REVIEW: 50/50

50/50, tells the story of Adam (Levitt) who is a young man in the prime of his life and discovers he has cancer. His best friend Kyle (Rogen) helps him through this tough time while he also seeks comfort from an even younger therapist (Kendrick). This is actually based on Seth Rogen's friend Will who was a co-worker/friend when Seth worked as a writer on The Ali G Show. Will was brave enough to put his story to pen writing the film's screenplay. It's an intense journey and was well worth the wait.

I went into this film expecting a little more humor but considering the serious subject matter it didn't really matter. Joseph Gordon Levitt knocked it out of the park I'd be shocked if he didn't get some awards consideration. James McAvoy must be kicking himself knowing that he walked away from the role. Anna Kendrick plays a character a little more sexier than previous roles which was nice to see. Kendrick is a great actress but has down played her looks in films like Rocket Science and Up In The Air. She does play realistic female roles adding her own personality and here is no exception. Giving enough frailty and humanity to a usually two dimensional part. Rogen was his humorous-self giving the film the comic relief it needed and the right amount. In a surprising turn, Angelina Huston (Adam's mother) was able to steal a few scenes of her own. Director Jonathan Levine has made a great drama/comedy with cancer being the main plot point. A lot of people are going to be scared off by the premise alone but it was one of the better films I've seen during the year. It's worth seeing but understand it's not a straight up comedy, there are lots of euphoric and serious moments but are laughs mixed in as well.


B+

Ant-Man Rumor Roundup

 Ant-Man isn't Marvel Studio's highest priorty project as it's been in development for years now. Joe Cornish (Tintin, Attack On The Block) and Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of The Dead) have been working on the film's script but it's unknown when it could start production.

The assumption is that as soon as the script is done Marvel/Disney will see if they want to move forward with the project. There had been talk that Ant-Man could be the follow up film to Avengers in 2012. This is backed up by the shut down of Runaways which was expected to start shooting winter/spring 2011. It's also likely it was put on hold because of the resources and money needed for Avengers.

 Ant-Man writer and director Edgar Wright has come out and debunked the rumor of Alan Tudyk playing the lead role. He previously knocked down other rumors of Nathan Fillon which had him perplexed. Even Simon Pegg had to come out and flat out discredit his chances for a role.

There has also been talk of Pym having a cameo or bonus scene in Avengers. Over the summer Edgar killed any expectations of seeing his hero in Avengers by saying his introduction is an important part of his film and will be kept there.

" I talked to Kevin Feige about that a while back where we just discussed about whether he would be in The Avengers. The thing is, the script that I've written, you know, whether it's next or not I don't know, the chronology of it or the way it works wouldn't really fit in with what they do. And my film is very much an introduction to that character, and so it wasn't something where it felt right to introduce him in that film. Maybe if I do the solo Ant-Man film and maybe there's a later Avengers then they could draft him in later. But it didn't work with the kind of the angle that we were going to do with the origin that I'd written."

MY THOUGHTS

There are three major roles up for grabs which include Dr. Hank Pym, Scott Lang (2nd Ant-Man) and Janet van Dyne (Wasp). One of the actors who keeps coming up during Marvel casting is Chuck's Zachary Levi. He had to drop out of Thor where he would have played Fendral to focus on his TV show. Then was confident about his chances for a role in Captain America possibly playing the lead or his sidekick Bucky Barnes. His Fendral competitor Dominic Cooper did however land a role in Cap as Howard Stark.

Levi seems to have good relations with Marvel Studios and I think he would definitely be on Edgar's radar. So would Zachary make a good Ant-Man? Perhaps, but he seems more heroic than Pym should be and could be a better fit for Lang instead.

So who could play Pym? I still think Simon Pegg could be great in the role but seems way too busy with Star Trek 2 creeping up soon. Jason Schwartzman would be another excellent candidate and has a history with Wright along with a strong presence with audiences.

On the other hand Marvel could hire someone on the brink of becoming a big star. That person is Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons who is the soul of that show and is rising fast. If there was anyone who I can picture as the eccentric scientist it's definitely Parsons. I don't normally focus on TV actors but Jim and Zachary are exceptions to this.

Now comes Janet who eventually becomes The Wasp. My favorite for the role is Anna Kendrick this actress is beyond talented along with being able to keep up Edgar's fast-paced witty dialog. Perfect examples include her films Rocket Science, Up In The Air (Oscar Nominated role) and her scene stealing role in Wright's Scott Pilgrim. Kendrick is a perfect addition to the Marvel universe and I believe keeping the Ant-Man cast slightly younger would help it's success.

Do You Think Marvel Should Make Ant-Man Their Next Film?? Who Do You Want To Star In The Film?? Leave Your Comments!