PROTEST GLOBAL WARMING                                        NOT MOVIES                                                                           By Richard Livsey NEW YORK CITY - The much anticipated, The Da Vinci Code opened this past weekend to mixed reviews. Now I haven’t read the book, and I really wasn’t interested in seeing the movie, but with all the controversy surrounding this thriller, I found myself wanting nothing more than to see it A-SAP. Truth be told, human nature is just as twisted as Tara Reid at an open bar. Tell us not to do something, and the temptation eats us alive. When are all of these religious leaders going to realize that calling for a boycott is a surefire way to increase ticket sales and elevate a mediocre film to that of cult status. And the studios that produce these movies couldn’t be happier when there’s talk of boycotts and protests. These organizations that have been crying out against the movie in the media have produced the kind of publicity that can’t even be bought. And it makes me kind of envious, why can’t someone boycott me? I could go from zero to hero in about ten seconds. In this country, banning books is common practice, from The Wizard of Oz, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to Harry Potter, but when a Hollywood movie comes under fire, it generates more hype than a nipple being flashed during a halftime show on national TV. Not that I put more importance on movies or nipples, but I don’t think people flooded the bookstores when To Kill A Mocking Bird was banned. When religious organizations wage war against a work of fiction, it makes me wonder why they can’t attack real issues with the same sort of zeal? Why aren’t these same organizations crying out against global warming? The destruction of the Rainforest? Or the fact that Japan still continues to slaughter thousands of whales despite the worldwide ban? If God made the Heavens, the Earth and all its creatures, isn’t it our responsibility to protect his creation? Now don’t start siting the Book of Revelations and how the destruction of the planet is all part of the plan. People have been saying the end is near since the beginning of time, so why aren’t these religious organizations using their influence and power in a way that could greatly benefit mankind, instead of focusing their energy on movies, music and TV? The bottom line is this, if anyone goes to see the Da Vinci Code, and loses their faith. Well their beliefs were about as solid as the promises of a used car salesman on a slow day. The best part of all, the movie isn’t that great. Don’t get me wrong, it’s quite entertaining, but I’ve seen better. It’s not the type of movie that I would want to own on DVD, but it was good fun. Did it change my life? No way. Now I think that Ron Howard is an excellent director. And Tom Hanks is one of the greatest actors of our time, but in my opinion this movie falls short of living up to its expectations. I found it to be quite long, and there were several scenes that were nothing more than gratuitous melodrama. Two and a half hours is a long time, and this story could have been told in an hour and forty-five. But don’t take my word for it, go see the movie if you have nothing else better to do. It’s a fine way to blow some cash and kill a couple of hours, but don’t expect any miracles or divine intervention. HOME BACK TO STORY ARCHIVES ABOUT DONATE TO THIS SITE