Religious Activists Call for Boycott of Da Vinci Code film

Eyewitness news, Local affiliates across the country ^ | 5/17/06 | Associated Press

[Revolting cat!]

Boycott and spreading the truth go hand in hand. And I think it's working. Because of the uproar, I suspect the newspaper editors will not be applying any pressure on the critics in their employ to be kind to this piece of Hollywood kitsch ("you know Joe, we gotta mind the advertisers".) And that's good. And the main movie going demographic, say 14 to 35, goes for good mindless thrillers, and won't care much about the bad ones even if they are about Jesus. Who dat?

[technochick99]

Three Catholics, two Protestants and a Jew took turns

Was I the only one reading this that half-way expected a punchline to follow?

[Das Outsider]

Not from what I can remember, though a call for a boycott wasn't necessary, since most FReepers weren't going to see it anyway.

Why not? It was just a movie, after all. Couldn't a movie be really good whilst totally distorting the facts and making undue insinuations about an important figure?

I remember hearing conversion stories when Fahrenheit was released. People came out of the theatres as though they had been hit by a semi. In any case, there was more involved in Fahrenheit than just pure entertainment, right? The same goes for The Da Vinci Code.

[MAexile]

I was going to read the book to at least gain a little credibility while arguing about it. It's not like I hadn't heard the "theory" behind the story before, so I felt safe.

Before I had the chance, I asked my younger brother if he read it and what he thought. The first word out of his mouth was "pedestrian." He then proceeded to let me know just how bad the writing was and how much of a waste of time reading it was.

Needless to say, I didn't bother. Nor an I surprised at the critics reaction so far.

[Das Outsider]

Boycott and spreading the truth go hand in hand. And I think it's working. Because of the uproar, I suspect the newspaper editors will not be applying any pressure on the critics in their employ to be kind to this piece of Hollywood kitsch ("you know Joe, we gotta mind the advertisers".) And that's good. And the main movie going demographic, say 14 to 35, goes for good mindless thrillers, and won't care much about the bad ones even if they are about Jesus. Who dat?

Who dat, indeed. I can't disagree with you there, except for the demographic. Were it The Fast and the Furious, I would agree. What I am ultimately trying to do is explain the force behind the uproar to those who would fall back on the MSM-conditioned reflex of, "Oh, it's just a bunch of fundies overreacting again."

[Tanniker Smith]

This Just In!!

The producers of "The Da Vinci Code" are stoking the furnaces of a religious boycott. Said a spokesman, "The movie sucks so badly, we need the press just to get some butts in the theaters. I mean the true secret of the The Da Vinci Code is that Tom Hanks is trying to pass a stone for the entire film. We're hoping for a major boycott, which would be win-win for us."

[Das Outsider]

He then proceeded to let me know just how bad the writing was and how much of a waste of time reading it was.

Yes, it is. In the many historical criticisms I've heard of the novel, the critic usually follows up with, "But the writing is good." No, it isn't--not even close. There are at least half a dozen contemporary best-seller (and that doesn't take much these days) conspiracy writers who follow the EXACT same formula!

[citizencon]

The religion of peace calls for boycott; some other religion calls for beheading.
Ron Howard's response to critics:" don't watch it..." I wonder if he would be so insensitive to Islamic critics/fanatics and incredibly courageous despite threats of decapitation had the objectionable film been about Mohammed.

[Das Outsider]

I mean the true secret of the The Da Vinci Code is that Tom Hanks is trying to pass a stone for the entire film.

But has the stone's true identity been kept secret for the last thousand years? Ooh, a coverup, right? A concerted international effort to supress the fact that Tom Hanks was trying to pass a stone, involving murder, deceit, and a famous Florentine painter...

New York Times Bestseller List, here I come!

[phil1750]

I won't be seeing it because by putting box office dollars in hollywierd, I would be encouraging them to produce more anti-faith films.

[BW2221]

Given the reviews (which I thought would be glowing since the movie bashes the Catholic Church), this must be a real dog. I think the best thing to do is ignore it and it will go away.

[Revolting cat!]

Don't watch it. Go out and rent a copy of a film about the nature of truth (to put it clumsily.) Two titles come immediately to mind, but there are plenty of others: Chinatown, Rashomon.

[Das Outsider]

Ron Howard's response to critics:" don't watch it...

Ah, yes: If you don't like abortion, don't have one. Good thinking, Rich.

[Tanniker Smith]

But has the stone's true identity been kept secret for the last thousand years? Ooh, a coverup, right? A concerted international effort to supress the fact that Tom Hanks was trying to pass a stone, involving murder, deceit, and a famous Florentine painter...

The stone has a way of controlling all who seek to possess it. It is a curse.

[Tanniker Smith]

I'm wondering if it beats out "Over the Hedge" for the number one spot. It should, but if it doesn't, whoaboy!

Look for a $50+M opening ("only" 50M would be bad) and about 150 by Labor Day (or maybe the end of the year).

TS

[Das Outsider]

The stone has a way of controlling all who seek to possess it. It is a curse.

The real key to understanding the stone lies hidden in the Sistine Chapel.

Perhaps "The Michaelangelo Stone?" Henry Winkler could play the lead.

[puroresu]

I think it'll do big business its first week. Remember, this garbage has developed something of a cult following. I've talked to a couple of these DA VINCI CODE fanatics. They're like Scientologists or followers of Lyndon LaRoush. They think they've had the greatest conspiracy in history revealed to them.

There are a lot of them and they'll flood the theaters this weekend. They'll think the bad reviews are because the Catholics bribed or threatened to kill the critics.

But after the first week I expect this turkey to fade. Given the liberal leanings of most critics, the film must be VERY bad to get such negative reviews.

Bad karma like this couldn't happen to a more deserving piece of Hollyweird schlock.

[Texas Federalist]

It's FICTION!!!! Why is everybody so uptight about this movie? When Monty Python's "Life of Brian" came out were these wacko's just as angry?

Listen, I understand the argument that the Da Vinci code author claims it to be historical fiction and that many people believe the book to be non-fiction. But this is just another way to easily identify the stupid people among us without bringing up politics in conversation. We should treat it as a gift.

[Tanniker Smith]

The real key to understanding the stone lies hidden in the Sistine Chapel.

So to pass the stone, you need to make a Sis??

[Revolting cat!]

It's FICTION!!!!

Well, what took you so long to edumacate us dummies? 58 posts before one of yuze shows up? FICTION? Really? Who knew? And is this some kind of secret conspiracy and code amongst you, uhm, 'educators' to always capitalize the word 'FICTION'? Shall we send Dan Brown to uncover the ancient secret?