Jennifer Garner

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 15 ‘The Invention of Lying’ Chicago Passes With Jennifer Garner

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:14:55 -0600

CHICAGO – In our latest comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 15 admit-two passes up for grabs to the Chicago screening of “The Invention of Lying”!

“The Invention of Lying” stars Jennifer Garner, Ricky Gervais, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jeffrey Tambor, Fionnula Flanagan, Martin Starr, Jimmi Simpson and Nathan Corddry from writers and directors Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. Ricky Gervais is the award-winning creator and star of the original BBC series “The Office”.

To win your free pass to the Chicago screening of “The Invention of Lying” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our trivia question below. That’s it! This screening will be held on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

“The Invention of Lying” stars Jennifer Garner, Ricky Gervais, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe and Tina Fey.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

Here is “The Invention of Lying” plot description:

From Ricky Gervais – the award-winning creator and star of the original BBC series “The Office” as well as HBO’s “Extras” – comes the new romantic comedy “The Invention of Lying”.

“The Invention of Lying” takes place in an alternate reality in which lying – even the concept of a lie – does not exist. Everyone – from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street – speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences.

But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark (Gervais) suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark easily lies his way to fame and fortune.

But lies have a way of spreading and Mark begins to realize that things are getting a little out of control when some of his tallest tales are being taken as gospel. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves.

“The Invention of Lying” stars Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner (“Juno”), Jonah Hill (“Superbad”), comedian Louis C.K., Jeffrey Tambor (TV’s “Arrested Development”) and Fionnula Flanagan (“Yes Man”) with Rob Lowe (TV’s “Brothers & Sisters”) and Tina Fey (“Baby Mama,” TV’s “30 Rock”).

The comedy is written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. The film is produced by Lynda Obst (“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Sleepless in Seattle”), Oly Obst, Gervais and Dan Lin (“Terminator Salvation,” upcoming “Shorts”) with Ted Field, Paris Kasidokostas Latsis, Terry Dougas and Sue Baden-Powell serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Tim Suhrstedt (“17 Again”), editor Chris Gill (“28 Weeks Later”), production designer Alexander Hammond (“Flightplan”), costume designer Susie DeSanto (“13 Going on 30”) and composer Tim Atack (“Among Giants”).

“The Invention of Lying” movie trailer can be watched now below.

To secure your free tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having an account with a valid e-mail address is required. Then, simply add a new comment in the form below. In your comment, include an answer to this trivia question:

In “The Invention of Lying, Ricky Gervais’ character is a screenwriter. Name one of the real-life projects for which Gervais serves as a writer.

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 15 people randomly via e-mail. Winners needs to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Phony ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ Deserves to Be Dumped

BrianTT — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:59:31 -0600

CHICAGO – Here’s a perfect example of Hollywood filmmaking at its laziest. It’s difficult to imagine anyone in front of the camera or behind it breaking much of a sweat in their half-hearted attempt to satisfy a mainstream audience equipped with the lowest possible expectations. It’s doubly difficult to imagine a time when star Matthew McConaughey didn’t just act with his abs. His last film was named “Surfer, Dude,” and this one could easily be called “Cheater, Douche.”

Blu-Ray Rating: 2.0/5.0

Alas, his latest vehicle has the ungainly title “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” which alone would scare off most serious cinephiles. It’s the latest rip-off (sorry, “retread”) of Charles Dickens’ holiday perennial “A Christmas Carol,” and it’s the worst to hit Blu-Ray since “Scrooged.” There’s nothing redeemable about this film’s protagonist, or the film itself.

McConaughey lends his predictable brand of seductive sleaze to the role of Connor Mead, a womanizing photographer who specializes in shooting his female targets through the heart. His belief in casual sex over commitment has led to a lifetime of loneliness, but he doesn’t seem to care. No matter how many hearts he breaks, there’s always more women for him to steer into the sack. He’s the kind of SOB who can’t attend his brother’s wedding without groping the mother of the bride, and offering the groom keys to his Jag (in case he feels the urge to escape).

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Faster than you can say “Jacob Marley,” in swoops the ghost of Connor’s Uncle Wayne, materializing in the form of Michael Douglas who gets to utter his latest variation on the “Greed Is Good” gobbledygook. Wayne was Connor’s mentor in the art of seducing and destroying females, but now his spirit is stuck with the Dickensian requirements of summoning wrongdoers from the grave. Thus, Connor partakes in a long night of moralistic haunts straight out of the Ebenezer playbook, interrupted by the occasional rainstorm of condoms.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

This is the kind of cheap Hollywood product that thinks it’s superior to the cliches it utilizes as long as it openly acknowledges their presence. One ghost announces “And now a romantic montage set to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time,’” which leads to exactly that – without a satirical payoff. Even worse, the film feigns a moral agenda while barely concealing its insincerity. The blank-faced McConaughey’s lack of a believable transition sours his heroic final speech, where he convinces a woman to forgive her cheating fiancé because…well, it sure beats being alone.

Since Connor is wholly unsympathetic, the audience immediately sympathizes with his alleged lifelong love Jenny (Jennifer Garner), who clearly deserves better. Garner has elevated formulaic schmaltz before in “13 Going On 30,” and her tender performance is the film’s sole bright spot. Director Mark Waters found considerably more success with his previous spirit-infested comedy “Just Like Heaven,” which benefitted from the chemistry between its two leads. Their “All of Me”-style slapstick was pure genius compared to the ludicrous moment in “Ghosts” when McConaughey attempts to prop up a wedding cake with a wine bottle.

In a year stuffed with awful romantic comedies, “Ghosts” is a worthy addition. On Blu-Ray, the film’s picture quality is second-to-none, but the extra clarity only amplifies the cheesiness of the special effects and the nonexistence of McConaughey’s facial expressions. Don’t be seduced by this polished package. Take Uncle Wayne’s advice: “the power of a relationship lies with whoever cares less.” If nothing’s happening between you and this disc, feel free to chuck it in the dumpster. I promise you won’t be visited by any spirits.

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 2:4:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Special features include deleted scenes, three paltry behind-the-scenes featurettes, and exclusive footage of the film’s photogenic females via BD Live. The bonus disc includes a Digital Copy of the movie in standard definition, enabling viewers to carry this cinematic virus on their computers.

‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ is released by Warner Home Video and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Michael Douglas. It was written by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore and directed by Mark Waters. The film is available on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand, & Digital Download on September 22nd, 2009. It is rated PG-13. Check out the official site here.

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

Matthew McConaughey’s ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ Overdone, But Relatable

Ebeth — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:01:00 -0600

CHICAGO – “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is the cinematic blending of two familiar formulas: the “love, lose and then love again” framework of most romantic comedies with the idea of transforming ghosts from the classic “A Christmas Carol”. The result: an overdone yet relatable story of a man coming to terms with his true desires.

Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) makes a high-profile living shooting the scantily clad. Connor’s true fame, however, seems to come from the serial seduction of his subjects: double-booked dates and time-saving breakups via conference call are a way of life for this master manipulator.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

His reputation preceding him, Connor is only a half-expected guest at his kid brother’s wedding. Upon arrival, he makes no effort to hide his disdain for long-term commitment while attempting to convince his brother, Paul (Breckin Meyer), to cancel the nuptials. The presence of Connor’s childhood sweetheart and scorned love, Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner), does little to mute his provocative behavior.

Connor’s antics predictably begin to unravel the wedding and those around him. And so begins Connor’s spiritual awakening – literally – as he’s confronted by the ghost of his mentor: the late Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas). Connor’s cad uncle reflects regretfully (yet comically) on his own life and the way in which he raised his nephew.

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” in our reviews section.

Uncle Wayne announces the pending arrival of the three ghosts and we’re soon whisked away on a journey through time.

This critic feels about the sequence exploring past girlfriends the way she feels about McConaughey’s experiment with his long hair: “eh”. The supposedly 16-year-old ghost, Allison Vandermeersh (Emma Stone), is distractingly over the top.

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” which stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Daniel Sunjata and Noureen DeWulf, opened everywhere on May 1, 2009. The film is rated PG-13.

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”.

Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) tries to save the wedding cake in “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”.
Photo credit: New Line Cinema

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”.

Slideshow: 29-Image Gallery From ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ With Matthew McConaughey

BrianTT — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:30:09 -0600

CHICAGO – This 29-image slideshow contains the official images from Warner Brothers’ “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, and Anne Archer. The film, directed by Mark Waters, opens on May 1st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) loves freedom, fun and women…in that order. A committed bachelor with a no-strings policy, he thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call while prepping his next date.

Connor’s brother Paul is more the romantic type. In fact, he’s about to be married. Unfortunately, on the eve of the big event, Connor’s mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for Paul, the wedding party and a houseful of well wishers—including Connor’s childhood friend Jenny (Jennifer Garner), the one woman in his life who has always seemed immune to his considerable charm.

Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas), the hard-partying, legendary ladies man upon whose exploits Connor has modeled his lifestyle. Uncle Wayne has an urgent message for his protege, which he delivers through the ghosts of Connor’s jilted girlfriends—past, present and future—who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships.

Together, they will discover what turned Connor into such a shameless player and whether he has a second chance to find - and this time, keep - the love of his life.

New Line Cinema presents a Jon Shestack/Panther Production of a Mark Waters Film: Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in the romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.” The film also stars Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone and Michael Douglas.

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is directed by Mark Waters from a script by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore, and produced by Jon Shestack and Brad Epstein. Executive producers are Marcus Viscidi, Mark Waters, Jessica Tuchinsky, Toby Emmerich, Cale Boyter and Samuel J. Brown, with Ginny Brewer as co-producer. The creative team includes director of photography Daryn Okada, production designer Cary White, editor Bruce Green and costume designer Denise Wingate. Music is by Rolfe Kent. Executive music producer is Ralph Sall.

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. ”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Ron Batzdorff and courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Ghosts_01: Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) and Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) play foosball.
Ghosts_02: Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner).
Ghosts_03: (L-R) Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti and Lacey Chabert as Sandra.
Ghosts_04: Jennifer Garner stars as Jenny Perotti.
Ghosts_05: Matthew McConaughey stars as Connor Mead.
Ghosts_06: Jennifer Garner stars as Jenny Perotti.
Ghosts_07: (L-R) Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) and Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) catch up.
Ghosts_08: (L-R) Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead, Daniel Sunjata as Brad and Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti.
Ghosts_09: Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) realizes he may have just made a big mistake.
Ghosts_10: Director Mark Waters explaining an upcoming shot.
Ghosts_11: (L-R) Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Noureen DeWulf as Melanie.
Ghosts_12: (L-R) Sandra (Lacey Chabert) is devastated by what Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) has done to her wedding cake.
Ghosts_13: (L-R) Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti, Tom Kemp as the Minister, Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Daniel Sunjata as Brad.
Ghosts_14: (L-R) Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is visited by the ghost of his Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas).
Ghosts_15: Michael Douglas as Uncle Wayne.
Ghosts_16: (L-R) Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey on set with director Mark Waters.
Ghosts_17: (L-R) Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti.
Ghosts_18: Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) breaks up with three women simultaneously via conference call.
Ghosts_19: (L-R) Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Breckin Meyer as Paul.
Ghosts_20: (L-R) Camille Guaty as Donna the Bridesmaid, Rachel Boston as Deena the Bridesmaid, Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti, Lacey Chabert as Sandra, Breckin Meyer as Paul and Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead.
Ghosts_21: (L-R) Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Emma Stone as Allison Vandermeersh.
Ghosts_22: (L-R) Devin Brochu as Young Connor Mead, Emma Stone as Allison Vandermeersh, Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead and Michael Douglas as Uncle Wayne.
Ghosts_23: (L-R) Emma Stone as Allison Vandermeersh and Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead.
Ghosts_24: Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) desperately tries to save the wedding cake from disaster.
Ghosts_25: (L-R) Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) and Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) share a moment after Connor Mead has destroyed the wedding cake.
Ghosts_26: (L-R) Michael Douglas as Uncle Wayne and Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead.
Ghosts_27: (L-R) Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti, Lacey Chabert as Sandra, Breckin Meyer as Paul and Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead.
Ghosts_28: (L-R) Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) and Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) reminisce.
Ghosts_29: Matthew McConaughey stars as Connor Mead.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Color-Pencil Animated Opening Credit Sequence For ‘Juno’ Surfaces Online

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:08:03 -0700

The color-pencil animated opening credit sequence for “Juno” has surfaced online thanks to its creator: Shadowplay Studio. I learned about this from a Dec. 27 post on /Film.

Watch the “Juno” opening sequence here!

Ellen Page and Michael Cera for “Juno” on Sept. 8, 2007.
Photo credit: WireImage.com
Since “Juno” director Jason Reitman also directed “Thank You For Smoking,” you wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Shadowplay is also responsible for creating that film’s opening titles, too.

Diablo Cody (left) and Ellen Page for “Juno” on Nov. 5, 2007.
Photo credit: WireImage.com
There’s universal agreement (as much as there can be universal agreement) that “Juno” is one of the best films of the year and perhaps the best of the independents.

Jennifer Garner for “Juno” on Sept. 8, 2007.
Photo credit: WireImage.com

Ellen Page (left) in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Reitman says the following about the sequence in a blog post from Aug. 2007:

They were created by Shadowplay Studio, which is the same team who did the badass opening titles for “Thank You For Smoking”.

I met them back in 2000 when we both had short films playing the festival circuit. Their short (“This Guy is Falling”) was a really impressive half live-action/half animation piece they did in college.

When they did “Thank You For Smoking,” the titles were rendered on a series of computers in one of their mother’s living rooms. Now they got a fancy place in an art-deco building on Wilshire.

The “Juno” opening titles are out of control. I don’t want to give away too much, but the whole process was really labor intensive.

The Shadowplayers would have parties in which friends and family would help construct the whole thing. I can’t wait for you all to see it and then I can explain how it was done.

My interview with “Juno” star Ellen Page and “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody can be found here. The HollywoodChicago.com film review of “Juno” by Shane Hazen can be found here.

“Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody.
Photo credit: WireImage.com

Ellen Page and Michael Cera in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Jennifer Garner (left), Jason Bateman and Ellen Page in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb

From left to right: J.K. Simmons, Ellen Page, Allison Janney and Jason Bateman for “Juno” on Nov. 5, 2007.
Photo credit: WireImage.com

Interview: Why Hollywood’s Enraptured With ‘Juno’ Scribe Diablo Cody, Star Ellen Page

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:55:39 -0700

Editor’s note: This interview contains explicit language. Due to length, it is being published as a two-part series to be concluded shortly.
Dec. 7, 2007 update: Part two can now be found here.
CHICAGO – Diablo Cody fittingly ushered in her Chicago “Juno” junket in classic Diablo Cody style: The night prior, she blogged with brevity where she’d be kicking back and when.

“Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody.
Photo credit: WireImage.com
Though a frequenter of the German bar scene, the Red Lion in Lincoln Park was Thursday evening’s sanctuary with friends off the beaten press path. While legal in Canada at 20, “Juno” star Ellen Page wasn’t at Cody’s side until Friday.

More than most, our interview especially paid no attention to the live recorder.

Instead, the laissez-faire time morphed into a blunt and beguiling conversation replete with cunning perspective, quick-witted commentary, unexpected bloody fingers and all things “adamant” (Cody’s word of the day) and “slutty” (Page’s).

Page came forthright out of the gates about her kissing scenes with “Superbad” comic phenom Michael Cera. She said: “Yeah, there were quite a few angles and takes, so we made out a lot.” Had there been need for more kissing takes, she said: “Hey, if he wants to dish it out, I’ll take it.”

She likened Cera’s charmingly geeky and blameless character in “Juno” to someone she’d date in reality. A lightbulb came on and Page volunteered: “It’s weird. He’s similar to a very good friend of mine.” Cody knew who and had met him.

Now Cody – who loathes the label of a “stripper turned blogger turned screenwriter” (more the latter than the first) – first spoke in our interview with modesty and irony. She gave props to her Juno persona with relative awe.

“The character is semi-autobiographical even though the story’s not. I feel a definite kinship with Juno. It’s an easy character for me to write. It felt very organic. I really based her on myself as a teenager, but Juno is way cooler than me. I didn’t always have the ready response,” Cody said absolutely with ready response.

Ellen Page.
Photo credit: IMDb
She added: “I was a lot more emotional and immature. She’s a very brave, articulate young lady.”

Without needing to be prompted, Page was eager to illuminate her love for her character: “She definitely hides behind that – behind her sarcastic wit. The whole point of being an actor is learning to just be the person you’re supposed to portray. I really admired Juno and it was really easy for me to connect my heart with her heart.

“Whenever you play someone who’s honest, whole and well written, you’re going to be able to connect with them. Juno has a special place in my heart. I was obsessed with her. I read the script a couple years ago and wasn’t just interested in pursuing it. It was as if this needs to happen.”

At the time, Page had just viewed “Juno” director Jason Reitman’s “Thank You For Smoking” and was about to convene for a general meeting. One week after the meeting had been arranged, the news surfaced that Reitman would be directing “Juno”. Page says on the twist of fate: “I was in cloud nine.”

Wanting the leading gig in “Juno” was just as clear for Page as it was for Reitman. As for Cody: “The instant her name came up from the beginning of the process, I knew she’d be amazing. She’s one of the best of her generation. When Jason came on board, he was adamant about her and I was 100 percent behind him.

“In terms of casting, I put my trust in Jason as I did with many aspects of the film,” Cody said. “He was adamant about the cast he wanted.”

Cody’s one not only to think quickly before she speaks but also to listen to her own words after she does. She then discerned about herself: “I’ve used the word ‘adamant’ twice. That’s the first and second time I’ve used that word in a really long time. It feels kinda good.”

Ellen Page (left) in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb
Page appreciates the fine art of fine vernacular, too, and offered: “My word that I’m using a lot lately is ‘slutty’. It’s good. It can have nothing to do with the word. If someone orders a tuna sandwich, slutty!”

With the film’s screenwriter at her side, Page was posed the question of whether she had to deliver any lines she despised.

“Honestly, no,” Page said. “There were some that felt more awkward and some I totally put my faith into Jason for it not to be ridiculous. Everything she wrote felt extremely organic to me. I didn’t speak the exact same way as Juno did when I was 16, but I did have my own specific language with friends.”

Back to Cody’s past and present, her essence today is drawn from all the good and the shameful of yesterday. While sometimes slapped with the negativities associated with a brief stint as a stripper, it’s perhaps surprising to learn she’s in fact more at odds with what has principally crafted her career.

“I tend to be somewhat ashamed of my blogging past,” Cody offered. “Blogging is vanity. It’s self-publishing. There’s no prestige in it. That’s not to say something has to be prestigious to have merit, but there’s something cheesy about being the first blogger turned screenwriter. I mind the stripper comparisons less.

“But [blogging is] where I come from. I owe my entire career to blogging. I was discovered because of the blog.”

She then interrupted herself due to a minor medical surprise: “I’m sorry. There’s blood all over my hand. I just cut myself really badly. It’s one of those small cuts that produces a ton of blood.” It’s that randomness – that quirkiness – that propels people’s growing interest in her. You never know what to expect with her.

Ellen Page and Michael Cera in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb
In our Oct. 16 review on “Juno,” we wrote: “Cody is used to clever wordplay to pad earnest moments of connection and soul bearing. Formerly a brief stripper, Cody’s long-running blog gained national exposure with her memoir ‘Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper’.”

So how did Chicago-native producer Mason Novick discover Cody’s blog? Was he searching for porn?

Page silently nodded her head. Before treated with the answer from Cody, Page’s own avant-garde personality launched her into tangential narrative in response to bloody digits.

“I have scars all over my fingers because I’m a fucking klutz,” Page acknowledged. “I [recently] moved into a [new] place [and] bought nice hiking shoes. I like to hike. I was wearing them in my place. I have a really old apartment and everything’s wood.

“I totally ripped my fingers to shreds with a brand-new knife I bought. It’s the only thing I spend money on. I have used furniture and whatever, but I like cooking and good knives are important. There was blood everywhere and it had gotten all over my shoes.”

Though she seemed apologetic for divulging the glimpse into her personal life, without interruption her mind fired back to: “Oh. Porn. Mason. Searching.” Cody now dished out our answer.

“Mason has never really told me the whole story because we have an extremely professional relationship,” Cody said on reflection while staring into her past. “I believe he said he was Googling ‘pussy’ and found The Pussy Ranch,” which is the title of her current blog.

Jennifer Garner (left), Jason Bateman and Ellen Page in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb
“That means vagina,” Page jested for clarification.

Cody pressed on into the story of her manufacture: “Who hasn’t Googled ‘pussy’ or ‘cock’ during a dark, lonely moment? He was probably at work, though. That’s the funny part.

“He found my blog and started reading it – shockingly. There probably wasn’t a lot of visual material for him to work with, but there was a lot of cynical blabber about the sex industry. He for some reason thought I would make a good screenwriter. I absolutely love that man.”

Cody offers her love for Novick with purely professional undertones, of course, as she has been married to Jonny Hunt for the past three years. They relocated from Chicago to Minnesota and currently reside in Los Angeles. The couple appropriately met where Cody spends much of her personal and professional time: online.

While Cody continues developing a cult following as one of today’s most promising screenwriters, being tagged “the new Tarantino” is her most prized praise yet.

“Ah hah!,” she declared with elevated volume and unadulterated pride. The meek chic geek then returned: “I wish I were that talented. I wish I had one pixel of [Quentin] Tarantino’s talent. He’s an absolute hero of mine. That [praise is] Jason Reitman’s largesse. That’s very nice of him to say. [Tarantino is] a fucking icon.”

Page interjected with sarcasm: “Who’s Quentin Tarantino? Does he go out with Oprah?”

Stay tuned for part two of this interview, which will be published shortly. “Juno” will open in limited theaters on Dec. 5.

Dec. 7, 2007 update: Part two can now be found here.
By Adam Fendelman
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com