who ~KNOWS~ if this will be a success

A theater audience in Japan will be sniffing their noses -- literally -- at a new Hollywood adventure film when it opens here later this month.

A new service from major telecommunications company NTT Communications Corp. will synchronize seven different smells to parts of "The New World." A floral scent accompanies a love scene while a mix of peppermint, and rosemary is emitted during a tear-jerking scene.

The smells waft from special machines under the seats in the back rows of two movie theaters, which create different fragrances by controlling the mix of oils stored in the machines, company spokeswoman Akiko Suzaki said Wednesday.

How about all those olfactory-sensitive people, like my poor Auntie Chiang? If anyone wears perfume (except for Chanel #5, apparently), she suffers from allergic reactions. I cannot imagine watching a 'scented' movie...and why Japan, of all places? Most (not all, there are a few exceptions among my friends) Japanese people I know do not use perfume or cologne - it is too strong for them.