Is Frank Rich being sarcastic?

It is sometimes hard to tell with the NY Times columnist. He writes a weekly column that is usually a hate filled attack on Republicans and the Bush administration. I usually find it a chore to work through one of Rich's columns.

This week is no different. He begins his column titled 'The Rove Da Vinci Code' with this-

IF we're to believe the reviews, "The Da Vinci Code" is the most exciting summer
blockbuster since, well, "Poseidon." But the "Da Vinci Code" marketing strategy is a masterpiece: a perfect Hollywood metaphor for the American political culture of our day.

Posideon was a big bomb with the critics. How is The Da Vinci Code doing with them? I decided to check some of the Florida newspapers.

Miami Herald- The secret's out, and it's a major disappointment
Sun Sentinel- Da Vinci Code in a nutshell: Zzzzzzzz… Rated one star
Palm Beach Post- The verdict: A worthy, but unremarkable rendering of Brown's hugely successful, controversial religious thriller Rated B
Orlando Sentinel- 'Code' is more run-of-the-mill than thrill-a-minute two stars out of 5(poor)
Tampa Tribune- Rating: C+ 'Da Vinci' Is No Masterpiece
St Petersburg Times- Opus Dull

The reviews can be at best labeled fair. Other news reports have critics at Variety, The Boston Globe and ones who attended a screening in Cannes calling the movie luke warm or worse.

Rich got his start as a arts critic. He is actually quite good at theatre and drama criticism. I'm guessing he was just being sarcastic. I've noted before that NY area humor can go over my head despite my being born on Long Island. What do you think about Rich?

Note- I haven't read The Da Vinci Code nor plan to see the movie while its in the theatres. However I may watch it when it comes to video.

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