The involvement of writer-director Daniel Waters (Heathers) pretty much mitigates some of the feelings of queasy, not-so-hot execution that the trailer for Sex and Death 101 induces. The central idea itself also helps. A comedy starring Simon Baker as a successful guy who, on the eve of his marriage, receives a list with the names of everyone he ever has and ever will have sex with (a list that notably doesn’t end with the name of his wife-to-be), the movie — releasing in limited theatrical fashion on April 4, from Anchor Bay Entertainment — costars Winona Ryder as a mysterious temptress, named Death Nell, who becomes an urban folk hero when she targets men guilty of sex crimes against women.

A couple things: first, the female nudity in the movie (assuming it’s there) had best be limited to Sophie Monk, Leslie Bibb and/or other nameless costars, and not trumped-up outrageousness involving The Facts of Life‘s Mindy Cohn. Just sayin’. Second, is it just me or does Baker — who I really liked in the underrated Something New — seem to be subtly channeling John Travolta in his performance, at least cadence-wise? Overall, the trailer elicited some meh-type feelings, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. I should still catch this and have more soon. Also of note, and no small amusement, is some of the film trivia on this page from its web site. Perhaps my favorite tidbit: “Much of Death Nell’s wardrobe comes from Winona Ryder’s closet in the
form of vintage clothing from old Hollywood films, such as a Claudette
Colbert outfit from It Happened One Night.” Hmmm… yes, I wonder how Ryder got that outfit?