The Davinci Code

[Tokyo Slim]

Going to see it?
Boycotting it?
Could care less?

There are some very serious discussions on why this movie is being banned around the world, even in non-Catholic countries. There are also some very serious discussions going on about why the movie sucks so bad its nearly unwatchable.

Anyone want to discuss why Jesus's 'divinity' being tarnished by a work of fiction is such a huge deal? Would it seriously ruin your day if he married a normal human woman, and maybe had a child? I'm interested to know.

 

[AlanC]

I've read the book (purchased at a thrift store). I will likely see the movie on DVD when it comes out. I preached a sermon on it last Sunday. The book is so riddled with basic factual errors that it's impossible to believe anything that's said in it. However, there are so many people with such poorly informed faith that many are falling victim to it.

The book is decent suspense beach reading. Some of the dialogue makes you want to jump off the nearest roof, although the conspiracy and intrigue are fun. It does well in the general 'page-turner' sense. There are probably hundreds of books published every year that are its equal in writing.

For a good article from a non-Christian perspective see 'The Da Vinci Code Crock' at Salon.

 

[LabelKing]

Well, Dan Brown is no Umberto Eco. However, all of these books when translated into film all tend to be mediocre at best. For example, the excellent "Club Dumas" by Perez-Reverte was adapted into that Depp vehicle, "The Ninth Gate." Its only saving grace was that stylistically, it wasn't terrible.

I can't claim to ascertain whether Jesus was divine or not but certainly, I can understand its controversy. What I don't understand is the controversy surrounding Harry Potter.

I've never read Dan Brown.

 

[edmorel]

I will probably see it just because it seems interesting enough and I've never read the book. I consider myself religious, being brought up Catholic, but I am not a part of any church and, quite frankly, I am very cynical of the Catholic church and it's teachings. I am reading an interesting book, "American Gospel" by Jon Meacham which explores, in a historical context, the role religion played in forming our nation and also the thoughts of some of the Founding Fathers (Benjamin, Adams) on religion, church and Jesus Christ. Anyway, I am probably the target audience for any church conspiracy movies/books, so I'll see it but from what I've heard, it doesn't strike me as being worthy of the controversy surrounding it. I'm sure the movie studio, though, loves all the publicity, good and bad.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

What I don't understand is the controversy surrounding Harry Potter.

Keep in mind that there are still some people who wouldn't mind reviving the Salem witch hunts.

 

[AlanC]

Speaking of the controversy, there was an article by a Catholic priest who had worked with Mel Gibson on 'The Passion' who said he was approached by the Da Vinci Code marketing department who suggested he start a boycott of the movie. They apparently had the plan all laid out. He said he refused to be a part of any boycott simply because that helps the movie more than it hurts.

 

[AlanC]

For the record, I actually quite enjoy the Harry Potter books and movies. I own all of them.

 

[Dakota rube]

Slim, I'd second AlanC's comments on the writing: it is a typical beach read. I read it a couple years ago maybe, and found myself several times saying to myself, "hey, that can't be...". (where o where to put the final period?)

My church's publication for the laity published almost an entire issue devoted to debunking the falsehoods of the Code. I wanted to phone the editor and author(s) and scream to them, "its a NOVEL for cryin' out loud!". (Is that period placed correctly?)

It is a pretty fascinating tale, and a plotline that was almost perfectly devised for a blockbuster film. I think it is interesting to note that many people who for years debated whether Jesus was even a "real" person (arguing instead he was mythological) are now arguing whether he sired a child. All the uproar is a bit laughable.

I think I'll wait, like AlanC, for the DVD. I expect, however, the lines outside theaters will be long tomorrow and into the weekend.

 

[Violinist]

I can't stand the birkenstock wearing, kleenex in sleeve crowd who read 2 books a week and take great pleasure in slamming Dan Brown.

For christ sake, they judge him with the same severity that they read Hemmingway. Dan Brown is a pop writer. He is the Britney Spears of novelists, and he hardly claims to be otherwise. Why not just read the stupid thing, marvel at its success, ponder it a bit, and move on? It seems as if the DaVinci code separate people into 3 camps:

The throngs of people who are totally taken in by it. These people are typical ly not very smart.

Then, you have the Middleburry snobs who just have to slam it just in case someone thinks that they might like it. It's like the guy who always says "eww" when there's some male nudity in a movie so as to not appear homosexual.

Then there's the small amount of people who take it for what it is, a book to read on an airplane, and move on with their lives without launching into that tiresome, ass ripping editorial about how it's emperical swiss cheese and the dialogue is horrible and what have you. Who goes to a Bon Jovi concert then writes about how the band uses dominant seventh chords dissapointingly?

 

[Saucemaster]

I am not going to see it simply because I do not want to be subjected to Tom Hanks's hair for two hours. Even Audrey Tautou can't make up for that.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

I am not going to see it simply because I do not want to be subjected to Tom Hanks's hair for two hours. Even Audrey Tautou can't make up for that.

His hair in this movie could be the scariest thing all year. He looks like an overweight, older version of that girl he played in the sitcom he was in years ago.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

I am not going to see it simply because I do not want to be subjected to Tom Hanks's hair for two hours. Even Audrey Tautou can't make up for that.

I'm quite dissapointed that Hanks would do this movie. The man's worth as much as a small country by now, and I doubt a man with the talent and artistic panache to pull off Forest Gump, Cast Away, Philadelphia etc... is going to do this film. I'm sure it won't be horrible, but once you reach the level of Tom Hanks, you can really pick your projects more carefully.

 

[LabelKing]

Tom Hanks is not what one would consider a handsome man.

 

[designprofessor]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Keep in mind that there are still some people who wouldn't mind reviving the Salem witch hunts.

They stopped?

 

[Rome]

I wont go see it. Not because of any conspiracy but just not be lumped in with the rest of the people who are going to be marveling about this movie by the water cooler on Monday. The Name of the Rose and Holy Blood Holy Grail were royally raped for a plotline. I remember reading about how Brown had been offered using this book for a season of 24 but passed because he specifically wanted it to a be a blockbuster (and a bigger paycheck). Either way it's not something that merits Tom Hanks and Ron Howard's attention. This whole thing would have made a great B movie, which is how the book reads.

IIRC, when describing Robert Langton (sp?) in the book he used the term "Harrison Ford in Harris Tweed" not "Tom Hanks with a mullet".