quiet_tiger (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
quiet_tiger) wrote2005-08-25 11:46 pm
quiet_tiger) wrote2005-08-25 11:46 pm
The Machinist
Oh. My. God.
The Machinist, starring Christian Bale, is a great movie. Hell, I'll even say it was a great film (I do try to distinguish between the two terms).
I'm not gonna bother to post intricate plot details here, if you want more, then comment and ask for them.
But it's clever, and I found it well put together, though of course people in the IMDB have torn it to shreds. I always check boards on movies that could be confusing, even though I felt I understood this, and as usual, people had all these different ideas about what actually happened. But I'm sticking with mine. Not all movies can be as simple as "terrorist takes over a building, and attractive, funny, strong hero stops him" (Die Hard is one of my favorite movies, so I mean no harm towards action movies).
The film is horrifying in its own way, and the cinematography and art direction are wonderful. Very well done. The acting is good, and there wasn't too much extra crap thrown in (and for once the deleted scenes were scenes that actually weren't necessary and would have taken away from the film).
Just a WARNING: Christian Bale lost more than 60 pounds to play this role. THIS MAKES HIM PAINFULLY THIN at 120 pounds. I missed dialogue in the first few scenes because I was just so shocked at his appearance-he's barely recognizable. I joke about people being scrawny, but he was sickly-looking. Really quite visually awful. I knew he was supposed to be thin for the role, but I wasn't aware he was *that* emaciated. It's absolutely fascinating that he was able to gain the weight back, and the muscle tone, in order to be Batman soon thereafter. I really just want to pop in my copy of American Psycho to remind myself that he isn't actually ill, that he's a healthy, muscular, attractive man (yeah, that film was made years ago, but it would help). But it's packed somewhere.
Overall, The Machinist is a very good film. Enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I was this engaged in something I rented. I can't actually remember the last time I rented something, actually, but I had coupons. The film will haunt me, and now I'm thinking of emaciated CB playing an AU NML Bruce Wayne, and it's making me feel ill.
Anyway. I'd say 3.5 stars out of 4, if only for the "necessary" ambiguity (damn you, suspense thrillers!) and the plot holes that don't really detract from anything. But don't let that stop you from seeing it, and no, I haven't given you any sort of spoiler because if you have thought of seeing it, and have read the description, you know it's gonna be a little freaky. If you have seen it and would like to chat, drop me a comment or an email.
The Machinist, starring Christian Bale, is a great movie. Hell, I'll even say it was a great film (I do try to distinguish between the two terms).
I'm not gonna bother to post intricate plot details here, if you want more, then comment and ask for them.
But it's clever, and I found it well put together, though of course people in the IMDB have torn it to shreds. I always check boards on movies that could be confusing, even though I felt I understood this, and as usual, people had all these different ideas about what actually happened. But I'm sticking with mine. Not all movies can be as simple as "terrorist takes over a building, and attractive, funny, strong hero stops him" (Die Hard is one of my favorite movies, so I mean no harm towards action movies).
The film is horrifying in its own way, and the cinematography and art direction are wonderful. Very well done. The acting is good, and there wasn't too much extra crap thrown in (and for once the deleted scenes were scenes that actually weren't necessary and would have taken away from the film).
Just a WARNING: Christian Bale lost more than 60 pounds to play this role. THIS MAKES HIM PAINFULLY THIN at 120 pounds. I missed dialogue in the first few scenes because I was just so shocked at his appearance-he's barely recognizable. I joke about people being scrawny, but he was sickly-looking. Really quite visually awful. I knew he was supposed to be thin for the role, but I wasn't aware he was *that* emaciated. It's absolutely fascinating that he was able to gain the weight back, and the muscle tone, in order to be Batman soon thereafter. I really just want to pop in my copy of American Psycho to remind myself that he isn't actually ill, that he's a healthy, muscular, attractive man (yeah, that film was made years ago, but it would help). But it's packed somewhere.
Overall, The Machinist is a very good film. Enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I was this engaged in something I rented. I can't actually remember the last time I rented something, actually, but I had coupons. The film will haunt me, and now I'm thinking of emaciated CB playing an AU NML Bruce Wayne, and it's making me feel ill.
Anyway. I'd say 3.5 stars out of 4, if only for the "necessary" ambiguity (damn you, suspense thrillers!) and the plot holes that don't really detract from anything. But don't let that stop you from seeing it, and no, I haven't given you any sort of spoiler because if you have thought of seeing it, and have read the description, you know it's gonna be a little freaky. If you have seen it and would like to chat, drop me a comment or an email.
no subject
Cool, thanks hon!!
:D
The Machinist