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A veteran thief (Morgan Freeman, "Se7en") recruits a younger crook (Antonio Banderas, "The Mask of Zorro") to help him pull off one final job in order to repay his debt to the Russian mob.

Starring: Morgan Freeman Antonio Banderas Radha Mitchell Robert Forster Rade Serbedzija

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They say The Da Vinci Code has sold more copies than any book since the Bible. Good thing it has a different ending. Dan Brown 's novel is utterly preposterous; Ron Howard 's movie is preposterously entertaining. Both contain accusations against the Catholic Church and its order of Opus Dei that would be scandalous if anyone of sound mind could possibly entertain them. I know there are people who believe Brown's fantasies about the Holy Grail, the descendants of Jesus, the Knights Templar, Opus Dei and the true story of Mary Magdalene. This has the advantage of distracting them from the theory that the Pentagon was not hit by an airplane.

Let us begin, then, by agreeing that The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. And that since everyone has read the novel, I need only give away one secret -- that the movie follows the book religiously. While the book is a potboiler written with little grace and style, it does supply an intriguing plot. Luckily, Ron Howard is a better filmmaker than Dan Brown is a novelist; he follows Brown's formula (exotic location, startling revelation, desperate chase scene, repeat as needed) and elevates it into a superior entertainment, with Tom Hanks as a theo-intellectual Indiana Jones.

Hanks stars as Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist in Paris for a lecture when Inspector Fache ( Jean Reno ) informs him of the murder of museum curator Jacques Sauniere (Jean-Pierre Marielle). This poor man has been shot and will die late at night inside the Louvre; his wounds, although mortal, fortunately leave him time enough to conceal a safe deposit key, strip himself, cover his body with symbols written in his own blood, arrange his body in a pose and within a design by Da Vinci, and write out, also in blood, an encrypted message, a scrambled numerical sequence and a footnote to Sophie Neveu ( Audrey Tautou ), the pretty French policewoman whom he raised after the death of her parents. Most people are content with a dying word or two; Jacques leaves us with a film treatment.

Having read the novel, we know what happens then. Sophie warns Robert he is in danger from Fache, and they elude capture in the Louvre and set off on a quest that leads them to the vault of a private bank, to the French villa of Sir Leigh Teabing ( Ian McKellen ), to the Temple Church in London, to an isolated Templar church in the British countryside, to a hidden crypt and then back to the Louvre again. The police, both French and British, are one step behind them all of this time, but Sophie and Robert are facile, inventive and daring. Also, perhaps, they have God on their side.

This series of chases, discoveries and escapes is intercut with another story, involving an albino named Silas ( Paul Bettany ), who works under the command of the Teacher, a mysterious figure at the center of a conspiracy to conceal the location of the Holy Grail, what it really is, and what that implies. The conspiracy involves members of Opus Dei, a society of Catholics who in real life (I learn from a recent issue of the Spectator) are rather conventionally devout and prayerful. Although the movie describes their practices as "maso-chastity," not all of them are chaste and hardly any practice self-flagellation. In the months ahead, I would advise Opus Dei to carefully scrutinize membership applications.

Opus Dei works within but not with the church, which also harbors a secret cell of cardinals who are in on the conspiracy (the pope and most other Catholics apparently don't have backstage passes).

These men keep a secret that, if known, could destroy the church. That's why they keep it. If I were their adviser, I would point out that by preserving the secret, they preserve the threat to the church, and the wisest strategy would have been to destroy the secret, say, 1,000 years ago.

But one of the fascinations of the Catholic Church is that it is the oldest continuously surviving organization in the world, and that's why movies like "The Da Vinci Code" are more fascinating than thrillers about religions founded, for example, by a science-fiction author in the 1950s. All of the places in "The Da Vinci Code" really exist, though the last time I visited the Temple Church I was disappointed to find it closed for "repairs." A likely story.

Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno do a good job of not overplaying their roles, and Sir Ian McKellen overplays his in just the right way, making Sir Leigh into a fanatic whose study just happens to contain all the materials for an audio-visual presentation that briefs his visitors on the secrets of Da Vinci's " The Last Supper " and other matters. Apparently he keeps in close touch with other initiates. On the one hand, we have a conspiracy that lasts 2,000 years and threatens the very foundations of Christianity, and on the other hand a network of rich dilettantes who resemble a theological branch of the Baker Street Irregulars.

Yes, the plot is absurd, but then most movie plots are absurd. That's what we pay to see. What Ron Howard brings to the material is tone and style, and an aura of mystery that is undeniable. He begins right at the top; Columbia Pictures logo falls into shadow as Hans Zimmer's music sounds simultaneously liturgical and ominous. The murder scene in the Louvre is creepy in a ritualistic way, and it's clever the way Langdon is able to look at letters, numbers and symbols and mentally rearrange them to yield their secrets. He's like the Flora Cross character in " Bee Season ," who used kabbalistic magic to visualize spelling words floating before her in the air.

The movie works; it's involving, intriguing and constantly seems on the edge of startling revelations. After it's over and we're back on the street, we wonder why this crucial secret needed to be protected by the equivalent of a brain-twister puzzle crossed with a scavenger hunt. The trail that Robert and Sophie follow is so difficult and convoluted that it seems impossible that anyone, including them, could ever follow it. The secret needs to be protected up to a point; beyond that it is absolutely lost, and the whole point of protecting it is beside the point. Here's another question: Considering where the trail begins, isn't it sort of curious where it leads? Still, as T.S. Eliot wrote, "In my beginning is my end." Maybe he was on to something.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, violence, some nudity, thematic material, brief drug references and sexual content

149 minutes

Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon

Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu

Ian McKellen as Sir Leigh Teabing

Alfred Molina as Bishop Aringarosa

Jurgen Prochnow as Andre Vernet

Paul Bettany as Silas

Jean Reno as Bezu Fache

Jean Pierre Marielle as Jacques Sauniere

Etienne Chicot as Lt. Collet

Directed by

• Akiva Goldsman

Based on the novel by

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Capt. Maya Dobbins

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The Rose Code TV Series: What We Know

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn has an adaptation in the works. For all the details about a potential upcoming film or TV adaptation of this WWII story, here’s what we know about The Rose Code adaptation:

What’s it about? What’s the plot?

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is about three female codebreakers working at Bletchley Park during WWII. The women form a friendship (and a book club) over the years, but a betrayal and traitor among their colleagues lands one of them in locked up in an asylum in the years after the war. Then, through a letter carefully smuggled out, she’s able to issue a cry for help from her confinement.

The Rose Code was published in March 2021.

See the Full Summary and Review of The Rose Code from The Bibliofile

What format will it be? Will The Rose Code adaptation be a Movie or a Series?

It’s planned as an episodic TV series .

Who’s behind it?

Black Bear Pictures is developing The Rose Code into a TV series. Black Bear Pictures previously developed the movie The Imitation Game , also about Bletchley Park codebreakers.

From Black Bear’s Ben Stillman: “We were lucky enough to be a part of and witness to the incredible impact The Imitation Game had on audiences. We are excited to bring people back into the world of Bletchley Park, told through the fresh perspective of The Rose Code. Kate Quinn has written a timely and timeless novel that is both a war epic and a character-driven story of female friendships and romances. This story is The Imitation Game meets The Crown and we are excited to bring this thrilling historical tale to the screen.”

What’s the status of The Rose Code adaptation?

The adaptation is currently early in its development.

Who’s in the cast?

No casting details have been released yet.

When will it be released?

Currently unknown.

Is there a trailer or teaser available?

Not yet! Stay tuned.

The Rose Code Movie Development Timeline

March 9, 2021 The Rose Code (novel) is released.

March 31, 2021 Bletchley Park Code Breaker Novel ‘The Rose Code’ By Kate Quinn Being Adapted For TV By Black Bear Pictures

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Saddly I’m near the end of the book and all I can thinks is…this must be made into a movie or multi-part series! Thank goodness someone had the same thought. Can’t wait. Writers— don’t mess up the dialogue! And cast well—-please.

I agree! I am near the end of the book and I kept thinking “this should be made into a series” Yay!!

I am almost at the end of this wonderful story. I had no idea these code breakers were really there during the war. My mother was a nurse in London during the war and I heard some stories but not enough. Would LOVE to see this in a movie or series. Looking forward to it!

This would be an incredible series. Absolutely loved the book!

I just finished the book and when I saw that it’s being made into an episodic series I was ecstatic!!!!! Loved, loved, loved the story!!!! Please stick to the book when adapting it.

Looking forward to this production!

Has the Rose Code been adapted for tv yet?

it’s been optioned but honestly it usually takes a few years at minimum after the book is released for an adaptation to be made

This is going to make a great series. Loved the book. Casting it well will make it all the better. Loved the romance and intrigue. Can’t wait!!

A hard to put down book! I hope it gets made into a movie for all to enjoy!

I gobble up every story about WW2 code breakers and spies I can find—especially female narratives. The Bletchley Circle and The Imitation Game were among my first, and The Rose Code is my latest. The audiobook soon had me vividly picturing its main characters—Osla, Mab, and Beth—thanks to Kate Quinn’s brilliant writing and Saskia Maarleveld’s exceptional narration. Imagine my delight at learning a mini series is being developed. I have no doubt it will be simply “topping”!

I am in the middle of the novel and I am truly in love with all the characters. Re its adaptation into a movie or otherwise, please find the right voices/actors to express all that is so wonderfully written by the author. Thank you!

I just finished the book. This has all the makings of a fantastic movie or TV series. Today is my book club meeting and I’m sure everyone will agree. Please pick the cast carefully!

So excited about this marvelous story to be made into a movie. Please stay as true to the storyline as possible.

Just finished the book – loved it – draws you into the times. First thing I said to my husband was “they should make a film about this book”!!!!

I enjoyed “The Rose Code”. But I just finished reading “the Alice Network “. This held my interest to the very last page. Excellent read!! Make this one a movie. My son can play Finn with the Scottish accent. Ryan Wesley Gilreath. But regardless I would love to see this as a movie too.

This is a terrific book and needs reading a few times to get all the details and nuances. Just finished discussing it at my Book Club yesterday and felt the book needed to go to screen but needed a mini series rather than a movie to cover it well. Also discussed who should be cast but will wait to see who is chosen. Loved other series made by this company.

See Dakota Fanning as Beth; Christina Ricci as Mabs , and Sophie Turner as Oslo

Loved the book. So we’ll researched.

Please don’t deviate from the story. It has such great texture

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The genesis code, common sense media reviewers.

Earnest, talky effort to reconcile religion with science.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Presents the idea that two normally opposing sides

The principal college-age characters are highly mo

A male show-off breaks a glass and appears to chew

A single kiss between young people who care for ea

Some college kids make fun of religious students,

College kids drink beer and/or wine at a local pub

Parents need to know that the primary goal of The Genesis Code is to advocate for the reconciliation of religion and science from a faith-based point of view. Though there are two personal stories, they serve only as a framework for the film's message. Much time is spent on scientific instruction,…

Positive Messages

Presents the idea that two normally opposing sides can find common ground and mutual understanding. Supports the idea that a faith-based approach to life and its problems is a source of strength, even in the face of challenges to one's faith.

Positive Role Models

The principal college-age characters are highly moral, loyal, curious, hard-working, and compassionate. Adult role models are principled, eager to meet the needs of the kids they parent or serve, and mostly respectful of differing points of view (even though they themselves are very sure of their own beliefs). Ethnic diversity is an integral part of the film.

Violence & Scariness

A male show-off breaks a glass and appears to chew it after chug-a-lugging beer.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A single kiss between young people who care for each other. Some college boys make fun of saving sex for marriage. Some verbal innuendo: "I've never met a chaste girl" and "He scores more off the ice than on."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Some college kids make fun of religious students, saying scornfully: "You're a believer?", "You believe that religious hokey-pokey?" and "bible thumper." A few coarse statements: "I'm going to take a leak," and "that's a game for fairies."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

College kids drink beer and/or wine at a local pub and at a karaoke bar. No drunkenness.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the primary goal of The Genesis Code is to advocate for the reconciliation of religion and science from a faith-based point of view. Though there are two personal stories, they serve only as a framework for the film's message. Much time is spent on scientific instruction, including one lecture sequence that is more than 30 minutes long. A few instances of mild sexual innuendo, some beer drinking, and a sprinkling of insults directed at religious students are the only questionable moments in what is a mild take on modern college life. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

A plausible explanation

What's the story.

When journalist Kerry Wells ( Kelsey Sanders ) is assigned to do a story about hockey star Blake Truman ( Logan Bartholomew ) for their college newspaper, the two clash about the role of religion and faith in their lives. Kerry, unaware that Blake's mom is in a coma and near death from cancer, is very secure in her faith. Blake is a non-believer. Their growing friendship (with the seeds of romance) is tied to an in-depth examination of the possibility of reconciling current scientific knowledge with the words of the Bible. The stakes in THE GENESIS CODE heighten when Blake's grandparents opt to stop life support for his dying mom.

Is It Any Good?

There are some fine performances, particularly executive producer Jerry Zandstra as a passionate minister, but too much of the movie is amateurish and very talky. At well over two hours, this very predictable story with characters created as points-of-view rather than real people, and with an abundance of scientific theory offered to defend the accuracy of the Bible, doesn't go down easily.

The filmmakers make an effort to deliver the somewhat controversial information in an entertaining manner, but it's dense material, and will likely appeal only to a niche market with a motivated audience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the filmmakers' purpose: Is it to entertain, inform, or persuade? Why is it important to understand the intent?

What is the meaning of the statement: "The real sin is in criticizing the choices of others"?

Discuss Kerry's advisor. Did she have the right to try to change Kerry's religious beliefs? Were her threats real? Why or why not?

Movie Details

• In theaters : August 25, 2010
• On DVD or streaming : May 17, 2012
• Cast : C.R. Lewis , Kelsey Sanders , Logan Bartholomew
• Directors : C.Thomas Howell , Patrick Read Johnson
• Studio : Entertainment One
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Friendship , Science and Nature
• Run time : 138 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : thematic elements and some innuendo
• Last updated : December 7, 2022

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By Bobby LePire | October 30, 2023

AWARD THIS! 2023 NOMINEE! Keoni Waxman has steadily been directing independent films for close to thirty years. So while he might not be a household name, Waxman has a long and storied career. The writer-director’s latest, co-written with Milan Friedrich, is the sci-fi tale Alpha Code . Given the proliferation of genre fare on streaming services, does Waxman offer something beyond more of the same?

Martin (Bren Foster) is taking a trip with his daughter, Teri (Sabina Rojková), after the disappearance of his wife/her mother. That night at the cabin, Martin is woken up to discover some unseen force is calling Teri into the woods. He tries chasing her down, but she vanishes, and Martin goes unconscious. He comes to in a hospital, where Agent Bowie (Randy Couture) blames him for his daughter vanishing. But, it isn’t before long that Martin comes to a startling revelation: it was aliens who took Teri and his wife.

In a desperate attempt to understand why the extraterrestrials chose him and his family, Martin teams up with Jo (Denise Richards) and Bowie’s former partner Lance (Marek Vasut). Jo remembers that someone was taken and recalls what the strangers from space looked like. However, she can’t figure out who was taken from her. Now, Jo and Martin must outrun the deranged and determined Bowie and figure out what the aliens want.

Alpha Code isn’t the usual alien abduction story, and it is all the better for it. The film isn’t focused on the abductions but on how the aftermath affects Martin, Jo, and the others. Friedrich and Waxman have written strong and engaging characters whose motivations always make sense. Aside from Bowie, audiences root for everyone and are on the edge of their seat to see how their respective arcs conclude.

“… Martin comes to a startling revelation: it was aliens who took Teri and his wife .”

To that end, the finale of the film works beautifully. Without spoiling things, the final 15 or 20 minutes are perfect and make total sense with everything that came before. While one of the revelations is easy to call, the ever-important “why” will pull at one’s heartstrings. It’s stunning how fantastic the ending is.

Though not everything with Alpha Code works as swimmingly. Agent Bowie’s real motivations are left intentionally murky until the film is almost over. This makes the main antagonist a bit boring for a lot of the runtime, but that changes a bit by the end. A rewatch might make this a non-issue, but upon first viewing, Bowie is bland, especially compared to the other three-dimensional characters who populate the script.

Foster plays Martin with the right amount of confusion, frustration, and determination. The scene where he first meets Jo in person is excellently played. Richards is quite good, underplaying some of the bigger moments to help them feel more realistic and grounded. Despite Bowie being a dullard, Couture is a menacing presence, and his big build is put to good use throughout.

Waxman put in a lot of action beats, each one exhilarating, but that means a good amount of special effects, both practical and CGI. Visual effects producer Viktor Adamec (who also did the excellent sound design) and pyrotechnician Miroslav Miclik prove up to the challenge provided by Alpha Code . Some of the effects are subtle but work to slightly distort the image, indicative of the strange things befalling the leads. The pyrotechnics look incredible, being lovingly captured by Martin Stepánek’s sumptuous cinematography.

Alpha Code is a wonderful surprise. Waxman and Friedrich have crafted a sharply written plot starring interesting lead characters. While the main antagonist is comparatively humdrum, even he gets his due once the flawless third act begins. Then when factoring in the stellar cast, one is left with an original, heartfelt genre picture that true cinema aficionados would do well to seek out as soon as possible.

Alpha Code  is a 2023 Award This! Indie Sci-Fi nominee.

Alpha Code (2022)

Directed: Keoni Waxman

Written: Keoni Waxman, Milan Friedrich

Starring: Bren Foster, Denise Richards, Randy Couture, Marek Vasut, Sabina Rojková, etc.

Movie score: 9.5/10

"…an original, heartfelt genre picture..."

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The Da Vinci Code (2006)

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