Bloodline (2008)

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

In "Bloodline," documentarian Bruce Burgess explores the theory, made popular by Don Brown's recent bestseller "The Da Vinci Code," that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers, that they fled to what is now modern-day France, and that French royalty can trace its lineage back to them and their children. The theory also posits that this "truth" has been carefully guarded by a shadowy organization called The Priory of Sion, and that the Catholic Church will literally stop at nothing to keep the story from getting out. Some contend that The Priory has been letting the details slip out little by little over the course of the centuries – mainly through art works with "coded messages" embedded in them - in a concerted effort to prepare the way for an illumination of the truth which, when finally revealed, will rock the very foundations of Christendom and thereby change the world.Burgess spends much of the film interviewing people supposedly connected with or at least knowledgeable about the secret, individuals he meets in clandestine, off-the-beaten-path settings who speak in hushed tones about their theories and discoveries, and who claim to live in fear of their lives for even deigning to speak on the subject. The bulk of the second half of the film is taken up exploring what Burgess and amateur archaeologist Ben Hammott claim may be the tomb of Mary Magdalene, located in an isolated area in the south of France.In all honesty, who knows what to make of this film or the conspiracy theory itself? Half the time the open-minded viewer feels as if he's watching something at least partway plausible – and the other half believing he's probably being made the dupe in an elaborate and colossal hoax. In fact, there are many sites dedicated to debunking the whole theory, including the entry on The Priory of Sion found on Wikipedia.As a nonbeliever myself, I have to say that nothing put forth by this film strikes me as being any less plausible or historical than what is contained in the gospels themselves – which is to say that I find them both HIGHLY implausible and a-historical. I have no doubt that many people throughout the last two millennia have BELIEVED what Hammott and his minions are proposing, but that doesn't mean that any of it ever actually happened in real life.Bloodline" is one of those movies that comes replete with a website where you can look up further information on the topic if so inclined. I suggest you look up quite a few others as well.

From a purely filmatic point of view, the journalistic objectivity might be a bit skewed, but it is entertaining nonetheless - especially if you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code. Which reveals a lot...Simply put, devout Christians and Catholics (and maybe even also the moderates) will hate this movie because it goes against their faith, and will probably therefore never ever change their closed-minds about it. End of debate.Anyone else who has an open mind and sees the definite possibility that Jesus just was an (albeit, outstanding) man (as in non-supernatural with a human male nature) also sees the historical possibility of the marriage between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. And that's not even taking in the account of numerous historical documents that are pro the marriage of Christ (Gospel of Thomas, Judas and Mary Magdalene - the Gnostic Gospels etc.) that are all historically equal and equally legitimate to the Roman-favored texts that ended up in the new testament, that decline that version of history. Historical sociology even tells us that it would be very ill-seen-upon for a Jewish man not to be married by the time of his twenties, making it even more likely Jesus became married.The Roman Church had to change this story because in their time of religious reformation towards Christianity, the other faiths had demi-gods that could otherwise compete with the new official faith. So besides of all kinds of symbolism being mixed into the practice of worship (symbolic eating of the flesh and blood, the sun-symbols of the halo, the astrological cross etc.) to ensure an easy societal-transformation, they also rewrote the gospels, making Jesus more God-like and Mary Magdalene a mere whore.So there - it's a repetition of the tired debate "faith vs. logic" and as always the illogical religious people are really getting their panties in a twist over it.But honestly, I think most thinking people don't even care at all - and why should they? That, on the other hand, would be worth discussing.As I see it the ultimate question is whether you believe the big-bang (an unavoidable fact of science) was created by some sort of intelligence or simply happened on account of something that may be explained some day. All the religious texts are just lazy answers to big questions that have since been answered logically - and I believe this will also become the case with the big bang. Which way the coin will turn up remains the only valid question where the use of faith is acceptable.But religion as a concept is so middle-ages. It's time to get over it.

This film extends the investigation over the bloodline between Jesus and Mary, but provides some additional information that is quite profound. I'm not a big fan of documentaries, but since I was raised Catholic, I found this film to be quite fascinating, and full of ramifications, should the investigation prove to be true.I have seen a few of Michael Moore's movies, and this one is similar to his genre of film-making. I found the line of reasoning plausible and quite illuminating. Given all the trouble that the Catholic church has endured in recent years, this is the icing on the cake.I'm familiar with the music of Miriam Cutler, as I knew her through some fellow musicians when I was in college, when she wrote and participated in a very colorful jazz band. I still have one of her early recordings, and it's a real gem. It's great to see her outstanding work applied to such an endeavor.

I was lucky enough to see Bloodline before it hits theaters next month.The documentary follows the director around France who is piecing together clues from the past to figure out if Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a child. He interviews members of the secret Priory of Sion and those who have also been searching for the truth about this long held mystery. As the film goes on, the mystery unfolds.Anyone who is interested in the Priory of Sion, Mary Magdalene, the Catholic church, or Christianity should see this film. It's beautifully shot, suspenseful, and an overall well crafted documentary. You will sit on the edge of your seat during the entire film, begging for more.