Lunch and a Matinee is the retired person’s version of Dinner and a Movie. We no longer have to wait to go at night or on the weekend. We can go to the movies in the middle of the day. Yes, I’m bragging, but you, too, could work your entire life, retire and do the same thing. Anyway, yesterday Jay and I treated ourselves to lunch at a great little Mexican restaurant (burrito for him, tacos for me) and then we saw Angels and Demons.
Based on the book by Dan Brown, it’s the story of Professor Robert Langdon, the Harvard Symbologist that you first met in the book/movie The DaVinci Code. Tom Hanks is back in the role of Langdon, but this time he looks better. I think it’s a better hair cut. His female partner (not a love interest) is Dr. Vittoria Vetra, an Italian scientist. She is played by the Israeli actress, Ayelet Zurer.
Both Professor Langdon and Dr. Vetra have been called to the Vatican because there is a crisis. The pope has died and all the cardinals are gathered to elect a new pope. But the four most likely candidates for pope have been kidnapped and there is a hidden bomb set to blow up all of Vatican City. Behind this plot is a secret organization, the Illuminati. They’ve left a message and that is what Professor Langdon has been asked to de-code.
When Professor Langdon de-codes the message, he learns that the four cardinals are to be killed at four different altars somewhere in Rome. The killings will take place one hour apart and then the bomb will explode an hour later. Called the Path of Illumination, no one knows where these four altars are.
To find the four altars, Langdon will find some clues in a book by Galleleo and then race like crazy to find each of the altars and also find clues as to where the next altar is located.
In addition to all the frantic running around, there is a fair amount of Vatican intrigue between the Swiss Guard, the Vatican Police and the Vatican hierarchy. There is one more character you should know about. This is Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) who was an assistant to the pope before his death. Until a new pope is elected, McKenna is in charge of all of Vatican City. This guy is not a cardinal. He is a priest. However, he is much too good looking to be a priest. I don’t trust him. (He is the one in white.)
That is as much of the movie as I’m going to tell you. I don’t want to spoil it for you. What did we think of it? Jay liked it better than I did. He rated it a B- or C+. The plot is similar to the DaVinci Code which is okay. But this time there was a lot of wild running around and some gruesome death scenes. Parts didn’t make sense to me. For instance, it seemed like the things they were doing between each hour should have taken a lot longer in real life.
What I did like was the big-screen scenery, especially the arial shots of Vatican City and the beautiful shots inside the Sistine Chapel. Of course, I like Tom Hanks and I’ll see him in anything. I also like Ron Howard, and, if it makes a difference to you, he directed the film. All in all it was an engaging movie and an intense two hours. It was a fun afternoon.
What movies have you seen lately? Any you would recommend?
My brother was just telling me about this book/movie. I’d not heard of it. Where have I been!!??
Yummy! I love tacos, burritos too!
Angels and Demons hasn’t really been calling me in terms of movies I have to see. I saw The Brothers Bloom and I really liked that one. Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz are in it.
I don’t know if you read the book, but the book was even more unrealistic; on the other hand, it was more exciting. It seems like usually that works the other way around!
This is one of those movies I will actualy PAY to see in the theater. lol I usualy wait till they are out on video. But this one I will go and see because I just cant wait. Maybe I will pick a hot humid day to go to the movies.
We’re on the same wavelength – we’ve been planning to see Angels and Demons too next week and in the afternoon. It’s a great treat and still feels as though we’re playing hookey from work! I’ve read the book, but it was a while ago so I’ve forgotten much of the detail. I saw the Da Vinci Code on TV – not as good as at the cinema! I’m really looking forward to it!
Did you know that Angels & Demons was actually the first book with Langdon and DaVinci Code came next? I always liked Angels & Demons much better – but enjoyed them both thoroughly. Hated the DaVinci movie – there is just too much to fit into a standard length feature. They should have made these into mini-series or a show on HBO or something. That would have been much better. His first book, Digital Fortress, doesn’t involve Langdon but was fun and fast paced too.
You are too funny with your Lunch & a Matinee analogy – I am jealous of your well earned freedom. But it always feels wrong when I go to the movies during daylight – I like to come out of the dark theater into the evening under the stars and keep my thoughts of the movie playing into my dreams.
I haven’t seen this movie, but Boyfriend went with a friend of his and said it was ridiculous. He’s not even bugged by violence, but he said the death scenes seemed excessive. I love Tom Hanks though, so I might rent it when it comes out.
I love the name of this too, I hope you make it a regular feature! Or maybe it is, and I just missed it?
Angels & Demons was actually a DNF for me, not for any particular reason – just that when I put the book down, I never got around to picking it up again, and then I had to bring it back to the library. I don’t particularly enjoy gruesome death scenes, so it’s good to know this movie has them.
I forgot to mention the funniest thing. Tucson, Arizona is full of retired people, and yet they veritably flock to the movies on the weekends! On weekends theaters are of course very crowded and so are restaurants. We can’t understand it: operant conditioning? old habits die hard? Another funny thing is that the young people who work at the ticket counters never card you for senior rates. I think to them, anyone over 40 looks so ancient they wouldn’t begin to think they should question you!
I loved the book and look forward to seeing the movie. Mexican food and a movie. Sounds like a great afternoon.
I love lunch and a movie. It makes me feel spoiled and we all need that sometimes. Because you are so wonderful I’ve for an award for you here
http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/awesome-awards/
I loved the book. The descriptions and the talk of the Vatican Archives was awesome! And the movie.. I liked it okay. My hubby said it was predictable.. I guess… but I liked it nonetheless… Loved the scenery.
I love the title Lunch and a Matinee. I have a friend I do that with, too. We recently saw The Soloist and loved it. Sorry to hear Angels and Demons is just okay.