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Tag: american-hustle

Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney and Sienna Miller join ‘Madden’
(Left) Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television’s ‘Agatha All Along’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel. (Center) John Mulaney at Netflix’s Next on Netflix event. Photo: Netflix. (Right) Sienna Miller as Frances Kittredge in New Line Cinema’s Western drama ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Richard Foreman. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Preview:
- Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney and Sienna Miller are the latest recruits for ‘Madden.’
- David O. Russell wrote the script and will direct.
- Nicolas Cage is playing the football icon.
We learned in August last year that Nicolas Cage would be making an unusual move for him, and stepping up to play NFL coaching (and TV/video game) legend John Madden for a new movie from ‘American Hustle’s David O. Russell.

And, as seems typical with Russell’s projects, he’s now gathered a starry ensemble to support Cage in the film.

Per Deadline, Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney and Sienna Miller are the latest additions to the movie.

And the site’s story confirms word from reporter Jeff Sneider that Christian Bale, a perennial Russell performer, is also aboard the movie.

Related Article: Nicolas Cage Playing Football and Broadcasting Icon John Madden in ‘Madden’

What’s the story of ‘Madden’?

John Madden. Photo: NFL.com.

With a script by Russell (based on earlier work from Cambron Clark), the exact details of what ‘Madden’ will cover remain a little indistinct at the moment.

But there is certainly a lot to choose from. Madden was a star player in high school, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, only for injury to curtail his rookie season.

Instead, he went on to earn a degree in teaching and put his skills/experience to good use as a coach, going on to lead the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl and a win in 1977.

Madden became known as one of the best coaches in the sport’s history, but his all-consuming passion and commitment wore on him, and he retired for health reasons.

Still, a hugely successful second chapter dawned as courted by the fledgling gaming company Electronic Arts to be the front man for its Madden NFL multi-player video game. Madden had never played a video game, but it turned into an outlet where he could lend his knowledge and help the masses better understand the gridiron.

The game has long been a sensation –– even with its inspiration dying in 2021, it continues to this day as a favorite of players and fans.

And beyond even that, Madden also became famous as a beloved commentator on the game he loved so much, his enthusiasm pouring from the screen, and his habit of scribbling on the screen making him a firm favorite among viewers.

Who are the new recruits playing?

John Mulaney in ‘John Mulaney: Baby J’ Photo: Netflix.

Bale is playing late Raiders owner Al Davis, while Mulaney has the role of Trip Hawkins, who founded EA Sports and was a driving force in behind the Madden NFL video games.

Hahn will be Madden’s wife, Virginia; and Miller is on board to be Davis’ wife, Carol.

With the casting process in full swing, Russell is preparing to start shooting next month in Atlanta.

‘Madden’: David O. Russell talks Nicolas Cage

David O. Russell on the set of ‘American Hustle’. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing/Francois Duhamel. Copyright: © 2013 Annapurna Productions LLC All Rights Reserved.

Here’s what Russell said about the casting news in a statement:

“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun, and determination in which anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden. Together with the ferocious style, focus, and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”

Russell himself is something of a controversial figure, his successful directing career also marked by criticisms of his attitude to women and other groups. He’s also been known for his mercurial behavior on set, infamously clashing with George Clooney on ‘Three Kings’ and Lily Tomlin on ‘I Heart Huckabees‘.
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Bale, of course, clearly has no such issues, since he has worked with the director several times before, on ‘Amsterdam,’ ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Fighter,’ which won him his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Where else have we seen Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney and Sienna Miller?

(L to R) Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders in ‘The Studio,’ premiering March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Hahn has been busy lately with Disney+ and Marvel series ‘Agatha All Along,’ which has played well since it premiered in the fall. She can also be seen in the Apple TV+ series ‘The Studio,’ which has been a success for that streaming service.

On the movie front, she lent her voice to animated canine comedy ‘Fixed,’ directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, which has been in limbo until it was picked up by Netflix for release in August.

Mulaney, meanwhile, has been spending his time on Netflix talk show ‘Everyone’s Live with John Mulaney,’ and he’ll be back as Spider-Ham for ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,’ though that won’t be on screens until 2027.

He’s also a voice (and a producer) on animated coming-of-age comedy series ‘Big Mouth‘, which launches its final season on Netflix on May 23rd. ‘Madden’ marks one of his rare forays into bigger movie roles.

As for Miller, she was most recently seen in Kevin Costner’s Western ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ and assuming the second part moseys its way to theaters after the box office stumble of the first, she’ll be back in her role as Frances Kittredge.

Coming up, she’s back as Cathy Ryan for the ‘Jack Ryan’ movie, based on the John Krasinski-starring series that has been shooting and will likely be in theaters next year.

When will the new David O. Russell/Nicolas Cage movie ‘Madden’ be in theaters?

Amazon/MGM Studios is backing the drama, but it has yet to schedule a release date.

Nicolas Cage presents a nominee for Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

List of Football Movies:
- ‘Brian’s Song‘ (1971)
- ‘The Longest Yard‘ (1974)
- ‘Heaven Can Wait‘ (1978)
- ‘North Dallas Forty‘ (1979)
- ‘All the Right Moves‘ (1983)
- ‘Wildcats‘ (1986)
- ‘Necessary Roughness‘ (1991)
- ‘Rudy‘ (1993)
- ‘The Program‘ (1993)
- ‘Jerry Maguire‘ (1996)
- ‘Any Given Sunday‘ (1999)
- ‘Varsity Blues‘ (1999)
- ‘Remember the Titans‘ (2000)
- ‘The Replacements‘ (2000)
- ‘Friday Night Lights‘ (2004)
- ‘The Longest Yard‘ (2005)
- ‘Invincible‘ (2006)
- ‘We Are Marshall‘ (2006)
- ‘Gridiron Gang‘ (2006)
- ‘Leatherheads‘ (2008)
- ‘The Blind Side‘ (2009)
- ‘Draft Day‘ (2014)
- ‘Concussion‘ (2015)
- ‘American Underdog‘ (2021)
- ‘80 for Brady‘ (2023)
- ‘The Underdoggs‘ (2024)
Buy Nicolas Cage Movies On Amazon
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April 21, 2025
Best Bradley Cooper Movies

Bradley Cooper attends Netflix’s ‘Maestro’ LA special screening at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

Bradley Cooper has not only emerged as one of the finest actors of his generation, but he is also one of the most accomplished filmmakers working today.

Best known for ‘The Hangover‘ trilogy and voicing Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cooper has also given extraordinary performances in movies like ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘American Sniper,‘ ‘American Hustle,’ ‘Nightmare Alley,’ and ‘Licorice Pizza.’

But it was his incredible work in front of and behind the camera on ‘A Star is Born‘ that solidified Cooper as one of the top directors working today.

His new directing effort, ‘Maestro,’ where he plays Leonard Bernstein, opened in theaters on November 22nd and will be available to stream on Netflix beginning December 20th.

In honor of ‘Maestro,’ Moviefone is counting down the 30 best movies of Bradley Cooper’s career, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

30. ‘The Words‘ (2012)

Bradley Cooper as Rory Jansen in ‘The Words.’ Photo: CBS Films.

The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen (Cooper) who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There’s only one catch – he didn’t write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man’s work, and for placing ambition and success above life’s most fundamental three words.
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29. ‘Thor: Love and Thunder‘ (2022)

After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
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28. ‘Valentine’s Day‘ (2010)

More than a dozen Angelenos navigate Valentine’s Day from early morning until midnight. Three couples awake together, but each relationship will sputter. A grade-school boy wants flowers for his first true love. Two high school seniors plan first-time sex at noon. A TV sports reporter gets the assignment to find romance in LA. A star quarterback contemplates his future. Two strangers meet on a plane. Grandparents, together for years, face a crisis. An ‘I Hate Valentine’s Day’ dinner beckons the lonely and the lied to.
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27. ‘The Mule‘ (2018)

Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), a man in his eighties, is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he’s just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does so well that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates (Cooper).
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26. ‘He’s Just Not That Into You‘ (2009)

Remember that really cute girl/guy who said they’d call – and didn’t? Maybe they lost your number. Maybe they’re in the hospital. Maybe they’re awed by your looks, brains or success. Or maybe… They’re just not that into you.
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25. ‘Burnt‘ (2015)

Bradley Cooper as Adam Jone in ‘Burnt.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.

Adam Jones (Cooper) is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.
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24. ‘Joy‘ (2015)

A story based on the life of a struggling Long Island single mom (Jennifer Lawrence) who became one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs.
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23. ‘War Dogs‘ (2016)

Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz (Miles Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill), who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America’s allies in Afghanistan.
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22. ‘Hit & Run‘ (2012)

When former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard) jeopardises his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) get to Los Angeles, the feds and Charlie’s former gang chase them on the road.
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21. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘ (2017)

The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) true parentage.
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20. ‘The Hangover Part III‘ (2013)

(L to R) Ed Helms as Stu, Bradley Cooper as Phil, and Zach Galifianakis as Alan in ‘The Hangover Part III.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.
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19. ‘Avengers: Infinity War‘ (2018)

As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
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18. ‘Wet Hot American Summer‘ (2001)

The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It’s the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there’s still a summer’s worth of unfinished business to resolve. At the center of the action is camp director Beth (Janeane Garofalo), who struggles to keep order while she falls in love with the local astrophysics professor. He is busy trying to save the camp from a deadly piece of NASA’s Skylab which is hurtling toward earth. All that, plus: a dangerous waterfall rescue, love triangles, misfits, cool kids, and talking vegetable cans. The questions will all be resolved, of course, at the big talent show at the end of the day.
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17. ‘Yes Man‘ (2008)

Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) has stumbled across a way to shake free of post-divorce blues and a dead-end job: embrace life and say yes to everything.
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16. ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ (2019)

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
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15. ‘The A-Team‘ (2010)

Bradley Cooper as Templeton “Face” Peck in ‘The A-Team.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

A group of Iraq War veterans goes on the run from U.S. military forces while they try to clear their names after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Along the way, Col. Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson), Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Cooper) help out various people they encounter.
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14. ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves‘ (2023)

A charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.
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13. ‘Wedding Crashers‘ (2005)

John (Owen Wilson) and his buddy, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) are emotional criminals who know how to use a woman’s hopes and dreams for their own carnal gain. Their modus operandi: crashing weddings. Normally, they meet guests who want to toast the romantic day with a random hook-up. But when John meets Claire, he discovers what true love – and heartache – feels like.
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12. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘ (2023)

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
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11. ‘Limitless‘ (2011)

A paranoia-fueled action thriller about an unsuccessful writer (Cooper) whose life is transformed by a top-secret “smart drug” that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this darkly comic and provocative film.
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10. ‘American Sniper‘ (2014)

Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle in ‘American Sniper.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (Cooper) takes his sole mission—protect his comrades—to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. His pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but also makes him a prime target of insurgents. Despite grave danger and his struggle to be a good husband and father to his family back in the States, Kyle serves four tours of duty in Iraq. However, when he finally returns home, he finds that he cannot leave the war behind.
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9. ‘The Hangover‘ (2009)

(L to R) Zach Galifianakis as Alan, Bradley Cooper as Phil, and Ed Helms as Stu in ‘The Hangover.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

When three friends (Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifanakis) finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can’t seem to locate their best friend, Doug (Justin Bartha) – who’s supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time.
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8. ‘The Place Beyond the Pines‘ (2013)

Bradley Cooper as Avery in ‘The Place Beyond the Pines.’ Photo: Focus Features.

A motorcycle stunt rider (Ryan Gosling) considers committing a crime in order to provide for his wife (Eva Mendes) and child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician (Cooper).
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7. ‘Licorice Pizza‘ (2021)

(L to R) Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim in ‘Licorice Pizza.’ Photo: United Artists Releasing.

The story of Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and Alana Kane (Alana Haim) growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
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6. ‘Nightmare Alley‘ (2021)

Bradley Cooper as Stanton “Stan” Carlisle in ‘Nightmare Alley.’ Photo: Searchlight Pictures.

An ambitious carnival man (Cooper) with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychologist (Cate Blanchett) who is even more dangerous than he is.
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5. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ (2014)

2014’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace).
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4. ‘American Hustle‘ (2013)

(L to R) Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper in ‘American Hustle.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.

A conman (Christian Bale) and his seductive partner (Amy Adams) are forced to work for a wild FBI agent (Cooper), who pushes them into a world of Jersey power-brokers and the Mafia.
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3. ‘Silver Linings Playbook‘ (2012)

(L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in ‘Silver Linings Playbook.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.

After spending eight months in a mental institution, a former teacher (Cooper) moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife.
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2. ‘Maestro‘ (2023)

Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein (Director/Writer/Producer) in ‘Maestro.’ Photo: Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.

This fearless love story chronicles the complicated lifelong relationship between music legend Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan).
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1. ‘A Star Is Born‘ (2018)

(L to R) Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in ‘A Star Is Born.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Cooper) discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer — until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
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January 5, 2024
Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper Starring in ‘Best of Enemies’
(Left) Bradley Cooper at the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ World Premiere. (Right) Christian Bale stars in director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’

Preview:
- Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper are attached to a new spy film.
- They could end up starring in the based-on-real-life tale.
- A bidding war is already under way for the book adaptation.
Having shared the screen in ‘American Hustle’, it appears that Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale are ready to reunite for a new story set in the 1970s: ‘Best of Enemies’.

And according to reporter Jeff Schneider, who broke the news, it’s one that is causing plenty of excitement among studios and streamers, who are understandably happy to have new potential projects starring big name actors floating around after months of delays because of this summer’s strikes.

What’s the story of ‘Best of Enemies’?

Bradley Cooper at the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ World Premiere.

Adapted from Gus Russo and Eric Dezenhall’s book ‘Best of Enemies: The Last Great Spy Story of the Cold War’ by ‘American Hustle’s Eric Warren Singer, the story follows two Cold War spies — CIA case officer Jack Platt and KGB agent Gennady Vasilenko — who became improbable friends at a time when they should’ve been anything but.

They were both new arrivals in Washington D.C. in 1978 when their respective agencies assigned each man to seduce the other into betraying his country during the final days of the Cold War. Many years later, they helped discover the Soviet mole Robert Hanssen together and solved several other high-profile espionage mysteries. Cooper would reportedly play Platt, while Bale would play Vasilenko.

As of right now, there is no director attached, but given his previous success directing and starring in ‘A Star is Born’ and (see below) ‘Maestro’, there’s speculation that he might end up stepping behind the camera for this one also.

Several companies are hoping to snag this one, with Apple and Netflix considered the front-runners.

What does Robert De Niro have to do with the real story?

Robert De Niro as Salvo in ‘About My Father.’ Photo Credit: Dan Anderson.

There’s another ‘American Hustle’ connection beyond the actors and writer, as another star of the David O. Russell movie, Robert De Niro, openly condemned Gennady’s incarceration in real life after he was caught and helped a lot with his case:

The ‘Raging Bull’ star sent a Christmas card to Gennady in prison which contained a photo.

The pic was enough to impress both the prison guards and the other inmates as DeNiro was just as famous in Russia as he was in the United States. Gennady’s treatment in prison immediately improved and he even came under the protection of Russian crime boss named Slava.

Related Article: Christian Bale Talks Director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam’

What’s next for Cooper and Bale?

(L to R) Christian Bale and his wife, Sibi Blažić at the Los Angeles premiere of director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’

Cooper, of course, is in the awards race again with Leonard Bernstein film ‘Maestro’, in which he plays the conducting/composing legend. It has been on limited theatrical release and will hit Netflix on December 20th.

Bale voices on the main characters in the English-language version of Studio Ghibli’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’, which was just released in theaters to impressive numbers. It earned $12.8 million in its opening weekend, becoming the first original anime production to top the domestic box office.

(L to R) Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre and Bradley Cooper (Director/Writer) as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro. Photo: Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.

Other Bradley Cooper Movies:
- ‘Wedding Crashers‘ (2005)
- ‘The Hangover‘ (2009)
- ‘The A-Team‘ (2010)
- ‘Limitless‘ (2011)
- ‘Silver Linings Playbook‘ (2012)
- ‘American Hustle‘ (2013)
- ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ (2014)
- ‘American Sniper‘ (2014)
- ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘ (2017)
- ‘A Star Is Born‘ (2018)
- ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ (2019)
- ‘Licorice Pizza‘ (2021)
- ‘Nightmare Alley‘ (2021)
- ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves‘ (2023)
- ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘ (2023)
- ‘Maestro‘ (2023)
Buy Bradley Cooper Movies on Amazon

Buy Christian Bale Movies on Amazon
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December 13, 2023
Movie Review: ‘Amsterdam’

(L to R) Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington in director David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

Opening in theaters on October 7th, ‘Amsterdam’ reveals David O. Russell’s talent for attracting quality actors, but also comes across as his weakest script and resulting movie in quite some time.

‘Amsterdam’ certainly doesn’t lack for either star power or quality character actors: around a central trio of Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington, Russell has built an ensemble that includes Robert De Niro, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Ed Begley Jr. and Taylor Swift.

It’s the sort of cast that most filmmakers would sell their grandmothers to acquire, but unfortunately it’s a lot of impressive people in service of an underbaked narrative that is more about quirks and screwball comedy – until it isn’t.

Bale plays Burt Berendsen, an idiosyncratic doctor with a glass eye and a complicated back brace who works to help World War I veterans like himself to feel whole again with prosthetics and other techniques.

(L-R): Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

John David Washington is Harold, Burt’s lawyer, but also his old war friend, who served with him in an integrated unit commanded by Ed Begley Jr. Immediately following the conflict Harold and Burt spent a few years in a bohemian throuple with a nurse named Valerie (Robbie), who also happened to be a rebellious trust fund hipster.

The three spent their time in an artists’ loft in Amsterdam, living, loving and, in Valerie’s case, making art. But it didn’t last once they returned home.

When Begley Jr.’s general dies – suspiciously, according to his daughter, played by Swift (who, yes, has the chance to sing briefly) – Burt and Harold are thrown into investigating what really happened to the military man. And that, in turn, brings them into contact with the likes of Saldana’s heroic nurse and a much wider conspiracy and fully reconnects them with Valerie.

Before too long, Burt and Harold are framed for a crime themselves, and must work to clear their own names. That mission leads to them meeting De Niro’s hero general, a friend of Begley Jr.’s. He’s the pawn in the bigger plot, but comes to play a much important part, even if it is late in the film.

Robert De Niro in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

With a seemingly compelling set-up, you might think that the movie would roll along merrily, bringing opportunities for slapstick humor, twists and turns. And it does – but there’s very little that is merry about this mess.

A big problem is one of clashing tones, even within the main cast. While Bale (never one to pass up the chance to throw himself into an odd character, shed some weight and adopt a make-up prosthetic) and Robbie go full tilt with their quirky personas, Washington appears to have been dropped in from another film all together. He puts the “dead” into “deadpan”.

Yes, people are not one type, yes, different personalities can work when portrayed on screen, but here it simply doesn’t blend, the oil/water combo leading to an awkward, distracting experience that clouds any possible benefit from the story.

It’s such a frustrating experience, putting weirdness and silliness before narrative.

As he weaves his mystery story, Russell loads up the movie with more and more side characters and only barely manages to make them all connect.

(L-R): Christian Bale and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Though the writer/director clearly has a lot on his mind – personal freedom vs. responsibility, the joy of expression through art, life in the interwar period and the necessity of standing up to fascism – but it’s all mashed together into an ungainly stew of messages and madness.

That final topic, the seemingly endless struggle against the forces of racist totalitarianism and power-hungry elites, is so watered down by everything that has come before that it lacks any real punch. It’s not so much a well-crafted allegory for life than it is a lesson driven home with all the subtlety of a carpenter using the world’s heaviest hammer.

The cast does their best to keep it all afloat – Bale commits, of course, and Robbie brings her considerable charm to bear on the role of Valerie. All that really serves to do, though, is push Washington further into the background, a waste of his own considerable (if straight arrow) charisma.

Others, such as Malik and Taylor-Joy barely get a chance to register, though there are a few who push through the noise, such as Alessandro Nivola as the confused, angry Detective Hiltz or Rock, who finds the funny in every line he’s given (his reaction upon discovering that Bale and Washington are looking to move a dead body is a fine example). Many are less real human beings and more collections of tics, such as Myers and Shannon as government agents.

(L-R): Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

In the movie’s defense, there are some typically superb examples of production and costume design, while cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki brings light and life to the whole thing. Russell and his editor Jay Cassidy try to keep the whole thing together, but the whole is most certainly less than the sum of its parts.

But if Russell was intending to blend farce with fact (a title card at the start announces that “some of this actually happened, which feels more like a lazy stab at meaning than a commitment to anything real), he’s way off with this one.

Coming from the director of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Three Kings’ and ‘The Fighter’, it has the feeling of a filmmaker who never wants to be pigeonholed into one particular style or genre, but has this time settled for madcap and serious all at once. It doesn’t work.

‘Amsterdam’ is proof that even the highest wattage of star power can’t always supply the energy that a film needs. Especially once as poorly conceived and structured as this one.

‘Amsterdam’ receives 2.5 out of 5 stars.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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October 8, 2022
Christian Bale Stars in First Trailer for David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam’

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David O. Russell is a man who can certainly attract eclectic, impressive ensembles for his movies – and his latest, ‘Amsterdam’, is no exception. When Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington are just the tip of the casting iceberg, you know you’re in for an acting treat.

Described as a ‘romantic crime epic’, Russell’s first film since 2015’s ‘Joy’ is a blend of fact and fiction as three close friends find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.

Bale, Robbie and Washington are those three friends, a doctor, a nurse and an attorney who meet in Belgium and form a strong bond. When they witness a murder, Bale’s Burt is accused of the crime and will need help from his buddies and others to clear his name. Beyond that, the story is mostly a mystery, though largely seems to be an excuse for Russell – who wrote the script as well as directing – to indulge in some quirky caper goodness.

It kicks off with the central trio wheeling a dead guy into a funeral home. “You have a dead white man in a box,” Chris Rock’s character says at the start of the trailer. “Not even a casket. It doesn’t even have a top on it.” As he wheels the container away, he laments: “Who do you think is going to get in trouble here?”

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The trio sets out to find someone, anyone (starting with Robert De Niro’s character, a friend of the victim who was killed “because of something monstrous he had seen”) to help them uncover the truth. Along the way, there are encounters with all sorts of odd characters and a quick-acting version of infamous painkiller morphine.

There are shades of TV’s ‘Fargo’ here (not least thanks to the presence of Rock, who starred in the show’s most recent season), but the big appeal is in the astonishingly stacked cast that the director has rounded up.

Bale, of course, is a repeat Russell collaborator, having appeared in ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Fighter’, though he’s trumped by De Niro, who marks his fourth role in a movie for the director.

Alongside the veterans, there is a batch of actors who make their Russell debuts for the sprawling ensemble of ‘Amsterdam’. Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matthias Schoenaerts, Timothy Olyphant, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Zoe Saldaña, Rami Malek and even Taylor Swift showed up for this one (we’re hoping the latter had a good time shooting the movie, or there will be a very critical, well-written song in Russell’s future).

‘Amsterdam’ will make its way into theaters on November 4th.

(L-R): Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Margot Robbie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Zoe Saldana in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Robert De Niro in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Christian Bale and John David Washington in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Amsterdam.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

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July 6, 2022
Best Performances of Jennifer Lawrence

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The accomplished actress is only 31, and yet it feels like she’s taken on a lifetime of juicy roles. Pretty much every film she gets screen time in, she makes her indelible and entertaining mark.

Here are eight times Jennifer Lawrence stole every scene:

1. When she turned heads in “Like Crazy.”

While the romantic drama focused on Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones’ characters’ love story, Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal as Yelchin’s one-time girlfriend affirmed her magnetic and unforgettable presence even in the most minor roles.
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2. When she made even the most reluctant superhero movie viewers fans of the new “X-Men” films.

Way to add your signature comic timing, Jen!
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3. When she made the movie as good as the book, for once.

YA novels don’t have the best critical track record when it comes to their film adaptations, but J. Law managed to pour heart and ferocity into badass Katniss on screen.
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4. When she made audiences laugh, cry, and dance like nobody was watching in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Jennifer’s Oscar-winning performance brought depth and humor to an already complex character.
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5. When she nailed every line in “American Hustle.”

When you’re Jennifer Lawrence, you can make anyone seem sympathetic and utterly compelling, even standing up to an incredible ensemble of esteemed actors.
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6. When she made a somewhat standard biopic into a tour-de-force.

I never knew I cared so much about the Home Shopping Network.
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7. When she totally creeped everyone out in “Mother!”

Sure — the movie was full of WTF moments, but it was hard to keep your eyes of Lawrence through all the chaos.
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8. When she became an acting force to be reckoned with.

If you have not seen Jennifer’s breakout performance in “Winter’s Bone,” what are you even doing here? Get to it!
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August 15, 2019
Amy Adams Cried Almost Every Day on ‘American Hustle’ Set

Amy Adams has admitted that she cried nearly every day on the set of “American Hustle.”

The five-time Oscar nominee opened up about the experience in an interview with GQ. In the Sony hack scandal, a leaked email revealed that director David O. Russell “so abused Amy Adams that Christian Bale got in his face and told him to stop acting like an a—hole.” She confirmed that Russell — well-known in Hollywood for his screaming tirades — was the cause.

“I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most. Jennifer [Lawrence] doesn’t take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon,” she said. “But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly.. It’s not ok with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home. Because I was like, I cannot bring this experience home with me to my daughter.”

Lawrence previously won an Oscar for working with Russell in “Silver Linings Playbook,” and teamed up again with him on last year’s “Joy.”

Adams also addressed another item that came out from the leak — her salary, which was significantly less than her male co-stars. Lawrence wrote an essay about the matter that vowed to negotiate better. But Adams said, “The truth is we hire people to negotiate on our behalf, men and women… I knew I was being paid less and I still agreed to do it because the option comes down to do it or don’t do it. So you just have to decide if it’s worth it for you. It doesn’t mean I liked it.”

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March 4, 2016
Amy Adams Wants to Be Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer’s ‘Not-Cool’ Friend

Amy Adams was in “American Hustle” with Jennifer Lawrence — they even had a tense kiss (see below) — but apparently Amy is not in with the In Crowd yet. She wants to be! Ms. Adams just had a long Q&A on her career for the Hollywood Masters series at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & TV in Los Angeles; The Hollywood Reporter has the whole roundup, but at one point she was asked if she has friends outside the industry, and if she ever gets fed up with it.

Here’s Amy’s response, which includes an open plea for an invite to the next JLaw/Amy Schumer party:

I don’t know. I have a nice mix of friends. I started working a lot later, so a lot of my friends are from different parts of the industry. I have a great friend who’s a costume designer, a really good friend who’s a graphic novelist. I’ve met a lot of different people and those are my core group of friends. And then people I’ve met along the way in my work, I also like to hang out with. I’m waiting for Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer to invite me to their party! So, I hope I was funny today so they will invite me to their next boating party! I’m a little more neurotic than both of them, but I think that would be — they need a little of that, and they’re both so cool and I could be the ‘not-cool’ person.”

Awww. The moderator told her that she’s actually “pretty cool,” too. But every squad could use a funny, talented, chipper and slightly non-hip friend like Amy Adams. If Jen and the other Amy never call, she’s welcome to attend our much less cool parties anytime. She’ll have to bring the boat, though.

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October 21, 2015
The 16 Best True-Crime Movies, Ranked

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Sure, they may be a bunch of lowlifes, thieves, and murderers, but we owe the criminals who inspired our favorite true-crime movies a twisted debt of gratitude. After all, it was the true-crime genre that kicked off a revolution in American filmmaking half a century ago that continues to this day.

And now the genre is giving us Johnny Depp, after several years of silly and bizarre performances, in a real acting workout as the terrifying Whitey Bulger, the real-life Boston mob boss he plays in the new “Black Mass” (opening September 18). In honor of that thriller’s release, here are 16 of the best feature films that have turned real-life crimes into grand, exhilarating dramas.

September 16, 2015
Why Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda Are (Rightly) Angry About Their Netflix Pay

Here’s a recent real-world example of the pay gap that gets discussed a lot in theory: Grace and Frankie,” but they discovered they are getting the same pay as their male co-stars, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston. Sheen and Waterston are no slouches, but it’s not their show. As the actresses told reporters at Netflix press day (via Zap2it):

Fonda: “[Tomlin] found out [Waterston and Sheen] are getting the same salary that we are. That doesn’t make us happy.”

Tomlin: “No. The show is not ‘Sol and Robert’ — it’s ‘Grace and Frankie.’”

Good for them for saying something publicly, even (or especially) at a Netflix press event. But will it make a difference? Zap2it said Netflix had no comment when they asked for a response to the actress’ claims. It would be nice for them to weigh in on this, one way or the other.

Pay disparity is, sadly, nothing new. It was only revealed through the Sony hacks that both Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams were paid less than their male counterparts for “American Hustle.” The Hollywood Reporter just referenced that pay gap when noting why Jennifer Lawrence and her CAA reps were demanding $20 million for the movie “Passengers.” They wrote that Lawrence “had gotten a smaller percentage of the profit pool from American Hustle than co-stars Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale and even Jeremy Renner. Lawrence – arguably the biggest star of the lot at the time – was getting seven points, while the men got nine each. As Sony president Doug Belgrad noted in a hacked email, ‘It’s a joke that JLa is at 7 and Renner is at 9.’ Having not found that joke funny, sources say Lawrence was prepared to walk away from Passengers if she didn’t get to $20 million on this film…”

It’s a crime for Jennifer Lawrence to get less than Jeremy Renner, for that movie or any movie, and it’s shameful if Tomlin and Fonda aren’t getting top pay with their top billing. Keep fighting back, ladies!
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May 8, 2015