Sex Sells, Only if it's Silly

Kinsey Film Poster, originally uploaded by haileydai.

I found this really interesting story on CNN today. Turns out that sex doesn't sell a movie the way we think it does. Apparently, sex can be funny or silly or suspenseful in a movie, but if a movie features adults in intimate and explicit scenes, a lot of moviegoers will shy away and no money will be made.

The story discusses the box-office failures of movies like Eyes Wide Shut, Inside Deep Throat, Brown Bunny, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Kinsey and Closer. Despite the lure of A-list actors, media buzz, amazing reviews and explicit sex, seems most people would rather see movies like these (if at all) in the comfort of their own homes. (I must be the exception to the rule — I saw most of these movies in the theatre. The only one of that bunch that I haven't seen is Brown Bunny. Why, do you ask? Because I really have little to no desire to see Vincent Gallo get head from anyone, let alone Chlöe Sevigny, which is the only thing I have ever heard about this film.)

This story doesn't bode well for the much anticipated and luke-warmly reviewed (thus far) 9 Songs. I've heard it said that the film is sex for sex's sake and that it actually has no substance, except for a bunch of live concert footage from bands like The Dandy Warhols and Franz Ferdinand.

Hey, wait a sec — I thought it was supposed to be a bad movie. Sounds mighty good to me.