Arts & Entertainment
'50/50' Is a Good Bet
Let's face it, having cancer is no fun. Now there is a movie that offers up a cure, of sorts -- one that many say is the best medicine.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam, a 27-year-old man who has his whole life ahead of him until he discovers he has a rare form of cancer and only a 50/50 chance of survival.
The people in Adam's life react differently to the news. His girlfriend, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, pledges to stand by him, then dumps him. His mother, Anjelica Huston, goes into smothering mode and his best friend, Kyle, played by Seth Rogen, tries to keep his spirits up by turning his life into a non-stop party.
Rogen co-produces "50/50," a movie based loosely in part on the life of Rogen's good friend Will Reiser. Reiser, a screenwriter, beat cancer a few years back.
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"50/50" is a comedy, but it is never disrespectful. The fact of the matter is we are all dying. Cancer, ailment, accident, old age, whatever -- the end result will be death. "50/50" helps us face our mortality with reality. Will you live the rest of your life in tears or in laughter?
The flick-o-meter gives "50/50" a good four out of five. I liked the film. The director, Jonathan Levine, did a fine job and the acting ensemble was great. The only weakness was, well, Seth Rogen. He does show some depth but his predictably loud, hard-partying buddy persona takes the edge off a film that would otherwise be the best medicine.
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Show Times
Digital Projection show times for 'Conan' at Northeast Cobb's Park 12 Cobb Stadium Cinemas are: 2:50, 5:10, 7:40 and 10 p.m.
Dinner
Try at 700 Sandy Plains Rd.
About this column: Brett Martin is a familiar face in the Atlanta area. He was the Entertainment reporter and Road Warrior for Fox 5 and Good Day Atlanta for many years (1999-2007). Brett continues to be a film critic and a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. He has personally interviewed nearly every major movie star and academy award winning actor and actress over the past two decades. You can catch all his reviews and find out more about Brett on his two websites. His movie reviews can be seen at www.flickedup.com. His video production business, which specializes in online commercials, can be seen at www.brettervideo.com. If you have any specific questions contact Brett via email at flickmeup@gmail.com or friend him on Facebook www.facebook.com/brettervideo. You can also follow him on Twitter at @imbrettmartin.