In 1977, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) becomes the nation's first openly gay man to be voted into public office, joining the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Using his victory to champion not only gay rights but human rights as well, Milk unites a diverse group of people from across the political spectrum with his outspoken manner and sense of humor. But, as he gains recognition and increases his public profile, Milk also faces hostility from fellow supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin), the man who would ulitmately take the lives of both Milk and Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber). Directed by Gus Van Sant. With Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Diego Luna, Alison Pill and Lucas Grabeel. Categories: Biography, Drama, Based on a True Story. Year: 2008.
James Franco in Milk
Traveling to North Carolina to reconcile with his estranged son, Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere) finds himself at an inn in a small coastal town. Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane), in an effort to escape the chaos of her precarious married life, has retreated to Rodanthe for the weekend to tend to the inn for a friend. When a major storm strike, these two troubled souls make a connection and begin a life-changing romance. Directed by George C. Wolfe. With James Franco, Scott Glenn, Christopher Meloni, Mae Whitman and Viola Davis. Categories: Drama, Romance. Year: 2008.
James Franco in Nights in Rodanthe
After Dale Denton (Seth Rogen), a lazy stoner, witnesses a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and a dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole) commit a murder, he heads to his dealer Saul Silver's (James Franco) house to make sure that the rare weed he dropped at the scene can't be traced back to him. When it turns out that the Pineapple Express he left behind will lead the killers straight to Saul, Dale and his permanently stoned dealer go on the run. With their lives in danger, Dale and Saul will have to use every brain cell they have left to outsmart the killers on their trail. Directed by David Gordon Green. With Bill Hader, James Remar, Danny R. McBride, Craig Robinson and Kevin Corrigan. Categories: Comedy, Crime, Thriller. Year: 2008.
James Franco in Pineapple Express
After Bruce Lee's death leaves fans shocked and saddened, a movie studio quickly sets out to turn the 12 minutes of footage that they have from his final film into a full-length feature. Searching far and wide, executives audition hundreds of men hoping that they might have what it takes to fill Bruce Lee's shoes. They do not. Directed by Justin Lin. With Roger Fan, Sung Kang, James Franco and McCaleb Burnett. Categories: Comedy. Year: 2007.
James Franco in Finishing the Game
After a young soldier goes AWOL following his return from Iraq, his father, Hank (Tommy Lee Jones), a career military officer, and his mother, Joan (Susan Sarandon), work together with police detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) to uncover the truth behind his mysterious disappearance. Directed byPaul Haggis. With Jason Patric, James Franco, Frances Fisher and Josh Brolin. Categories: Drama, Mystery. Year: 2007.
James Franco in In the Valley of Elah
With Spider-Man now a beloved celebrity, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has come to terms with his duty and has found a way to balance his work with his relationship with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). But, when his suit somehow turns black and increases his super powers, Peter's personality begins to change and he becomes angry, aggressive and arrogant. After his actions cause him to lose Mary Jane, Peter must figure out a way to return to his former self while fighting off his old friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) and a powerful new enemy, Sandman (Thomas Haden Church). Directed by Sam Raimi. With Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons. Categories: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Based on a Comic. Year: 2007.
James Franco in Spider-Man 3
After finally winning over his congressman, shipyard welder and amateur boxer Jake Huard (James Franco) is admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy. Dealing with difficult classes and a tough superior named Cole (Tyrese Gibson), Jake gets support from his roommate and his superiors Ali (Jordana Brewster) and Lt. Commander Burton (Donnie Wahlberg), finding the strength to study hard and train for a Navy boxing competition. Directed by Justin Lin. With Chi McBride. Categories: Drama, Sports. Year: 2006.
James Franco in Annapolis
After Krista's (Brittany Murphy) dead body is found by a lonely caretaker (Toni Collette), a forensics graduate student (Rose Byrne), whose sister went missing as a child, believes the girl is her lost sibling. Meanwhile, a woman (Mary Beth Hurt) in an abusive relationship discovers a disturbing connection between her husband (Nick Searcy) and Krista's murder. And, Melora (Marcia Gay Harden), a mother searching for answers about her runaway daughter, finds help in her quest from another troubled young woman (Kerry Washington). Directed by Karen Moncrieff. With Piper Laurie, Giovanni Ribisi, Mary Steenburgen and Bruce Davison. Categories: Drama, Mystery, Thriller. Year: 2006.
James Franco in The Dead Girl
Based on the true story of a daring rescue 500 American POWs held by the Japanese during World War II, the movie stars Benjamin Bratt as the commander of the US Army Rangers who carry out the mission. James Franco plays one of the most daring of the rescuers, while Joseph Fiennes is the leader of the POWs, and Connie Nielsen is a nurse who helps with the rescue. Directed by John Dahl. With Robert Mammone and Max Martini. Categories: Action, Drama, War. Year: 2005.
James Franco in The Great Raid
Two years after embracing his duties as Spider-Man, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is on the verge of giving up his secret identity. His alter-ego is destroying his normal life and threatening to end his romance with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) once and for all. But, before he can put his costume into permanent storage, Peter is called upon spring to action to face off with the steel-tentacled Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist driven insane by an industrial accident. While battling with Dr. Octopus, Peter also must deal with his best friend Harry's (James Franco) vendetta against Spider-Man, who he believes killed his father. Directed by Sam Raimi. With J.K. Simmons and Rosemary Harris. Categories: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, New York, Based on a Comic. Year: 2004.
James Franco in Spider-Man 2
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), a mild-mannered student photographer, is bitten by a radioactive spider on a school trip. The next morning, Peter discovers that he has gained super strength and agility, along with an uncanny ability to sense trouble. Meanwhile, businessman Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), the father of Peter's friend Harry (James Franco), is transformed into the Green Goblin after an experiment at his laboratory goes horribly wrong. Peter must now face off against this dangerous foe, and find a way to balance his new life with his pursuit of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). Directed by Sam Raimi. Categories: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Based on a Comic. Year: 2002.
James Franco in Spider-Man
When journalist Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) is assigned to go undercover and find out what really goes on in today's high schools, she hopes that she will be more popular with her classmates than she was the first time around. But, after enrolling in a local high school, Josie quickly falls back into nerdy habits and finds it difficult to make friends. Things look bleak for Josie until her cool, older brother Rob (David Arquette) shows up and spreads flattering gossip about her, attracting the attention of the coolest kids in school (Jessica Alba and James Franco). Just as things start to go Josie's way, she finds that she is falling for a teacher (Michael Vartan), putting her assignment and career in jeopardy. Directed by Raja Gosnell. With Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly and Garry Marshall. Categories: Comedy, Romance. Year: 1999.
James Franco in Never Been Kissed