TV Watch: Tom Hanks on 'Leno' & 'Letterman'

Tom Hanks is pulling double duty tonight and will be on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' and 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the same time. Mind you both shows are repeats of Tom's latest appearances. If you missed it, it's new to you, if you want to catch them online we have the clips for you here. [Hanks on 'Leno'] [Hanks on 'Letterman']

'X3' Can't Crack 'Code' Overseas

Overseas, The Da Vinci Code kept the X-Men at bay. In its second week, Code declined a moderate 40 percent to gross $90.9 million on 12,038 screens, while the X-Men sequel debuted with $76.1 million at 8,543 screens, according to trade reports, which noted that during the comparable weekend last year the second weekend of Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith led with $61.5 million.

Hanks hires bodyguards over Da Vinci threat

Tom Hanks has employed extra bodyguards over fears for his family's safety. The 49-year-old actor, who is currently starring in the The Da Vinci Code, was forced to hire more security because he fears the controversial film could put his family at risk from disgruntled Christian groups. A source is quoted in Britain's Daily Star newspaper as saying: "Tom and director Ron Howard try to play it all down, but religion is a very sensitive subject. [More]

Dark side of pale

Every bloviator in the discourse biz, from journalists and theologians to political pundits, have poked, prodded and analyzed every teensy aspect of the controversial box office monster ($231.8 million worldwide gross in its first five days) The Da Vinci Code. Or have they? Few, if any, scriveners have dealt with the Albino Factor. Code author Dan Brown and filmmaker Ron Howard have given us a bad guy, Silas, who's not only a sharpshooting, self-flagellating, sadomasochistic assassin and religious fanatic - but an albino one. [More]

Rosslyn priest quits over Da Vinci Code hype

The priest of Rosslyn Chapel has resigned amid widespread speculation that he is no longer prepared to tolerate the worldwide hype generated by The Da Vinci Code. The Rev Michael Fass, who has previously spoken out against the "sensational speculation" surrounding the chapel, will leave his post in July. Ever since the author Dan Brown identified the historic Midlothian church as the hiding place of the Holy Grail in his best-selling book, visitor numbers have soared. It is understood Mr Fass, 61, has told friends all the fuss over the phenomenon of The Da Vinci Code had made his position unbearable. They say the Episcopalian priest found his work among the 300-strong congregation in the village of Roslin was being undermined and the chapel was becoming a "Disneyland" for fans of the novel. [More]

Patriarchate critical of pickets at cinemas running Da Vinci Code

MOSCOW, May 29 (Itar-Tass) -- The Moscow Patriarchate is critical of pickets in front of the cinemas that show the Da Vinci Code film. Such protests create the impression “somebody is very eager to show on television a cruel and vicious image of the Church and clergy calling for pogroms at cinema theaters,” the deputy chief of the Moscow Patriarchate’s external relations department, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, said on Monday. In his opinion irony should be the normal response. “One and all must be aware that we have before us an act of feeble impudence, futile attempts by some people to dictate their own scale of values,” the Moscow Patriarchate’s official said.

Brett Ratner wants Ian Mckellen as 'Rush Hour 3' baddie

Washington, May 29(ANI): Director Brett Ratner is hoping to persuade busy British thespian Sir Ian Mckellen to play the villain in his upcoming sequel 'Rush Hour 3'. Ratner and McKellen have only just finished working together on the much anticipated action sequel 'X-Men 3', in which McKellen plays the notorious role of Magneto. "(He would be) the very bad French villain, who is inspired by (actor) Max Von Sydow in 'Three Days Of The Condor'. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan will re-team for the follow-up to 2001's Rush Hour 2," Contactmusic quoted Ratner as telling 'The Hollywood Reporter'. (ANI)

Jirkov refuses to screen The Da Vinci Code

Litvinov/Jirkov, North Bohemia, May 24 (CTK) - The operator of the cinema in Jirkov, Milos Kubelka, will not screen the U.S. film The Da Vinci Code that fills cinema coffers, joining the critics of the hit from among the Catholic Church, Deniky Bohemia daily writes today. "I have been a believer since about 30 and I think this film undermines the values on which our democracy is based," Kubelka explained his decision. Jirkov inhabitants who will want to see the story featuring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou will have to go to the neighbouring Chomutov, the paper writes. [More]

Submit Your Reviews!

I have added a special 'Review' board on the messageboards section. Feel free to submit your own review of the film, good or bad, for all to read! [REVIEWS]

'Da Vinci Code' breaks Portuguese box office records

LISBON (AFP) - "The Da Vinci Code" has broken box office records in Roman Catholic Portugal as tens of thousands have flocked to see the religious thriller despite a Vatican boycott call, the film's distributor in the country said. The film adaptation of Dan Brown's bestseller by the same name was seen by 215,840 people during its first four days of release in the country of just over 10 million, smashing the previous record, a spokesman for Columbia Pictures told the Lusa news agency. It also pulled in more than one million euros (1.28 million dollars) in box office receipts, the first time that barrier has been broken by a movie during its first four days in theatres, he added. [More]

Da Vinci code nun 'not genuine'

A woman who led protests against the Da Vinci Code dressed in a habit is not a real nun, says the Catholic Church. Sister Mary Michael appeared in the world's media denouncing the controversial book as "blasphemy". The Catholic Church says Sister Mary is not "canonically recognised" even if she does do "good works". She was connected to the Carmelites but left and is now a "maverick" and a "one-woman order", a spokesman told the BBC News website. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' chateau has tangled past

VILLETTE, France - Chateau de Villette, the sumptuous home of Sir Leigh Teabing, the sinfully wealthy character from "The Da Vinci Code," is not just a figment of author Dan Brown's imagination but a real-life chateau with a past as fascinating as its star-struck present. Set on a sprawling, 185-acre estate northwest of Paris, the 17th century chateau was once home to the noble French Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy, who went into exile in Philadelphia after Napoleon's army lost the Battle of Waterloo. [More]

Mobile Streams Mobilizes The Da Vinci Code

Mobile Streams Inc., the global mobile media specialist, announced today a worldwide deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) to mobilize the blockbuster motion picture “The Da Vinci Code,” starring Tom Hanks. Under the terms of the agreement, Mobile Streams, utilizing its proprietary Vuesia technology, has formatted content masters of “The Da Vinci Code” into ‘mobile ready’ video, audio and graphic formats. The clips are approximately two minutes each and offer mobile users glimpses into “The Da Vinci Code” story. [More]

Get To Know Audrey Tautou in the June Issue of Allure on Newsstands Now

NEW YORK, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Cover Story: "Audrey Tautou's Big Moment" (Page 204) She may have a cult following after Amelie and A Very Long Engagement, but with the success of The Da Vinci Code, Audrey Tautou is now a star. In the June issue of Allure, get to know Tautou as she talks about how she started in the business, the good fortune and curse of her breakout role in Amelie, and her defects -- "My legs!" she cries in despair. "They are so very strange." [More]

Da Vinci Code: HC refuses to order criminal action

Joseph Dias, the petitioner who had approached the Bombay High Court seeking action against Censor Board and Sony Pictures in 'The Da Vinci Code' row, today moved the vacation bench of the court again, but the court refused to issue any directions to the police in this regard. Dias, general secretary of the Catholic Secular Forum, a city-based Christian organisation, is seeking action against Censor Board and Sony Pictures, for clearing and distributing the controversial English film respectively. [More]

Da Vinci Code tramples on religious tradition - Russian cleric

From interfax.com: MOSCOW. May 25 (Interfax) - The Da Vinci Code movie insults religious tradition under the disguise of freedom of speech, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad said at a Thursday meeting of experts. About 60 representatives of Orthodox, Christian, Muslim and Jewish organizations are preparing for the World Religious Summit due in Moscow on July 3-5. "True, the Da Vinci Code deeply insults our religious beliefs and feelings. Muslims or Jews do not do that. It is being done by people unaffiliated with any religion, who dare to insult religion under the disguise of freedom of speech," he said. [More]

Da Vinci Code game disappoints

Even before its release, the Da Vinci Code video game had a lot to live up to. Almost 40 million people have bought Dan Brown's best-selling novel and, despite lukewarm reviews, the film looks set to become a summer blockbuster. With that kind of track record it would be difficult to deliver a dud. But the Da Vinci Code game certainly makes an effort to do just that. The game promises players the chance to break the code for themselves, as they try to solve a murder mystery that has its origins more than 2,000 years ago. [More]

French toast

Audrey Tautou knew she was getting into the biggest film of her career. She did not know she was getting into one of the biggest – and most debated – of her generation. The French star, best known previously for the title role in the romantic charmer “Amelie,” was never one to seek Hollywood success, but it has found her with a co-starring role opposite Tom Hanks in “The Da Vinci Code.” [More]

Audrey Tautou says she's not cut-out for stardom

Washington, May 25(ANI): French actress Audrey Tautou admits that being a 'private' person by nature, she has made a wrong career choice, as her introvert personality keeps clashing with her celebrity life. The actress, who shot to international fame with the bittersweet 2001 hit Amelie, insists the frenzied attention she garnered after her success, has left her disillusioned with the job. [More]

Digital makeover knocks 20 years off X-Men Stewart and McKellen

CANNES, France (AP) - What a pair those dashing young mutants Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart make in X-Men: The Last Stand. The two 60-something actors had 20 years shaved off their features for the opening sequence in the comic-book franchise's latest flick. The filmmakers used digital technology to match their current features to those in old photos. [More]

Trevor Nunn and Ian McKellen Pair Lear with The Seagull

Director Trevor Nunn is to pair his forthcoming Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear with a revival of Chekhov’s The Seagull, also for the RSC. The two productions, both cast with the same acting ensemble lead by Ian McKellen, will play in repertory at Stratford-upon-Avon’s new Courtyard Theatre from March 2007 before going on a world tour. McKellen will play the title role in King Lear, which will conclude the RSC’s year-long Complete Works Festival, and also appear as Sorin in The Seagull. [More]

Happy Birthday Ian McKellen!

Today is Ian McKellen's birthday! Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25th, 1939 in Lancashire, England. That makes him 67 years old today! Happy Birthday Sir Ian!

'The Da Vinci Code' proves hit in Catholic Poland

WARSAW (AFP) - The controversial film "The Da Vinci Code" has proved a hit in Poland despite bishops urging the public in this overwhelmingly Catholic country to boycott the movie, distributors said. Released Friday, the film drew over 341,000 moviegoers during the weekend, with box office sales reaching 5.5 million zlotys (1.4 million euros, 1.8 million dollars), the film's Polish distributor Stanislaw Pytel told AFP. "It's the best opening of the year in Polish cinemas for films intended for adults," Pytel added. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' to be released in India

BOMBAY, India - "The Da Vinci Code" will be released in movie theaters across India on Friday — one week late — after the censor board and its distributor reached an agreement to display statements saying the film is fiction. The movie didn't hit movie theaters in India along with its worldwide release last week due to negotiations over the statement. Many Christians have expressed outrage at the movie's theory that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had offspring, and that the Vatican and conservative Catholic group Opus Dei tried to cover it up. [More]

'Code' Controversy: "Much Ado About Nothing," Says Vatican Paper

From IMDB: The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano implied Tuesday that the Church had been maneuvered into contributing to a "gigantic marketing strategy" involving The Da Vinci Code intended to increase ticket sales. In the end, the newspaper said, the film amounts to a dull version of Dan Brown's novel and the controversy "much ado about nothing.". Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Releasing and the Indian Censor Board have reached a compromise, permitting The Da Vinci Code to be released in that country on Friday. Indian censors had demanded that its own disclaimer, stating the the film is "a work of pure fiction and has no correspondence to historical facts of the Christian religion," be inserted at the beginning and at the end of the feature. Sony had agreed to run the standard disclaimer -- that "the characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person is entirely coincidental and unintentional" -- once only. In the end, Sony agreed to run its own disclaimer at both the beginning and end of the film.

"Code" is sign for spinoff producers

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - Call it "The Da Vinci Queue." With the film based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel meeting with lukewarm reviews but overwhelmingly enthusiastic box office numbers, there is no shortage of would-be companion films standing in line to cash in on the notoriety and success of "The Da Vinci Code." The film made box office history by raking in a near-record $224 million in worldwide receipts on its opening weekend. [More]

Pirated "Da Vinci Code" hits China streets

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Bootleg DVDs of "The Da Vinci Code" were on sale all over Shanghai on Monday, days after China pipped Cannes by hours with the world premier of the movie. Pirated DVD versions of both "The Da Vinci Code" and "Mission Impossible 3" were selling for 5 yuan ($0.60) each, but the workmanship was poor, as is usually the case for early pirated copies often made with hand-held camcorders in the cinema. One customer said he could seeing people walking in front of the cinema screen. [More]

Pakistani Islamists get ready to bash Da Vinci Code

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan's Islamist parties will hold nationwide demonstrations against "The Da Vinci Code" later this week, to protest the film's "offensive" alternative take on the story of Jesus Christ, an opposition lawmaker said on Monday. The adaptation of Dan Brown's best-selling novel, the story of a Vatican cover-up involving Christ and his supposed offspring, has recorded a $224 million global opening. "The film is offensive toward a holy figure dear to all religions," Liaquat Balouch, deputy secretary-general of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, the main Islamist political alliance, told Reuters. [More]

Samoa bans 'The Da Vinci Code' screenings

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) - The Samoa Censorship Board has reportedly banned all public showings of the "The Da Vinci Code" after church leaders watched a special screening of the film. The SamoaAlive.com website said the ban came after the government censor's office invited leaders of the Samoa Council of Churches to watch a preview over the weekend at the country's only cinema. "The Da Vinci Code" novel by Dan Brown has been a bestseller in the predominantly Christian South Pacific island nation. [More]

Try A Cryptex Online

From webcryptex.com: A cryptex, featured in Dan Brown's novel, is a cylindrical device used to contain a message or other contents in a concealed way. The cryptex has several "tumblers" or dials with characters used to form a code. When the characters are aligned properly, the device is opened and its contents revealed. Inspired by The Da Vinci Code, webcryptex.com provides a way for you to create your own virtual cryptex online. Enjoy some of the sample cryptexes, or create your own for one of your friends. Let your creativity shine... formulate your clue and conceal your message! [More]

'Da Vinci Code' Debut Is Best of Year

LOS ANGELES - Moviegoers gave their blessing to the "The Da Vinci Code" over the weekend, spending an estimated $77 million to see the Tom Hanks religious thriller. While the film didn't set a domestic box office record, it was the largest weekend opening of the year so far and became the second largest worldwide release after "Star Wars: Episode III." It garnered some $224 million worldwide, according to Sony Pictures. The film also was the best domestic opening for both Hanks and director Ron Howard.[More]

'Da Vinci Code' tourists flock to Scottish chapel

ROSLIN, Scotland (USATODAY.com) — There's no mystical rose line, no hidden vault where the fabled Holy Grail may rest. And the brutal veil of metal scaffolding shrouding the chapel doesn't help either. Reality at Rosslyn Chapel is very different from the portrayal in Dan Brown's hit thriller, The Da Vinci Code, but the novel has been a welcome boost for a church in desperate need of repair. [More]

Read all about Rosslyn Chapel on our 'Film Locations' page here

Tom Hanks' Da Vinci book to raise cash for cancer charity

A copy of the best-selling book The Da Vinci Code signed by actor Tom Hanks was put up for auction for charity yesterday. The copy of the Dan Brown novel is the one Hanks had on set while filming the movie at the Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin, Midlothian, last year. Now it has been put on auction site eBay to raise money for cancer research. Online bidding kicked off yesterday and will run for the next ten days. [More]

‘Sophie Nevue’ for you

Actress Audrey Tautou, the Sophie Neveu, of Ron Howard’s film The Da Vinci Code spills some secrets about the controversial film.


How did you hear about the film?

In a rather surprising way. When I came back from my vacation in Mexico, I went on the promotion tour for “A very long engagement” in the US and Canada. And suddenly in Toronto all the journalists were saying ‘Congratulations on getting picked for The Da Vinci Code directed by Ron Howard!’ I was astonished. I kept telling them the truth – that I didn’t even know the film was in preparation and that I had never met Ron Howard – nobody believed me. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' distorts artwork

HACKENSACK, N.J. - It’s hard to say which is hotter: anticipation of "The Da Vinci Code" movie, which opens Friday, or the impassioned controversy surrounding the portrayal of Catholicism in the novel by Dan Brown. What seems to have escaped notice, however, are the religious and historical fallacies the book presents regarding Leonardo da Vinci’s works - the basis for the "code" on which the story rests. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' opens on record number of screens in Japan

TOKYO (AFP) - "The Da Vinci Code" opened in Japan on a record number of screens, but with little of the controversy seen in other countries over what some have labelled its blasphemous content. The film, based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown about a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to hide the supposed marriage of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, has sparked off furious protests by Catholic groups. But in Japan, the reaction was more muted and the distributors said the hype had only added to demand at the box office. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' novel publicly burned on Italian piazza

CECCANO, Italy (AFP) - A handful of conservative Italian local councillors and activists were booed as they burned a copy of Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code," which they called "blasphemous." The book-burning ceremony took place on the main square of the village of Ceccano, 70 kilometres (43 miles) southeast of Rome. It was organized by two municipal councillors representing conservative parties -- one from the Christian Democrats, the other from the National Alliance. Ron Howard's Hollywood film of "The Da Vinci Code" opened on Friday in Italy. [More]

Da Vinci Code breaks Italy box office records

ROME (Reuters) - "The Da Vinci Code" has broken box office records in Roman Catholic Italy as tens of thousands of Italians ignored Vatican calls to boycott the film. The movie adaptation of Dan Brown's bestseller earned 2 million euros ($2.6 million) on its opening night, nearly double the takings of Italy's previous top film, Oscar-winner
Roberto Benigni's 1997 tragi-comic Holocaust drama "Life is Beautiful." The film's distributor, Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news).'s Columbia Pictures, will release worldwide sales data on Sunday. "We had an exceptionally strong Friday with sell-out business reported in territories virtually all over the world," said Steve Elzer, the studio's senior vice president of media relations. [More]

"Da Vinci Code" unlocks $224 mln in world sales

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - All the protests and all the bad reviews could not prevent "The Da Vinci Code" from recording a $224 million worldwide opening, the second-biggest debut ever at the global box office, its distributor said on Sunday. The controversial adaptation of Dan Brown's best-selling novel, the story of a Vatican cover-up involving Jesus Christ and his supposed offspring, sold about $77 million worth of tickets at movie theaters in the United States and Canada during its first three days, according to Columbia Pictures. [More]

Jumbled 'Code'

Christians are outraged and albinos are offended and people around the world who haven't even seen the film are angry simply, it seems, in preparation for being angry. But everyone can just take a deep breath and calm down. Because "The Da Vinci Code" is finally coming to theaters, and its biggest sin has nothing to do with the supposedly blasphemous nature of the source material, Dan Brown's blockbuster page turner. [More]

‘Da Vinci’ reviews mixed on if it’s a masterpiece

The stage is set among some of the world’s most famous pieces of art. A cat and mouse game is played out between an elderly man and an albino monk as they run through the halls of the Louvre Art Museum in Paris. History, culture and death are the opening scenes for one of the most anticipated and controversial movies of 2006. [More]

Paul Bettany dons robes as monk assassin in 'Da Vinci'

Geographically, Paul Bettany has just arrived from London and Barcelona, where he was doing press for "The Da Vinci Code," after time in Mozambique and elsewhere in Africa, where wife Jennifer Connelly is shooting a film. Artistically, Bettany has arrived at the role of pop literature's most notorious albino after stints as a bestial gangster, a Napoleonic era ship's surgeon, a lovesick tennis player, Geoffrey Chaucer and an imaginary friend. A renaissance man? An actor with eclectic tastes? An artist determined not to repeat himself? [More]

TV Watch: Hanks on 'Regis' Clip

Tom Hanks was a guest on 'Live! with Regis & Kelly' yesterday (Friday, May 19th) to promote The Da Vinci Code. They showed some photos of Tom's younger days, and spoke about his introduction into acting. Take a look! (48MB MOV) [More]

TV Watch: Today Show talks Da Vinci Part IV

The Today Show is continuing their look at The Da Vinci Code with a trip to St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. They interview a priest about the book and the movie. Take a look! (23MB MOV)[More]

TV Watch: Tom Hanks on 'Regis & Kelly'

Tom Hanks was a guest on 'Live! with Regis & Kelly' this morning. He is there to promote 'The Da Vinci Code' which opens today worldwide. Hanks in winding down a zig-zag tour of the US and France which included a stops in New York, LA, Cannes and back again. Watch this space for a clip soon!

TV Watch: Bettany on 'Johnathan Ross'

Paul Bettany is slated to appear on 'Friday Night with Johnathan Ross' in the UK this evening. He is over there to promote 'The Da Vinci Code' which is out in theatres today (take a look at the 'Theatres & Showtimes' links for one near you). If anyone manages to capture this interview please let me know!

Being green would be easier

Catholics and movie critics aren't the only ones denouncing "The Da Vinci Code." Add albinos to the list of those less than thrilled about the church-based Tom Hanks thriller, which hits theaters today. The villain of all villains in the big-budget instant-blockbuster film? Silas, the albino monk-executioner. Well, it figures. "Yet another evil albino in a big Hollywood movie," Michael McGowan, president of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, sighed yesterday. "By our count, it's the 68th film since 1960 to feature an evil albino." [More]

Manila Bans, India Clears 'Da Vinci Code'

HONG KONG - China's official Catholic Church urged its followers to boycott "The Da Vinci Code" on Thursday, and the City Council in the Philippine capital banned the movie as viewers across Asia got a first glimpse of the film that suggests Jesus married and fathered a child. The Indian censor board cleared the movie without any cuts, but required a disclaimer and insisted that it be shown to adults only. Meanwhile, a small group of protesters in Seoul,
South Korea, marched outside theaters with signs that said "`The Da Vinci Code' is nothing more than fiction." The Columbia Pictures release, based on the best-selling Dan Brown novel, wasn't expected to generate a wide backlash in Asia, where Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are the dominant faiths. [More]

"Da Vinci Code" opens in Asia despite calls for ban

HONG KONG (AFP) - "The Da Vinci Code" went on general release across much of Asia, despite attempts by some Christian groups and censors to have the controversial film cut or banned. The film's premise -- that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and fathered children whose descendants have survived to this day -- has sparked accusations of blasphemy and a series of legal moves to keep it off the cinema screens. But the hype surrounding the Ron Howard adaptation of Dan Brown's best-selling novel looked set to ensure massive audiences in the region, despite dismal reviews after its
Cannes Film Festival premiere on Wednesday. [More]

'Da Vinci Code' struggles at French box office

CANNES, France (AFP) - After being mauled by Cannes film festival critics, "The Da Vinci Code" was struggling at the French box office just one day after it opened. National figures for Wednesday -- the day it hit cinemas and had its Cannes world premiere -- showed the movie sold 233,000 tickets, a respectable number but disappointing when compared to other Hollywood blockbusters. The last "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" films did far better, each selling more than 600,000 tickets in their first day. France is one of the first markets to show the 125-million-dollar "The Da Vinci Code" in its cinemas. [More]

Catholic bookstore fights 'Da Vinci Code'

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Visibly preoccupied and weary, William Stetson still squeezes out a smile when asked yet again about the film version of "The Da Vinci Code," which was panned at Cannes. "Did you see how it was laughed at and whistled at?" the priest says of the audience response at the French film festival. First reviews of the film Wednesday brought a measure of satisfaction to the priest who runs the bookstore of the Catholic Information Center, just blocks from the White House in Washington. For weeks he has been overwhelmed by interview requests about the film and author Dan Brown's blockbuster thriller behind it, which weaves the Roman Catholic Church into a spellbinding mystery, which Rome deems an utter fiction and a threat to church dogma. [More]

Paris Milks Da Vinci Code Mania

Paris has gone Da Vinci Code crazy. Everywhere you turn, the city is plastered with posters advertising the highly anticipated May 17 opening of the movie based on the best-selling thriller by Dan Brown. The French press is filled with daily stories on everything from ecclesiastical debate over the book's religious themes to profiles of the two French movie stars, Jean Reno and Audrey Tautou, who will appear (speaking in English) in the film. Then, of course, there's the merchandising. Bookstores and gift shops all over Paris are stocked to the rafters with copies of the novel in French and English -- hardback, paperback, special illustrated editions, you name it. And don't forget Da Vinci Code walking tours, playing cards, calligraphy sets, music CDs, video game, podcasts the list goes on and on. [More]

Success Finds French Star Audrey Tautou

CANNES, France - Audrey Tautou knew she was getting into the biggest film of her career. She did not know she was getting into one of the biggest — and most debated — of her generation. The French star, best known previously for the title role in the romantic charmer "Amelie," was never one to seek Hollywood success, but it has found her with a co-starring role opposite Tom Hanks in "The Da Vinci Code." "I knew that it would be big, of course, because of the success of the book," Tautou told The Associated Press on Thursday, a day after "The Da Vinci Code" premiered at the
Cannes Film Festival and a day before its U.S. debut. [More]

TV Watch: Today Show talks Da Vinci Part III (FIXED)

The Today Show is continuing their look at The Da Vinci Code with a trip to Cannes, France and the Cannes Film Festival. The entire cast of The Da Vinci Code was there for a great interview. Take a look! (49MB MOV)[More]

Cannes Red Carpet & Press Call Images

Here are 100 more images from the press call at the Cannes Film Festival, plus the red carpet premiere from last night. Take a look! [More]

Da Vinci Code -- Unraveling the controversy

JONESBORO -- It combines the hype of "King Kong," the controversy of "Brokeback Mountain" and the star power of "M:I3." Add religion and articles of faith to the mix, and "The Da Vinci Code" has become more than a multimedia behemoth. It's a global debate. Dan Brown's thriller novel comes to the big screen Friday as a Ron Howard-directed, Tom Hanks-starred mega-event. The movie deals with the notion of Christianity's Holy Grail being more than a chalice from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. [More]

Stars shrug off 'Da Vinci Code' reviews

The Da Vinci Code has shaken off a slew of bad reviews to provide a star-studded opening movie for the 59th Cannes Film Festival. Director Ron Howard and leading actors Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou were all smiles as they paraded up the red carpet before the festival's opening ceremony. Fellow stars Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina and Paul Bettany also took to the carpet, as did author Dan Brown. Brown's novel has taken the world by storm, selling some 50 million copies and being translated into 44 languages since it was first published in 2003. [More]

It's just a movie, so don't take it as gospel

THE headmaster of Australia's oldest independent school has written to parents and students to warn them of "inaccurate and damaging" assertions in The Da Vinci Code, which opens in cinemas today. Dr Timothy Hawkes, headmaster at The King's School in Parramatta, says that although Dan Brown's novel is fictional, it wraps grains of truth in fantasy so persuasively that it has shaken the faith of many Christians. While the entertainment quarter at Moore Park was abuzz last night, it was all for the Anthony Mundine and Danny Green fight. [More]

Da Vinci Code is no cracker

We all know that The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's popcorn novel about weird signs, wonderful conspiracies and a hunt for buried treasure, has been an unparalleled publishing phenomenon. Can Ron Howard's lumbering, po-faced adaptation of this mumbo-jumbo match its success? Perhaps, but it certainly failed the taste test in Cannes. Critics queued for more than an hour to get into a film that, as everyone grumbled, was obviously too long at 148 minutes. Cannes critics have little time for anything over the 100-minute mark. Eve