Director Spotlight: David O. Russell

      Today was the wide release of Golden Globe nominated film "The Fighter", by the acclaimed director David O. Russell.  Russell is most known for directing the Persian Gulf War drama "Three Kings" and the cult comedy "I Heart Huckabees".  Not only has he been nominated for the Golden Globe for best director, he has won awards in the past.  David O. Russell's critically recognized first feature, "Spanking The Monkey", won numerous awards at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, such as Best First Screenplay, Best First Feature, and The Audience Award.

      Russell, having studied English and Political Science in college, focuses on politics in most of his films.  In his 2004 documentary, titled "Soldiers Pay", Russell protests the war.  He is also known to get fired up on the set.  During the filming of "Three Kings", David O. Russell got in an altercation with George Clooney.  Clooney claimed that Russell was verbally abusing people on the set.  At one point, Russell had his hands around Clooney's throat.  When asked if he would ever work with Russell again, Clooney responded "Life's too short".

      All of David O. Russell's films are very different from each other.  His sophomore film "Flirting With Disaster", is a black comedy starring Ben Stiller, where Stiller's character is trying to locate his birth parents.  After a jump to political drama in "Three Kings", he switches to a comedy starring Jason Schwartzman and Mark Wahlberg called "I Heart Hucakbees".  Huckabees is Russell's masterpiece about two men trying to grasp what reality really is.  Now with his new film, "The Fighter", Russell is really gaining more respect as a director.  He, just like Wahlberg, the star of most of his films, is becoming a serious artist and great entertainer.  MoviesPig is really looking forward to reviewing his work in the future.

Actor Spotlight: Mark Wahlberg

     In honor of Actor Mark Wahlberg's Golden Globe nomination, and the realease his new film "The Fighter", MoviesPig examines our three favorite Wahlberg roles.

3. Staff Sgt. Dignam - The Departed (2006)

        While this performance may not be worthy of an academy award,  it is definitely worthy of the MoviesPig top three. Why? Simply because it is hilarious.  Wahlberg as Dignam is an instant classic.

2. Tommy Corn - I Heart Huckabees (2004)

       Tommy Corn in David O. Russell's (The Fighter, Three Kings) "I Heart Huckabees" is not your average person.  He is a character.  Tommy may be a buff, handsome firefighter, but he is constantly striving to get a grasp on what life and the universe really are. 

1. Dirk Diggler - Boogie Nights (1997)

          Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" isn't just one of the greatest films of all time.  It stars one of the greatest characters of all time as well.  Dirk Diggler started off as just a kid with a huge penis, jerking off for people for money, but he took his talent and turned it into something special.  Dirk Diggler's eagerness to learn and determination are what ultimately made him a star.  He wasn't just in it for the money.  He really wanted to make a difference in the world.  Wahlberg's breakout performance as Diggler really showed that he could be a serious actor and it gave us a taste of what was to come.  That is why Dirk Diggler is MoviesPig's pick as Mark Wahlberg's number one performance.