There's no way Apocalypto wouldn't be controversial. Mayan groups are upset about its depiction of their ancient culture and critics are divided: Is Mel Gibson's latest foreign-language history lesson a bloody mess or a gripping yarn with far-reaching political ramifications?
But one thing many critics—or their editors—agree on is how to frame the film using headline puns. Here are three emerging schools of Apocalypto headlines:
Passion Plays
• "Apocalypto: The Passion of Mel"—Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
• "The Passion of the Maya"—A.O. Scott, New York Times
• "Passion of the Slice"—Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Coppola Callbacks
• "Apocalypto Now"—Anders Wright, San Diego City Beat
• "'Apocalypto': Then and Now"—Craig Detweiler, Beliefnet.com
• "Skip into Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto' now!"—by Jon E. Drucker, Jewishjournal.com
Wild Cards
• "Apocalypt-Ow! Mel's Messy Mayan Movie"—by Rex Reed, New York Observer
• "APOCA-HOW MUCH-TO?!?"—Devin Faraci, CHUD.com
• "Snuff Epic"—David Germain, AP