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50/50Released: 2011Director: Jonathan LevineStars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt,Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick

MelancholiaReleased: 2011Director: Lars von TrierStars: Kirsten Dunst,Charlotte Gainsbourg

Melancholia is crushing to say the least, but when you’re faced with a planet that is on a course to collide with earth, there aren’t may other adjectives to describe such an event. With a cast that features Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg & Kiefer Sutherland, Melancholia takes place in two distinctive parts. Part one follows Justine (Dunst) on her crumbling wedding night, and part two follows Claire (Gainsbourg) on her mental struggle leading up to Melancholia’s dramatic visit. Each part follows their lifes and personal ordeals up until they are put into perspective by the mysterious blue planet.With an opening sequence that bears

extremely slow motion hints to the outcome of the film, the scene is set for an also slightly-slow film, that eventually culminates in a fast planetary-paced ending. Still worth a watch for ideas on how to tackle the impending 2012 apocalyspe, though.

Some could say that the title of 50/50 is an apt name for a film, given that its current reviews are somewhat varied. However for a film that features contempo-rary indie-film regulars, such as Joseph Gordon Levett, Seth Rogen & Anna Kendrick, you could be mistaken if you were to assume that 50/50 was a film that wouldn’t take itself seriously. The film’s fundamental plotline centres around the notion of it’s main character, Adam, who is suffering from cancer.

Joseph Gordeon-Levett as Adam, is diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 27, plunging his otherwise comfortable and healthy life into disarray. Adam’s struggle lies in attempting and understanding how to cope with his

dramatically altered lifestyle, amongst a set of people who are equally doing their best to help him out. Seth Rogen features as always, as his inappropriate but amusing best friend Kyle, helping Adam attempt to make the best out of a bad situation.

The film shares many of the glistening witty moments you’d expect from this cast, even as the film takes a turn for the worse, emotions and a genuine empathy for the characters desends. It’s difficult to say that this film isnt moving, especially given the plotline’s subject, but what is equally upsetting is that Joseph Gordon-Levett’s perfor-mance and ever likeable characters, keep breaking my heart.

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