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Link Time - James Franco to Pick Up Girls

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:51:44 PST

James Franco is in final negotiations to play a pick-up artist in The Game - The Hollywood Reporter
15 breakout stars to watch in 2012 - NextMovie
How long will Alec Baldwin stay on 30 Rock? -Zap2it
See which movies were nominated for Writers Guild Awards - Rotten Tomatoes
Kelly Clarkson and more artists join The Voice - HuffPost TV
The best quotes from this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries - BuddyTV
Check out a new image from Snow White and the Huntsman - /Film
Here's your first look at Jeremy Renner in The Bourne Legacy - Moviefone
Love wisdom from Drew Barrymore movie characters - TrèsSugar

Are You Interested in Reading James Franco's Novel?

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:10:13 PST

James Franco became a published author with his short-story collection, Palo Alto, but his newest venture into the book world sounds a lot juicier: Franco has written a novel based on his acting career. The book, called Actors Anonymous, will be published by Amazon, though it's still uncertain when the book will actually be released.

I've come to take Franco's wacky antics with a grain of salt at this point, but I have to admit I'm intrigued to read about his life and career - even if it is a fictionalization. Just think of how much fun it would be to guess which other Hollywood stars Franco has included with changed names. How do you feel about this news - are you interested in reading Franco's study of Franco?

Link Time - James Franco May Play Hugh Hefner

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:30:14 PST

Find out about James Franco's cameo in Lovelace - Moviefone
Emile Hirsch's five favorite movies are quite the variety - Rotten Tomatoes
See the familiar face who might be the next Bachelorette - HuffPost TV
Get the scoop on whether Steve Jones will be back as The X Factor host - The Hollywood Reporter
Listen to Glee's upcoming covers of Rihanna and Maroon 5 hits - Zap2It
The 19 most memorable movie tattoos - NextMovie
Are these the 50 best TV episodes of 2011? - BuddyTV
A guide to getting into Doctor Who - GeekSugar

Link Time - Check Out a New Dark Knight Rises Poster

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:36:39 PST

See the latest poster for The Dark Knight Rises - Rotten Tomatoes
The best parts of James Franco's Breaking Dawn review - Moviefone
Get the scoop on Disney's latest princess, Sofia - The Hollywood Reporter
The American Film Institute names the top 10 TV shows of 2011 - Aol TV
Watch the teaser trailers for new HBO shows Girls and Veep - Zap2It
The best returning TV series of 2011 - BuddyTV
Relive The Muppets with the "Man or Muppet" music video - NextMovie
Get fashion inspiration from the stars of New Girl and Hart of Dixie - FabSugar

Jennifer, George, Ashley, Brad, Ryan, and More - See All the Stars at the Toronto International Film Festival!

PopSugar — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:43:30 PDT

Jennifer Garner, Brad Pitt, Ashley Greene, and Jon Hamm are just some of the major stars that rolled in to Canada late last week to debut their latest projects at the Toronto International Film Festival. We've been there covering all the hot premieres and press conferences, and mingling with stars like Alexander Skarsgard, Megan Fox, Ryan Gosling, Jessica Chastain, and Bryce Dallas Howard - click through to see all the photos we've gathered so far, and be sure to check back later, as more A-list names share their big-screen titles with our neighbor to the north!

Colin, Michael, Selma, and James Spend a Glamourous Weekend at Venice

Allie Merriam — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:30:41 PDT

The star-studded action at the Venice Film Festival continued over the weekend with Michael Fassbender stepping back into the spotlight Sunday for a Shame photo call alongside director Steve McQueen. Michael, who was before the cameras last week showing of Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method, changed out of his jeans and flip-flops to hit the red carpet for a premiere that night. James Franco was also busy that afternoon doing press for his movie Sal with costar Val Lauren. Yesterday, Selma Blair showed her postbaby body at a photo call, where she wore a green number from Roland Mouret and premiere for Dark Horse. Colin Firth lent his glamour to the proceedings at events for Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, and his wife Livia was on hand for a special screening. Livia blogged about the evening for Vogue UK, saying she was more nervous than usual since she wore a dress of her own design. There's more action to come from Italy this week, as the festival continues until Friday.

Salma, James, and Madonna Toast Gucci and Female Filmmakers in Venice

Lindsay Miller — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:20:31 PDT

Madonna, Salma Hayek, and James Franco were among the guests at tonight's very first Gucci Award For Women in Cinema Soiree at the Venice Film Festival. The fashion house announced its intention to create the award last October, with the goal of recognizing the big-screen project or talent that best exemplifies the role of women in the movies. Salma arrived on the arm of her husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, who is the head of Gucci Group. Madonna brought her longtime manager, Guy Oseary, as her date. James Franco also took a brief break from work to attend the celebration of cinema. The Gucci Pour Homme fragrance spokesmodel has been spending the last days of Summer in Detroit as he shoots Oz: The Great and Powerful, but he was part of the jury that selected this year's winner, who Madonna presented with her award. The nominees included female producers, screenwriters, and directors, but Jessica Chastain ended up taking home the top honor for her Tree of Life performance.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Hail Caesar

Molly Goodson — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:30:00 PDT

In a cinematic landscape crowded with sequels, prequels, and reboots, Rise of the Planet of the Apes may easily be passed off as just another part of the pack, when in fact it's a fresh take on a beloved franchise with some fancy new tricks up its sleeve. The Planet of the Apes series has had hits and misses through the years, and this iteration manages to be a fulfilling part of the legacy and an enjoyable stand-alone piece. While imperfect, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning and full of heart, thanks primarily to an amazing performance by Andy Serkis as the sweet, but confused and troubled genius chimp Caesar.

James Franco is fine as Will Rodman, a conflicted and unethical young scientist who is working on a drug to cure Alzheimer's, which he has a personal stake in since his father Charles (John Lithgow) has an advanced case of the disease. His trials are shut down when his prize test ape, Bright Eyes, goes berserk in the lab. What is presumed to be a side effect of the drug turns out to be motherly instinct when a newborn baby chimp is found in her examining room. Unable to bring himself to put the infant to sleep, Will takes little Caesar home.

The green glint in Caesar's eye and his uncanny intelligence hint to Will that the drug was passed from mother to child and in fact has amazing results. Will proceeds to raise Caesar as a son, which goes swimmingly until Caesar starts to realize what he is missing out on in the world. A misunderstanding with a neighbor lands Caesar at a terrifying ape "preserve," which leaves Caesar feeling betrayed and ready to organize an uprising with his fellow apes.

To read the rest of my thoughts on Rise of the Planet of the Apes just

read more. The movie opens with an emotionally powerful image of apes in the wild being trapped and taken into captivity to be used for scientific experiments. The scene is one of many that pulls at the viewers' heartstrings and pleads for sympathy for the apes, even though you know they will eventually become ruthless blood-hungry enemies to the people of the San Francisco Bay Area, where the film is set. It's a thought-provoking message from the start, and between the effects and the unsettling tone, both the mind and eyes have something to ponder long after the final credits roll. This tone is ultimately the movie's blessing and curse; while the film raises important questions about ethics and the costs of scientific research, it also loses course near the middle. During the climactic scenes, it's hard to imagine what exactly the apes are fighting for. Plus, some of the cheesy dialogue is too distracting not to bring a chuckle. The supporting cast, which includes Freida Pinto, Lithgow, and Brian Cox, are all talented actors, but they are an afterthought to Serkis's performance as Caesar. The one standout exception may be Tom Felton, who has really mastered the art of being an unsympathetic villain and you can't help but cheer for his downfall. Franco's scenes in the lab were a little hard to believe, though he does shine in the tender father-son moments with both his onscreen father and his beloved ape. One of the most incredible aspects of Apes is the motion capture technology used to give the CGI apes real facial and physical expressions. A whole slew of actors take on the ape characters and manage to imbue the animals with a range of believable emotions without it ever looking like there's actually a true human face underneath. You do not need to be familiar with the earlier Planet of the Apes films to enjoy Rise of the Planet of the Apes, though there are a few obvious references for the fans. At one point Caesar is playing with a Statue of Liberty toy, for instance. Despite a few ludicrous moments, a handful of over-the-top cheesy lines, and a storyline that goes a little haywire toward the end, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an enjoyable ride. It tows the line between video game-esque sequences and heartfelt moments carefully, while showing us the latest and greatest in moviemaking magic. It has its flaws, but it just may leave you very entertained.

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Buzz Time Machine: James Franco Hangs With the Cool Kids in Never Been Kissed

Rose Curiel — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Before James Franco hosted the Oscars and starred in films like this week's Rise of the Planet of the Apes, he was paying his dues by taking on supporting roles. Take, for instance, his 1999 debut film role in Never Been Kissed, in which he plays a sidekick to one of the most popular boys in school. With only a few lines of dialogue and fleeting appearances in the background, it's quite possible you missed Franco the first time around, as he loitered in the high school hallways and donned disco duds for a themed prom.

Video: James Franco Steps Out With a New Girl at Rise of the Planet of the Apes Premiere!

PopSugar — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:05:26 PDT

James Franco announced his split with his long-time girlfriend just last week, but he showed up with a sexy date on his arm at last night's Rise of the Planet of the Apes premiere in LA. James walked the carpet along with costars Freida Pinto and Tom Felton, and Tom's Harry Potter costar Rupert Grint even showed up wearing a homemade tee to support his friend. Check out our coverage of the big night, and see James's new mystery woman!