of Gesthemine. Jesus (Jim Cavielzel) is in fear of what he must do, but finds himself tempted by a strange, female androgynous form of Satan. Seductive and oddly sexy, Lucifer, with an alluring, otherworldy voice tempts Jesus to turn from his path, but Jesus stays the course, accepting the arrest by Jewish guards. Condemed by the Jewish council for blasphemy, Jesus is taken before Pilate for punishment. pilate initially finds no cause for death, and instead orders Jesus whipped. This is where the violence and gore kick in. Jesus' back and torso is methodically ripped apart by Roman chastisers, and director Mel Gibson focuses on all the gory details, with close-ups of flesh coming off in shreds and the claws often come dangerously close to his face. Add to this a graphic walk with the cross (he is whipped repeatedly with a belt) and an even worse crucifixtion (complete with nails driven into Jesus' hand and feet, accompianied by squish sound effects and aa theif's eye pecked out by a crow), and the violence is often too much, bringing the audience out of the emotional juggernaut and leaving them instead with nausea.

But the films' saving grace is Romanian actress Maia Morgernstern as Jesus' mother Mary. I am a congregational protestant, and never gave Mary the same amount of reverance Catholics do. But now I may. Morgenstern is the films' heart and soul, amid the films' unrelenting gore. She is the human mother watching her only son beaten and tortured to death. She is the main focus in the films' most powerful and moving scene when Jesus falls carrying the cross and she flashes back to an event in his childhood, whe she was able to comfort him and shleter him from pain. The humaness of Mary is what is relatable in the film (Cavielzel doesn't act as much as offer himself up as a sacrifical lamb) as the helpless mother, and Morgenstern's stoic yet anguished performance is one of the most heart-breaking you will ever see, and is the most haunting aspect of "The Passion," rising above the film's off-putting violence.

I have been a Christian since I was 7 yrs old, however I like many strayed from Gods chosen path. When I saw this movie I was not only moved to tears but found my life changing in the most wonderful of ways! I prayed for forgiveness of my sins again because all of what Jesus endured, he endured for us. He didn't have to, ya know? And I now have the blessed assurance that I will go to Heaven! Amen! This movie is very graphic but the graphics are uterly necessary if we are to grasp the truth of what Christ endured for all of us. I hope that you will see this film and that Christ's journey will have a profound impact in your life as well! God Bless!