Dan Brown (DaVinci Code etc)

Middle Kingdom · Post by **Middle Kingdom** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:21 pm

Yeah if it's a constant formula, then it will get boring (See : Cold Case on TV.)

I can't say I saw the twist coming.

I'll follow up as I get along with this one.

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:12 pm

Hey, Ogg, just thought you might like to know that we are gonna be looking at The Da Vinci Code at church soon. We are going to look at what is fact and what is fiction.

DoctorX · Post by **DoctorX** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:50 am

The DiVincci code doesn't really have anything new to offer. It basically combines Holy Blood Holy Grail with The Last Temptation of Christ, and throws in a bunch of half-baked conspiracy theories. It's not nearly as good as Angels and Demons, and many of the chronology mechanics he uses are a cheap ploy meant to hide simple minded plot mechanics and poor pacing.

A good example near the beginning (MINOR SPOILER AHEAD): The french cop shows Langdon hidden writing with a blacklight. That was cool. Then, after that settles in, he widens the blacklight to show more hidden stuff. This was a blatant, hacky stunt to milk more 'ooooh' out of the same reveal. Supposedely, this is a cop here to solve a murder, time is of the essense, why would he draw that out?

While the subject matter was engaging and enjoyable, it was pretty clich? and everything you'd expect of an M. Night Shyamalan movie. That's what makes it a mediocre book. It's a very one-dimensional story, aimed at people who don't read books very often.

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:10 am

I don't get all the hype over it...Reminds me of "The Blair Witch Project" *yawn*

Let's see a SOPRANOS movie....It's GOTTA happen ...I'm SO there dude...

Ogg · Post by **Ogg** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:44 am

As I said previously just take it as it is, a damn good read.

Hey DoctorX...does the book offend YOU in any way?

DoctorX · Post by **DoctorX** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:46 am

Bwahahahahahah!!

As a disaffected ex-Catholic, I think the religious sensitivities of most Americans need a little offending.

No, I'm an agnostic now. I don't think I could be offended. I'm just nonplussed with its literary qualities.

Ogg · Post by **Ogg** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:07 am

So you have not let your prejudices count against a half decent book?

It pisses me off that because a book/movie/album is popular people seem to think it has no underlying merit. I do read ALL the time and the pedantic " for those who dont read very often" comment reeks of elitism imho.
Disaffected you may be but methinks some semblance of truth lies therein.
For the record I gave the book to a non-reading friend for xmas and he couldnt even get past the first chapter!..and in 'non-reading' I DO mean he can read you know but chooses not to...(I know you BT lot too well

), he said he'd wait for the movie

.

ps: oh, and welcome to the family mate.

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:55 am

A man who chooses not to read is no better of than one who cannot read. I forget who said that, but it is true.

Soup4Rush · Post by **Soup4Rush** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:57 am

Is it worth seeing? or should I wait for the DVD?

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:10 pm

Critics (movie critics, not those against the book) say it isn't good, but I often disagree with what they like and dislike.

Guess we need to wait and see what the people think.

Middle Kingdom · Post by **Middle Kingdom** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:23 pm

I finished Deception Point.
sitting for 4 hours at a desk midnight to 8 am on weekends lends
me time to watch Sportscenter , CNN and read, in between walking around the 3 empty buildings.

I liked it.
Though knowing that some things would turn out
'as expected' it was still good. I did guess who was behind the
Delta Force, but couldn't figure out why.
Interesting, and kept me wanting to read more.

Can easily see this being a high budget movie too.

DoctorX · Post by **DoctorX** » Fri May 19, 2006 2:25 pm

awip2062 wrote:A man who chooses not to read is no better of than one who cannot read. I forget who said that, but it is true.

Samuel Johnson said something quite similar.

"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful."

Ogg · Post by **Ogg** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:42 am

Bumped from the movie thread

Ogg wrote:I know you lot are rabbiting on about the luidicrous 'Hostel' etc but I'm going to have to cut in .
I've only this minute finished watching 'The Davinci Code' and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. After expecting the worst I admit to not understanding the panning it's currently receiving. It's pretty faithful to the book and ticks along quite nicely but I have read the thing. I'm awaiting the opinion of a friend who hasnt read it so his experience should be different. A few minor quibbles but I wont post any spoilers as yet.

I did watch 'Over the Hedge' earlier this evening with my son and that was great. Dreamworks are far better at the cgi animated movie than Disney imho. Just compare Disney's latest ( the souless Madagascar rip off) 'The Wild' to this gem. Your wee bairns will love it . Another new animated movie 'Curious George' is on the way and we still have 'The Thief Lord' to watch as yet.
I'd better stop now.

Surely someone besides myself has seen this the now?

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:30 am

Ummmmm.....I don't know that I did. BUT...you will be happy to know my family all wants to see Over the Hedge. Just gonna wait until it is out of the theatres as we are not gonna pay those prices times five!

As for the Da Vinci Code...hubby is totally not interested. Expects he would be totally bored by it. Maybe I will see it on the off occasion that he is out of town and I have an evening to myself.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:15 pm

I haven't read any of them yet but my daughter has read all but Deception Point. She tells me that Angels and Demons was way better than DV Code.