Friday 7 August 2015

James Franco

A recent MAP club meeting featured American actor James Franco. Now known for films such as The Interview, Pineapple Express, and the Spider Man trilogy, Franco's first notable acting role was actually in television, starring in the cult hit, Freaks and Geeks. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his lead role in 127 Hours - a Danny Boyle film about a real-life canyoneer who became trapped and stranded between a boulder and a canyon wall for over 5 days. More recently, Franco was cast as a Florida drug dealer alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez in Harmony Korine's dark comedy crime film Spring Breakers. 127 Hours and Spring Breakers were chosen for MAP club.

We enjoyed honey teriyaki stir fry with chicken and vegetables for dinner, and a selection of cakes for dessert. We drank orange, apple, carrot, and ginger juice. We watched 127 Hours first, and our thoughts on the films are below.

       

Billy on 127 Hours: A moving and interesting film, 127 Hours is filled with contrasts. Beautiful vast canyon scenery becomes a dark, rocky cell. A free, adventurous, carefree and independent man becomes restricted, isolated, dependent, and desperate to survive. The film is very well-made, and particularly intriguing considering it's mostly shot around a single character situated in the same location for the majority of the film. James Franco's performance is excellent, and I'd recommend this film to everyone (just be ready if you're the squeamish type!).

Lette on 127 hours: I may have gone to a weird level on this film. I've now seen it 4 times and also read Aron Ralston's book detailing his ordeal - 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place', what a brilliant title. Even though I was very familiar with the story there is no way we could have earned our James Franco patch without this feature being featured. It's essentially a one-man show and he carries it so well. The film makes me seriously question what I would do in that situation and i'm fairly confident I would just lay down and die, I'm not that brave. But I'm also fairly sure I would never be in the horrendous situation of having to cut off my own arm to survive so the point is moot.

Billy on Spring Breakers: Franco's physical transformation for this role is impressive and he is committed to his character. Though I wasn't particularly moved by this film, I enjoyed it in parts, and I agree it's funny, in a ridiculous kind-of-way. I don't understand the hype, however, as I didn't think it was anything special. Generally, I think Spring Breakers can be kept with all Alien's other shit! 

Lette on Spring Breakers: I had heard good things about this film and now I'm starting to think all those reviews were by people that must have been hypnotized by the constant subliminal messaging that is James Franco whispering 'spring break 4eva'. If I took a shot every time that happened I would have finished the night white girl wasted. The scene that will lift this film to cult status is the sunset, poolside rendition of the classic Britney Spears track - 'Everytime'. Actually, there are a few scenes that pay homage to queen Britney and I appreciate that. I've been a Franco fan since Freaks and Geeks and I'm so glad he's maintained momentum in the film biz, this isn't my favourite film of his, but they can't all be as gold as Pineapple Express. *spring break 4eva*.

The James Franco completion patch.