It's Tom Hanks. Period.
The DaVinci Code heads to the movie theaters and the bull session heats up between the Catholic Church and, well, Catholics who never listen to them in the first place.
In the last few weeks, there have been talks of a move to ban the movie. Yez the Vatican, which calls the movie blasphemous and full of bollocks, are calling its minions all over the world to boycott the film.
Opus Dei even went as far as demanding a disclaimer be put before the start of the movie, insisting what we already know: That it's a work of fiction. But director Ron Howard said No!
"Those characters in this work of fiction act and react on that premise. It's not theology. It's not history. To start off with a disclaimer ... spy thrillers don't start off with disclaimers." Howard says.
Problem is, when did majority of Catholics ever listened to them anyway? Ergo Catholic bosses are frustrated at their failed attempts to create boiling point indignation comparable to what The Satanic Verses and the Mohammed cartoons did for the Islam community. Or in recent filmmaking history, what The Passion of the Christ did to the Jews.
In fact, it won't be surprising if instead of a boycott, Catholics and Christians around the globe make the DaVinci Code one of the top blockbuster movies of the year.
I can give you some reasons:
1. It's a Tom Hanks movie. It's Tom, no one can resist that Mr. charming good boy appeal. Plus if it's a Tom Hanks movie, odds are it's something worth spending your money.
2. Christianity is a very diverse religion that most of its followers disagree on what it is and how to worship its god. Even Jesus will be confused if he were alive today, he'll probably break away and form a new religion.
3. Many Catholics don't like being told what to do. Blame it on the long history of the church's dubious historical and political manipulation, the Inquisition, the beheading of Gallileo, and many many more blunders on its part.
4. People love controversy and conspiracy theories. There's a whole cottage industry making money on outrageous conspiracies and we all like talking about them.
5. Sex sells. Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene got married and had a child? The idea of Jesus having sex is blasphemous for many conservative Christians. He was a 33-year-old Jewish man, he was famous and with superstar qualities. He was a MAN, of course he had sex at least once in his lifetime.
6. Did I mention this is a Tom Hanks movie?
The DaVinci Code has sparked our imagination and has made the image of Jesus more interesting and multi-dimensional.
The more the church calls for its boycott, the more attention it attracts. People would want to know what they're boycotting in the first place. And whether you agree with Dan Brown or not, too late. You already bought the book and made Brown millions more richer.
And lest we all forget, we will be watching a fictitious movie. It's not fact, it's a story. "It's a damn good story and a lot of fun.... That never hurts,” says Mr. Hanks himself.
So relax. See a movie.
In the last few weeks, there have been talks of a move to ban the movie. Yez the Vatican, which calls the movie blasphemous and full of bollocks, are calling its minions all over the world to boycott the film.
Opus Dei even went as far as demanding a disclaimer be put before the start of the movie, insisting what we already know: That it's a work of fiction. But director Ron Howard said No!"Those characters in this work of fiction act and react on that premise. It's not theology. It's not history. To start off with a disclaimer ... spy thrillers don't start off with disclaimers." Howard says.
Problem is, when did majority of Catholics ever listened to them anyway? Ergo Catholic bosses are frustrated at their failed attempts to create boiling point indignation comparable to what The Satanic Verses and the Mohammed cartoons did for the Islam community. Or in recent filmmaking history, what The Passion of the Christ did to the Jews.
In fact, it won't be surprising if instead of a boycott, Catholics and Christians around the globe make the DaVinci Code one of the top blockbuster movies of the year.
I can give you some reasons:
1. It's a Tom Hanks movie. It's Tom, no one can resist that Mr. charming good boy appeal. Plus if it's a Tom Hanks movie, odds are it's something worth spending your money.
2. Christianity is a very diverse religion that most of its followers disagree on what it is and how to worship its god. Even Jesus will be confused if he were alive today, he'll probably break away and form a new religion.
3. Many Catholics don't like being told what to do. Blame it on the long history of the church's dubious historical and political manipulation, the Inquisition, the beheading of Gallileo, and many many more blunders on its part.
4. People love controversy and conspiracy theories. There's a whole cottage industry making money on outrageous conspiracies and we all like talking about them.
5. Sex sells. Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene got married and had a child? The idea of Jesus having sex is blasphemous for many conservative Christians. He was a 33-year-old Jewish man, he was famous and with superstar qualities. He was a MAN, of course he had sex at least once in his lifetime.
6. Did I mention this is a Tom Hanks movie?
The DaVinci Code has sparked our imagination and has made the image of Jesus more interesting and multi-dimensional.
The more the church calls for its boycott, the more attention it attracts. People would want to know what they're boycotting in the first place. And whether you agree with Dan Brown or not, too late. You already bought the book and made Brown millions more richer.
And lest we all forget, we will be watching a fictitious movie. It's not fact, it's a story. "It's a damn good story and a lot of fun.... That never hurts,” says Mr. Hanks himself.
So relax. See a movie.
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