Based on real experiences from the life of writer and cancer survivor Will Reiser, 50/50 is a poignant, funny movie that blends comedy with the most serious kind of subject matter. I’d imagine it’s difficult to bring humor into a story about a guy getting cancer, but with a competent script, solid actors well-suited for both comedy and drama, and some reserved directing from Jonathan Levine, the filmmakers accomplished their goal.

When Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is abruptly diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, his life radically changes: his girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard) distances herself from him, his best friend (Seth Rogen) encourages him to start using cancer as a pity tool for sex, his overprotective mother (Anjelica Huston) freaks out and constantly checks in on him, and he becomes the third patient ever for a young therapist (Anna Kendrick) seeking her doctorate. From the summary, it may seem as if a lot is going on, but in fact, the movie lounges easily from one point to the next, fading in and out of subplots as Adam struggles to retain his sanity in the wake of horrible circumstances.

There’s no shortage of jokes, the funniest of which come from Rogen, a comedian who wore out his welcome early with me but who I’ve actually found increasingly likeable in recent years. Gordon-Levitt plays the whole thing straight, but a lot of humor is derived from his occasional deadpan deliveries; his dips into the dramatic provide an anchor for audience relatability, giving us a canvas on which to project our own loved ones who may be suffering similar fates. Anna Kendrick plays her usual on-screen self – a charming, insecure girl who talks a bit too much – but I enjoy her work, so I didn’t have any problems with her. And Bryce Dallas Howard, someone who (to me, anyway) is known for playing mostly likeable characters, goes against type here in a career choice similar to Rachel McAdams’ in this year’s Midnight in Paris.

Jonathan Levine, who directed the interesting Sundance indie The Wackness as well as the abysmal All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (I hope it stays shelved forever, that’s how bad it is), takes a more reserved approach behind the camera than usual. His normal stylistic flourishes are left behind in favor of emotional character moments, and perhaps the best compliment I can give him is that 50/50 doesn’t feel like a Jonathan Levine movie. He coaxes some really good performances out of his actors, and this is clearly the best film with which he’s been involved. Michael Giacchino’s score is beautiful, and this guy continues to show why he’s nipping at John Williams’ heels to become the best in the business. Somehow, the man is able to make a scene where trash is dumped out of a car incredibly romantic with just a few notes (you’ll know the scene when you see it). He’s pumping out iconic score after iconic score, and he’s still in his prime.

I won’t get into too many details, since most of this movie is more about the feelings it conjures and less about the individual scenes that accomplish said conjuring. 50/50 is as funny as a movie about cancer can be without turning into a downright farce, but it’s real strength lies in the dramatic beats. JGL fans will be pleased. Until next time…

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Following their collaboration on Invictus, for which Matt Damon was nominated for an Oscar, Damon and Clint Eastwood have re-teamed for supernatural thriller Hereafter. The film, written by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon), is a story of three people who have had traumatic experiences in their life, and how these stories converge towards one another.

Matt Damon plays a factory worker and “a reluctant psychic who can talk to the dead but prefers not to”, Cécile de France plays Marie, a French television journalist who survives the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and Frankie and George McLarenan play twins who are torn apart after one is killed in a car accident. Clint Eastwood revealed to MTV that the movie “ends up with all three stories culminating in one big sequence.”

You can watch the trailer below. It starts off quite slow, but really gets going half way though.

Bryce Dallas Howard also appears as a woman with whom Damon’s character tries to start a relationship with.

Warner Bros. will release Hereafter on October 22nd.

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Last week we saw the first trailer for the third film in the Twilight frachise, Eclipse, and now we have some behind the scenes footage that will also be on the New Moon DVD (released on March 20th). If, like me, you didn’t really care for all the mushy love stuff in the Eclipse trailer then you may find this footage easier to stomach. We see behind the scenes antics like stunts and green screen filming, along with some of the cast members such as Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson talking about the story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKf6PbpRXi0

Directed by David Slade, Eclipse will be released in June and as well as the main trio the film stars Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Dakota Fanning and Bryce Dallas Howard.

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As Gwen Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, wasn’t killed off in Spider-Man 3 that leaves the door open for the character to return in Spider-Man 4. But will she? Howard spoke to ComingSoon recently and spoke about the possibility, although she has yet to be contacted regarding the role.

Q: Will your character Gwen have a big role in “Spider-Man 4?”
Bryce Dallas Howard: Oh goodness! I don’t know. I mean, it was really made clear to me when we all did “Spider-Man 3″ that it was entirely possible that a character could come back or a character could not and this could be just a specific plotline to that film because there’s so many stories in the comic book series and you want to pack as much in as possible so it’s truly up to Sam, up to, you know, the writers and the people who have done such an amazing job protecting that franchise and choosing the best storylines for audiences and I’m a fan first. I had an incredible time working with them but more than anything what I want is for that franchise to just continue to kick butt and to really appease the really really really loyal fans, so, including myself.

Q: Have you been approached about the next film?
Howard: No, no. No, I haven’t.

Filming is scheduled to begin in March, so if she hasn’t been contacted yet then she probably doesn’t have a significant role in the film, if at all.

In the meantime Bryce Dallas Howard will be appearing The Twilight Saga: Eclipse as Victoria next summer and if the Terminator rights get sorted out there is a chance we could be seeing her as Kate Connor in the future.

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I didn’t see Twilight and i’m not interested in the whole vampire love story thing, although I am aware that Summit Entertainment hit the jackpot with the franchise and it was good to see a smaller studio finding success. While I’m not that interested in the films, I did read about some of the developments. For whatever reason they decided to ditch Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and hired Chris Weitz for New Moon. However, they then announced that David Slade would be directing the third film, Eclipse, and it became apparent that Summit are so eager to see money rolling in that they were not willing to wait for anyone, not even the directors.

So with Summit in that frame of mind it wasn’t that much of a surprise to read that Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3, Terminator Salvation) would be replacing actress Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria due to ‘scheduling conflicts’ with a film called Barney’s Version starring Dustin Hoffman. Well as with most mid-franchise re-castings, the fans aren’t happy, and neither is Rachelle Lefevre who engaged in a ‘were having a disagreement in public via press releases so lets keep it civil’ with Summit:

From Variety:

“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for Eclipse. I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules.

“My commitment to Barney’s Version is only 10 days. Summit picked up my option for Eclipse. Although the production schedule for Eclipse is over three months long, Summit said they had a conflict during those 10 days and would not accommodate me. Given the length of filming for Eclipse, never did I fathom I would lose the role over a 10-day overlap. I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part.

“I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the Twilight audience. This is a story, a theatrical journey and a character that I truly love and about which I am very passionate. I will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty I’ve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of Eclipse only the very best.”

Summit responded with:

“We at Summit Entertainment are disappointed by Rachelle Lefevre’s recent comments which attempt to make her career choices the fault of the Studio. Her decision to discuss her version of the scheduling challenges publicly has forced the Studio to set the record straight and correct the facts.

“Ms. Lefevre’s representatives were advised as early as April that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE was expected to start shooting in early August.

“If Ms. Lefevre was, as she describes “passionate,” about being part of THE TWILIGHT SAGA, we feel that she and her representatives would have included us in her decision to work on another film that would conflict with the shooting schedule of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.

“It was not until July 20th that Summit was first informed of Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to BARNEY’S VERSION, a commitment we have since been advised she accepted in early June. Summit had acted in good faith that she would be available to fulfill her obligations both in terms of rehearsals and shooting availability for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. We feel that her choice to withhold her scheduling conflict information from us can be viewed as a lack of cooperative spirit which affected the entire production.

“Furthermore Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production.

“Contrary to Ms. Lefevre’s statement, it is simply untrue that the Studio dismissed her over a ten day overlap. It is not about a ten day overlap, but instead about the fact that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is an ensemble production that has to accommodate the schedules of numerous actors while respecting the established creative vision of the filmmaker and most importantly the story.

“The fact remains that Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to the other project – which she chose to withhold from Summit until the last possible moment – makes her unfortunately unavailable to perform the role of Victoria in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.”

Oh dear. As the Twilight franchise has a large (mostly young female) fanbase Summit have been forced to respond in public to prevent a mass boycott. Any Twilight fans have an opinion on this? Any non-Twilight fans have an opinion on the politics involved?

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The wait is over and we now have a second trailer for Terminator Salvation. It didn’t get me as pumped as I hoped, but it is cool nonetheless. Lots of action, lots of explosion and most importantly, lots of Terminators! Watch it below!

Terminator Salvation stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard and Common.

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With the recent eBay auction it is safe to say Spider-Man 4 will be happening, with or without the original cast. Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, who played Gwen Stacey in Spider-Man 3 and will be seen in Terminator Salvation, told MTV that she would be interested in returning if the script required it.

“You know, honestly, I would love to be apart of any continuation of the franchise. But, I also really understand that there’s so many different story lines that the fans are really excited to see, and the studio, and the producers, and the filmmakers really need to appease everyone,” the actress said. “Whether or not Gwen Stacy comes back, I mean, I wish it was up to me, but it’s not. But yes, if they’d call me, I’d be there in a heart beat.”

Meanwhile, director Sam Raimi is still not telling anyone what role he will play in the next film.

“Oh, I love ‘Spider-Man,’ definitely. I would love to play a part in ‘Spider-Man 4,” he said chuckling.

The part of director? Writer? Something else?

“No, I mean play the part of ‘Spider-Man 4.’ Are you kidding me? I’ll wear the suit,” he laughed.

Very funny Mr. Raimi. Although we’d prefer it if you JUST TELL US IF YOU ARE DIRECTING OR NOT!!!

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Yet more Comic Con goodness has arrived online. This time we get to see director McG, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard and Common answer questions about the upcoming movie and their characters.

We also have a new poster with a rather mean looking Terminator who could probably do with a dentist.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter Bryce Dallas Howard is in negotiations to replace Charlotte Gainsbourg in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. Gainsbourg was originally set to play Kate Connor, the wife of John Connor, played by Christian Bale. However, if an actors strike were to happen, shooting would stop and then restart at a later date, which would cause Terminator Salvation her other film, a French comedy, to clash. I can’t see why she would chose a French comedy over Terminator, but then again she might be one of those ‘real actors’ rather than ones who cling to blockbuster franchises for extra $$$.

Luckily, McG was quick to replace her with Spiderman’s bit on the side, Bryce Dallas Howard. Filming is currently underway in New Mexico, so they better finialise those negotiations and get Howard battling machines.

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