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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 20, 2006 Whether it was rain or some other reason that kept fans away on opening day, those who watched �The Da Vinci Code� had plenty of room to stretch out with ample available seating at Tinseltown in Medford early Friday. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Veni, vidi, 'Da Vinci' By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Despite three years of controversy surrounding "The Da Vinci Code," the movie opened quietly Friday afternoon at Medford's Tinseltown theater. Virtually no lines and plenty of seating greeted fans of Dan Brown's 2003 best-seller and moviegoers just looking to enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour film version. A pre-trailer advertisement for a Medford church inviting viewers to "Come discover the truth" offered the only hint of the controversy from Brown's novel, based on the premise that Jesus and Mary Magdalene founded a bloodline. Moviegoer Brian Lewis said he didn't expect a backlash by local Christians to emerge at the theater. "It's smoke and mirrors," the 66-year-old Phoenix resident said. "It's a created controversy." Indeed the most obvious debate among "Da Vinci" fans Friday was whether Tom Hanks was an appropriate casting choice for the role of Robert Langdon, the Harvard professor who helps Sophie Neveu played by Audrey Tautou uncover the secret guarded for centuries by the mysterious Priory of Sion. But Friday's audience — for whom there were probably few surprises — laughed, gasped, bit their nails and lauded the film for satisfyingly following the book. "I was afraid they would put too much Hollywood in it," said Gene Wilkinson, 56, of Medford. "I would have been a little disappointed in that." More than just an entertaining way to spend the afternoon, the movie, Wilkinson said, shores up the direction in which he's been leaning for a long time, as far as religion is concerned. "I just get a real thrill out of organized religion condemning it," he said. An avid disciple of all things relating to "Da Vinci's" religious conspiracy, Deborah McCarthy, 46, of Ashland, said she was literally jumping in anticipation of being among the first viewers. "I thought it was incredible," McCarthy said. "The truths that came out were so beautifully done. I hope it starts a whole spiritual revolution in our community." Although many reviewers have panned the film version, some on Friday said they planned to see it again. "We didn't have real high expectations," Lewis said. "It was excellent." The movie version even convinced a few, like Lewis' 19-year-old daughter, Kara, and 18-year-old Brandon Clover, of Ashland, to pick up the book. But, 18-year-old Sarah Thompson, of Ashland, probably would say that after seeing Howard's film version, her peers may be in for an anitclimactic read. "It kind of sounded like it had been written to be a movie." Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy