The 2013 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival has come to a close, and we're taking a look at all the stars who popped up in Austin, TX, to join in the fun. Zac Efron linked up with costar Dennis Quaid to premiere their At Any Price, while Justin Timberlake performed at a secret show. Selena Gomez showed skin in a crop top for her Spring Breakers premiere, and Usher took the stage at the Converse party. Click through to see all the star-studded action at SXSW!
In today's SXSW recap, we update you about Drunk History, coming to Comedy Central; James Franco's festival film Maladies; and all the must-see music acts happening in Austin.
Selena Gomez was the lady in red last night when she attended the Spring Breakers LA premiere in a crimson-colored Reem Acra gown. She was joined by her costars James Franco, Ashley Benson, and Vanessa Hudgens, who wore a dramatically feathered Naeem Khan frock to the event. It was a big night for young Hollywood, as other celebrity attendees included Ashley's Pretty Little Liars costar Shay Mitchell, Modern Family star Sarah Hyland, and Vanessa Hudgens's High School Musical friend Ashley Tisdale. This marks the first official stateside premiere of the highly anticipated flick, but the cast did host a special screening of Spring Breakers at SXSW on Sunday. It's also Selena's first public appearance since an alleged new song was leaked off of her upcoming album.
Selena Gomez met up with her Spring Breakers costars to premiere their new flick at SXSW yesterday. She wore a bright Dolce & Gabbana ensemble as she posed for photos with costars Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, and James Franco, and later attended a Q&A session about Spring Breakers. During the premiere, James talked about his violent, cornrow-wearing character in the film, noting that it was a "fun" character to play but he hated his hairstyle. He said, "The grills were cool. I hated the cornrows … if anybody had cornrows, you're in the club. We can get together and say, 'Aw, the itch; it's horrible.'"
After debuting their project, Selena attended an afterparty with stars like Chloë Sevigny, while Ashley and James, who were rumored to be dating back in October, cuddled up for photos.
With Oz the Great and Powerful currently in theaters, we're reacquainted with some classic movie characters that first graced the screen in The Wizard of Oz 74 years ago. Since this is a prequel of sorts and focuses on the wizard (played by James Franco), we don't see all of the characters you know and love (sorry, Dorothy), but there are a few younger, slightly different versions of a few familiar Oz denizens. Click through to see how the shiny new class stacks up against the originals.
Oz the Great and Powerful finally hits theaters this week, but is the Wizard of Oz prequel as epic as the original? Watch our video review to see if James Franco's new film is a watch, a pass, or a rent!
As a prequel to the beloved 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Oz the Great and Powerful has a rich well of nostalgia at its disposal, and director Sam Raimi harnesses it to provide a foundation for a fresh new angle. Unfortunately, the new movie set in the land of Oz is all flash and no substance. James Franco plays small-time magician Oscar Diggs, who goes by "Oz" and is more concerned with fame and money than with other people. When the Kansas resident gets swept into a tornado (sound familiar?), he finds a strange new world that desperately needs to be saved from a mysterious wicked witch. Though Oz feels like an impostor, he finds a new side of himself that wants to help, thanks to some new friends and a beautiful witch, Glinda (Michelle Williams).
The good witch is contrasted by two other witches, Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Theodora (Mila Kunis), who both have streaks of wickedness, but we don't know who the bad witch is until an early twist reveals her. The witches, with their magic and unparalleled beauty, are the most fun characters to watch, but this is supposed to be about Oz — and his story is not compelling in the least. Find out what else I thought of Oz the Great and Powerful after the jump.
James Franco was honored in Hollywood yesterday with a star on the Walk of Fame. The actor's latest movie, Oz the Great and Powerful, comes out today. James has been gearing up for the Disney release for several weeks, kicking things off in February at a premiere in LA, where he waved to fans from Oz's infamous hot-air balloon before walking the red carpet.
James was joined by his former Freaks and Geeks costar Seth Rogen at yesterday's star ceremony. Oz director Sam Raimi, who previously worked with James on Spider-Man, shared a few words about the actor to mark the occasion, while his brother Dave and mom Betsy looked on proudly. To get the scoop on James's performance as the wizard, check out our review of Oz the Great and Powerful.
James Franco steps away from his indie project and into major blockbuster territory with this week's Oz the Great and Powerful, but the actor has been making a splash since movies like Whatever It Takes. Find out how well you know Franco by matching the close-up to the movie it comes from.
James Franco plays the title character in Oz the Great and Powerful, but he doesn't exactly start off as the greatest guy in the world. At a recent press day for the film, I sat down with Franco to talk about what he saw in the character of Oz and why he's loved The Wizard of Oz since he was a kid. He also revealed which character he would have played in the original movie. Watch!
