50/50 (3.5)

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Inspired by true events, this comedy is about a 27 year old who finds out he has cancer and has a 50/50 chance of survival.

I absolutely heart Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Hesher, 500 Days of Summer) and all he does (as you probably know by now). This movie is no exception. This was such a personal look at cancer and what it can do to someone and I thought it played the part quite well. Although at times I wanted a little bit more I quickly realized that that was the way his character was and not until the car scene (you'll know the one) did I really see into this man. That's the thing, you do feel for him and don't want him to suffer but you also don't get a lot out of this character until the movie really gets cooking and I thought that was an interesting approach.

Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet) is someone that I was never sure about until recently and now I know I like him. He is goofy but not ridiculous (see, Will Farrell) and emotional but not stupid. I like his style of comedy and him as a person and the fact that this story was about his friend and his experiences meant that much more when you see him on the screen.

Anna Kendrick is quickly sneaking up to be one of my new favs. Okay, she was really girly like in the Twilight films, but don't hold that against her. She held her own in Up in the Air and the more I see her the more impressed I am. She was really cute in this movie and I liked her character a lot.

I thought the balance between comedy and drama was tipped more towards to drama but the comedy is good and I was laughing a bunch. I thought it was going to be more comedy so I got a bit of a surprise when it tipped the other way but it totally worked and the emotions were running high by the end. Let's just say that I wasn't the only one who was sniffing and trying to hide their tears.

One complaint is that about 3/4 the way through the movie seemed to reeeaally slow down and it was like not much was happening. It was a bit on repeat and I started to get kind of bored but I suppose that needed to happen so the ending was more intense but it brought me out of the movie for a bit which sucked.

A different way to look at the disease and some interesting characters were backed by good scenes and some great laughs. Some parts slowed too much which took away from the strength of the movie at times but I liked it.

Bonus: That damn dog.

3.5/5 ADSENSE HERE

Valhalla Rising (2)

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I had heard that this movie was so gory and awesome and full of vikings and blood goodness. I was really disappointed in this movie. I also was looking forward to it because it was the same director as Drive but that movie was WAY better and actually can't even be compared at all. So lame.

One. All everyone ever does is stare. It's not that there isn't a lot of dialogue, that's not the problem at all. It's literally a lot of shots of guys looking at other guys or mountains or trees or fog and then back to each other. Boring. No expression on any one's face when all you see are faces is boring after, well, 10 minutes and this movie felt like 4 hours.

Two. The story was nothing. I had actually no idea what was going on ever except that they were going from one place to another. I assume it was Canada and Indians and stuff but I'm not sure. Also, I think it's actually Scottish people and not Vikings so the title of the film kind of leads you on. I guess Valhalla has a better ring to it than Hell though. I'll give 'em that.

Three. Anytime there was action it was quick, gross and great. The gore, the few times it happened, came out of nowhere which worked and then was really graphic. If there had been a little more of that the movie would've been way better.

Four. It was beautiful. The movie is all landscapes and arty shots. Really beautiful set ups and backgrounds but when you are still on something for 2 minutes without it moving and no talking or music it is more stationary than needed. Aka, boring.

I wanted to like this movie more than anything and when I saw it on Netflix I was super pumped and turned it on without a second thought. Then I sat there. And sat there. And little things happened. Then I sat. And sat. And people died. And I sat. And it was over.

I didn't like it. I did think the little bit of gore was good and the main guy was good and some of the shots were beautiful but either I missed the point or it never had one.

2/5 ADSENSE HERE