Though he wasn't nominated for any awards, I believe some of the year's best performances have come from Christian Bale (3:10 to Yuma, Rescue Dawn), and I'm a little sad that he's missing from the red carpet. The man has been honing his craft since he was a wee child and has been working steadily for years since. To properly pay my respects to the talented Mr. Bale this awards season, I'm designating a Movie Night to him. It's hard to choose given his large body of work, but I dug out some gems. In addition to these titles, he also sang his way into my heart in Newsies and freaked me out in American Psycho and The Machinist.
3:10 to Yuma
I've said it before and I'll say it again: 3:10 to Yuma is an excellent retelling of an old Western, reminding us that this dusty genre isn't dead. The lead actors turn in solid performances including Christian Bale who plays rancher Dan Evans, a man down on his luck physically and financially. Evans seizes an opportunity to earn some good reward money by delivering the infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the Yuma prison via the 3:10 PM train. With Ben's men hot on their trail, their journey to Yuma takes on a power struggle that is ultimately as simple as good versus evil. This film has one of Bale's most arresting portrayals in recent history, and should definitely kick off your movie night.
Two more titles from the deeper confines of Bale's past, so read more
Swing Kids
In this 1993 drama, Bale plays one of three friends growing up in Nazi Germany on the eve of World War II. Alongside Robert Sean Leonard (who you can now catch on House), Bale and friends rebel against the status quo by listening and dancing to American swing music. Eventually though, their teenage rebellions are forced to a stop and the young men are faced with some hard choices.
Though sappy at times, it's fun watching the young, strapping Robert Sean Leonard and Christian Bale together onscreen.
Little Women
Bale first really hit my adolescent radar when he brought Laurie to life in Little Women. I'm just going to say it: I don't think there could ever be a more perfect Theodore 'Laurie' Lawrence. In other news, it's a good wintertime family classic with a great cast, including Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Susan Sarandon and a tiny Kirsten Dunst.
Theory
S***r
Matthew Williamson
Ironically, I'm watching Batman Begins at this very moment and I watched American Psycho Tuesday night. I suppose that I'm having my own Bale-othon aren't I?
1Ah, yes, he is seriously great. I think I'll watch Mio min Mio tonight.
2That's so funny, we were watching Batman Begins last night and I mentioned how much I loved Christian Bale in both Swing Kids and Little Women! (I was so in love with him as Laurie...)
3OK my co-workers hate you now... I cannot NOT sing when Newsies is mentioned! SANTA FE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4I loved him in the Newsies!! And the Machinist was so great.. I think he's the best Batman yet..
5OHMYGOD I love newsies SO FREAKING much! I have it All memorized. Ohhhhhhhhh how I love it. Where does it say you gotta live and DIE HERE!?!??!??!??!
6Little Women!
I SO love Christian Bale. He's number 1 on my "If you could cheat with a celebrity, I'd give you permission to cheat with these people" list.
7I love Christian Bale and his movies. A pleasure.
8Any other "Metroland" fans here?
9He's wonderful.
10It's a travesty he hasn't even been nominated for an Academy award yet. He's a phenomenal actor. And a super fox.
11I love that you picked Swing Kids for this list. That's such a wonderful movie about a form of socially defiant music that many people don't think of. Swing Heil!
12can someone tell me where to find the review of
13The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
If you like sci-fi or action movies check out Equilibrium, which also stars Christian Bale. I love him!
14Rosarita96 — You can be directed to the review of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by clicking here.
15I just love Christian Bale. He's so great, so versatile, AND he's a delight to look at! Hehe. Thanks, Buzz!
16Oooo! Nicedriveway, Christian Bale is number 1 on my laminated list as well!
17I also fell hard for Bale starting with Little Women. What a genius casting move; he was perfect. Since then, I've been trying to see all his movies (Empire of the Sun is fascinating to watch now) but I totally forgot he was in Swing Kids. and I still haven't brought myself to see the Machinist, tho I'm sure it's good. Bottom line: Christian Bale is dreamy.
18you raise a very good point - where has he been lately as far as the acknowledgment goes. he takes on hard roles and usually does them justice - yet for some reason - he's M.I.A. from the carpet.
19Little Women is one of my all time favorites and I'll never get tired of watching Christian as Laurie "spying" with Jo on John Brooke and Meg or promising Amy he'll kiss her before she dies. Sigh.
20Empire Of the Sun is an amazing movie,
21it's always on tv and never ceases to break my heart
I was totally in love with him after Newsies! And I LOVE THAT MOVIE!!! I actually got it for Christmas. Now I want to go watch it!
22the newsies is the best movie EVER!!!!!!!
23I looooove Christian Bale! Whenever I see him my mind automatically goes to Patrick Bateman and that yuppie accent. ;P
24so right, so right, Buzz.
25This headline cracked me up! "Also in Newsies"
Newsies has been on a lot lately...not sure which channel - maybe Starz? It has some seriously classic songs, but I always find myself giggling when Christian tries to dance.
26I love him! I totally agree, Buzz. He has busted his chops and he totally deserves more recognition than he gets. This also served as my reminder to get a card at the local video store sometime this weekend, thanks!
27Aw, Christian Bale- like a fine wine he's only getting better. He's an amazing actor and a stone cold fox.
28PS- Nicedriveway / Daisie, Brad Pitt and Christian Bale are my list. Yum.
i LOVE christian bale! he's definitely one of my favourite actors
29Yeah, he proved he had immense acting talent when he was just a little kid in 'Empire of the Rising Sun.' I think he's an amazing actor. He'll always be Laurie from 'Little Women' to me though.
30He is so great! Little Women...oh yes! He shares my name in that one! How about Equilibrium and Velvet Goldmine (with Ewan MacGregor!) and Laurel Canyon, as well?
31I heart Newsies!! I totally sang my heart out with my friends to that movie!
32I still have my Newsies Vhs tape...it's pretty worn. Maybe it's time to upgrade to dvd on that one. Now I have "it's a fine life, carrying the banner..." in my head.
Thanks a lot guys! : )
33oooh lalalaurie velvet goldmine is one of my ALL TIME favorites ... christian bale, ewan macgregor AND a young jonathan rhys meyers (and toni collette!). perfect.
34Count me in as a "Metroland" fan--I've also heard that is the one film where Bale's true accent comes through. Then again I'm a fan of anything with Bale, so, really, the guy can do no wrong.
Buzz, you are so right--Bale is incredibly under-recognized and underappreciated. Starz has also been airing "The Prestige" non-stop, which is another great movie.
35Mmmm....I could sit through many Christian Bale movie nights!
36Oh, also, totally random tidbit about Robert Sean Leonard--met him years ago after a play he did in NYC. The guy's so sweet and down-to-earth and very cute in person.
37I've been a fan since the Newsies days also and when I saw Rescue Dawn and 3:10 to Yuma last year I thought for sure he would be nominated for one of them but somehow it didn't happen. I especially enjoyed his work in Yuma because it was so low key and down to earth and I'd never really seen him in that sort of role before. Oh and watch "All the Little Animals" if you get a chance, some of his best work I think.
38juliette--"All the little animals"!! I love that one! I almost forgot. He and John Hurt are amazing in that!
39Crazy, I've only ever seen him in Little Women! I had no idea he was in these other films...must check them out sometime.
40Empire of the Sun is AWESOME.. I cry like a baby in that movie. He should have received an Oscar for carrying that movie from beginning to end on his 13 year old shoulders! AMAZING!!!
American Psycho.. gotta love the naked chainsaw scene!
41hmm.. well i think bale is super talented! love all his movies! i think ive seen all of them except for newsies soo.. block buster wtch out im heading over there tonight!
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