It's Franco vs. Vilanch; Banksy's 'Exit'

By RAFER GUZMÁNrafer.guzman@newsday.comMarch 23, 2011

THE DEAL An accusatory back-and-forth has developed between the actor and Oscar writer Bruce Vilanch, who recently criticized Franco's lackadaisical performance as co-host with Anne Hathaway. Franco "didn't get there" as host, Vilanch told New York magazine, adding that the actor seemed distracted by a busy schedule (Franco attends Yale and appears on the soap "General Hospital"). Franco then used Twitter to post a mocking photo of Vilanch with the scrawled words, "James ---- up the Oscars. Trust me, I know comedy. I mean, come on, I write for Bette Midler!" Franco later took the photo down.

THE MOVIE "Exit Through the Gift Shop"

THE DEAL The Oscar-nominated documentary gets a rare local screening as part of the Heckscher Museum of Art's current exhibit, "Identity Crisis: Authenticity, Attribution and Appropriation." Directed by enigmatic street artist Banksy, the film -- some suspected it of being a hoax -- focuses on Thierry Guetta, a French shopkeeper living in Los Angeles who re-creates himself as a guerrilla artist nicknamed Mr. Brainwash.

INFO Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. Tickets are $13. 800-838-3006; cinemaartscentre.org.

THE EVENT The Long Island International Film Expo

THE DEAL The film festival will celebrate its 14th year from July 8 to 14, its director, Debra Markowitz, who is also director of the Nassau County Film Office, has announced. The expo plans to screen 120 independent features and short films, including what could be a sizable number of foreign films, capped by an awards ceremony and closing-night party. The full lineup is expected to be announced in June. The venue will again be Bellmore Movies at 222 Pettit Ave.