took to X (formerly Twitter) to bash the Leonard Bernstein biopic on Wednesday. She first slammed the movie’s “Oscar buzz,” writing: “Watched ‘Maestro’ last night and I could barely get through it.”The conservative political commentator continued: “I’m frustrated I wasted what little free time I have open at night (with 2 young kids) watching it.”“Why are so many Oscar buzz movies like this and so disappointing? Who are these movies for?” she wondered.While the Oscar nominations have yet to be announced, “Maestro” has earned numerous nods so far at the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards.The drama follows the rise of the famed composer (Cooper) and the relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan).The “A Star is Born” actor, 48, also wrote and directed the project, and even prepared for six years to master the “six minutes of music” to recreate Bernstein’s 1976 performance of Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony.Some X users agreed with McCain’s stance, with someone noting that the movie was “dull” and he “didn’t get through it.”“My wife and I started it but turned it off 15 mins in when it became clear this was meant as an ‘artistic movie’ for the Hollywood Elite.
How Bradley Cooper Nailed His Six-Minute ‘Maestro’ Conducting Scene in One Take: ‘Singing at the Oscars’ Doesn’t Even Compare
08.12.2023 - 17:25 / variety.com
Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer In “Maestro,” Bradley Cooper disappears into the role of legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, one of the most consequential American figures in classical music.
Like his 2018 directorial debut, “A Star Is Born,” Cooper also co-wrote, produced and directed the film. In his conversation with Emma Stone for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, he spoke at length about the six years he spent devoting himself to bringing Bernstein’s singular life to the screen.
At one point Stone (there to discuss her own performance in “Poor Things”) talked about going to Cooper’s house with her mother to watch a cut of “Maestro,” which reduced them both to tears. Stone was especially stunned by a scene, roughly two thirds into the film, in which Cooper as Bernstein conducts Gustav Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at Ely Cathedral in England in 1973.
“Full body chills,” Stone said. “It felt like I was watching a true conductor, a master at work.” Unfolding largely in a single, six-minute take — and shot in the actual cathedral, with a live orchestra and choir, and an audience of extras — the scene serves as a critical turning point in Bernstein’s relationship with his wife, Felicia (Carey Mulligan), as well as the emotional climax of the movie.
But it might have looked very different. In a riveting monologue, Cooper explained how he worked for years with two leading conductors — Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Yannick Séguin, music director of the Metropolitan Opera — to prepare to conduct the piece live on camera, only to end the day of shooting feeling like it was, instead, a “nightmare.” Here, in Cooper’s own lightly edited words, is the full story
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Oscars’ Laughing Matter: How Best Picture Could Embrace Comedies and ‘Barbie’ Can Tie the All-Time Nomination Record
Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Who says you can’t laugh and win Oscars, too? In a stunning year for cinema, the candidates for the coveted best picture category are overflowing with prime comedic endeavors that surpass their dramatic counterparts. From a toy doll to an author with a triumphant “Black book” to a reverse Frankenstein tale that shows a whole lot of sex, the Academy has an opportunity to invite the softer side of cinema to its ceremony.
Bradley Cooper abruptly rushes out of ‘Maestro’ press conference for daughter Lea — here’s why
Bradley Cooper abruptly left a press conference for his film “Maestro” after he received a phone call about his daughter, Lea, on Thursday.“So sorry. The school nurse just called me,” he said, according to the Daily Mail.“Can I just leave the room for a second to call them back and you can keep going?” he asked.
Steven Spielberg Says Bradley Cooper Chased ‘Maestro’ For “At Least” Seven Months Via Text Messages
Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” is available on Netflix now and out in the world. Cooper’s second directorial effort, many heavy-hitting filmmakers seem to be going to bat for the film, including director Alfonso Cuaron and Steven Spielberg, though the latter may not be entirely a surprise given he is a producer on the film.
Bradley Cooper Reveals How Former Classmates Reacted to Him Attending His High School Reunion
Bradley Cooper is sharing details about his 30th high school reunion!
Spike Lee Tells Bradley Cooper Says Denzel Washington Is “Done” Directing In New 46 Minute Filmmaker Talk
Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington is clearly one of our finest actors (he’s been nominated ten times in total for various Best Acting and Best Supporting Actor turns). The actor, who has worked with many of the greats, Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Jonathan Demme, etc.
Sasha Obama shows off relaxed Boho style in Los Angeles
Sasha Obama looked stylish and super cool over the past weekend. The youngest daughter or Barack and Michelle Obama was photographed in Los Angeles, wearing a comfortable outfit perfect for every day occasions yet still showcasing her preference for eye-catching fashion and over the top accessories.
‘Poor Things’ Is Anything But; ‘American Fiction’, ‘The Zone Of Interest’ Open Well As Audiences Embrace Original Fare – Specialty Box Office
Searchlight Pictures’ Poor Things had a monster of an expansion, sewing up $1.3 million at just 82 theaters for a no. 10 spot at the weekend box office. American Fiction and The Zone of Interest, from, respectively, Amazon MGM Studios and A24, opened nicely as specialty films with original stories of all kinds are seeing traction with ticket buyers.
Where are the Home Alone cast are now? From US President to tragic deaths
It's been over three decades since Home Alone became a beloved holiday classic, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world. The family classic was released in 1990 and follows eight year old Kevin McCallister who is accidentally left behind when his family take a trip to France for the holidays. At first, he's happy he has the house to himself.
Bradley Cooper directed ‘Maestro’ in character after being inspired by Christian Bale
Bradley Cooper has revealed that he directed his new Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro in character as the late conductor, having been inspired by Christian Bale’s method in 2013’s American Hustle.Speaking to fellow director Spike Lee in an interivew for Variety, Cooper recalled being impressed by Bale’s commitment to staying in character.“American Hustle was the first time I saw an actor stay in the voice of a character,” he said. “It was Christian Bale. I had heard stories about Daniel Day-Lewis.
Bradley Cooper and his daughter Lea attend the ‘Maestro’ premiere
Bradley Cooper took a special date to the premiere of his film, “Maestro.” The director and actor was accompanied by his six-year-old daughter Lea, who looked adorable as she posed for photos on the red carpet.Gigi Hadid and Irina Shayk stop by Bradley Cooper’s food truckJennifer Garner and Bradley Cooper reunite and reminisce about their long friendshipCooper wore a navy suit for the premiere and held on to his daughter as she smiled for the camera. Lea was adorably dressed up for the occasion, wearing an animal print dress that was matched with cream colored shoes.
Bradley Cooper's adorable daughter Lea, 6, makes red carpet debut alongside Lady Gaga
A Star Is Born co-stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga reunited at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film, Maestro. Bradley, 48, also brought a special guest to the premiere in the form of his adorable six year old daughter Lea, who he shares with his model ex, Irina Shayk. The sweet father-daughter duo held hands and posed for pictures with Lady Gaga and Carey Mulligan, who is Bradley's co-star in the film.
Bradley Cooper Had the Cutest Date to the Maestro Premiere: His 6-Year-Old Daughter, Lea De Seine
took , to the Maestro movie premiere in Los Angeles—which is way cooler than getting your shoes shined in the office lobby, which is what I did with my dad when I was six.Lea, whom , got all dressed up for her dad's big night in a Dolce&Gabbana leopard print chiffon dress with puffy sleeves and sparkly gold ballet flats with a Mary Jane strap. And because no outfit is complete without accessories, the little girl also carried a red tassled box clutch and even added a bright red manicure.
‘Best Of Enemies’: Bradley Cooper & Christian Bale To Star In New Spy Drama For Amazon Which Cooper May Direct
It looks like the movie business is finally back in full swing post-guild strikes. Deadline reports that Amazon/MGM won a high-priced bidding war for “Best Of Enemies,” a spy film starring Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale.
Fans hit out at Bradley Cooper for apparent Cillian Murphy diss: “No one wants an Oscar more than him”
Bradley Cooper for an apparent dig he made toward Cillian Murphy.Cooper made the comments in Variety‘s series ‘Actors on Actors’, where he appeared with Emma Stone. The director and lead actor of Maestro spoke to Stone about the preparation she did for upcoming film Poor Things.Both Maestro and Poor Things took six years to make: “I feel like you couldn’t have made Poor Things if you didn’t have a tremendous amount of prep, and it’s the same thing with Maestro,” he said.It was Cooper’s next comment that fans thought was directed to Murphy: “This wasn’t like you got a call, and in six months you’re going to do it,” he said.
Gigi Hadid and Irina Shayk stop by Bradley Cooper’s food truck
Bradley Cooper is a man of many talents. The actor, director, and writer, can now add restauranteur to his resume, having recently opened a cheesesteak food truck in New York city. Earlier this week, he was there for the truck’s opening, serving cheesesteaks, and was accompanied by two of the women in his life: Irina Shayk and Gigi Hadid.Irina Shayk and Gigi Hadid’s friendship amid Bradley Cooper romanceWhat Zayn Malik and Irina Shayk really think about Gigi Hadid and Bradley CooperPhotos show all of them having fun and at the location, with Cooper manning one of the truck’s grills and preparing the sandwiches.
Lena Waithe Believes A.V. Rockwell’s ‘A Thousand and One’ Deserves ‘Respect’ at the Oscars
Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Lena Waithe can’t be anymore direct when talking about “A Thousand and One,” writer-director A.V. Rockwell’s feature film debut. “Films like this oftentimes are not always seen or recognized by the Academy,” says Waithe, a producer on the Sundance Film Festival winner.
Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper Teaming on Spy Thriller ‘Best of Enemies’
Brent Lang Executive Editor There’s an “American Hustle” reunion brewing. Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale, who previously braved late ’70s hairstyles and fashions in service of David O. Russell’s vision, will reunite more than a decade later.
Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’ Explores The Powerful Bond Between Musical Genius Leonard Bernstein And His Wife Felicia: “This Had To Be A Story About Their Relationship”
Leonard Bernstein — the composer of West Side Story and considered one of the world’s greatest conductors — has lived rent-free in Bradley Cooper’s head since 2018, when Steven Spielberg met with him about what was going to be a straightforward biopic of a musical genius. Somehow, Spielberg knew that Cooper had been obsessed with conducting since he was a child. Not because he was some kind of musical prodigy, but because of an episode of The Bugs Bunny Show in which the hero conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl, arms flailing wildly.
‘Maestro’: Why Bradley Cooper Opted Not to Have an Original Score
Jon Burlingame The greatest film score of 2023 isn’t eligible for an Academy Award. That’s because Leonard Bernstein composed it between 1944 and 1977, multiple pieces that collectively form the musical backdrop of “Maestro,” Bradley Cooper’s film about the 20th century American composer-conductor. The classical excerpts functioning as dramatic score include Bernstein’s ballets “Fancy Free” and “Facsimile,” parts of his Broadway scores for “West Side Story” and “Candide,” his opera “A Quiet Place,” music for the film “On the Waterfront,” portions of his second and third symphonies as well as his “Mass” and “Chichester Psalms.” “I think of the score as the co-star of the film,” says the composer’s oldest daughter, Jamie Bernstein.