Another actress who starred in a notorious picture that somewhat defined a generation (and gave Sweden quite a reputation) has just died.

Lena Nyman, best known for starring in the sexually liberated Swedish film "I Am Curious (Yellow) has passed away at the age of 66.

Here's more:

"Nyman's manager Mats Nilemar says she died peacefully in a Stockholm hospital early Friday after a long illness.

"Nyman starred in more than 50 Swedish films and plays. She won international fame mainly as the lead character in 'I Am Curious — Yellow,' a 1967 film that was banned in the U.S. for two years, and its sequel, 'I Am Curious — Blue.'

"Directed by Vilgot Sjoman, the movies combined social criticism with frank depictions of nudity and sex, contributing to the Sweden's image in the '60s as sexually liberated.

"Nyman also starred in Ingmar Bergman's 'Autumn Sonata.'"

 

Regin Philbin may have famously proclaimed, "I'm only one man," but for James Franco, well, we have to ponder that idea for a moment. Have you been following the actor the last few years? The "Spider-Man," "Pineapple Express," "Milk" multitasker might possibly be the hardest-working man in show business. He's not just an actor; he's a director, a doctoral student, an author, an artist and a soap opera star. And that's just the half of it. The current Oscar nominee (for his unforgettable performance in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours") is so ambitious, so multitalented and so busy — and in such a wonderfully quirky way — that it's impossible to not admire the guy in whatever he does. With that, and in honor of his newest gig, hosting the Oscar telecast come Feb. 27 (he's sharing duties with Anne Hathaway), we're taking a look at the many dimensions of Franco, from his splash on television to his college career to his ... thoughts on "Twilight." If you ever complain about "not having the time," just think of James Franco — and feel like a lazy slob.

The Original Freak

For me, this is where full-on Franco began: Daniel Desario. Oh my, yes, Daniel Desario. Your bad-boy style, your soulful eyes, your goofy smile, your attempt at punk rock, your hot temper but quickness to forgive, your crazy, sexy girlfriend Kim Kelly, your eventual, extremely touching bonding moment with the geeks via ... Dungeons and Dragons. Franco's Daniel Desario (and if you don't know the character, buy the first and only season of the fantastic, sadly short-lived TV series "Freaks and Geeks," like, now), cool kid of '80s-era McKinley High, remains one of Franco's finest roles, a role that, in cult circles, confirmed everything audiences and Franco-philes now know about the good-looking quirkster. He's funny, poignant, dorky, smoldering, and he doesn't take himself too seriously. After all, he did name his D&D character Carlos the Dwarf.

The Medium-Is-the-Method​ 'Spider-Man' Subversion

James Franco went Method to play one of the ultimate Method actors, James Dean, for the acclaimed cable biopic that won the young actor a Golden Globe. Tackling James Dean was a bold, impressive move, and everyone took notice of this very serious thespian. And yet, he didn't become an enormous star — like, Vanity Fair-cover-gracing star — at least not then. Franco even defies such easy classification. Sure, he was cast in "Spider-Man" and the eventual sequels, but he also appeared in Nicolas Cage's directorial effort, "Sonny," and the Robert De Niro picture "City by the Sea." And he was terrific in all of them ... maybe the most in one of his worst movies, "Spider-Man 3." By that point, Franco fans started getting the sneaking suspicion he was having a lot of campy fun with his character in the overplayed franchise. Just watch how he discusses pie in one scene (and all of the viral mashup YouTube clips devoted to this very line) and you'll understand. We wouldn't be surprised if Franco baked one of them.

 

The fantasy, lust object, and yet, very real, possibly attainable woman (and fine actress) who stirred so many men and women, young and old, has passed away at the too-young age of 58.

French actress Maria Schneider has left us, but of course, she'll not be forgotten.

With two legendary films made at such a young age, Bernardo Bertolucci's "Last Tango in Paris" in 1972 (with Marlon Brando) and Michelangelo Antonioni's "The Passenger" in 1975 (with Jack Nicholson), she managed to star in one of the most controversial films of all time and one of the most underseen and masterful of Antonioni's career. And one of Nicholson's greatest, most understated performances.

In honor of Schneider, LIFE.com gives us a nice photo gallery of "Last Tango in Paris" and the "uproar it created."

Check it out here.

 

Ranker is not too high on the idea of Anne Hathaway playing Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's latest "Batman" picture.

I've heard others grumble about the choice as well, and that no one can fill the shoes of the perfect cinematic Catwoman, Michelle Pfeiffer (I won't get into the greatness of TV's Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt).

So they've come up with a list of five actresses better suited (and they would literally be, well suited) for the part. Agree? Disagree?

Here's one:

"Charlize Theron:

"She's the right age to play a slightly more mature, but still gorgeous version of Selina Kyle. In movies like 'Monster' Charlize has also played roles where her look has been transformed completely. Her metamorphosis from submissive office worker to vicious vigilante could see her look and demeanor change completely. With movies like 'Aeon Flux,' Charlize also has the athletic figure and action movie chops to pull off this role. She's the girl who saves Brandon Flowers by fighting ninjas for crying out loud!"

 

Here's an exclusive first look -- "Trust," directed by David Schwimmer.

The movie deals with tough subject matter -- online predators. Clive Owen and Catherine Keener (wonderful casting) are parents to a teenage daughter who is put into a horrific situation by an online impostor.

The resulting family drama is, said to be, intense and beautifully acted.

 

How can you not love Jack Nicholson after this interview?

It's honest, charming, poignant and actually uplifting. Sure, many guys haven't led the lives Nicholson has, but he sure makes one feel better about aging. And his "eff it" quality makes him even cooler and strangely, more virile (unlike some other big name, aging male stars who wouldn't dare utter the frank statements Nicholson does).

Read the whole thing, but here's one choice bit, from The Daily Mail:

"His latest movie, the romantic comedy How Do You Know, sees him star alongside Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd as a rich, selfish tycoon who sets his son up to go to jail for a crime that he himself committed.

"While most actors relish blinding others with their presence, Nicholson does not.

"‘I hate it. I don’t want to be treated like the Medusa or the Lincoln Memorial. People have an idea of me which is not the reality. On set I’m an actor like every other actor. Most times, for every part I play, I can think of other actors who would be better. I worry from the moment I take a job. I worry about how I’m going to do it, if I can do it. I try to work out what I have to do on set and how I do that.

"'I get extremely anxious. I panic. I can’t get it. It happens every time, and I get myself into this state, and then I walk on set and the director says, 'Roll', and all of a sudden all of it disappears and it’s all happening, and I relax and I’m doing what I do and I’m not even thinking about it. And I relax up until the moment they yell Cut’"
 

Today is the legend's birthday. And this picture, well, a picture can tell a thousand words. Or one ...

Now go rent "Night Nurse," "It Happened One Night," "Gone with the Wind," "San Francisco," "The Misfits" and every movie he starred with Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow and Carole Lombard.
 

A re-make of "Gambit"?

I know the movie, my mom knows the movie, Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine fans know the movie, Turner Classic Movie enthusiasts know the movie, but modern audiences? Probably not as familiar.

So ... as much as I enjoyed the 1966 comedy caper, I have no idea what to make of the updated redo, scripted by Joel and Ethan Coen.

They are, sadly (or, perhaps, blessedly) not directing the movie.

Here's more about the project and cast from Thompson on Hollywood:

"The Coen brothers’ screenplay update of Gambit—the 1966 Brit caper comedy that paired Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine as a waitress and a burglar—just landed Cameron Diaz to co-star with leading man Colin Firth.

"The Last Station director Mike Hoffman will direct the Coens’ retelling, in which Londoner Harry Deane (Firth) is an art curator who plans an elaborate scheme to get a rich collector to buy a fake Monet. Deane enlists the aid of Diaz’s character, PJ Puznowki, a steer roper. Shooting is set to start this May in London. MacLaine still speaks fondly of the original."