American Hustle [2013]

Director David O. Russell convincingly cheats off Martin Scorsese’s paper, Christian Bale channels De Niro and the All-Star cast struts around like they are in “Saturday Night Fever” in a sterling comedy really loosely based on 1970s Abscam scandal.

d: David O. Russell | imdb.com | trailer | He saved my life.
Dry cleaners | He can’t get enough | Science oven

The Fighter (2010)

Mark Wahlberg plays real-life welterweight Micky Ward in “Rocky” meets desperate Lowell, Mass., and he is supported by three super performances — gaunt, funny, crack-addicted Christian Bale, unsunny Amy Adams and overbearing mother Melissa Leo.

d: David O. Russell | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
What’s the problem? | You can’t be me. | I’m the one fighting.