Comments on: The Da Vinci Code, Roger Ebert and four word reviews http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/ SinĂ©ad Gleeson's blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:45:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Kevin http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4248 Kevin Fri, 19 May 2006 23:37:32 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4248 I thought parts of it were rather patronising; when Amelie remarks, "...an anagram!" after Hanks explained what an anagram is, for example. Similarly, a name would be dropped, say, Da Vinci, followed by a 30 second soundbite on Da Vinci's life and works. Perhaps these not-so-subtle explanations are necessary nowadays, but they really shouldn't be. Also, I think the book might host just a little too much information to suit a movie. I see the NY Times called it inoffensive. I'll add to that to make it, "officious, yet inoffensive." As a film, its form lacks the capability to create cliff-hangers in the way a book with its chapters can. This, I thought, was partly responsible for the boredom of which everyone has spoken. Like this comment, the film lacked a sense that it was going anywhere definate. It just seemed to drag along. As someone who hasn't read the book, I thought the film was over when Teibing was arrested and our hero revealed that he had indeed cracked the code. I sensed a great anti-climax and, I suppose, was relieved to find the film continuing beyond that. However, the climax at the actual end seemed missing also. I'm not sure. I didn't go in with very high hopes, left satisfied that the film hadn't been good - which is bad, I know - and should really get some thoughts in order before I pontificate like this. That said, I'm still posting this diatribe, it's taken a good 6 minutes or so to write! I thought parts of it were rather patronising; when Amelie remarks, “…an anagram!” after Hanks explained what an anagram is, for example. Similarly, a name would be dropped, say, Da Vinci, followed by a 30 second soundbite on Da Vinci’s life and works. Perhaps these not-so-subtle explanations are necessary nowadays, but they really shouldn’t be.

Also, I think the book might host just a little too much information to suit a movie. I see the NY Times called it inoffensive. I’ll add to that to make it, “officious, yet inoffensive.” As a film, its form lacks the capability to create cliff-hangers in the way a book with its chapters can. This, I thought, was partly responsible for the boredom of which everyone has spoken. Like this comment, the film lacked a sense that it was going anywhere definate. It just seemed to drag along. As someone who hasn’t read the book, I thought the film was over when Teibing was arrested and our hero revealed that he had indeed cracked the code. I sensed a great anti-climax and, I suppose, was relieved to find the film continuing beyond that. However, the climax at the actual end seemed missing also. I’m not sure. I didn’t go in with very high hopes, left satisfied that the film hadn’t been good - which is bad, I know - and should really get some thoughts in order before I pontificate like this. That said, I’m still posting this diatribe, it’s taken a good 6 minutes or so to write!

]]> By: niall http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4238 niall Fri, 19 May 2006 19:20:24 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4238 i like metacritic's ranking system http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/davincicode i like metacritic’s ranking system

http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/davincicode

]]> By: Sinead http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4230 Sinead Fri, 19 May 2006 17:40:25 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-code-roger-ebert-and-four-word-reviews/#comment-4230 Apart from that, what did you think Kevin? Apart from that, what did you think Kevin?

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