Saw "The Nativity Story." Overall, a good piece of filmmaking. Nothing obnoxiously offensive or too far off the traditional path set down in the Gospels. I'm glad Mel Gibson didn't make it. I don't think I would have lived through the slaughter of the innocents scenes. I'd have only minor nits to pick. Having been to Israel it's obvious this wasn't filmed there. And it humors me that characters in Biblical tales always take the arduous route -- rocky hills, sand dunes, hard scrabble -- to get from place to place instead of using the well-travelled and marked routes of the time. I'm glad they gave screen time to Zechariah and Elizabeth. The story of when Mary and Elizabeth meet is one of my favorite in the Bible. Playing the three wise men as comic relief bothered me, but they atoned for it well in the gift-giving scene. Ciarán Hinds, who played Herod, was awesome. He could not be on the screen enough. Terrific bit with an old shepherd who "has never been given a gift." Get your hanky out for that one. Good acting from both leads, Mary and Joseph. Better depth and characterization than you'll find in the typical Hollywood fare. Recommended -- DanG.

Question: What's your favorite biblical movie?

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