Sunday, April 1, 2012

"I Have To Return Some Videotapes."

AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000)
If there's anything I love more than a good bloodbath, it's a murderer lecturing about Huey Lewis and the News before cheerfully slicing an axe through his coworker's head. American Psycho gives us the story of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy New York banking executive who wants nothing more than to wear the best suits and go to the best restaurants and own the best business cards. And if he can do it while slaughtering everyone around him, all the better. It's incredibly dark, never skimps on the blood stains, and is riddled with black humor. The frantic comedy is, above all, what makes this a woefully addictive movie, not to mention the namesake for this blog. With its high body count, twisted humor, and scathing social commentary, it's really everything I want out of a movie. 

Above all, I have to give Christian Bale credit where credit is due for this one. He's churned out some great roles over the past twelve years, but I'd still be hard pressed to find anything that tops the fearlessness with which he dives into Patrick Bateman's spit-shined shoes. I don't know what he's channelling, but it comes across as a mix between Jim Carrey and crack cocaine. His energy is through the roof, but he's more than dancing on his toes--it's the subtle expressions that really nail the character, the desperation with which his psychotic inner demons cling for some kind of control seem ever present in his painfully self-aware mask. As for the other characters, he definitely has a terrific supporting cast. Willem Dafoe can't seem to shake his detective's badge, but who would really want him to when he pulls it off so damn well? Jared Leto pulls off a great sleazy business man, and even Reese Witherspoon, a hit and miss (and mostly miss) actress delivers a great, solid performance, no doubt courtesy of the brilliant script. If you've got a sweet tooth for the unapologetically morbid, I highly recommend this bad boy. 

39 comments:

  1. Heck Yes, such the movie... It's Hip to Be Square...

    Great start... to the challenge "A" is for Awesome!
    Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
    A to Z Co-Host
    IZOMBIE: Visit the Madness

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    1. Word! I couldn't get enough of this movie if I tried.

      Thanks! Good luck yourself!

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  2. Ooh I love this film so much. I have been meaning to revisit it for a while now, maybe this will give me the final push.
    Bale certainly gives his best performance here.

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    1. This one is definitely always good for a revisit! It's hard to beat that level of insanity.

      Bale is a great actor, no doubt about it. But as Bateman, the dude's just fearless. End of story.

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  3. What a great idea to post movie reviews. I bet I'll develop quite a list of movies I want to watch. (Not that I'll have any spare time in April!)

    Good luck with the A to Z Challenge.

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    1. Thanks! I do love me some movies. April will be a hectic one! Good luck and thanks for the support!

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  4. Never seen it, but I'll see if I can get it on Netflix. Have you ever watched the series called, "Dexter"? Really dark series about a killer who kills bad people. Thanks for your interesting post.
    Ruby

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    1. I've been meaning to watch Dexter! If you like Dexter, though, you'd like this one. I told myself I was going to read the Dexter novels before I watched the series, but I never got around to that, so I should really just bite the bullet. Plus, Michael C. Hall never disappoints.

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  5. This sounds like just about the polar opposite of what I want out of a movie, although FARGO and FIGHT CLUB are two of my favorites. You make it sound very appealing, though....

    Marian Allen
    Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

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    1. American Psycho is more or less what would happen if someone took the wood chipper scene at the end of Fargo and made an entire movie about it. Still, both Fight Club and Fargo win in my book.

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  6. Awesome review! I love this film and it's based on my favorite novel. Although the movie doesn't follow it it too carefully, mostly because if it tried it would probably enver be released in the theatres I thought Bale captured everything about Bateman, it remains my favorite work by him.

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    1. Thanks, homie! I really have to read the book. I feel like it's one of those things that would be an awkward translation after I've seen the movie...but still. I feel like I need a Bret Easton Ellis under my belt at some point, and this might as well be it.

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    2. Oh, if you liked the movie you will LOVE the book. It's amazing that with all the awful stuff that is going in it it remains humourous, even hilarious at times.

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  7. I haven't seen this movie for so long. I remember that I had almost no idea what I was in for when I started watching it (although the name is a tip-off.) Great review, can't wait to read more.

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    1. I'm pretty sure my first watch was the same. I've come to know the less baggage you go into a movie with, the more you get in return. Every time. Thanks for reading!

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  8. Gosh. I've never heard of this movie but I like Christian Bale so I might just give it a shot (even if I don't like blood and gore:P) great to meet you through this A-Z!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. If you're a Christian Bale fan, it's a must see. However, if you don't like blood and gore...it might be a bit of a harder sell.

      Great to meet you too! Rock on!

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  9. I LOVE this movie. I want to watch it right now, but our husband let a friend borrow our copy, like, eight months ago and we still haven't gotten it back! Argh!

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    1. Borrowing movies is the worst! I mainly horde my DVDs. If they want to watch it, they can sit down with me and enjoy it from the comfort of my own couch. Thanks for the comment!

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  10. One of my best friends couldn't make it through this book. She always brings it up, too, including the gruesome scene that pushed her over the limit and made her chuck it.

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    1. Ooooh, that doesn't sound like a good time! I take it she's not a Chuck Palahniuk fan either? There is a heck of a lot of excessive gruesomeness, so it's certainly not for the faint of heart!

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  11. Love this movie! I seem to recall there being flack for choosing Bale for this movie, with people thinking he could never pull off a psycho. He certainly proved all of them wrong. I think part of the problem was that he was known for Little Women and that type of role. Love the sick wit and commentary in the movie (and the book).

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

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    1. I think you're right! I love it when actors you don't expect to pull off roles like that do it splendidly. Like Tom Cruise for Interview With The Vampire? Nailed it. Sick wit is definitely the only way to put it--so twisted, but so good!

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  12. Loved the trailer - doesn't he know you spit on blood to get it out...hahahaha!

    Love this post! Great start to the A to Z Challenge...I'll be back.

    Jenny @ Pearson Report
    Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

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    1. Clearly, he needs a vampire to do his dry cleaning. So much epicness!

      Thanks! Good luck with your A to Zness as well!

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  13. Fantastic review - great movie - perfect start for A-Z - M, your business cards are the BEST!

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    1. Thanks! What can I say? I've killed off all my competition. Er. Or something less frightening. Love me some Psychos!

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  14. "Next Saturday? - Les Miz"

    LOL!

    Great opening post for the challenge.

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    1. Thanks! Gotta love Patrick Bateman. The script is just absolutely flawless.

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  15. I have not seen this one, but I do like Christian Bale.

    New follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi, new follower! I'm glad to have you on bored! I agree with you--fellow A to Zers are really bringing it! If you like Christian Bale, I'd highly recommend this one out. Definitely his best work, in my opinion. Thanks for the comment!

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  16. I love this movie! the business card contest, the Huey Lewis and Phil Collins lectures, it's just so funny in the most wonderfully twisted way.

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    1. Agreed! To everything you just said. Those scenes are all brilliant and effortless. Funny and twisted is about as good as it gets.

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  17. I really enjoyed this movie. Great one to start with!

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  18. I LOVE this movie! It is by far and away my favorite Christian Bale flick. Sorry it's taken me forever to get here, M. I feel like a horrible jackass and maybe Sam L should go wrath of God on me.

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    1. Agreed! Christian Bale owns in this one. End of story. Don't apologize! I have to go back and review all your A-To-Zs too. Sam L should go wrath on both of us!

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