The 2.5 print edition of the N.Y. Times includes a story by Brooks Barnes about how Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry‘s enthusiastic support led to Lionsgate shelling out $5.5 million for Lee Daniels‘ Push — a reportedly strong but depressing drama that may play well among black audiences but probably hasn’t a prayer elsewhere.

“One veteran studio marketer, who would speak only anonymously because he has ties to Lionsgate, said he saw almost no hope in selling it to a broad audience,” Barnes writes.

I could say something but I should see the film first. I didn’t want to see it at Sundance because (a) I don’t trust Lee Daniels and (b) I didn’t feel particularly enthused about immersing myself in the sadness of a morbidly obese African-American girl who’s carrying her father’s child for the second time and has self-esteem issues that would bring down an African bull elephant.

What’s wrong with me? Why didn’t I take the plunge? Apart from the fact that I’m not as deep and open to new realms as critics like John Anderson and Scott Foundas? I don’t know but I feel vaguely guilty about this. Emphasis on vaguely.