SIDE HUSTLE: JAMES FRANCO: STONER CREEP

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SIDE HUSTLE 6: JAMES FRANCO: WE KNOW HE IS CANCELLED, STOP TEXTING US ABOUT IT
We live in an era where men are being held accountable for being awful (not nearly enough of them but it's a start). This is a good thing. Most of these men are older, however, and in the creative sphere most are past their Best By date. So it is unusual to have someone like James Franco, literally at the apex of his skills both as actor and director, undone by his own destructive impulses. It offers a fascinating "what if" to a career that will more than likely never be now.
As actor we begin with PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (2008), the first mainstream feature directed by David Gordon Green (we talked about his brilliant "Joe" during our Cage Uncaged season, still worth a watch!) and featuring a near-future murderers row of comedic actors. Like most films written by Seth Rogen and longtime co-writer Evan Goldberg, Express eventually boils down to a story about male friendship. This time between Rogen and Franco's sweet, open-hearted stoner Saul. It is a classic performance in a classic stoner comedy.
Franco has directed a lot in a short time and our "side hustle" film of his is THE DISASTER ARTIST (2017) detailing the, uh, male friendship between real life Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero. No, this was not written by Rogen and Goldberg. Instead we have a true life story about the man behind one of the best worst movies ever made, The Room, who spends a lot of time, money and effort in order to not have to say "I love you" to his best bud (who is played by Franco's own brother, not-cancelled Mr. Allison Brie, Dave). Both a singular performance that strives to go beyond imitation and directing makes this the most Franco of movies. It shouldn't work but does.
An amazing career most likely cut short in mainstream cinema with no one else to blame but himself. Maybe he can play himself in the eventual film version.
Ken and Thomas are joined by Leigh to sort it all out.
THEME SONG BY: WEIRD A.I.
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