A Closer Look at Diablo Cody's 'Body'
Filed under: Comedy, Horror, RumorMonger, Fandom, Scripts
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It's no secret that screenwriter (and probable Oscar nominee) Diablo Cody is a horror nut -- she told me last month that her career ambition is to become a horror movie director -- and we'll know soon enough if she has the chops for that. A source for Latino Review has sent in a detailed script review of Jennifer's Body, the next Diablo project that's ramping up for a March start. Megan Fox of Transformers fame will be the star, and it was recently announced that Girlfight director Karyn Kusama is helming. (I'm surprised Cody didn't take advantage of her huge exposure to demand the director's chair -- if Tarantino could force that transition, she certainly can.) Anyway, for those of you who prefer not to know anything about a movie before it's even filmed, consider the rest of this post a spoiler warning and avert your eyes from what lies beneath!
According to the scooper, the film will largely focus on the relationship between the titular Jennifer, a high-school sex bomb and all around homecoming queen type who is also possessed by satanic forces -- there's a real 80s vibe, apparently -- and her best friend, called Needy. Needy slowly starts to realize that something is seriously wrong with Jennifer, since the boys she goes out with don't come back. But enough about the story -- what's the critique? According to the source, the script is an "oddly-paced, slightly incoherent horror comedy. This is trying too hard to be some genre-smashing cult hit like Donnie Darko..." The reviewer mentions that there is plenty of R-rated gore, but says the whole thing plays more like "an ambitious writing sample than an actual roadmap to a decent film. While Juno had the heart and wide appeal to meet a mass audience, Jennifer's Body does not -- and on top of that, it lacks a well-paced plot and consistent tone." I guess we'll see.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-05-2008 @ 4:23AM
Babs said...
Don;t know Jennifer or her body, just want them to shut out the giant spotlight that is illuminating my private space due to the filming of this supposed horrific nightmare.
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1-09-2008 @ 10:30AM
Robin said...
As one of the biggest fans of Juno, let me be the first to say that I could not care less about Cody's next film. While Juno was great, it was borderline "too quirky" where she just threw every line she ever thought of into it so she comes off as intelligent and witty. I am sure the rest of her films will be all about sex and stripping and selling yourself for money.
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1-09-2008 @ 10:33AM
mr.R said...
The name itself is cheesy and dull, the tattoos and the stripper past is dejá ten times over. Why is everyone so excited about this person? How many masterpieces has she made?, Juno? I don't think so, fun movie but hardly a timeless classic. Four years from now, no one will remember, there will be no major web page fan circle, not even quotable at parties. So really people, Diablo Cody? Do you seriously think this is going anywhere? It´s all hype and magazine sells. Pretty annoying.
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1-09-2008 @ 11:29AM
Sam said...
I could care less about Cody, but having loved Girlfight and enjoyed Aeon Flux (yeah, I'm one of the 17 people who did), I'm excited to see Kusama's next film.
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1-09-2008 @ 3:11PM
RustyStardust said...
first off, let me correct the article. tarantino is not a good example of diablo cody's ambitions. he never made the 'transition'. his first produced film was one that he wrote AND directed, resevoir dogs. so he didn't have to force anything. i like diablo cody, a lot. and, you could compare tarantino and cody's writing styles. they both write smart dialogue for smart people. and, let me say, i was not looking forward to juno. i hate most of those 'indie blockbusters' like little miss sunshine and the lot. but, when i actually saw it, i loved it. it's a very witty movie, and very human. while the first scene with rainn wilson is a little too 'witty', the rest of the film is sweet and solid and funny. the way the characters are handled is perfect. everyone in the film his an interior life. so, i am indeed looking forward to seeing the rest of cody's work. and, for the wet blankets on here crying that cody won't last, let me politely tell you to shove it. what film did you write? juno is a wonderful debut film for a writer, and i believe the film will be around for a long time. it's funny. it deals with teen pregnancy in a humane way that it's never been treated with before. it's got great characters. so, yes, the film will stand the test of time. and, i wish diablo cody nothing but success. and, honestly, what's the big deal about her being a stripper? i know a lot of smart women who put themselves through college by stripping. so, please, just shut yer muggs. or, go write a movie about yer feelings. just quite being whiny b*tches...
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