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+

Danny McBride & Craig Robinson Join Jay And Seth Vs. The Apocalypse

Two more Apatow alumni have joined Seth Rogen's directorial debut Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse. Seth has revealed to MTV that Danny McBride (Your Highness, Pineapple Express, Eastbound And Down) and Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office, Pineapple Express) have joined the cast. Currently the cast includes Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill and James Franco. Rogen also sort of confirms that Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) has passed on the project.

Jonah Hill & James Franco Join Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse

JoBlo reports that Jonah Hill and James Franco have joined Seth Rogen's directorial debut Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse. Co-written by Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express) stars Jay Baruchel and Seth after a horrible end of the world event. It's been mentioned the film would be comedic version of The Mist.

Hill is currently branching out to leading comedic roles in The Sitter and 21 Jump Street. The latter project helped contribute to his recent drastic weight loss. Franco has been a longtime friend of Seth's since their time together on the show Freaks & Geeks. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) has been rumored as well along with a cameo from Will Smith.

Daniel Radcliffe Could Join Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse?

ShockTillYouDrop reports a rumor that Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe could take a role in the end of the world comedy Jay & Seth Vs. The Apocalypse. The film from the minds of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad) the film centers around two friends played by Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel, who are seemingly the few survivors of a global apocalypse. There had been talk of many celebrity cameos with most of them playing their own corpses, like Will Smith. It's unknown if Radcliffe would play a survivor or a corpse. ThePlaylist adds it's expected to start production in February with Seth and Evan directing the film together. 

Bill Hader & Anna Faris Join Ghostbusters 3?

Here's some exciting "what if" casting news focusing on the slowly developing Ghostbusters 3. WhatsPlaying apparently has some insider news that Sony is looking at SNL members Bill Hader and Will Forte for roles in the film. We've previously heard while the original cast members will be returning we'll likely be seeing a younger group of busters being mentored by the old crew.

Bill Hader has slowly become a very big name in the new era of comedy. He's had some scene stealing roles in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad, Adventureland, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder and the upcoming sci-fi comedy Paul. Not to mention his weekly contribution to SNL which is one of the best resons to wtch the show.

FeatureFilmAuditions lists Anna Faris has been cast. There had been talk that the film would feature a female Ghostbuster. Faris and Hader worked together on the very successful Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs which could have proved to the studio the two have chemistry. She's also previously worked with director Ivan Reitman on My Super Ex-Girlfriend.

Anna is another underrated comedic actor. While she doesn't always make great films she can deliver with roles like in Smiley Face and Observe & Report.

My belief these casting tidbits could be leading up to the inclusion of Seth Rogen. Since Seth has worked with both Hader and Faris previously. He's been rumored since the announcement of the younger Ghostbusters and has even spoken on the possiblity of doing it. There was a shout-out to Ghostbusters in Superbad written by Rogen and Harold Ramis (Egon) played Seth's father in Knocked Up.

Rogen sort of put himself out of the running saying he didn't think the third film could be good. I wonder what he thinks now that Ivan Reitman is back in the director's chair and the original cast are returning.

David Gordon Green Talks Pineapple Express 2

Director David Gordon Green is currently promoting his next film Your Highness at the New York Comic-Con and CinemaBlend was there to cover it. When asked about the possibility of making Pineapple Express 2 he responded with interesting comparisons. It gives an idea of how large the scale of the film could be along with more violent action scenes. Yet this doesn't confirm the project is actually happening but it's very likely it will if Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg end up writing the script.

"Every now and then there's an idea. Any time Seth [Rogen] and Evan [Goldberg] start talking about making it more like Scarface or Clear and Present Danger… I could be in for that."