The Da Vinci Code

[Guest]

[Bryanjs14]

Ughhhh I REALLY don't think you can blame a guy for 1 script he did.

This is the guy who also wrote Cinderella Man, I,Robot (which was so much better than I expected), Practical Magic (my mom LOVES that movie), A Time to Kill, The Client, and a very decent Batman script in Batman Forever.

Plus the script was also adapted by Dan Brown so I am pretty sure everything will be OK. Ron Howard wanted to do this movie BAAAAAAAAADLY. I doubt a powerhouse director like him, and the powerhouse cast that the film has would have been so excited and signed on so quickly if the script was not already there and was a spectacular adaptation.

I think this film will most definetly be one of the highest, if not the highest grossing films this year.

I know I am going Thursday at Midnight 

[Roz]

Bunch of boring prissy snobs

That's an interesting new name for the members of the press

MSN have them interviewing just anyone as they left the theatre - here:

http://video.uk.msn.com/v/en-gb/v.htm?g=7f977114-f477-46e8-8ac6-8b5258736052&f=rssimbot_en-gb_default

You will need to be using internet explorer (I think)

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Bunch of boring prissy snobs

That's an interesting new name for the members of the press

I have a better name for some of them, but I don't think it is approproate here

It premiered last night and officially opens in Australia today. I am going to see it next week Here's a couple of articles:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/critics-lash-da-vinci-code/2006/05/17/1147545365511.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/a-lesson-in-decorum/2006/05/17/1147545396597.html

I misread the first one and thought they were insulting Sir Ian...

[savage727]

Ok folks - it is opening day for this movie so when you see it post your thoughts here!  I am going to the first show they offer this afternoon at 4:30 P.M. EST so it will be later tonight when I can post my thoughts.  From everything I have seen and read so far Sir Ian McKellen steals the show with his performance - I would expect nothing less from "Gandalf"!!   

[padge77]

whats the running time of the film as  my partner and I are big fans of the book heard a rumor was over 3hours?

Cheers

Paul

[ztaylork]

Everything that I have read says 2 hours 29 minutes.

[Roz]

I didn't notice how long it was.

I enjoyed it, most of the pace of the book was lost, most of the complexity of the book was lost but it was an enjoyable film nonetheless.

It was definitely a huge loss that they didn't film at Westminster Abbey, but Teabing/McKellen COMPLETELY stole the show. He was PERFECT for the role and was probably the only character who basically jumped out of the book straight into the film Hanks and Totou (sp?) were rather forgettable and the odd change to the ending was rather needless if you ask me.

[savage727]

My wife and I saw The DaVinci Code this afternoon and very much enjoyed the entire picture.  I disagree with Roz in that we thought all the Actors did a fine job.      We enjoyed the pace of the movie and the flashbacks.  Yes there was some poetic license with the film but isn't there in every film you see today?  I agree that Ian McKellen was outstanding in the picture.      Now bring on Angels & Demons!!   

[savage727]

From all the reports I have been reading this weekend and watching interviews of people on TV who have seen The DaVinci Code it is on a record setting track!      The movie critics are being lamblasted for their reviews and it is good to see that people make up their own minds instead of listening to these twits!  The The DaVinci Code book since the movies release has skyrocketed in sales as many who did not read it are now doing so after seeing the movie!  Talk about a self feeding reaction!!     If you are on the fence about this one jump off and go see the movie!      Even the Catholic Church's admonition to not go and see the movie is a failure and has increased interest in people going to see it.  Talk about a stupid PR move by the Vatican!!   

[ztaylork]

Even the Catholic Church's admonition to not go and see the movie is a failure and has increased interest in people going to see it. Talk about a stupid PR move by the Vatican!!

I think most people are like "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" from the Cat in the Hat and do exactly the opposite of what they are told (admonished).  So maybe the Catholic church should have supported it.    I haven't seen it yet, as my wife worked 3 12 hour night shifts at the hospital this weekend, and my 2 year old daughter chose "Over the Hedge" instead of Da Vinci Code when we went to the movie yesterday (of which I wasn't happy, but it was her turn to choose     Anyways, I loved the book, and can't wait to see the movie!!!   I am in the middle of Angels and Demons right now, and love that one!!!

[Morningangel-Iola]

I saw it today, I hadn't read the book. The film was good although I did get rather sick of ALL the chasing I did like the super imposing like hisitorial people as they went to westminster. And the way the picked things out so that we could see, like the anagram and the signs. Rather good film.

[Trey]

Saw the film on the weekend. Overall I thought it was very good, I was especially impressed with Sir Ian, Sophie and the guy that plays Silas, I thought they were perfect for the roles. Tom Hanks was ok, not bad but not fantastic either.

A couple of things I was disappointed about:

The start at the museum was too rushed...I went with my mum who hadnt read the book and she was a bit confused at the start...they didnt even really explain how important Saunure was and who he was...It was just like 'oh here is a dead guy and this is what he did to himself'.

I didnt feel 'the love' at all...there was not much tension between Langdon and Sophie as there was in the book

The ending change was totally unnecessary as Roz said, it would have been much better sticking to the book and not going off on another tangent.

Overall I would give it 4/5

[savage727]

Zach:

I loved Angels & Demons more than The DaVinci Code when I read it!  I wish that one was made into a movie!!  

Trey:

Yes in the beginning of the movie if you do not know who Saunure is by reading the book a person might say what is going on here but he is talked about throughout the entire movie so by the end you know everything about him.  Yea Writers and Directors in Hollywood for some reason think they have to put their own personal touch to a movie instead of following what happens in the source material.  I would rather see movies about books follow them down the line. 

[LikORish-Spider]

Amen, brother! There meddling has nothing but leave the Harry poterr movies full of holes and skips, as well. No at all up to their potential either artistly or economically. Could have all been much better.

[savage727]

Here is the news right off the wire:

'Da Vinci Code' Finds Box-Office Treasure
From Associated Press
May 22, 2006 5:05 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES - Despite lukewarm reviews and controversial content, the Tom Hanks religious thriller "The Da Vinci Code" reaped treasure at the box office this weekend, selling $232 million worth of tickets worldwide, including $77 million domestically.

The film, from Sony Pictures, had the best opening weekend of the year so far and became the second-largest worldwide release after last year's "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

If that does not shut the critics up I don't know what will!!   

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Usually when critics pan a movie, its more incentive for me to go and see it... and most times I've generally quite liked the film. I go by whether I like the sound of a film rather than whether some snobby so-and-so likes it After all, there have been some movies that received rave reviews from critics that I absolutely can't stand/fell asleep in

And I'm glad that the general public is telling the critics to get stuffed - well it sure seems like it with those box office takings! I can't wait til I see it next week

[Roz]

I usually find that if a critics pan it then I enjoy the film all the more because my expectations are lowered

[padge77]

Very true words Roz, I have always found that the majority of films released panned by the film buff's that I have really enjoyed and I never take much notic of what they say.

Cheers

Paul

[ferdinand_the_yak]

I saw it tonight and liked it. Not loved, but I think they did a fine job. The movie seemed to drag a bit in parts while in other parts it went way too quickly. For people who have not read the books it may have been a confusing... for example, was the fact that Sauniere was the curator of the Louvre even mentioned at all? While he is a great actor, Tom Hanks just isn't Langdon. I felt that he was very uncomfortable in the role. Ian McKellan stole the show (as usual ) and I thought Jean Reno (Fache) was fantastic. The twist at the end was unnecessary, and like Roz, I wish they could have filmed the finale at Westminster Abbey.

I'd say 7/10