James Franco

Seth Rogen on James Franco, comic genius

Arts, Culture & Media

James Franco may be a conceptual artist, writer, and English professor — but Seth Rogen is especially impressed at his longtime comic partner’s skills at improvisation.

General Manager Brandon Delaney looks up at the marquee sign after the announcement that the Plaza Theatre would be showing the movie "The Interview" beginning Christmas Day in Atlanta, Georgia December 23, 2014.

The Interview opens in theatres today. But is it a happy ending?

Culture
James Franco and Seth Rogen pose during the premiere of the film "The Interview" in Los Angeles on December 11, 2014.

Despite threats, ‘The Interview’ will actually hit (select) theaters on Christmas Day

Global Politics
The World

Seth Rogen, 17 days ago: I hope North Korea won’t screw up ‘Interview’ release

Arts
​Security guards stand behind bicycle rails at the entrance of United Artists theater during premiere of the film "The Interview" in Los Angeles, California December 11, 2014.

North Korean defectors are eager to check out The Interview, but Sony decides not to release the film as planned

Media
The Interview promotional poster

Why Seth Rogen’s latest movie may have caused a North Korean cyber attack

Media

When The Interview comes out in December, it may very well be the first movie ever to cause a cyber attack. Sony Pictures was recently attacked by hackers — and many people think the hackers were North Koreans motivated by the new movie, which discusses a secret mission to North Korea to kill Kim Jong-un.

Director and actor James Franco, right, poses with actor Scott Haze  during a red carpet for the movie "Child of God" during the 70th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2013.

James Franco’s new film explores life through the lens of a violent sociopath

Culture

James Franco’s “Child of God” is dark — and grim. But it also has moments of levity. It was critical, said Franco, who directed and co-wrote the film adaptation, to give audiences permission to laugh, so they would stick with the film despite its dark central character.James Franco’s “Child of God” is dark — and grim. But it also has moments of levity. It was critical, said Franco, who directed and co-wrote the film adaptation, to give audiences permission to laugh, so they would stick with the film despite its dark central character.

An employee works with documents at the Russian State Archives.

From Russia with smut: Inside the Soviet Union’s porn collection

Global Scan

Russia allowed a rare glimpse inside its secret trove of porn, which Soviet officials snatched away from its citizens. Elsewhere, Ghana’s government sent a planeload of cash to its World Cup heroes in Brazil to end a pay dispute. And PRI’s The World answered all of your questions on the unfolding war in Iraq. That and more in today’s Global Scan.Russia allowed a rare glimpse inside its secret trove of porn, which Soviet officials snatched away from its citizens. Elsewhere, Ghana’s government sent a planeload of cash to its World Cup heroes in Brazil to end a pay dispute. And PRI’s The World answered all of your questions on the unfolding war in Iraq. That and more in today’s Global Scan.

Magic, friendship and thrills among movie new releases this weekend

Arts, Culture & Media

From comedic magicians to criminal girls, movie theaters this weekend will have a diverse offering. Among the four new releases are Ginger and Rosa, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, the Call and Spring Breakers.

Michigan film industry rises and falls as tax credits come and go

Arts, Culture & Media

When Michigan’s auto factories started to close, many wondered what to do with them. The state decided to try and turn them into movie studios, which worked for a time. Until the tax credits ran out. Now those new studios are empty former factories once more.