ROTTEN TOMATOES: Vatican Gloats Over Weak Performance of The Golden Compass

Vatican Gloats Over Weak Performance of The Golden Compass

Pwnz0rs, New Line! In your face!

by Jeff Giles | December 20, 2007

Attention, filmgoers who have seen and enjoyed The Golden Compass: According to The Vatican, you're either "dishonest" or you haven't been "gifted with a critical spirit."

Such is the underlying message to be taken from a long (and rather smug) editorial in Wednesday's edition of l'Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican daily. Calling Compass' underwhelming box-office performance "consoling," the paper dismisses Chris Weitz's adaptation of Philip Pullman's book as the "most anti-Christmas film possible" before speculating that the movie's $26 million domestic opening might spell doom for the remainder of the planned trilogy. "If that should happen," says the editorial, "it wouldn't be a big loss."

And if you actually enjoyed the movie, what's wrong with you? That's what the paper wants to know. You should have found it "devoid of any particular emotion apart from a great chill," because "in Pullman's world, hope simply does not exist, because there is no salvation but only personal, individualistic capacity to control the situation and dominate events."

So there, New Line, Philip Pullman, and Chris Weitz. The Catholic Church showed you. And just wait until you read what they have to say about Angels & Demons! (We have to ask, though -- where was the Vatican's film critic when we were having our holiday spirits crushed by Deck the Halls and/or Christmas with the Kranks? Talk about your most anti-Christmas films possible...)

Source: Variety

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Celeb:	Chris Weitz
	Philip Pullman

(1-20 of 100 posts) | Reply

RottenRob writes:
on Dec 20 2007 06:18 AM

God hates talking polar bears because they tried to ruin Christmas. Good for Him. Mr. Pullman, you'd better start worshipping Santa if you expect me to take MY children to see your books or read your movies.

Amen.

(Reply to this)

jasperoosterveld writes:
on Dec 20 2007 06:24 AM

The church! You gotta love them! Especially the pope, great old german, such a good guy in the 2nd world war, beautiful all the buildings the vatican has, not stolen from poor peoples money at all, so considerate when 6 million jewish people got exterminated, so liberal when other people have different views, talk? No trow them on burning fire....do you want me to continue?

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Dec 20 2007 06:58 AM

Hey Jeff, it also could be that those who enjoyed The Golden Compass simply like crappy movies

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tomwaitsjr writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:07 AM

We saw red (down below) or close enough to it in Billy Bathgate, courtesy of Kidman. She also played a nice young vixen in her first film (Australian).

We are now SATURATED with non-naked Nicole Kidman. Julianne Moore at least gave us that great scene in short cuts. That kind of stuff happens, you'll see any movie wanting MOORE of the red carpet.

Is there a movie Kidman won't make?

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:08 AM

We saw red (down below) or close enough to it in Billy Bathgate, courtesy of Kidman. She also played a nice young vixen in her first film (Australian).

We are now SATURATED with non-naked Nicole Kidman. Julianne Moore at least gave us that great scene in short cuts. That kind of stuff happens, you'll see any movie wanting MOORE of the red carpet.

Is there a movie Kidman won't make?

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:08 AM

In reply to this comment (#1377657)
So what are you saying Jasper, that the pope and the Catholic Church were responsible for the holocaust? Ever hear of Hitler you ignorant moron? He also exterminated Catholics, news which I%u2019m thinking makes you smile today.

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dracus writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:09 AM

So what are you saying Jasper, that the pope and the Catholic Church were responsible for the holocaust? Ever hear of Hitler you ignorant moron? He also exterminated Catholics which Im thinking makes you smile today.

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spnw85 writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:14 AM

i was offended by this movie, because it is clear that those polar bears are abusing steroids! lets get mitchell on this, those bears are setting a poor example to the young cubs of today! i think all the bears should be tested, from Winnie to Yogi!

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jasperoosterveld writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:18 AM

In reply to this comment (#1377783)
They didn't do enough to prevend it, but it's just one of the many examples that the vacation represents a lot thats wrong with this world.

(Reply to this)

spnw85 writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:23 AM

hey jasper, i personally like my vacation. i mean yeah, it might be a crappy hotel where the shower smells funny, but at least im not at work, right?

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dahluzz writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:31 AM

as redonkulous as it is, i bet the denouncement of this movie by the bible-thumpers had a significant impact on ticket sales (or lack thereof). clearly many christians will believe whatever priests tell them. i mean priests told them there was a god and they believed that! how much more far-fetched does it get?

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:34 AM

Haha, that article is actually the first thing that's made me want to see the movie. Only a guilty conscience would write such an article.

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Morrinn writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:36 AM

I'm confused... So the Vatican is just going to ignore the fact that The Golden Compass is doing fine outside of America?

Far from me to defend a movie that I haven't seen (and which isn't all that good, apparently) but this seems a bit disingenuous on Bernie the Rat's part.

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medicineman writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:36 AM

I don't know Jasper; every time I take a vacation as you call it, feel great. Now, if you are referring to the Vatican representing a lot that's wrong with the world, I always thought it was the self-righteous USA. Vaccation huh? Dracus is right, you are a moron.

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AlbertBrodsky writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:38 AM

This movie will flourish on DVD. People who are skeptical aren't going to watch it in the theatres, and then after deciding it's not the anti-christian hating movie that some moron sheep believe it to me, pay another 50 bucks to take their kids to it. It probably won't make enough to warrant the sequels, but who knows?

(Reply to this)

Cindy_Lou_Who writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:42 AM

Merry Christmas everyone, you too Jasper!

(Reply to this)

AlbertBrodsky writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:43 AM

In reply to this comment (#1377875)
This movie will flourish on DVD. People who are skeptical aren't going to watch it in the theatres, and then after deciding it's not the anti-christian hating movie that some moron sheep believe it to be, pay another 50 bucks to take their kids to it. It probably won't make enough to warrant the sequels, but who knows?

(Reply to this)

welease_woger writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:45 AM

What planet are you from Jasper? Stwike him centurwion, very woughly!

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Crenshaw writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:48 AM

These squeaky-wheeled bastards are constantly making my religion look bad. My family is Catholic, my kids go to a Catholic school. Everyone in that school has no problem with the movie or the books. A couple of the more-"fervent" parents were concerned about the books in the school library. So the librarian, the principal and the PRIEST read them and not only did they have no problem with them, they thought they were a darn good read for the kids.

The reason the movie tanked was because of way more reasons than some blowhards saying "no" - if anything that would increase the attendance of the core audience. The reason this movie tanked was:

1) The marketing was rotten. Except for a few fans (and not THAT many of those) no one know what the hell this movie was. Was it for kids? Was it for grownups? Was it just another LOTR ripoff? Just look at Stardust for similar reasons.

2) Nicole Kidman is box office poison. Casting her AND James Bond made this look like a grownup movie that no one wanted to see.

3) The Trailers were confusing and did not help explain what the hell this movie was about.

4) 43% Tomatometer vs. 93% for Enchanted.

5) IT WAS STILL THE FREAKING #1 MOVIE FOR A WEEK. It just wasn't good enough to maintain and pull people away from other movies that they frankly wanted to see more.

(Reply to this)

Morrinn writes:
on Dec 20 2007 07:49 AM

Smug seems to be the Vatican's default attitude as of late. But hey, happy yuletide to all!

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