FACT : No Dogma trailer was shown along with Miramax’s other clips at ShoWest. This is also true. However, this does not necessarily mean that Miramax was at all disappointed in the film or how it looks. What we do know is that Kevin & Scott cut together a trailer that many of you had the chance to catch at the Stash Bash a few weeks ago. This trailer was done on an AVID system, then transferred to VHS. Kev himself mentioned a few times throughout the day that, while this trailer was close to the final version that would hit theaters, it needed some cleaning up and would look a lot better on film. Plus, in our opinion, there’s still a few shots in that trailer that may need to be edited down a bit (a few surprises, cuts, and profanity that will be trimmed for general audience consumption). Our opinion is that Miramax just wasn’t ready to let the cat out of the bag yet on this one. It’ll make the buzz even bigger when Dogma takes Cannes by storm in May.

MYTH : Miramax and all the execs aren’t interested in the film and have lost faith and interest in the film. This is just total BS. Anyone who says this is completely talking out of their ass, for lack of a better expression. All we’ve heard is that all who’ve seen the film, including the big guys, have been VERY pleased with what they’ve seen. This is Miramax’s gem for 1999. Don’t expect it to go away.

MYTH : Miramax is afraid of marketing Dogma and the backlash that will follow. HA! Miramax THRIVES on free publicity, and that’s just what Dogma’s gonna get. Those of you who read this website know that, for a movie that’s still quite a few months away from release, publicity for this sucker is already INCREDIBLE, even WITHOUT a trailer in theaters! This is very rare and a great honor for a film. Expect Miramax to sit back and enjoy the whispering now, and then the roars of both anticipation (from eager fans) and horror (from angry Catholics) as the film approaches release. And then, you can bet the ‘Max publicity machine will be in full swing…At least, as much as it needs to be.

TO CLOSE : In our opinion: Don’t fret. While Dogma certainly is NOT going through the traditional steps before a flick gets released, everything’s falling into place. With the score in full swing and digital effects being worked on daily, this flick’s gonna be in great shape in no time. Expect Miramax to submit Dogma to Cannes for its first public unveiling this May. Like Pulp Fiction a few years back, this film’s just gonna blow audiences away, since it really is different than anything you’ve seen before. Expect a similar track to that famous Tarantino flick (Which took top honors at Cannes that year, as many of you know) for Dogma. Once the festival’s over, Dogma will be the main topic of discussion at all those executive’s meetings, and, you can bet, right on top of that 1999 Miramax release schedule.