1st Jen's Body review! | Movie News

Hot off the heels of the first ever BENJAMIN BUTTON review , we've got another "first ever" review today - this time a look at the horror-comedy JENNIFER'S BODY. Starring Megan Fox with a script by JUNO Oscar-winner Diablo Cody. It was meant as an homage to films like EVIL DEAD but was it successful? "That Chilean Kid" caught a screening of the film (he was told they were the "first outside the studio" to see it) and shares with us his thoughts (some mild spoilers ahead).

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Okay so in my respective city they had screening for a movie and my friends got some tickets for it. It said "dark horror comedy with Megan Fox." Then it said "from JUNO writer Diablo Cody." Ugh, don't get me wrong, JUNO is good (not sure if it's Oscar-worthy or even nomination good) but JUNO in a dark comedy horror? The guy saw we were anxious but said "WAIT!!! Megan Fox is topless!!!" Well that sold my buddies. Nonetheless not only *SPOILER ALERT* did we not see her topless but the movie was indeed quite awful.

First the story is about two girls who have been glorious friends since they played in the sandbox and Jennifer (Megan Fox) is the preppy school cheerleader who all the girls wants to be and all the boys want.  Needy (Amanda Seyfried... the girl from MEAN GIRLS who coul tell the weather with her boobs) is the social outcast. Not to give away much but one night something bad happens and Jennifer becomes a monster thing that eats boys. And Needy becomes the hero who tries to stop her.

So far, nothing special.  The opening scene opens up with some light JUNO-ish music and for a split second I think that it's Juno narrating, what with quick quips and a sarcastic tone. Everything moves very much like JUNO and in fact most of the cast from JUNO is back. J.K. Simmons is back in a delightfully funny role as a teacher with a hook for a hands and the haircut of a crazy person. Juno's mother is back as another mother and even the Asian girl from outside the abortion clinic scene is back for just one scene again. Why you can even see Diablo Cody as a bartender if you look close.

Everything is moving until Fox comes back and is drenched in blood and everything switches gears to horror.  At first it is kind of interesting until Fox pukes up black goo or as Needy says "pure evil." I for one saw it as the fall point of the film. The entire audience took it in for a few minutes then just laughed their heads off at what was supposed to be a scary scene. From there Needy freaks out, Jennifer runs, and we switch into drama mode of Needy crying and freaking out. Then back at highschool its JUNO mode. And thats the film basically in a nutshell.

To describe it in one word? Schizophrenic. The film continuously switches gears and like a first time driver with stick shift, it happens to fast and the car dies (in this case the film falls flat).  Dark comedy? Yes there is a scene where J.K. Simmons thinks a youth screaming is just mourning and yes that was funny but that was just about the only scene where people laughed because it was meant to be funny.  This movie is one of those cases where we weren't laughing WITH you. We are laughing AT you.

The film's performances are pretty decent. Seyfried does as good as one could to hold up the film even though it's this bad. Megan wasn't horrifyingly bad but neither was she good. There was a scene where it's a real big close up of her kissing another chick (YES!!!!).  The men in the audience hooted and cheered even though it was completely random and the director put it in as a a kind of apology for not giving up the real goods (no Megan Fox boobage). Brody was a pretty quirky character as a indie singer just trying to make it in the real world but no real screen time to make it good enough. His lip syncing was dreadful as well.

So if I had to give it a rating, I'd say a 3 out of 10 .
 
PS - The ARMY OF DARKNESS and EVIL DEAD references? They just worked against the film because it just reminded me of what a dark, horror comedy is supposed to be. Not this.

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Where'd the Megan Fox topless scene go??  What a bummer.  I could deal with that if we were at least getting a decent movie in return but it's not sounding too good.  JENNIFER'S BODY opens in theaters in 2009.

Source: JoBlo.com

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18 discussions Expand all

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-1

NathanRomano
10:18PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Im sure

That by the time of release it will be a lot less choppy.

That by the time of release it will be a lot less choppy.

 

+0

Grand_Marquis
7:47PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Well hopefully this review will help the film for the better. They still got lots of time

Well hopefully this review will help the film for the better. They still got lots of time

 

-2

nickdoll
7:39PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Agree

Loved Juno. Think Megan Fox is super hot.

Still, read the script for this movie... It was HORRIBLE. That's right, Horrible in all caps.

Loved Juno. Think Megan Fox is super hot.

Still, read the script for this movie... It was HORRIBLE. That's right, Horrible in all caps.

 

+0

Legs4DaLame
6:40PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I am among the party that actually thought Juno was one of the worst movies of last year. Perhaps it was the solid hype that killed it off, but it just didn't work for me. It was an overblown episode of the Gilmore Girls, only, somehow, less funny.
Honest to blog, I did love Thank You for Smoking, so here's hoping that this bombs so badly that Jason Reitman stays far away from Ms Cody and her

I am among the party that actually thought Juno was one of the worst movies of last year. Perhaps it was the solid hype that killed it off, but it just didn't work for me. It was an overblown episode of the Gilmore Girls, only, somehow, less funny.
Honest to blog, I did love Thank You for Smoking, so here's hoping that this bombs so badly that Jason Reitman stays far away from Ms Cody and her hip-shit lingo from here on out.

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-1

Mark_Rumsfield
6:33PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Juno is definitely my favorite movie to ever be nominated for an academy award

I meant that comment and if you think differently, good for you, since that's one thing opinions are good for. Diversity and contrast. I honestly don't think much of the academy awards, so to me it doesn't seem like such a bold statement. Sure, sometimes they nominate good movies and performances, but it's not something that happens regularly in my opinion, and seldom if ever do the good

I meant that comment and if you think differently, good for you, since that's one thing opinions are good for. Diversity and contrast. I honestly don't think much of the academy awards, so to me it doesn't seem like such a bold statement. Sure, sometimes they nominate good movies and performances, but it's not something that happens regularly in my opinion, and seldom if ever do the good nominees win.

The Independent Spirit Awards are more up my alley, since Juno and Ellen Page won at that awards show. And that other time Catalina Sandino Moreno won best actress for Maria Full of Grace. Yeah, I think she was way better than Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, but not according to the oscar voters.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm more excited for the next Ellen Page films than the next Diablo Cody films. And while I loved the script for Juno, the main thing that made it so phenomenal to me was Ellen Page's performance.

And I would still take Hard Candy any day over Juno, since it was an even better movie and an even better character for Ellen Page.

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-2

AlteredEffect
4:58PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Well ladies and gents. Thats why the studios have screenings. This film Could very well change by the time we see it. And it could very well be bad direction rather than bad writing. All will tell in time.

Well ladies and gents. Thats why the studios have screenings. This film Could very well change by the time we see it. And it could very well be bad direction rather than bad writing. All will tell in time.

 

+1

Cahoot
4:55PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I'm a little surprised about all the hate Juno is receiving here, but at the same time I'm hoping that Mark_Rumsfield's comment about Juno being the best academy award winning movie is just poorly executed sarcasm.

This movie however (and I'm barely taking into account this review) looks horrible.

Megan Fox can't carry a movie, and I doubt Diablo Cody will ever write a script that is on

I'm a little surprised about all the hate Juno is receiving here, but at the same time I'm hoping that Mark_Rumsfield's comment about Juno being the best academy award winning movie is just poorly executed sarcasm.

This movie however (and I'm barely taking into account this review) looks horrible.

Megan Fox can't carry a movie, and I doubt Diablo Cody will ever write a script that is on par with Juno ever again. Also, Horror/comedy has to be one of the hardest genres to write in.

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-1

justinpdrew
4:28PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Hmm. I liked Juno, didn't think it was as flawless as some people said but I also didn't think it was shit either. I can't believe how divisive that movie is: truly a love-it or hate-it movie. I thought Knocked Up dealt with the subjects of pregnancy and true love much better, and was funnier if way more raunchy. Juno was overrated, but at the same time, underrated.

As for this movie, this

Hmm. I liked Juno, didn't think it was as flawless as some people said but I also didn't think it was shit either. I can't believe how divisive that movie is: truly a love-it or hate-it movie. I thought Knocked Up dealt with the subjects of pregnancy and true love much better, and was funnier if way more raunchy. Juno was overrated, but at the same time, underrated.

As for this movie, this will be the movie that makes or breaks Diablo Cody. If it flops, it might be the Heaven's Gate to Juno's Deer Hunter.

Or, it might do well, based on Juno's hyper teen fanbase + chick from Transformers + audiences like horror, despite its shittiness. In that case, she might have an M. Night Shyamalan-style career where people realize slowly after every poor movie she makes that she isn't a great screenwriter, just one with a decent script and a controversial topic that captured people's attention.

Either way, I see her falling from grace in the critics' and audiences' eyes before she has another solid, all-around, Juno-sized hit.

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-1

BlakeRom
3:59PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

"Juno is the absolute BEST movie to ever be nominated for an academy award."

wow.

"Juno is the absolute BEST movie to ever be nominated for an academy award."

wow.

 

+1

spaulding325
3:54PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Zeon, I agree to an end. I love Megan Fox as much as the next guy, but if people are actually not going to see a movie because she's not naked, there's something seriously wrong.

However, I saw Juno twice, just because after the first time I feared I had been jaded by all the hype, and you know what? It just wasn't a good movie. sugarontop mentioned that they treated teen pregnancy really

Zeon, I agree to an end. I love Megan Fox as much as the next guy, but if people are actually not going to see a movie because she's not naked, there's something seriously wrong.

However, I saw Juno twice, just because after the first time I feared I had been jaded by all the hype, and you know what? It just wasn't a good movie. sugarontop mentioned that they treated teen pregnancy really lightly, and that's true; I've had friends who were pregnant at sixteen who HATED that movie because of how casually they went about it. Also, I don't care if it's just a movie, there's no excuse for characters talking in one-liners. That's just bad writing.

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+0

Zeon636
3:40PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Hahaha CALLED IT

I knew nobody would be interested in this movie after the reviews came out..

also what is with all the randomly deprived people who hate (seriously wtf?!) Juno.
The general sentiment I'm getting from replies to this post is:
"Where am boobies? Me am sad. ME HAAATE JUNO!"

I knew nobody would be interested in this movie after the reviews came out..

also what is with all the randomly deprived people who hate (seriously wtf?!) Juno.
The general sentiment I'm getting from replies to this post is:
"Where am boobies? Me am sad. ME HAAATE JUNO!"

 

+0

Ratlehed
3:33PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Transformers???

Megan Fox was in the very mediocre Transformers movie. Her name is almost as big as the title on the poster. Do they expect her name to sell this flick??? I didnt even know who she was until I googled her.

Megan Fox was in the very mediocre Transformers movie. Her name is almost as big as the title on the poster. Do they expect her name to sell this flick??? I didnt even know who she was until I googled her.

 

+0

sugarontop
3:22PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

No big surprise here

Juno was ridiculous in all ways; I wanted to love it, as it had so many supporters, but I laughed, and it was not because of the jokes.

Way to go on and portray teen pregnancy as an okay thing that never causes severe problems! woo! Way to create a teenager who is so "hip" she's square (not to mention she doesn't reflect any reality of teen life).

So not surprised that this film, Cody's

Juno was ridiculous in all ways; I wanted to love it, as it had so many supporters, but I laughed, and it was not because of the jokes.

Way to go on and portray teen pregnancy as an okay thing that never causes severe problems! woo! Way to create a teenager who is so "hip" she's square (not to mention she doesn't reflect any reality of teen life).

So not surprised that this film, Cody's sophomore effort, also stinks.

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BarryShaft
3:11PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Clearly if a bunch of photos leaked onto the net with Megan Fox wearing pasties over her nipples there's not going to be a topless scene guys... Did you think they were just going to CGI them in later?

Pretty bad review, not sure how it bodes for the film but it sounds like a continuation of the Juno hate that's become rampant since the film became popular (Coming soon from the same folks: The

Clearly if a bunch of photos leaked onto the net with Megan Fox wearing pasties over her nipples there's not going to be a topless scene guys... Did you think they were just going to CGI them in later?

Pretty bad review, not sure how it bodes for the film but it sounds like a continuation of the Juno hate that's become rampant since the film became popular (Coming soon from the same folks: The Dark Knight was too serious!)

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+0

Mark_Rumsfield
2:34PM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Juno and Ellen Page's performance in Juno were excellent

In my opinion, Juno is the absolute BEST movie to ever be nominated for an academy award. It's not as good as Ellen Page's other movie, Hard Candy, but I still thought it was fantastic. I guess everyone has different tastes in movies, especially comedies, so I can understand if you didn't like it as much as me or not at all if that's the case. Personally, I LOVED it!

I'm looking forward to

In my opinion, Juno is the absolute BEST movie to ever be nominated for an academy award. It's not as good as Ellen Page's other movie, Hard Candy, but I still thought it was fantastic. I guess everyone has different tastes in movies, especially comedies, so I can understand if you didn't like it as much as me or not at all if that's the case. Personally, I LOVED it!

I'm looking forward to Jennifer's Body despite your negative review. Not expecting it to be as good as Juno, but I do think I might like it. And I like Megan Fox, so it will be cool to see her in a starring role.

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+0

toes
11:23AM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Juno Did Suck

I was looking forward to it but when I saw it...I was really dissapointed. Ellen Page was good. But everything else sucked.

Oh and how the hell do you cut out a megan fox topless scene! That's like burning money.

I was looking forward to it but when I saw it...I was really dissapointed. Ellen Page was good. But everything else sucked.

Oh and how the hell do you cut out a megan fox topless scene! That's like burning money.

 

+0

Patrick
9:13AM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I HATED Juno so, so much...I hope this movie does horrible and makes people look back at Juno and wonder What the HELL?!!

I HATED Juno so, so much...I hope this movie does horrible and makes people look back at Juno and wonder What the HELL?!!

 

+0

NuclearMisfit
8:19AM on 08/08/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

No Nudy No Ticket

Nude scene cut? Seriously thats probably the only selling point for people who dont like Ms Codys movies. In the wise words of Mr ZombieVictim. FUCK JUNO!

Nude scene cut? Seriously thats probably the only selling point for people who dont like Ms Codys movies. In the wise words of Mr ZombieVictim. FUCK JUNO!