Catholics 'Will Enjoy' Da Vinci Prequel: Howard

Da Vinci Code follow-up barrels its way through Dan Brown's brand of hokum

(NEWSER) - Da Vinci Code sequel Angels & Demons is a fast-paced improvement on its sluggish predecessor, say critics, although filmgoers without a high tolerance for hooey are advised to steer clear.

• Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: The "ticking-bomb thriller tightly wrapped in a papal plot and cinched with the ribbons of religion and science" could pass as CSI: Vatican City.

Howard, Hanks shut out of would-be shooting locations

(NEWSER) - The diocese of Rome is branching out into film criticism and banning a DaVinci Code prequel from shooting in two of the city's churches because the first movie was “harmful to religious feeling,” the ANSA news agency reports. Like the original, Angels & Demons is directed by Ron Howard from Dan Brown’s adaptation of his novel. More»

What will we still be talking about next decade? Britney, for one

(NEWSER) - The ‘00s were full of important contributions to culture, but which ones will we still be talking about in another decade? Here are some of New York ’s picks:

• TV: The Sopranos for inventing quality cable, American Idol for changing the music industry, and of course all things Oprah Winfrey.
• Books: The Da Vinci Code for singlehandedly sustaining the book industry, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay for blazing the trail of combining geek lit with high lit.

Priests told to get tough on sinners instead of providing counseling sessions

(NEWSER) - The Vatican plans a campaign to remind priests that the confessional isn't a psychiatrist's couch, the Guardian reports. A handbook will be issued to emphasize that sinners are in confession to be given penance, not counseling sessions. The number of Catholics going to confession has slumped in recent years and church officials believe getting tough might win back those who miss traditional practices. More»

(NEWSER) - Angels & Demons ascended to the box office heavens this weekend with a $48 million debut, Entertainment Weekly reports. That’s well behind The Da Vince Code’s $77.1 million opening in 2006, due in part to Star Trek’s strong second-weekend haul of $43 million. Wolverine came in third with $14.8 million, while sleeper hits Ghosts of Girlfriends Past ($6.9 million) and Obsessed ($4.6 million) rounded out the top five. More»