BuzzSugar

Jennifer's Body: Half-Baked High School Horror

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:35:22 -0700

The first thing you should know about Jennifer's Body is that this movie is not terrifying. Yes, there's a bit of gore and a few cringe-worthy moments (like when Jennifer smiles through a mouthful of blood), but the scariest parts are given away in the trailer. It's more of a high school comedy than a slasher flick, and you can see the transitions from funny to freaky coming a mile away.

The second thing you should know is that this movie is not Juno. Though the two films penned by Diablo Cody fall into different genres, I was still hoping for some of the same magic from her award-winning little movie. Instead, certain elements - like the invented teenage slang - didn't bother me in Juno but really annoyed me in Jennifer's Body.

The movie's not all bad though, so to read more of my thoughts, just read more.

Cody sets the scene in Devil's Kettle, a small town that rarely sees a scandal worthy of its name. As Jennifer, Megan Fox is that girl we all knew in high school - gorgeous, but not unrealistic. Bitchy, but not made of stone. Like Mean Girls' Regina George, every girl wants to be friends with Jennifer, though her nerdy BFF Needy (Amanda Seyfried) gets most of her attention. Jennifer and her cropped hoodies are the object of desire of most of the guys at school, and even Needy is kinda obsessed with her in a sexual way.

When a night out goes horribly wrong, Needy loses track of Jennifer and when they reunite, nothing is the same. Needy quickly learns that Jennifer has been possessed, but her boyfriend and the rest of the community are too distracted by a local tragedy to hear Needy's story. She's constantly struggling to make sense of Jennifer's newly evil ways, though at the same time she's still mesmerized by Jennifer's charms just like everyone else.

Though Cody gets certain aspects of high school down cold, there are other parts that drove me crazy. The movie has some very funny moments, and I found myself laughing along with the audience a lot more than I had expected. The bad news is that a lot of the humor just feels so forced. We get it: Megan Fox is hot and it's funny to exploit her sex appeal. Does that mean it should be shoved down our throats? Some things are better left unsaid.

The central focus of the movie is Megan/Jennifer and her body (speaking of nonsubtleties) and her relationship with Needy. Amanda Seyfried is fun to watch once again, providing layers and depth to a character surrounded by shallow plot lines. As the only person who is onto Jennifer's secret, we watch as Needy goes from average teenage girl to terrified best friend, torn between honoring her friendship and saving her town from evil.

Surprisingly, the best characters in the movie are the guys. I've unabashedly had a crush on Adam Brody since his Seth Cohen days and loved seeing him back on the big screen. Brody plays the stereotypical, guy-liner wearing lead singer of a band, but with an evil streak. Despite some truly disturbing antics, he and his band have some of the funniest moments in the film. I also really liked Johnny Simmons as Needy's boyfriend Chase, and Kyle Gallner as one of the students who has his eye on Jennifer. After seeing so many movies centered around misogynistic high school boys, it's refreshing to see the roles reversed for a change as Jennifer is the one preying on the unsuspecting, innocent guys.

The bottom line: this isn't the worst move you'll ever see, but don't expect greatness. If you're interested enough to shell out $13 bucks for a ticket, you probably won't be disappointed - but I don't think you'll regret waiting for the DVD either.

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Fox

DVD Review: Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates II

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:00:13 -0800

If Pilates has become your new obsession, you might want to add this intermediate mat workout to your fitness DVD library. Combined with New Body! Pilates, the Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates II DVD will give you a great introduction to the fundamentals and favorite exercises of Pilates practice. The video features the expert Kries explaining the moves as they are demonstrated by her sidekick Kim, so it feels like you're sitting in on a private Pilates lesson or taking one of your own.

Though New Body Pilates II builds on the basics taught in part one, you'll still enjoy the sequel if you haven't seen the first one, as long as you have some basic Pilates knowledge. For all the details, read more.

This 35-minute workout features classic Pilates moves: the rollup, the saw, and several variations on the plank. As Kries explains, the more focused you are, the fewer reps you need to do. On most moves, she guides you through about eight reps, though in some cases, she suggests you can do more if you have more time.

The slow-paced workout won't wear you out, but the moves get more and more challenging toward the end, so if it feels too easy at first, just wait a few minutes! If you've got some energy left, I also recommend the 10-minute arm-sculpting bonus workout at the end, which is best performed with one- or two-pound weights. I'll definitely be returning to this DVD in the new year.

Megan Has Adam, Amanda, and BAG to Premiere Her Body

PopSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:09:19 -0700

Megan Fox strutted down the red carpet in a lacy black dress for the Jennifer's Body premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last night. The actress - who's never lacking in male companionship - told reporters what she looks for in a man, while her on again/off again boyfriend Brian Austin Green stood by. Amanda Seyfried looked lovely posing for photographers, while fellow costar Adam Brody chatted with lots of female fans. Leading lady Megan will continue her promotion for the flick when she takes the stage to host the premiere of SNL in two weeks.

For more pictures from the premiere of Jennifer's Body, just read more.

View 25 Photos ›

Images include: Megan Fox, Brian Austin Green, Adam Brody, Diablo Cody, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons

What Will You See This Weekend - The Informant!, Love Happens, or Jennifer's Body?

PopSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

It's a big weekend at the box office, with films coming our way from some of our favorite stars. Jennifer Aniston's Love Happens is coming out, as is Megan Fox's Jennifer's Body. Matt Damon plays a bumbling business man in The Informant!, which Buzz found to be pretty funny. So, tell us - which film will you see this weekend?

Megan's Body Steps Out With Adam, Amanda, and Diablo in LA

Molly — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:45:00 -0700

Megan Fox was front and center at last night's Hot Topic-themed premiere of Jennifer's Body in LA. Her costars Adam Brody and Amanda Seyfried also joined their writer/director Diablo Cody on the red carpet, as did the band Panic at the Disco. Megan was without Brian Austin Green, who she recently revealed she sometimes threatens to stab - though I'm thinking some guys might withstand the punishment for a chance with her. The movie hits theaters tomorrow, and while Buzz's review won't be out until the morning, my favorite part was seeing cutie Adam Brody back on the big screen even if his character is a bit twisted.

To see more of the cast just read more.

View 20 Photos ›

Jennifer's Body - See It or Skip It?

PopSugarUK — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:23:07 -0700

Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried star in writer Diablo Cody's new movie Jennifer's Body, about a very evil high school girl who devours boys. Adam Brody also makes an appearance in the movie - which looks pretty scary from the trailer - and comes out in the UK on November 6. Check it out and let me know what you think - will you see it or skip it?

Red Band Trailer For Jennifer's Body Hits the Web

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:47:55 -0700

Diablo Cody's next movie project after her award-winning Juno is Jennifer's Body, a "horror-comedy" starring Megan Fox as a hot demon girl with a thirst for murdering boys. The trailer will appear before screenings of Bruno this weekend, but the filmmakers were reportedly not too psyched about the theatrical trailer and have put a red-band trailer online for all to ogle.

In some ways, it's cool that this is a female-led horror movie, but then again, I have to wonder how much of a female audience this will attract. It's a horror movie centered around a young hot chick - and basically centered around the fact that she's hot (so she can more easily prey upon unsuspecting smitten boys). It is cute to see Adam Brody and Amanda Seyfried, but I am starting to feel a bit of Megan Fox fatigue these days. And aside from a line or two here or there, I don't see too much comedy in this "horror-comedy" but maybe the movie will offer up more gems when it opens Sept. 18. Click here to watch the age-restricted red-band trailer, and let me know what you think.

Source: IMDB

Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons Join Jennifer's Body

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:33:49 -0700

Former O.C. nerd-hunk Adam Brody and Juno's dad J.K. Simmons have joined the cast of Diablo Cody's horror-comedy Jennifer's Body. They round out a cast that already included Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. The Hollywood Reporter has more:

Cody's script centers on Jennifer (Fox), a cheerleader possessed by a demon who starts feeding off the boys in a Minnesota farming town. Her bookish best friend (Seyfried) must take drastic measures to protect the town.

Brody will play Nikolai, a hot lead singer of an up-and-coming rock band with a penchant for evil. Simmons will play Mr. Wroblewski, a high school science teacher.

Nice - I hope this means we get to watch Brody rock out onstage. I bet he'd be good at that. I'm so curious to see how Cody's follow-up project to Juno shapes up.

Source and source

Jennifer Love Hewitt Sets the Record Straight

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:45:00 -0800

The recently engaged Jennifer Love Hewitt is fighting back against media scrutiny over her weight during a celebratory trip to Hawaii with her fiancé. After some invasive pictures were strewn across the internet of Hewitt, she posted comments on her own blog striking back about how ridiculous it all is. She writes:

"I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image.

A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn't make you beautiful.

What I should be doing is celebrating some of the best days of my life and my engagement to the man of my dreams, instead of having to deal with photographers taking invasive pictures from bad angles. I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family. And like all women out there should, I love my body.

To all girls with butts, boobs, hips, and a waist, put on a bikini - put it on and stay strong."

I know I say this a lot but, you go girl! Do you think she did the right thing by speaking out?

Source

DVD Review: Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Since many of the exercises require no equipment, Pilates is a great way to work out at home. But it's very important that you do the movements exactly right, so I often worry that beginners may not be getting the instruction they need at home. If you're new to Pilates, but prefer to work out in your living room, then Jennifer Kries' New Body Pilates is a great place to start.

This DVD is a cross between a workout routine and an educational video. Before and during the basic mat workout, Kries - who, poor thing, is much cuter than this unflattering photo! - does a great job explaining both the fundamentals of Pilates and how to do each exercise. For details, read more.

One thing I really liked about New Body Pilates is that Kries explains not only how to do each exercise but also why you need to do them this way. She goes into great detail about how to hold your back, your abs, and your chin and tells you why each move or position is important. As she helps the pupil in the video perfectly position herself, you get what feels like one-on-one instruction from an expert.

Interspersed with the explanations are the actual exercises, which are fairly low impact and probably take up only 60 or 70 percent of the 45-minute DVD. If you're at more of an intermediate level, this mat workout will feel too easy. But if you've never taken a Pilates class and want to try it at home, I highly recommend this primer as your first stop.