I am not a Christian Bale's fan. I saw Shaft for the first time this morning and really hated Bale in the film. That's how good he was!

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I thought he was really good as one of the villains, but equally complemented by Jeffrey Wright as the ice pick - wielding Peoples who was certainly playing against his usual character type. Whatever its merits (and I quite liked it), it had a top notch cast.

I agree. The first time I saw Bale in a movie(at the time I thought it was the first time) was American Psycho in the spring of 2000. I thought it was a great performance and he completely carried the film. The next time I saw him was in this movie in the summer of 2000 which I thought was a let down for him. I think he clearly took the role because it was a good career move but he clearly underacts in this movie. It wasn't until some time after watching the Machinist that I realized that this was the same kid actor that starred in Empire of the Sun I watched when I was a kid. I was completely blown away when I learned that. I also couldn't believe how young he was when he did American Psycho, 25 or 26 I thinks, which clearly shows his maturity beyond his years.

At the time it was good film for Bale to do, play a bad guy in a big budget action film as opposed to American Psycho which was more of an independent film.
Its that man again!!

Same. First movie I saw with Bale. He totally jumped off the screen. Knew he was gonna at least form a cult following. Had no idea he'd become such a well-known A-lister, but looking back it seems obvious.
Directed by Mustachioed Kentington.

Just the opposite. Bale is one of the very few actors today who truly has diversity. He can be anyone and make it believable. I did not come to know him as an actor until recently. Then when I found out so many of the movies I watched and loved were actually starred by him, I was absolutely amazed at how such different characters were all portrayed by the same person. That's why he is the only movie star in the world that I can actually say I am a fan of.

America Psycho.
The Prestige.
Equilibrium.
The Flowers of War.
Tell me how any of the characters he's played in these movies are the same. Oh, right, you haven't seen ANY of them
I have an unusual set of skills

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I recommend Empire of the Sun, and Swing Kids. Bale was in his teens when he made these films and he was amazing especially Empire of the Sun!

Bale is at his best when he's a psycho!
This movie was quite entertaining and better than I expected.

I enjoy when Bale plays those psycho beep roles, he would make a good villain, or does? I don't like him as much as the good guy, such as Bruce Wayne. Although hes great at anything.
"You clumsy silverback watch my beep legs!"

I thought CB was great! So he was a bastard (like in
American Psycho
) and I kind of hated his character, but he was very suave none-the-less. And I agree with the above, he is gorgeous!
S
laughter is the best medicine

He is good in every film he does.. he's an ass in the film, but he's so hot. He's why I watched the film. I don't even hate him in the movie, why did he have to die, he could have given more shoe to people in jail. JK.

I personally thought the movie was great. I was throughly entertained the whole time and it has huge rewatch value.

Don't forget Bales performance in Empire of the sun, people tend to forget that. He might not be that old but his acting is excellent
Work is for people who dont know how to fish

i don't know about any of his other movies, but batman begins is the best in the series because of bale, and i guess chris nolan helps too

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this was exactly the same my experience.
i also saw christian bale first in this movie, and also hated his character from the first second. for the perfectly played arrogance, for utmost contempt to other people (regardless who was the target at the moment, or who provided him a service he needed, or if that was strangers or his family), and for being dangerous as long as responsibility was not involving himself (letting other people do his dirty jobs). he wasn't entirely evil though. while violent sometimes, he was scared too (noticable in a few scenes). his acting skills made the character absolutely believable.
i'd risk saying that his playing was as good as jackson's. since 2000 i've been having a hard time observing bale in other movies and trying to remember how close his first character grew into the actor. he definitely left an impression, even though his role was relatively small.
there are still a few of his movies i need to catch up on, including "american psycho"
if his further choices for movies are smart and lucky, he has a chance to be a top class actor.

Supposedly, he changed his mind (about playing a role similar to one he already touched on in
American Psycho
) after doing a reading with Toni Collette. Not arguing against your point, just saying that is the public statement he made.

This movie isn't a remake. It's a continuation. The original character appears in the film.
Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing is made on the Moon! My Uncle from Mars told me, so I know it's true!

But he mentioned all time classics and all time best actors, so clearly you got ahead of YOURSELF with YOUR comment.