DoucG COLLINS TO THE big city to gape at the film that has inspired more ink than any other in recent movie history: The Last Temip- tation of Christ. | probably wouldn’t have done so, but the production has become a Public Affair, and I’m a sucker for such things. My verdict (which doesn’t mat- ter a damn, I know) is that it is boring, interestinz, dramatic and dull, depending on which part of the film one is discussing. It is also too long. And bits of it are amus- ing, even ridiculous. if nothing else, this movie highlights the fact that Christianity is a strange JSaith, demanding agony and sacrifice as its base.’’ 1 Jaughed, and was joined by several nearby popcorn consumers, when Jesus told the Nazarenes: “T am the Messiah. God told me to give you the noos,.”’ By which he meant ‘‘news’’; also when, on rais- ing smelly, rotting Lazarus from the dead, He asks the poor guy: **How are ya feelin’?’”’ If | had been Lazarus, I would have replied: ‘‘What do you think, man?” As it was, I was laughing too much to note what Lazarus said. Sorry about that. There’s no doubt, however, that this is a different Jesus. That’s why the crowds in California were out with their placards, why a case of blasphemous libel may be laun- ched in the U.K., and why earnest souls in Toronto went on parade (accompanied by a counter- protestor who bore a sign that read: ‘‘These people are nuts.’’) It is also why letters-to-the-editor writers from Tuktayaktuk to Tim- buctoo have been busy. The movie is blasphemous, all right. In the opening shots, we see Jesus the carpenter at work — making crosses and helping with crucifixions. Not only that, but after scattering the money- changers in the Temple, He yells at the priests: ‘I am the saint of blasphemy!’’ Which He was, I suppose, in their eyes. Nor is He respectful to the Virgin Mary, whom He tells to get lost. Or words to that effect. And as one British critic who approves of the movie has put it, ‘“William Dafoe is attractive and convincing as the man, but is too much like Errol Flynn to seem divine.”’ Most of the fuss, however, has been caused by the shots of Jesus wrestling sexually with Mary Magdelene, the famous prostitute. And it is that that constitutes the last temptation. There He is on the cross, you sce, suffering the agonies of hell, when this sweet tit- tle angel appears, She is the Devil in disguise and Jesus goes off with her. He has fun with Magdalene, marries, has children and is a normal man. It’s all a delusion, of course — a trick by the author on whose book the film is based, one Nikos Kazantzakis of whom | had never heard before. But his work was apparently controversial enough to draw the wrath of the Roman Catholic Church. It denied him funeral rites and put his book on the Index. In ‘‘reality,’’ Christ never leaves the cross and is only fantasizing. The point of the sequence, though, is that as the Son of God in human guise, He could easily have worked the miracle of putting an end to the torture. He could also have avoided the whole business, in which case there would have been no New Testament and no Salva- tion. If nothing else, this movie highlights the fact that Christianity is a strange faith, demanding agony and sacrifice as its base. But that’s an argument that has been going on for 2,000 years and I'm not likely to settle it here, today. Nor is The Last Temptation. As always with such movies, the producers and backers of this one plead artistic freedom and the greater good of mankind as their main reasons for making the thing, when what they really have their eyes on is their bank accounts. But that would still apply even if The Last Ternptation were a boost for the orthodox version of Jesus. So we can’t have it both ways. The film’s creator, Martin Scorsese, claims to be a Catholic. Which shows once again that you don’t have to be a Catholic to bea Catholic. That raises the point that Chris- tian civilization is disappearing — partly because we are so liberal that we no longer consider the faith and its tenets worth defen- ding. But you can bet that if someone made a movie like this about the Founder of Islam, half the world would be in flames. Does that tell mething? OLD AGE SECURITY Pensions FEDERAL OLD Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Spouse’s Allowance benefits will be increased in October to keep up with the cost of living, Health and Welfare Minister Jake Epp has announced. The benefits are adjusted every three months based on changes in ‘the Consumer Price Index, Statistics Canada’s measure of in- flation. The universal Old Age Security pension paid to people 65 and older, will rise to $320.08 (from $315.97) a month in October, November and December. The maximum Guaranteed {n- come Supplement will increase to ~$380,39 (from $375.51) for.a single person and for a married person iImecrease whose spouse does not receive an Old Age Security pension or Spouse's Allowance. The maximum Guaranteed In- come Supplement will increase to $247.75 (from $244.57) for each married person whose spouse also receives an Old Age Security pen- sion and for a married person whose spouse reccive’s a Spouse's Allowance. The maximum Spouse's Allowance — paid to low-income people between 60 and 64 who are married to GIS recipients — will increase to $567.83 (from $560.54). The maximum Widowed Spouse's Allowance, paid only to low-income widowed persons aged 60, to_64, will increase 10 $626,90_ “rom $618.85). 9 - Friday, October 7, 1988 — North Shore News SUMMER IS GONE AND OUR SUMMER SALE WILL BE HISTORY NEXT WEEK. We still have a large selection of European, English and Canadian pieces to choose from. Including many new arrivals. Now is the time to get that piece of history for your home or office. This is the final weekend of Clan Heritage Po Alc ys a From the land of clans and tartan, § 8 lochs and glens, we have available ff the most, comprehensive range of B @ Scottish clan crest jewellery cover- B ing aff major clans and notable § A families. w This significant link with your clans proud history will unite the past with the present and the future. Sterting Sitver $150.00 10 Karat Solid Gold $585.00 14 Karat Solid Gold $875.00 Price includes all research, design & manufacture. S For Catalogue or sppointment call § 4 987-4772 : UES vuul Your Heritage 261 East tst Street, North Vancouver 99¢ sale, so don’t miss out on hundreds of great buys! All at 99¢, 1.99, 2.99, and 3.99. Personal shopping only, please.