So I just finished watching the new and highly anticipated trailer for the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I can’t say I’m that stoked about it. The book was different from most bestsellers out there but it wasn’t exactly a showcase of really good writing. This may sound like a bash on the book and the movie but I’m calling it like it is. Yes, I read the series and being someone who was unfamiliar with the BDSM scene, I was all “Oohs” and “Ahhs” with this book despite the main character repeatedly calling her vagina a “there”.
When I read the Fifty Shades of Grey series, I had to read it at home or have an extra layer of foundation makeup applied to my face so people wouldn’t see me constantly blush in public!
Fifty Shades of Grey will be coming to theaters on Valentine’s Day (apparently February 13th now …). People will watch the movie and either leave all hot and bothered and look for some action or (most of the general public) will walk away disgusted and confused. Kinksters who manage to talk themselves into watching this movie next year will be silently cursing the movie the whole time while thinking, ‘You’re doing it wrong! This is going to ruin it for the BDSM community!’ because it probably will. We already know what most curious couples will be doing that night after the movie.
Speaking of the BDSM lifestyle, has anyone noticed how many Christian Greys have popped up since the book was published? You have people on forums and even Craigslist ads claiming to want a BDSM relationship because they’ve read this book. It’s perfectly fine as long as you learn about what you’re getting into and have a genuine interest. A good number of people have been interested in the lifestyle before Fifty Shades of Grey and never knew what that urge and tendency was called until they read the book. Those people will most likely begin to reach out to others in the BDSM community, make friends, and have loads of fun at munches and parties. What concerns me are the whack jobs and abusive people looking to hurt someone without considering the other person’s wants, needs, or limits. These people just read the book and have this idea that BDSM is ‘I’m going to make them sign a contract, pick up some whips from a sex toy store, and I’m going to find someone to beat the crap out of. They’re going to start calling me Sir/Madam/Mistress right away’ or ‘I’m going to find someone just like Christian Grey’.
After watching the trailer, I wasn’t impressed with the actor portraying Christian Grey. The last thing we need is another Robert Pattinson/Kristen Stewart (lack of) on-screen chemistry. I understand that the full feature will (hopefully) flesh out the characters but there is no guarantee that it will happen. They are working with Universal and particularly Focus Features (Pride and Prejudice, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Hot Fuzz, and Brokeback Mountain) so that is slightly more reassuring.
I am currently researching Atlanta’s nightlife scene, and the BDSM community/lifestyle is one (HUGE) article that I hope to finish later this year. It is only one part of a three-part series so stay in touch and be on the lookout for them!
I hope you enjoyed this article and we’ll keep our fingers crossed that this movie will be a good one.
And finally, the trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey:
Napalm Kitty 