p.m.): British comedienne Tracy Ullman’s new series allows her to develop an impressive cast of characters as she paints a sardonic portrait of America. The sketch show includes an Indian pharmacist who breaks into Bollywood-style musical numbers, guest Continue …
(Reuters) - Discount retailer TJX Cos Inc (TJX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) has agreed to boost protection of its computer networks to settle charges that lax security allowed a hacker to steal millions of consumer credit card numbers, the U.S. Federal Continue …
– 10:19 a.m. When I first heard about Earth Hour, I honestly didn’t think it would be a big thing. Perhaps I’m a cynic, but the effort to have people across the country–and even the world–turn out their lights seemed far-fetched. I saw it as something Continue …
The Da Vinci Code (Special Edition Giftset)
Dan Brown’s international bestseller comes alive in the film THE DA VINCI CODE directed by Ron Howard with a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman. Join symbologist Robert Langdon (Academy Award? Winner Tom Hanks 1993 Best Actor Philadelphia and 1994 Best Actor Forrest Gump) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) in their heart-racing quest to solve a bizarre murder mystery that will take them from France to England ‘ and behind the veil of a mysterious ancient society where they discover a secret protected since the time of Christ. With first-rate performances by Sir Ian McKellen Alfred Molina and Jean Reno critics are calling THE DA VINCI CODE ‘involving’* and ‘intriguing’* ‘a first rate thriller.’**SPECIAL FEATURES:Giftset includes Authentic and Functional Cryptex and Replica Robert Langdon JournalDVD ROM- Da Vinci Code Puzzle Game PC DemoFirst Day on the Set with Ron Howard FeaturetteA Discussion with Dan Brown FeaturetteA Portrait of Langdon FeaturetteWho is Sophie Neveu? FeaturetteUnusual Suspects FeaturetteMagical Places FeaturetteClose- up on Mona Lisa FeaturetteThe Filmmaking Experience Part 1 FeaturetteThe Filmmaking Experience Part 2 FeaturetteThe Codes of The Da Vinci Code FeaturetteSoundtrack FeaturetteSystem Requirements:Run Time: 149 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE UPC: 043396163157 Manufacturer No: 16315
Customer Review: While I don’t regret watching it, I can’t recommend it
I’d say the movie was about as good as the book - which is basically fluff. The characters lacked depth, and the story was weak at best. I don’t regret watching it, but I would also never want to see it again. If you have anything else to do, you’re better off doing it instead of spending the time with this movie.
Customer Review: The lying devil of old
The wretchedly written and grammatically incorrect sentences in the excerpts I glimpsed from Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” were more than enough to discourage me from reading his controversial best-seller, but I was curious enough about the uproar to watch Ron Howard’s film version on DVD.
Is it really as blasphemous as critics charge?
Oh my, is it ever.
If fans of Brown’s fiction were to bother reading the Bible, they might see how this preposterous attempt to disprove the divinity of Jesus Christ is just one more example of end-times prophecy being fulfilled. The mockers and blasphemers are coming forward in great numbers, just as Jesus said they would, determined to recast the Son of God in deceptive New Age terms or to dismiss Him all-together. In doing so, they are paving the way for the Antichrist who will deceive the whole world into accepting him as the Messiah.
The big bad beast does not make an appearance in Howard’s film, but his coming is alluded to in the climax. The figure whom, it is suggested, is the only one worthy to possess the Holy Grail could be no one else. It certainly isn’t the real Christ because the pursuit of some so-called Holy Grail is pure idolatry as warned against by God. Placing mystical value on any object, be it the chalice that Jesus sipped from during the Last Supper, or the spear that pierced His side during the crucifixion, or the Shroud of Turin, is Satanic in origin, emphasizing that which has been created rather than the Creator himself.
As for DaVinci, it is well-known that he was a member of several secret societies, the likes of which still flourish today, to carry out the devil’s plan to blind our eyes to the truth. Any “codes” in his work are in service to that lying devil of old and reveal nothing but his own corruption.
On a purely cinematic level, “The DaVinci Code” is still a bust. This is third-rate Indiana Jones stuff, poorly made and indifferently acted. With the kinks in his hair ironed out, Tom Hanks looks like…well, I’ll leave it to you to choose the private anatomical part he most resembles. The two-time Oscar winner’s seemingly invulnerable career hit a bump in the road around the time of “The Terminal.” His presence in a film based on a cheap pop culture phenomenon may have temporarily stalled his decline, but in the long run it may only accelerate it. Ian McKellon is so obnoxious here that I wanted to slap him.
As for Ron Howard, he probably should have stayed in Mayberry. He wouldn’t have gone on to a directing career or an Oscar, but as the Bible asks, “What doth it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?”
Brian W. Fairbanks
Director/writer/producer Anthony Minghella died of a hemorrhage today at the age of 54. He had been undergoing surgery for a growth on his neck. Moviegoers will probably know him best for 
Jude Law and Juliette Binoche could feasibly owe their Hollywood careers to Minghella; He directed Binoche to a surprise Best Supporting Actress Oscar in English Patient and cast Law in his Patient follow-up, 
