So the theatrical trailer is attached to ‘Scary Movie 2′. If you have very little to do this weekend, give it a look-see. It contains more footage than I was comfortable with putting into the ‘net-only trailers, but the ‘net-only trailers weren’t really the marketing devices this trailer’s meant to be. I mean, we’re kind of preaching to the choir with those spots, as you folks are going to see the flick anyway. Secure in that knowledge, I could highlight inside jokes and forego any sense of narrative, and it would still play. Essentially, I was making those for “us”.

The theatrical trailer’s a different beast altogether. They test the hell out of these things (yes – even trailers get tested), trying to maximize the impact of what’s essentially a commercial for the flick.

The bad news is – like I said – there’s footage in there that I’d’ve rather not got out just yet.

The good news, however, is that the trailer tested through the roof.

Believe me – no one was more surprised than your truly when the Dimension folks related (wide-eyed) that when they tested the spot three separate times, each time it scored well, well above average in all quadrants but one (women over thirty five; AKA – my mom; in that category it played merely one point below average). Apparently, for a mainstream audience, this trailer works and works stunningly well.

But you know me: I’m incredulous as all hell.

So here’s where you come in.

I know many of you are going to check out ‘SM2′ tonight, either for the flick itself or just for the trailer. Either way, I’d appreciate it if you let me know how the audience reacted to the promo. Nothing too detailed, mind you; just something along the lines of “It played like mad,” or “It played like shit.”

I’ll be hitting a few theaters myself tonight and all weekend, to see how the trailer plays, and I’ll let you know what I heard/learned on Monday.

In other news…

Spent most of last week doing the junket for the flick, with Jay, Ali, Eliza, Mark, Shannon, Lee, and Jen. Here’s the eye-opener…

When I was writing this flick, I felt I might be sacrificing the critical reaction for the fan reaction. I thought it was a fair trade-off to make, as I was more concerned with putting together a flick you guys would get off on than making a film the critics jizzed over (although with a three out of four record – ‘Clerks’, ‘Amy’ and ‘Dogma’ – I won’t lie; it was a tough decision; when it comes to critical jizz, I’m into the facials; toss me them pearl necklaces, I say). I guess I’d assumed a while ago that critics and the press weren’t going to dig on this movie like they dug on three of our four others flicks, because this flick was closer in tone to the one they DIDN’T like (poor l’il ‘Rats’).

The shocker is that with the exception of maybe three single hold-outs, all 200 plus of the print/radio/and TV media folks at the junket dug the flick. And I mean DUG it. Same was true out of the NY press screenings – the press really loved the movie.

I’m flabbergasted.

I’m sitting on a pile of wonderful reactions (for the curious: the Miramax/Dimension publicity folks always secure the opinion of any press-type that attends the press screenings within a day or two, write it all down, and pass it to us; these are called “reactions”). And while that’s great for pulling quotes for print and TV ads and whatnot, what I REALLY dig about those reactions is that everyone is feeling the love.

Before you write me off as a total ‘mo, let me explain.

We had such a great time making the flick; it was like a daily party. Hell, it was like a non-stop, non-sexual orgy (well, except for me and Jen; we fucked each other a lot). I can’t impart the amount of good will that this production encountered and generated, so positive was the whole affair. And to see that translate for the audience (press and non-press alike) is incredibly satisfying. I’ve never had a better movie-making experience, and the audience seems to agree – so ear-to-ear smiles are they.

I tell ya’, I’m really grateful for the whole affair. It’s a sweet note to go out on.

So thanks to all the press who’ve seen the flick thus far, and have said such wonderful things about it. But extra thanks to the non-press who’ve done the same – because I made this flick for you…

And me, really.

Well, CHIEFLY me, actually.