The Da Vinci Code (2006)

United States, 2006
Cast: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tatou, Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany
Director: Ron Howard
My Rating: ** / ****

I was one of those guys who happened to think that Da Vinci Code (the book) was highly over-praised. Not over-rated mind you, just over-praised. Everytime people say that "Whoa.. the book was superb!" i was immediately going into disgusted state and tried to shown how much i disliked the book. But again, not entirely disliked but simply because i dont think that the book was priviliged to recieve such praise. Truth be told, i wish to be distinguished from the common-folk by spotting the tiny holes in the book and turned it into a bigger hole yet.

Well, now let's talk about the movie. As a purist, i was usually read the book before i went to the movie which adapt the book in question. And so was the case with DVC (the film). I went to the cinema with full knowledge of how the story would evolve and the secret hidden under its sleeve. You may think that it would made my judgement to the film would be biased. But, again, i'm not the one who paid any mind for being spoiled.

The Da Vinci Code (the film) was meant to be a mystery / thriller. Easily judged by the way they executed the credit title, the way they bought the atmosphere, and the way they put those creepy sounds (which actually at some point really-really annoys me) all around. But as it turned out, too much expositions was spent between the thrills. Well, i know, it was inevitable for such things to happen. Mr. Howard was however, wanted to put as much essence from the book's story into 2:29 hours of movie time. And with many jargons and technical stuffs, it was actually pretty understandable to built the plot in such manner. However, i found that the plot was a little bit overlong. I dont know why. Maybe it was because none of the characters and their chemistry raised my interest beyond those 'controversy' that has been talked about since the book hit the world-wide shelves several years ago.

Even though led by superb actors / actress whose some of which are happen to be one of my favourite, they weren't given enough time to develop their characters from beyond the thin-paper the book gives. I sometimes winced when Sophie (Tatou) and Langdon (Hanks) doing their conversations. Mr Mc.Kellen however, gave a rather enjoyable performance. If i was about to mention my favourite scenes of the movie, i would certainly mentioned the scene where Teabing (McKellen) explains to Sophie about "The Last Supper" as one of those scenes.

But well, my take was, if you haven't read the book, you may enjoy this film (even though i could easily point out several people who hasn't read the book, but found the film was equally boring). If you have, by the way, you may also found the film (as i was) rather boring.

All in all, i would remember this film. Not because the film itself, but the situation that enabled me to watch this film (at theater, by the way, which something i haven't done in quite some-time).

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Quick Report

March 2006:

A History of Violence (2005) ***1/2 / ****
A pleasant departure from what many believed as a director who specialized in horror and disturbing pictures, David Cronenberg. A little bit dragging in the middle, the ending scene was moved. Best performance, in so far, from Viggo Mortensen. Clearly, one of the most under-appreciated film in 2005.

All About Eve (1950) ***1/2 / ****
It's a dog eat dog world... er.. i mean, girl eat girl world. In showbiz, one's innocence couldn't be held for what it is. As was Eve Harrington's innocence. From what looks like an innocence village girl who wanted to be a star to a wicked witch with many dirty schemes under her sleeve, Eve has it's all, and it's All About Eve. Also check Marlyn Monroe's quick performance. I never thought that she was THAT beautiful before.

The Seventh Seal (1957) *** / ****
A Knight came home to his castle from the Crusade. Only to come to a land where black plagues haunted every village and every living being. What make it worse, a grim reaper, a Death itself came confronted him in a game of chess, the very last game he was about to play. Packed full with subtlety and symbolism, this film was clearly not for everyone. Only recommended if you wanted to know what does Ingmar Bergman's take on religion, death, and god.

Mulholland Drive (2001) **** / ****
My first Lynch. I love it from start to finish. The haunted music, the surreality in Naomi Watts' expressions (and not to mention when she cried in the end of the film), the shocking twist, until the "what? why? and how?" questions that surely would surfaced after you finish the film and you see the end-credit rolls itself, you'd found yourself wanting more of this film, and thinking about it for days. Believe me, i do thinking about it, even after days.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) **1/2 / ****
Well..

Brokeback Mountain (2005) ** / ****
I dont understand about all the fusses about this film. It's about cowboys. It's about gay-thing. Sure, the cinematography and the soundtrack was beautiful. But, it doesn't give me what i want. The film was given too much attention on the unrequited and forbidden love between Heath Ledger's character and Jake Gyllenhaal's character. I found myself wanted to know more about Michelle William's character's take on the whole affair that befell on her husband. And when the film didn't give me what i want, i felt disappointed.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) * / ****
Bla... bla.. bla... zzzzzz... what? what? huh? the film has ended? oh, well... i've read the book, i dont like it. I didn't expect anything from the film, and i didn't get anything except a good nap with earphones tucked on my ears.

City Lights (1931) ***1/2 / ****
My first Charlie Chaplin's. The story was well known, because i've seen it rehearsed or represented in various ways in recent modern cinemas. A poor guy fell in love with a blind flower girl, by some mischief and luck, this poor guy found enough money to cure the flower girl's blindness with somethin more to start a store. But when he comeback (with no intention to reveal his true identity to the girl) as a homeless, even poorer guy, the girl doesn't recognized him (of course). That is until, she hold his hand. Ow.. what the heck... i cried at the end of the film.

April 2006:

12 Angry Men (1957) **** / ****
I've always loved a film that situated in a single time-frame or a single set. This film has both. Twelve jury are about to decide a fate of the convicted murder. In order to do so, the jury must have anonymous vote regarding the fate (guilty or not guilty). I got hooked right from the first when the vote was 11 guilty and 1 not guilty. Superb dialogues. Superb chemistry between these 12 guys (who mostly only known as jury #1, jury #2, jury #3, and so forth).

Just Like Heaven (2005) *1/2 / ****
Too... many... in... consistent... logic... help. Hey, but Ms. Whiterspoon is quite a looker.

Saw 2 (2005) **1/2 / ****
I'm enjoying it, a tad better than the first one in fact. I liked the executions idea and methods, and i liked how this Jigsaw character held all the cards even before he was asked to play the game of cards.

Paths of Glory (1957) **** / ****
Of all the Kubrick's filmography that i've seen, i enjoyed this film the most. It's about human's greatest lust of power that even cheapen the life of other human being. When an ambush going awry, a general in charge decides to pull random men from his command to get executed as an example. What intriguing was, we the audiences clearly knew that the attack, the ambush was impossible even if the attacking forces were doubled. So, what happened to the wicked general? what happened to the men who deemed 'guilty of cowardice' and about to be executed? It's for you to find out. It's quite provoking, and emotional film in itself.

Hostel (2006) * / ****
First half of the film filled with bunch of eastern European ladies naked. Second half of the film filled with tortures, executions, bloods, fleshes, and gores. Since i watch this film only interested with the second film, i was greatly disappointed. Moreover, i didn't get much from the gore. Disclaimer: Even though i said that the gore wasn't much, a friend of mine had refused to watch the rest of the film after several minutes into the torture scene.