Jarod’s Den

Da Vinci Code - The Movie

I have finally caught the movie. I made a 3-day advance phone booking but most of the cineplexes are already fully booked for that show. Finally, I managed to get tickets at a cineplex that is so far from my house you think you need a passport to get there.

Anyway, the movie was a disapointment (at least to me). It just didn’t feel as intriguing as the book. Also, there were some scenes from the book which was changed. The most noticeable is the one where Remy died (or murdered) and the one where Langdon finally found the sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene. I like the book better.

At the cinema, there were many different kinds of people watching. And there were many different reactions. The type of reaction ranges from “I thought this is a movie about conspiracies. Why is it talking about the Holy Grail?” (talk about being blur!) to “Hmm… interesting…” (yup it’s pretty thought provoking). And yes, I’ve looked. There were no one picketing, protesting, complaining or strapping bombs to themselves. It’s just like any other movie day. That’s what I love about my country. People use brains here.

All in all, the movie is not a bad watch. But if you’ve read the book, chances are you’ll like the book better. If you haven’t read it, then go watch it first.

By the way, Tom Hanks is getting old. And I think I’m falling for Princess Sophie. How can you not love her smile?!

Tags: Books, conspiracies, da vinci, movie

Da Vinci Code - The Book

Ok since everyone is talking about the Da Vinci Code, I guess I’ll jump on the wagon too. Personally, I think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion. It’s a book, dammit. Can anybody differentiate fact from fiction anymore these days?

I’ve read the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought Dan Brown has a very good creative and imaginative mind. When I first picked up the book I couldn’t put it down after reading the first chapter. However, I’ve never treated it seriously. I was never bought into all the so called conspiracy of the Catholic church, the lineage of Jesus Christ, the secrets codes/hints/clues left by Leonardo. To me, facts are facts and fictions are fictions. This is fiction although some parts are facts.

Now they are making a movie out of it. I just can’t wait for it to be released here. From the trailers it seems that the directors are keeping the movie as close to the book as possible. But I’ll have to watch it first to know for sure. I hope they don’t change and butcher the story like what happened to Battlefield Earth.

Since the book touched on sensitive issues like religion, conspiracy and racism (huh?), I guess it’s no wonder the whole world is taking notice of it. And with it’s wide publicity who can blame those attention seekers of grabbing the opportunity to make themselves known/heard (not to mention also making an idiot out of themselves)?

The papers are riddled with complaints and grievences calling for the movie to be banned. Reason?

1. It undermines the Christian faith.
2. It accuses the Catholic church of a dark conspiracy.
3. It portrays the albinos negatively.

I’m sure there are more but I’ve stopped reading about them already. It was getting lame.

Undermine the Christian faith? People will believe whatever they want to believe. If they are so easily wavered in their faith, then aren’t they like seeds that fell on thorns (Luke 8:7)? Educate them. Hiding them from it is not a solution.

A 2000 year old Catholic conspiracy? Yeah right. Have all schools stop teaching history today? Do some research. We now have a term called ‘googling’. Use it.

Portrays albino negatively? Where shall I start? Please ban the following movies:

1. James Bond movie ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ - because it portrays media moguls as evil.
2. The 51st State - because it portrays black chemist as dangerous people since they can concoct exploding potion/drinks using vodka and other liquors.
3. Gargoyle (2004) - because it portrays Catholic priests as evil. In this show, the priest tried to set gargoyles free on this world.
4. Robin Hood movies and TV series - because it portrays sheriff of Nottingham as evil.

The list goes on and I’m tired of typing but you get my drift. So stop blowing this out of proportion. It only serves to generate more publicity to which I’m sure Dan Brown is quite happy with. He’ll be laughing all the way to the bank (if he isn’t already.)

As for me, I’m waiting patiently for the movie.

Tags: Books, conspiracy, da vinci, facts