A big milestone today in Hollywood for Robert De Niro, who, after nearly 50 years is one of Tinseltown’s most revered and vaunted cinematic heirlooms: the filmdom pioneer who remains of the slim few of his generation who bridges the gap of Old Hollywood and the New Hollywood, which he was hugely instrumental in helping shape, turns 70 years old.

Born on August 17, 1943 in New York City, Robert De Niro’s career spans an arc over many different eras and tastes in American history, film history, and world history. He has made an absolute and finite art of the character of the tough guy, who harbors an emotionally stilted, bottled-up rage inside the color of the darkest of spectrums, within his characters. His style is from an old school, yet a school which teaches the approach of its technique well into the perpetuity. The man’s resume is like a rundown of some of the all-time top American films. With influence that runs deep like an electrical current to all involved with cinema, be it his co-workers, craftsmen, artists, and fans, Robert De Niro sits high atop a mighty short shortlist of actors who have reached zeniths again and again and continue to stimulate, accentuate, gravitate, and mediate to all parties involved in the Tinseltown game.

Former Middleweight Champion and colorful and controversial pugilist Jake LaMotta, best known to film going audiences for the gritty, hard-nosed bio pic that showcased his life, Raging Bull, is now the subject of a full-length feature documentary.

LaMotta, 92, is collaborating with Greg Olliver, best known for co-directing and producing Lemmy, the much-lauded film about the Motorhead frontman Ace of Spades, Lemmy Kilmister. Oliver also has projects such as a documentary about a WWII Commando and blues stalwart Johnny Winter in the works.

The LaMotta project, which already started filming in Arizona back in January of this year, will feature interviews with fellow athletes such as Mike Tyson, as well as actors, family, and friends, all whom are sure to give a keen insight to the complex and emotional boxer.

Walt Disney Studios and Harvey Weinstein haven’t worked together on a project since Mirimax closed its doors in 2005. But now the two are getting ready to reunite for a film adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s novel Artemis Fowl.

Described as fairies meet Die Hard, the live-action feature will be based on the first and second installments in Disney Publishing Worldwide’s best-selling children’s fiction series. Michael Goldenberg (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) will pen the screenplay, and Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal will executive produce.

Hit the jump for more info.

The first trailer for Last Vegas, a new movie starring Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline has been released.

In the movie, four men in their senior years head to Las Vegas to throw a bachelor party for the last of them to get married…to a woman half his age. It’s directed by Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), and scheduled for release on November 1, 2013.

Click on over to the other side now to check out the trailer.

Silver Linings Playbook
Directed by David O. Russell
Written by David O. Russell
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker
The Weinstein Company
Rated R | 122 Minutes
Release Date: November 21, 2012
Purchase Tickets on Fandango

Written and directed by David O. Russell (The Fighter), Silver Linings Playbook is based on the 2008 novel by Matthew Quick and stars (Bradley Cooper) as Pat Solitano, a troubled man who has lost everything – his house, his job, and his wife.

After spending eight months in a Baltimore mental institution, Pat finds himself back in Philadelphia, living with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert De Niro). Despite a restraining order, Pat is determined to remain positive, rebuild his life, and reunite with his estranged wife Nikki (Brea Bee).

Meanwhile, Pat’s parents hope he’ll get back on his feet and take part in the family’s obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Things take an unexpected turn when he meets kindred crazy person Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman trying to cope with her husband’s death by sleeping with everyone at her work.

Pat and Tiffany bond over their issues and idiosyncrasies, with ‘crazy person’ topics like the types of medication they’ve taken. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he’ll return the favor by doing something very important for her – be her partner in a freestyle dance competition.