David O. Russell’s ‘Madden’ Heads to Prime Video Streaming on November 18, “Oscar-Qualifying Run” A Week Earlier

UPDATE: A rep tells me “Madden” is expected to receive an awards-qualifying theatrical release a week before hitting streaming, on November 11.

EARLIER: Wait, what? Amazon has decided to dump David O. Russell’s “Madden” straight to Prime Video on November 18. “Madden” was already branded as a “Prime Original,” which was a hint, and we basically just got it confirmed via press release.

I guess it was a red flag when we didn’t see it appear at any of the fall festivals.

Russell is coming off 2022’s “Amsterdam,” the most critically reviled film of his career. He has otherwise consistently delivered critically acclaimed fare over the course of his 30-year career, including films such as “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Fighter,” “Three Kings,” “Flirting with Disaster,” and “American Hustle.”

Russell’s film tackles former NFL coach Madden’s exit from the league and his subsequent partnership with EA Sports to create the pioneering “Madden NFL” video game franchise. The film will explore the rivalry between Madden and Al Davis, in a race against time to develop the ultimate football video game.

The previously released teaser was amusing. Christian Bale, in full makeup, playing former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Nicolas Cage hams it up as football icon John Madden. The rest of the ensemble includes John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, Shane Gillis, and Sienna Miller.

As is the case with many Russell productions, the “Madden” shoot has had its fair share of drama — Russell reportedly got into a full-blown shouting match with legendary cinematographer Robert Richardson (“Kill Bill,” “JFK”), and another report claimed a supporting actor walked off set after Russell used the N-word during an improvised monologue workshop, prompting multiple cast and crew members to protest and halt filming for the day.

Just another day at the office for Russell whose on-set behavior, throughout his career, has become the stuff of legend.

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August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

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Jemima Kirke and Alexi Wasser to Star in Woody Allen's Next Film

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Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

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Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

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