I agree with the OP and another in this thread.

I think there should be a way to turn it off, but I also think it's a great effect used in certain scenes. While I'm not sure if it's the same I think it's an attempt to give a sort of cinematic feel. I remember a particularly touching scene in Minority Report where I thought, "Whoa that's bright as hell, but cool as f**." Unfortunately the movie is saturated with it so much it's like you're staring directly into the sun for most of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2bmImPNKbM