Oh lookie here..

Just a day in and whole pile of files and cases are already eagerly awaiting my rapt attention from the comfort of my desk.

Bah Humbug.

On the bright side, I am thankful for the last week's rest..
And I got a movie run goin the last few days...

First twas Da Vinci Code with mum. Stayed quite true to Dan Brown's bestseller. McKellen and Reno are superb as Sir Leigh & Capt Fache. But this is not one of Tom Hanks' better displays.. he looked uncertain as Langdon. The double Oscar winner can do much better.

The story is a bit confusing for those who did not read the book. And some very important details were left out or disappointingly changed at the last quarter of the film. But I love the whole premise of how perhaps your religion might be a misinterpretation (especially the history shared by Judaism-Christian-Islam, each telling a different version of the same events).

I love how Brown's piece brings that conundrum out... True this story takes it to the extreme of a cover-up... As critics say he is pursuing but one theory with a line of facts and evidence, with many other things that you could question but could never resolve cos no one can prove it conclusively.. nor disprove it for that matter...but isn't it altogether possible certain seemingly fundamental religious 'facts' might be misconceived. That would put a whole different spin on things.

But ponder for a moment, isn't that what most religions are based on? The exact same premise and assumptions. Don't can the show for apparant slander, but rather consider the questions it poses. Food for thought ;)

Then a heaver piece on Friday with Gyn. Watched Paradise Now. This is a story of what may be the last 48 hours in the lives of two Palestinian men - friends since childhood - who have been recruited as suicide bombers. This movie does much more than just put a face on terrorism; it manages to tread the thin, dangerous line between entertainment and propaganda. Even though the main characters were Palestinians struggling with their personal roles in the endless cycle of violence, this is far from apologist: it could not be more clear that the filmmakers disapprove of terrorist tactics. The characters are not even extremists or particularly religious -- they are caught up in a cycle that is both deeply personal and deeply political. And personally, it was interesting to see what Palestine looked like.. And the vast difference between their world and next-door Israel... Slow though (as expected).

Some cartoon fun watchin Over The Hedge with ms tt on sunday. Catch it. It's a barrel of laughs, and the animation is so lovely and adorable (yes I'm a sucker for cartoons with wit).

And finally last night I caught X-Men III with Shunz. Great fun this was cos there were mutants aplenty with even more powers on show. Great cinematic experience albeit only visually.. The conclusions to franchises always deliver the bacon, cos they can do what the prequels can't. Kill characters.. permanently. Prof X's death was especially poignant. Kudos to Brett Ratner for picking off where Bryan Singer left off. Short of characterisation for the new characters but twas a nice big bang finale to the X-Men saga.