Wondertrash®

movie goers brace themselves, as a mighty marketing campaign is unleashed in the form of girl power and pink cocktails

Tickets for Sex and the City have been sold out here in Toronto for the next 2 days. It's been hyped as the flick that chicks have to see, and been very cunningly marketed as well. For instance talk radio has been abuzz over the past week with male hosts lamenting that they really don't want to see this, but will probably have to. Their women will make them go. Now that appeal to the power play, and the forced sissification angle is practically irresistible. The talk on Monday won't be "Did you like it?" or "Was it any good?". Word is already that the film isn't as good as the series (A black eye maybe for all those cinemaphile snobs who think that even bad movies are better than good TV. Well, there goes the 'art form'.). The talk will be most likely be "Did you make him go see it with you?" That sort of school girlish mischief appeals to the show's many fans.

Not only that but there has been some interesting 'protest hype'. Some locals here in Toronto - mostly of the male persuasion - have started a group to "save the cocktail". They have a bee in their bonnets about the 'pink colored girlie drinks' that the show has popularized. They feel that this somehow puts the traditional cocktail under threat - as an endangered species. So they have banded together in an attempt to raise awareness. CFRB AM's afternoon host John Moore laments that this has trivialized the protest as a form of political activity. Being less politically aware than the always articulate and erudite Mr Moore, but maybe more cynical, I couldn't help noticing the genius of the marketing ploy. Now they're not only selling liquor, but the movie as well; as the two play off of each other.

One thing you can say about the build up to this the mother of all chick flicks is that it has been slick. I had almost expected something like "Take her to see this and you know you'll get some", aimed at men and in the vein of the jewelry commercials. That would've been too crude. Besides, women might have been deterred, if they thought that they would owe their men sex in exchange for seeing it. That wouldn't exactly be girl power. Besides, you have to be careful not to upset the delicate power dynamic of sexual relationships, when marketing something like this!

more difficult to get together than the cast of Star Trek

Oddly, the movie almost didn't happen. Though it had a strong following among young, white, middle class, urban women - and those who wanted to be - the producers had some trouble getting the stars back together. There were rumors of ugly feuds and petty grudges, not to mention the usual salary disputes. Sarah Jessica Parker got the lioness share in paychecks, but Kim Catrell figured she was worth at least as much, since her character was more popular. I would've thought that they'd have jumped at the chance, since this might've been the last tango in Paris, so to speak, for those four old nags. Still it's not about being reasonable; it's about ego, and money is a way of keeping score!

Reputedly the film is already a success, and the only question is will it oust Indiana Jones from the top box office spot. Once again the 'testosterone vs estrogen' battle of the sexes theme is played up as a marketing device. If only enough women can rally together to support this, dragging their hapless, hen pecked mates along in their wake, we might have another blockbuster on our hands. Should that happen, we can expect at least 2 more sequels; the 3 picture 'franchise' deal having become standard for any successful film (So the studio had better stock up a reserve supply of botox!). The stars will become more demanding, maybe unbearable in their demands for a piece of the action. This is their last grasp at glory - and so they owe it to themselves to become insufferable. Maybe the producers will wish that they'd replaced one or more of the principal players "Three's Company" style, back when the production was still a low market cable TV affair. On a slightly less depressing note, we might see the return of Mr Sarah Jessica Parker, aka Matthew Broderick, perhaps in some super hero outing! It might even be hoped that the fuss and hoopla will deter some in high places from the inevitable "Desperate Housewives" movie, that know doubt will be discussed in wake of SATC's success. There have always been comparisons (Some have even attributed the show's early popularity to "Sex and the City" withdrawal!). Then again, it's not about being reasonable. It's show business!

Wondertrash Bogus Zen:

Man is his own worst enemy, unless he can find someone else to fight with!

When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise; so remember to forget. The Chinese call meditation sitting and forgetting.

Well, I'm back to my reading, The Idiot's Guide to Cleverness. Along with Cleverness for Dummies, it's the blogger's Bible!