Scott Haze Amazes in James Franco’s ‘Child of God,’ a Movie Based on Cormac McCarthy Novel

dorriolds — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 13:46:06 +0000

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, I sat down with actor writer director James Franco and actor Scott Haze who plays lead character Lester Ballard in the movie “Child of God.” The movie is based on Cormac McCarthy’s third book and true to McCarthy form, it is a dark, disturbing tale of life at its rawest. Ballard is a human abomination, a deranged man that society has forsaken. Lester’s father hung himself, and his mother ran off leaving him to fend for himself in a cabin in the woods. He is more feral beast than human.
Ballard is a murderer, rapist and necrophiliac. He also shoots stuffed animals. That scene, although tragic, was also hilarious and the levity was appreciated. Most of it is darker than dark — one of my favorite things in any movie. But the trouble Franco ran into with both the screenplay he wrote and directing the film is that it is repetitive.
I will say there’s plenty of excitement, though, in between those repetitions. Ballard, devoured by loneliness and isolation, runs around the woods with a rifle, finds a dead woman and drags her home for company and necrophilia, and he talks to himself. He also talks to his stuffed animals and to both of the cadavers he has crushes on. Strangely, this anti-hero comes across as a sympathetic character because it is clear that the horrid hand he was dealt in life made him who he is. The movie is about man’s inherent need to be connected to others, to experience companionship, love, and sex.
Haze earned an Academy Award nomination in my opinion and I’ve got fingers and toes crossed that he gets one. His portrayal of Ballard is some of the best acting you will ever see. Haze threw himself into the role and became Ballard — sans the violence and necrophilia.
To get into the right headspace Haze left L.A. and his iPhone and went to Tennessee for three months. He lived in a cabin in the woods for two months and a cave for a month. During our interview Haze said, “The reason I went to Tennessee is I knew I couldn’t prepare for this role in Los Angeles. I had to do a lot of work. I had to lose the muscle, grow hair everywhere. When I was isolated in Tennessee I really got to see what it’s like to have those times when you’re talking to yourself, which added to the performance, which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t isolated myself for that period of time. Just the mumbling, the things that go through somebody’s head when they spend too much time alone.”
The New York City premiere of “Child of God” was Wednesday night at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Chatting with him earlier, Franco, 36, had mussed hair and kept his black leather jacket on. At the red carpet the star looked crisp in a black checked suit with chestnut brown shoes, and a Copenhagen-blue silk tie against a white shirt. He told the crowd, “I’m proud to be part of this movie by my favorite living writer.”
Haze arrived with actress Elissa Shay. Haze wore a dark blue suit, matching tie, white shirt and black shoes. Shay wore a red silk halterneck gown with thigh-high slits.
Lana Del Rey, 29, looked ravishing in a white brocade high-waisted pencil skirt, matching cropped top with a white underlay that covered her middle. She wore strappy gold sandal flats and her signature winged eyeliner.
“Child of God” opened Fri., August 1, 2014. Crime drama. Rated R. 104 min.
Watch the trailer

Watch James Franco talk about necrophilia

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James Franco Cuddles with a Kitty, Plus More From Broadway Barks

dorriolds — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 07:19:15 +0000

Broadway Barks 16, held Saturday, July 12, featured adoptable — and adorable — dogs and cats from New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies including ASPCA, Animal Care and Control of NYC (AC&C), Animal Haven, BARC (Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition), Bideawee, Bobbi & the Strays, City Critters, Humane Society of New York (HSNY), KittyKind, Posh Pets Rescue, SaveKitty Foundation and Urban Cat League.
I asked Broadway Barks co-founder Bernadette Peters what is the biggest misconception about shelter dogs and she said, “People think they’re in the shelter because they’re not good dogs, and that’s just not the case. Unfortunately, during these times, people lose their jobs, have to move in with family members, can’t take their dogs and then you have a 5-year-old family member in the shelter — depressed, sad and you see the difference when that dog gets adopted. You see it on their face how happy they are. Because shelter dogs know they’ve been rescued, they will bond with you forever.”
Mary Tyler Moore, co-founder of Broadway Barks, could not attend this year, so James Franco stepped up as co-host. Here he is hugging an adoptable kitty named Totes Magotes. In case you don’t know, “totes magotes” comes from a scene in the movie, “I Love You, Man,” when Paul Rudd used it as slang for “totally.” Franco said he decided to help out at Broadway Barks because, “I’ve loved the Broadway community, so I’m just trying to help out wherever I can.” When asked if he had pets Franco said, “I have two cats. That’s why I’m holding a cat.”

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James Franco Archives - Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer

Scott Haze Amazes in James Franco’s ‘Child of God,’ a Movie Based on Cormac McCarthy Novel

James Franco Cuddles with a Kitty, Plus More From Broadway Barks