Bizz Buzz

What do you get when you mix a hot young director, a freaky sci-fi script, a couple of rom-com cuties, and a slew of veteran actors? Richard Kelly’s thriller “The Box,” starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, which premiered Wednesday night in New York. Throw in an anxious red-carpet neophyte (moi!) and you’ve got yourself one exciting evening.

For someone who spent their childhood staging mock celebrity interviews in front of various reflective surfaces, “The Box” premiere was a momentous occasion. So when I caught a glimpse of my old family friend Cody Horn sauntering down the fabled red carpet, I couldn't resist shouting out her name.

"Cody," I yelled, over the din of photographers trying to get the attention of the up-and-coming model and actress.

“What are you doing here?” she laughed, as we hugged over the velvet rope that separates stars (her) from press minions (me). We reminisced about the plays I used to “direct” her in when we were both kidlets. What can I say – I know talent when I see it!


(Linley Taber, Pomp & Circumstance and Cody Horn, fashion model and actress)

Speaking of talent, the cast of “The Box” was pretty stacked: Frank Langella (who I unfortunately didn't get the chance to see), James Rebhorn, Celia Weston and Holmes Osborne all costar in the movie, which is loosely based on Richard Matheson’s 1970 short story “The Button Button.” The plot? A cash-strapped suburban couple receives a mysterious box, which can grant them one million dollars in exchange for a stranger’s death.

While some of the costars were happy to entertain my question about whether they’d go for the million buckaroos –Sam Oz Stone, the actor who plays Diaz and Marsden’s son, was the only one who copped to wanting the money. What everyone really wanted to talk about was writer/director Richard Kelly.


(Sam Oz Stone)


(Holmes Obsourne)

“Working with Richard is always a real treat for me,” said Holmes Osborne, who plays Diaz’s father in the film and also costarred in both of Kelly’s other features (whacky “Southland Tales” and cult-favorite “Donnie Darko”). “He creates such a relaxed environment on set and really lets the actors contribute.” Costar Celia Weston agreed: “Richard’s wonderful,” she told me. “Very appreciative, very trusting.”


(Richard Kelly)

When Kelly himself paused to chat, the down-to-earth 34-year old spoke of “love” for his brilliant cast. Another object of his affection? Twitter.
“You can either join it, or fight against it,” he laughed, before offering up his Twitter name (@JRichardKelly). “It gives me a direct line of communication to anyone who wants to know what I’m up to, and as someone who makes really bizarre movies for a living, it’s a way to let people know that I’m just a regular guy.”
A regular guy who happened to write and direct his first feature film, “Donnie Darko,” at the tender age of 25.
“I was really blessed,” he admitted. “If you get a chance when you’re too young, you can blow it. I’m lucky I’m still here now.”


(Richard Kelly, Cameron Diaz and James Marsden_

Lucky indeed, considering the way Marsden and Diaz (looking super-chic in a fitted Roland Mouret dress) dashed down the red carpet toward their well-loved director and embraced him in a triple-hug.

While the trio posed for the phalanx of photogs and proceeded into the theatre to catch the debut of their flick (out nationwide today), I admit I was momentarily stunned by the image of James Marsden in the flesh. Would I kill a random stranger for a million dollars? Probably not. But for a shot with that blue-eyed, chiseled smoke-show? Now there’s a question I would entertain.

-Linley Taber
Entertainment Editor, Lori Bizzoco