The Da Vinci Code Movie

this friday, the da vinci code will be released in movie form, filling Dan Brown's pockets with more pocket change.

Brown's novel is a poorly written but lively and fascinating thriller that's well suited for adaptation. - David Etherington, movie reviewer

i, for one, am looking forward to watching this movie at Costco or Wal-Mart, despite my disdain for the book itself (contrary to popular belief, i have scruples). my main reason is given by Etherington's concluding statement in his pre-release review of the Da Vinci Code (click title). my other reason is the excellent ensemble that put this film together.

The DVC is directed by Ron Howard who's work i admire, insofar as a film amateur can admire the work of a director when he is barely capable of seeing what it is, exactly, that a director does. but i really liked A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man.

Tom Hanks plays the Harvard Professor Robert Langdon. this was a pretty good choice for, in my opinion. Hanks can give character depth to a character written flatter than my chest, i.e. Robert Langdon of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. oh, hey, how convenient!

---begin digression---
i just came up with a dynamite name for a band: "Sphincter Control". i hope it isn't taken yet.
---end digression---

Audrey Tautou was definitely the perfect choice for the alluring and conveniently talented French crytopgrapher Sophie Neveu. i've had a huge crush on her since i saw her in Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain, one of my favourite movies of all time with the freakiest movie poster i've ever seen.

Sir Ian McKellan plays the bad guy, Sir Leigh Teabing. he always plays the old bad guy! i.e. Richard III, Magneto. the exception is the Lord of the Rings. he plays the old good guy, Gandalf.