So, aside from the staggering, blistering cold this weekend, was the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, the movie. A film adaptation of a novel (that was originally a fanfic), it has been pretty universally panned by the Kink/BDSM community for its dangerous and unrealistic depiction of BDSM.

Having not read the book and not seen the movie, I cannot comment on the accuracy of what is depicted in the story. But it does seem to be that a lot of people – especially couples – find themselves exploring BDSM and their sexual lives more. This doesn’t seem like a bad thing. In fact, it this calls to mind another gripe to be levied at the cinema when it comes to unrealistic depictions: martial arts.

Belonging to a kung fu school, it is almost weekly that someone comes into the school with a concept of martial arts and fighting that is formed around television and films, especially (heaven help us) Jackie Chan movies. When people hear ‘kung fu’, that’s what the think of. And yet, real kung fu doesn’t look like that. Depending on the style, not even close.

Yet, the martial arts community doesn’t boycott Jackie Chan movies, or even denounce them. We embrace them for what they are: light-hearted fiction and film fantasy escapism.

Far be it for me to suggest a curse of action, as I am not a member of the BDSM community. Yet I would urge the more vocal opponents of this movie/book to let it spark interest where it can and clear up misconceptions when the opportunity presents itself.

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Katsucon as this past weekend, and it was an absolute blast. I want to thank everybody who came out to the panels and who picked up copies of Rhest for the Wicked. I don’t have any conventions slotted for a while. So I’m looking forward to working on some new projects to be ready this summer.

Stay posted!