Culturally Preconditioned

If you haven’t watched the finale for The Amazing Race and Survivor, I would suggest you skip the respective sections below. I guess I will also touch on the final four of the Apprentice (Season 5), so if you don’t want to know who’s the final four candidates, you might want to skip that one too. There WILL be spoilers. So, I might as well start off with some short comments on the Da Vinci Code movie.

The Da Vinci Code

I caught the most anticipated summer movie at its premiere yesterday. ‘A friend of mine’ attended the afternoon show at The Summit and he was shocked to find out that the hall was full! An afternoon show. In the middle of a working week. In Summit USJ. At the THX theater. I don’t think that has ever happened before. Ever. Anyway, back to the show. By now, you’d already know that the movie presents a theory of Jesus having a royal bloodline via his relationship with Mary Magdalene. It’s an old theory. For me, at least.

Personally, I have never read The Da Vinci Code novel by Dan Brown. Interesting since I’d usually spent more than double on books that’s deductable from my tax relief every year. I guess it’s because I have learned about this theory several years (via Holy Blood, Holy Grail and Gabriel Knight 3 : Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned) before The Da Vinci Code was conceived. And being the unreasonable snob that I am, I snubbed the book. I can never enjoy a book that is on a bestseller’s list, except for Stephen King’s novels (even if I do, I’d never reveal that fact).

Anyway, since I’ve found this topic highly interesting, I thought I could spare 2.5 hours watching the movie. Critics have panned the movie so badly that I thought it really was going to be another Pearl Harbour. However, I find myself immersed with the movie content as I predicted I would be. Even though the movie had a long running time, I thought it moved quite quickly. Even though Tom Hank’s acting was just mediocre in this movie (boy, he is getting oooooold), Jean Reno and Sir Ian McKellen stole the show. Excellent.

Now, early reviews by local cinemagoers wasn’t all that good. Like the Lord of the Rings, most of the ‘Da Vinci Code’ purists came out saying that the movie is nowhere near as good as the book. I know I haven’t read the book but major DUUUUHHH. What movie adaptation IS better than the book? No, that was a serious question, if you can think of one, please do tell me. I’m glad I didn’t read the book prior to watching the movie. In general, it was a good and enjoyable movie. Jesus bloodline, Mary Magdalene, the Priory of Scion, the Opus Dei and the Knights Templar. It’s all good.

I don’t know if this was mentioned in the Da Vinci Code novel, but I was initially intrigued by the real-life mysteries of the priest Berenger Sauniere and his weird church in Rennes-le-Chateau. The history is interesting and really does raise a lot of question as to what he found in his church and where did all his money come from and why exactly did he dedicate his church to Mary Magdalene.

Anyway, if you love conspiracy theories and if National Treasure blows your socks off, you will love The Da Vinci Code movie. B+

*WARNING.. spoiler up ahead for the Amazing Race finale, Survivor finale and Apprentice final four*

Amazing Race Finale

It was one of the best finales yet for the Amazing Race. Granted that I watched this season half-heatedly since the gilmore girls were booted, I’d have to say the finale last night was an amazing one. This season also boasted the best footrace to the pitstop two episodes ago (a real tight race between the Hippies, Fratgirls and MoJo). As you can guess, I was rooting for the Hippies to win. I haven’t been more excited about a TAR win since Reichen and Chip winning, and Romber losing to Chip and Kim. (Even though I was rooting the Linzs to win, and they did, it was just okay).

This season had the best final 3 teams to win. I didn’t mind Ray and Yolanda, but they remind me too much of previous African American teams that have won, but in all, they were good people. I liked watching them on the show. As for the frat girls, they really rubbed me the wrong way early on in the show. There were still annoying, but in an entertaining kind of way. Their deviousness (ie. cancelling the cabs) came off as cheeky than evil. I didn’t mind seeing them win either because they were pretty good racers.

But in the end, the Hippies won. Yay! I really enjoyed their laidback attitude. I loved seeing their competitiveness (coming in last twice) and their experience throughout the show. I loved how they try to soak up as much culture during their adventures (boy, I was highly impressed with their leg in Japan last night). So congrats to BJ and Tyler. The season might be lackluster in the middle, but the end was really enjoyable.

Survivor : Exile Island Finale

At the end of it all, I didn’t really care who won. I could care less for any of the people left after Sally was booted (there were seven of them left). In order of their boots :

- Bruce got medivaccuated out of the game because his colon got stuck (he was next in line anyway)

- Courtney proved how flaky, annoying and childish she really is.

- Shane became crazy back in Day 3 and never gained his sanity back again.

- Cirie got really lucky, flew under the radar and got the boot she deserves.

- Terry became the immunity hog, in addition to his Hidden Immunity Idol which was never put into play, only to lose at the most crucial stage in the game.

So we were left with two in the game, horseteeth Danielle vs immature Arasshole, and the lesser of the two evils won. Danielle got what she deserves. Poor bitch can never win the game (against anyone besides Courtney and possibly Shane) and she knows it. Arasshole, the pretentious Yoga instructor who couldn’t keep his balance, won the game with a 5-2 tally. He is currently sitting at number 9 on my Survivor Winner List, only ahead of Danni, Amber and Vecepia. Despite his lack of social skills in the game, Terry really should have won the game. So fuck Survivor : Exile Island.

Survivor : Cook Islands.. coming up in September/October.

Apprentice (Season Five) Final Four

All my favourites have been booted. I thought Andrea was booted unfairly. I do believe her team mates were ganging up on her, but oh well. I also thought Michael would be a great apprentice, but he was too soft-spoken and indecisive. Pity, cause I liked him. The remaining final four… pfft. I can only see one potential winner, although I think Trump will pick the one that I dislike, and that is Lee the fucking politican. Ally is devious and manipulative and a little immature for my liking. Roxanne is the ultimate lemming if I have ever seen one. And that only leaves us with Sean.

I think Sean is a good guy overall. He hasn’t really pissed anyone, he works very well and he gives great insights in his confessionals. If Trump doesn’t pick this guy, it’s his loss. He is the only obvious Apprentice among the four candidates left. I have no idea who they’re bringing back for the final task, but if it was me.. I’d prefer to see the following fired candidates, in order : Andrea, Lenny, Michael, Bryce, Dan and  Charmaine (with the possibilty of Tammy and/or Pepi).

Good luck to all of them. Go Sean!