Graphic violence
It is interesting to look up movies that have been "approved" by the "cultural elite" in this country, in the context of graphic violence.
Just pulling one example out at random: Google "Schindler's List" and "graphic." Look at the reviews.
Typical:
- The very nature of the Holocaust requires that such graphic violence be portrayed and I was not offended by it.
- Schindler's List contains scenes of unimaginable atrocities, random violence and graphic bloodshed, as well as foul language and nudity. Considering the subject matter, such elements were necessary and many critics argued that Spielberg, by refusing to compromise on them, actually matured into real cinema artist.
- Such graphic scenes give the crew tremendous respect for showing such details that few would dare. The movie's quality deserved all eight Oscar wins, including Best Picture 1993.
That's just from the first couple of pages of the search results.
This is how people who complained about the graphic nature, on broadcast television, were treated.
There are other movies you could do this review test with. "Saving Private Ryan," might be one. Movies where the graphic violence is considered to be an essential part of the point the movie is making.
I think we all know why the media and others are leaning on Gibson and this movie, which so far has clocked in about $125 million since last Wednesday, and it has nothing to do with anti-Semitism or graphic violence. We learned a little something about the "cultural elite" in this country when the flags came out after 9/11, and we're learning a little more now.