lyb, Thanks for the insight about the scenery; I'll not expect much. I'm not a Catholic, but I do think the book was a little bit hard on the Catholic Church. The main thing, as pointed out often in this thread, is that it is a work of fiction, just another interesting way to look at things. It really shouldn't be enough to shake anyone's faith.

I'm still looking for a list of movies that really show off Paris and London. We're in the early planning stages of our first visit there.

For the last day or so I've been wondering if this thread would survive since DVC is so controversial. But because we have all remained civil and respectful, this thread lives on. Great job, all!!

There are several threads here devoted to filmed in Paris.

I saw the movie last night and enjoyed it. Didn't love it, but did enjoy it. They did a good job of retelling the story of the book. Theories are theories. Thank goodness most of us are okay with free thought.

Well, I certainly hope that Audrey Tatou wore Caron maquillage in the movie and sported some vintage Courreges outfits.

If one has to walk on water, it should be done in a pair of Roger Vivier pumps.

Balenciaga baby

She tested the waters at the end of the movie - but alas, could not walk on it.

-If one has to walk on water, it should be done in a pair of Roger Vivier pumps-
Heh heh heh,
funny funny, I saw the movie too, I recomend going to the matinee if you really must know what all the fuss is about. Audrey Tatou is good young actress and I quite like Tom Hanks, but the real show thief is Paul Bettany, as the fanatical monk. What a scary character! Jean Reneau is also good as a cop.(One of the few movies I've seen him in where he doesn't blow anything up!) The transparent overlays of historical scenes are beautiful, and so is the camera work, to say nothing of the scenery.
I'm glad enough that the book and film have stirred up discussion that I can ignore the overly clean, way too dressed up, creepy WASPs (yeah, I know, not even Catholics!) picketing in front of the theater with signs that say "Jesus was real, accept Him and be Saved" and " Satan wants You, to see the DaVinci Code" I agree with lyb "If my faith was so easily changed by a movie then the word "faith" doesn't apply. And to be so scared to have another viewpoint out there that you need to protest is very sad." I wish that those going to see the film would behave a little more kindly toward them. I live in a medium, supposedly liberal, progressive city, I was inscensed to see how unkind so many people were to the protesters, stopping to shout at them from cars, telling them they were stupid, closed minded, deluded, ignorant, that their faith was bull, ect. It was quite upsetting coming from a community that touts itself as pleasant and tolerant.
Perhaps we could all stand a little review of Sunday school "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and such.
I think the film "The Body" villified the Catholic Church far more brutally and no one talks about it at all, (Antonio Banderas and Olivia Williams are HOT together as an Israeli archeologist and a Catholic priest, yes, hot priesty lovin', I said it).

At our school, the art club and French club were not allowed to go to the movie.(It was an optional trip but cancelled nevertheless) These clubs are mostly Juniors and Seniors. Now I will wager that by the end of next week 95% will have seen it.

I hope all who see the movie are amused.

[Middle English, from Old French <i>amuser</i>, to stupefy : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad–) + muser, <b>to stare stupidly</b>; see muse.]

And by the way, Jean Ren<b>o</b> didn't blow up anything (as the cop) in <i>French Kiss</i>.

Nope. Wouldn't call it &quot;amusing&quot;.

Robespierre,

For us ignorant/uneducated/uncouth/morons/entirely lacking in taste folks out here, nothing could be as amusing as your input.

This and other threads, plus news reports rather make me smile but more than anything they make me think of my dear maternal grandfather. He was raised in a Catholic Orphenage by Catholic Nuns from the time he was a baby until he was 18 years old.

He consequently, even after getting here to the US (the original illegal immigrant?) went to mass every day of his life..well except the last ten days of his life when he was hospitalized and the priests came to him.

He would be chuckling by this and other threads etc. as all his life he read everything he could get his hands on regarding different religions. I remember one time I asked him &quot;why&quot; and he looked at me so seriously and said &quot;because I always want to know what other people think&quot;. His curiousity never caused him to leave his faith but it sure made him one of the most interesting men I have ever met.

Am I the only person who has read Brown's Digital Fortress.

This is a work of fiction about the NSA spying on Americans in their home and reading all their emails.

Maybe there are some facts to be found in Mr. Brown's books.

I read <i>Digital Fortress</i>, and it is one long, boring sequence of serious errors. I suspect that <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> contains a similar number of errors, but since I'm not a historian they are not as obvious to me (although his errors concerning Paris itself were quite glaring).

I was fortunate enough to get &quot;Digital Fortress&quot; on CD so I didn't waste my time reading it.

While the story was interesting to one who enjoys political intrigue, it was so far-fetched I couldn't recommend it. &quot;Angels and Demons&quot; suffered the same &quot;beyond belief&quot; syndrome.

MvK

I was in Europe in 2003 when the book came out and so I was very disappointed that I read the book AFTER I got back. I enjoyed the book and read it quickly and enjoyed the discussions at work about it (a Catholic school no less!). I was savoring the moment when the film came out but I do remember being disappointed that Tom Hanks was cast as Langdon.

I saw the movie this afternoon. I was a bit nervous that it would not be good with the reviews that I had read. I was actually surprised at my reaction to the movie. I cried twice at the end. Once at the Roslyn Chapel scene and again at the final scene. I think it was more that it brought back memories of family and of being in Europe but I encourage people to see it and to take from it what you will. I read the book as fiction and enjoyed the movie as entertainment, not as a documentary. Tom Hanks was ok but I really enjoyed the last few scenes with him. He had that Apollo 13 quality of him - at least that is what it reminded me of.

Mimi, Louise Doktor, the New York fashion icon, will be featured in Bill Cunningham's &quot;On The Street&quot; in tomorrow's NYTIMES. Check it out. Maybe we will be lucky and Anna Piaggi will show up?

Anna, Audrey, Louise, Grayson, Polly!! How six degrees of Canadian bacon!!!

Apple Annie

What a nice story, LoveItaly. I would have loved to have met your grandfather.

Aren't open minds and a quest for knowledge wonderful attributes?

Thank you Starrsville, and yes I feel as you do, open minds and a thirst for knowledge, that was my grandfather. I miss him so much as does my daughter. She was so fortunate to have her greatgrandfather until she was 17 years old.

When we finally get together in SF remind me to tell you some stories about him, you will so enjoy them I truly believe. My daughter and I were just discussing him yesterday while enjoying coffee, he was quite our hero.
Take good care.