Opie's Answer to Gibson's 'Passion'?

Newsmax ^ | March 2nd,2004 | James Hirsen

[missyme]

We may soon see if the same detractors who have been subjecting every frame of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to unprecedented scrutiny will do the same for Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code."

Brown's best-selling novel is headed to the big screen. Former Mayberry resident Ron Howard is listed as director, with Russell Crowe and Kate Beckinsale being talked about as having possible starring roles.

Brown's book outlines a conspiracy by the Roman Catholic Church to cover up a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. On the book's first page, the author claims, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate."

But Harvard professor Karen King, one of the leading experts on all matters Magdalene, disagrees. She indicates there is no evidence that Christ was married to anyone.

And Cardinal Francis George tells Catholic New World that the book is "a work of bizarre religious imaginings" based on "a facade of scholarship."

Details such as these didn't stop NBC from airing an embarrassing prime-time special on the subject.

The Left Coast Report doesn't expect the mainstream press, alphabet networks or "progressive" scholars to admit that "The Da Vinci Code" is really a load.

[walden]

Ought to do about as well at the box office as "The Last Temptation of Christ"-- certainly nothing like "The Passion". A best-selling book doesn't need NEAR the numbers that a blockbuster movie does.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Here we go, folks.

Fidgit...you read DaVinci Code. Your thoughts?

[tcuoohjohn]

The DaVinci Code Is A Novel. It isn't intended to be scholarship.

[marktuoni]

Where is the Christian ADL decrying anti-christianism?

[missyme]

I thought Ron Howard and Russell Crowe were Christians???
I guess now we will see all the nuts in Hollywood coming out with Anti-Christain films...

[Naspino]

What -- no Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston? I guess they are booked. Maybe they will round out the cast with Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Michael Moore as Peter.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

***On the book's first page, the author claims, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." ***

Marriage between Jesus Christ and Mary are NOT historically or biblically accurate. While you say the novel isn't intended to be scholarship, please consider that the novel includes historically and biblically inaccurate information.

[highlander_UW]

So the best answer from Hollywood to a movie based closely on the gospels is a movie based upon a book that centers on a blasphemous claim....why aren't I surprised?

[Naspino]

I thought Ron Howard and Russell Crowe were Christians???

We saw "The Missing" last night directed by Ron Howard and it did not come across as Christian in the slightest; except for a lame cross necklace -- an indian used magic to curse the actress using a strand of her hair. Terrible movie.

[missyme]

I am sure they will be cast in the new version of Soddom and Gommorah where they all have blessed homosexual marraiges blessed by G-d and all the Christians that try to stop the marraiges turn to Salt!

[missyme]

Thanks! I was going to see the movie but now forget it..I loved and still watch Andy Griffith..Opie was such a cute kid but was swallowed up by the seductress of Hollyweird...

[RebelBanker]

I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code. I am also aware that it is a work of FICTION. Several of the people quoted in the article really need to look up the definition of the word "novel." Dan Brown said that the descriptions of artwork, architecture and so forth are accurate, NOT that any part of the story is true.

[woofie]

One of the rumors Ive heard is that Jesus really was an accountant....

[FourPeas]

Why aren't you surprised? Because Hollyweird, like most non-Christians, don't even attempt to understand. They lump all "religious" things together and assume that even if it's quasi-religious, then Christians must love it. It's the same reason that my non-Christian relatives give me books on comparitive religions that haven't a clue about Christianity and knick-knacks with the most grotesquely cutsie "angel" figures on them. They don't have a clue.

[BRITinUSA]

The most interesting part of the book for me was when they describe the Da Vinci painting, 'The Last Supper' they say that it is a woman sitting next to Jesus in the painting and I think they are right...

[Naspino]

I am sure they will be cast in the new version of Soddom and Gommorah where they all have blessed homosexual marraiges blessed by G-d and all the Christians that try to stop the marraiges turn to Salt!

Too late -- CBS and Hallmark already produced that one in the "epic" Noah's Ark where Jon Voight plays Noah living in Sodom as he and his friend Lot escape, lost yet? Lot comes back as a pirate later to take over the Ark. Yes, most of the wicked survive initially by rapidly building boats as Noah did.

God of course is a bit wishy washy and tells Noah he's changed his mind and will destroy Noah anyway. Everyone is despaired because the Ark is going in circles! Circles I tell ya! God only spares Noah after he dances a jig for him and laughs later saying to Noah "I'm perfect, but I can be wrong".

Its perhaps the most blasphemous and pointless movie EVER made. This is how Hollywood wants you to think of God.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"One of the rumors Ive heard is that Jesus really was an accountant..."

and since April 15th is just around the corner no wonder he is feeling whipped.

[jdege]

The DaVinci Code offers up thousand-year-old conspiracy theories as if they were new, and gives us a plodding travel-in-lieu of discovery plot-line.

Robert Anson Wilson and Umberto Ecco both did it better.

[laconic]

I don't think this movie should be allowed to be made; it will incite hatred against Catholics by Masons and people in Northern Ireland. I want the NYPD Hate Crimes Patrol to go to the premiere and between city-bought bags of popcorn and soda, determine whether it should be banned in the Big Apple. I want the NY Times and Washington Post to weigh in on how it distorts Catholicism. I can't wait for Frank Rich to tear apart the producer as someone who lets his father talk trash without publicly condemning him.