By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘Jennifer’s Body’
Directed by Karyn Kusama
Rated R,
102 minutes
The premise of “Jennifer’s Body” — Megan Fox playing a possessed high school cheerleader who kills people — sounded awesome. Add in a script from the razor sharp wit of Diablo Cody (“Juno”), and I thought this was destined for greatness. Well, you can’t win them all. “Jennifer’s Body” has a good premise but can’t decide if it wants to be a horror movie or a black comedy, and Fox’s acting is atrocious. Is she going to win an Oscar? No. Do a bunch of cute, furry creatures feast on Jennifer’s leftovers in the woods? Yes — it’s that kind of film. Luckily, Amanda Seyfried (“Big Love”) kept me halfway interested as Needy, Jennifer’s best friend and the film’s saving grace. If you’re a fan of campy horror or like staring at Fox’s assets, “Jennifer’s Body” is for you. If not, don’t worry; you’re not missing much. CV
‘May’
Directed by Lucky McKee
2002, Rated R, 93 minutes
Sticking with my “hot chicks that may kill you” theme, I almost went the easy route and chose “Heathers,” the iconic ’80s black comedy. But I wanted to highlight a small, independent film that was lost in the shuffle upon its release. “May” tells the creepy story of May (Angela Bettis), a strange young woman who was traumatized by a difficult childhood and now talks to and possibly hears things from a doll. She has an odd relationship with a co-worker (Anna Faris) and a short-lived romance, turned obsession with Adam (Jeremy Sisto). With no one to love her, May decides that she can build the perfect person and starts collecting unique body parts. “May” is an odd movie, but it’s Bettis’ performance as the shy, inquisitive title character that puts this film in the creepy zone. CV
