in rap slang would it be 'da da vinci code' or what?

Over my honeymoon, I had the chance to read the first half of "The Da Vinci Code," mostly to psyche myself for the movie starring the ever-loveable Tom Hanks ("Bosom Buddies" what?) and every indie rock boys' fantasy Audrey Tautou.

Unless you've been living under a rock, or Yakima, WA, then you're aware of all the "controversy" surrounding the book/movie -- mostly by people who are really into Jesus and their fear that unlightened people may take Dan Brown's book/movie as (pardon the pun) Bible truth.

Here's the thing, the book (I've yet to watch the film), is really, really mediocre. The most interesting part of the "The Da Vinci Code" is that Brown takes liberties with historical facts and creates this conspiracy theorist world that Mel Gibson would be proud of. As I made my way past the 50th chapter, however, I seemed to remember another Da Vinci-themed story that was less complicated, yet infinitely better than "Code."

"Hudson Hawk."

Again for those whose residence is beneath the earth or Yakima, let's recap. The year is 1991 and Bruce Willis takes Sony's money, as well as some of his own and makes the biggest stinker of the decade (and this was in the first year). With a budget of $65 million and earning $17 million, "Hudson Hawk" stands to be one of Hollywood's biggest disasters, perhaps bested by "The Postman." Despite its failure, however, it has a pretty good storyline (at least by Hollywood standards). Check it: career criminal, Hudson Hawk gets out of jail and is quickly blackmailed by a wouldbe gang and their financiers. The catch, Hawk must steal various works of Da Vinci art so these people/defacto alchemists can turn lead into gold.

While it's not nearly as intriguing, or as smart, as Brown's story, Hudson Hawk's dilemma preceeded "The Da Vinci Code" by 15 years. Yet in the wake of anti-Catholic sentiments and such, Bruce Willis' opus is overshadowed in favor of the higer profile "Code," which, again, is an intelligent story, but far less entertaining.

Ultimately, the point of my rant (other than to bitch about the lame hype surrounding "The Da Vinci Code" book and movie) is that the best way to remove press from the supposedly Anti-Christian film is to buy the upcoming Special Edition DVD of "Hudson Hawk." Toss that barebones version away and get the realness. I wonder if Sony put this out because of "The Da Vinci Code?" Probably. Still a better flick, though (maybe).