Susan Hated Literature

Dir: Christopher Nolan
Writ: Christopher Nolan, & Jonathan Nolan

• Hugh Jackman - Robert Angier
• Christian Bale - Alfred Borden
• Michael Caine - Cutter
• Andy Serkis - Alley
• Piper Perabo - Julia Angier
• Rebecca Hall - Sarah Borden
• Scarlett Johansson - Olivia Wenscombe

I really wanted to enjoy this film. I thought the trailer made it look intriguing, I liked the films of Nolan that I’ve already seen. And who isn’t a fan of Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman? But, something, I’m not quite sure what, felt flat and dull about this film.

The plot revolves around two magicians in London at the end of the 19th century. They start the story as friends, working in the same act, but then an accident happens and they end up bitter rivals. At first they try to ruin each other’s careers and lives, but soon both get caught up in “the ultimate trick” and try to figure out how it is done.

The plot unfolds through flashbacks and the reading of diaries, both men picking through the lives of the other. We start towards the end of the story, with Borden (Bale) in prison awaiting trial for the murder of Angier (Jackman), and at the end we return to that time for the grand finale.

All the acting is top-notch, but the story is a bit of a let down, and more than a little obvious. There are twists and turns, but all are signposted and although not everything turns out exactly as you might have thought, in most cases I could see what was going to happen. Then again I suppose that is part of the film, and for the most part the rest of the film makes up for this limitation.

What I really liked about The Prestige was the fact that there were no good guys and no bad guys, no one in a white hat to cheer on. Both rivals had their reasons for acting and the audience’s sympathies do switch from one to the other.

I did like the film, but I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed in it.

IMDb | SSD | Slant Magazine | Me against the Keyboard

Write & dir: David Ayer

• Christian Bale - Jim David
• Freddy Rodríguez - Mike Alvarez
• Tammy Trull - Marta
• Eva Longoria - Sylvia

I’m not all that sure how to describe this film. If you’ve seen Training Day you may have a general idea of the tone; gritty and violent. But this isn’t about corrupt cops, although Bale’s character, Jim does aspire to “serve his country� in that role. Jim is an ex-soldier, a veteran, and the film opens on one of his dreams as he flashes back to a night battle and bloodshed.

His best friend, Mike, is supposed to be looking for a job, with Jim driving him around the city so he can deliver his CVs. Then Jim discovers that the L.A police department regrets to inform him he no longer meets their criteria. Or some other phrase that means he is out. And he is not happy. Cue an anger attack as he sits in the car waiting for the lights to change, and then he almost assaults the driver of the car waiting next to him

Well adjusted, and the type you’d like as your neighbourhood cop… somehow I doubt it.

Because of this disapointment Jim decides he needs to get fucked up. He’s been living pure since he began to apply for police jobs, but he doesn’t need to any longer. And so we get to see a day of drugs and drink and guns. And let’s not forget calling Mike’s “old lady� and pretending to be arranging interviews, pretending that Mike’s spent his time wisely instead of drinking and robbing drug dealers.

All through this Bale plays a thoroughly dislikable character. He is rude, sexist, violent, uncaring, and clearly has issues. But at the same time he is somehow charming. The bad boy with the vulnerable side maybe? One of those characters you know you it’d be horrible to actually know, but on screen you can almost see the positives. An asshole, there is no doubt, but an asshole that could be more.

There is a certain amount of repetition in the middle of the film. Violence and drinking, drug-taking and drinking, then a little more violence. This causes the middle section to lose some focus and coherence, and it starts to drag a little. And at just under two hours the film does seem a little long, however I can see the purpose behind the repetition. It really establishes the bond between Jim and Mike, between Mike and Sylvia, and the differences, the mood swings and rages that are part of Jim.

Watching the audience must know that it can’t end well. But despite the foreboding the nature of the ending is still somewhat of a shock. And it does redeem the middle section. I can’t recommend it unreservedly, but it does deserve to be seen. Possibly just to witness Bale’s acting; he has an ability to truly inhabit a character. In The Machinist he took it to physical limits, here is is excellent as Jim, a character that seems to be two opposing people in the one body. There is the rage filled being, prepared to kill anyone, pop pop and move on, just like in the army. Don’t think about it. And yet he is also a friend who cares about Mike, a man who loves his girlfriend. In another actor either aspect could have been over played, but Bale is utterly convincing.

IMDb | DarkMatters | Movie Reviews for Greedy Capitalist Bastards

• Lauren Bacall - Witch of the Waste
• Christian Bale - Howl
• Billy Crystal - Calcifer
• Emily Mortimer - Young Sophie
• Jean Simmons - Old Sophie

I always meant to see Spirited Away, but never got around to it, so I’m glad I got a chance to see this film, by the same director, in the cinema. Based on the book of the same title by Dianna Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle is an anime cartoon telling the story of Sophie, a young hatmaker who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into a ninty year old woman. The only way for her to break the curse is to help Howl and his fire demon Calcifer break the curse that they are suffering under.

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Dir: Christopher Nolan
Writ: Bob Kane, David S Goyer & Christopher Nolan

• Christian Bale …. Bruce Wayne/Batman
• Michael Caine …. Alfred
• Liam Neeson …. Ducard
• Katie Holmes …. Rachel Dawes
• Gary Oldman …. Jim Gordon
• Cillian Murphy …. Dr. Jonathan Crane

Ignore all the previous films, this is new Batman origin film. And we get it all, from the fall down the well to the parents being gunned down in an alley. There is the training, the gadgets, and a batmobile like you’ve never seen before

When I first saw the trailers I didn’t really care much one way or the other. After The Machinist I wasn’t really all that looking forward to seeing Bale in anything for a while. I mean his acting in that was great, but he just made me uncomfortable.

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