The Dark Knight Rises [2012]

Before going in to see the film, I didn't read the reviews or the spoilers- I didn't knew who was the villain (except Bane) or the character reveal at the end; all I remember was reading a tweet that said the film had a lot of plot holes. Besides that, nothing, so I went into the theatre with normal expectations, trying to have a clean view on it.

Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to say, but I was not that impressed. Yes, it's a very good action movie, with great visual effects and fight scenes, grand, magnificent and brave, but it didn't do it for me. It didn't have Dark Knight's tight, intriguing and slightly crazy storyline, or Heath Ledger's complex character type, it didn't help people connect with the characters; moreover, the movie seemed to try too hard in achieving greatness and darkness at times, some plot holes were too obvious and I honestly didn't understand half of the things Bane said. It still has the Batman/Nolan magic, but it's not better or more exciting than the first two.

I love, for most of it, Nolan's direction and vision. I understand where he is going and I appreciate and admire his ways, but sometimes it was too much (Bane taking over the city and all his speeches). He creates epic movies, with many subtleties that are surely missed at the first view (I remember seeing Inception for the second time and understanding so much more then); on one hand, it plants a doubt or an intrigue on your brain and you remember it, but on the other hand you leave the theatre unsatisfied and that leads to a not so stellar opinion overall. If I would have to classify his movies, I would put Dark Knight and Inception above TDKR, if not others, too.

See, that was my problem- this need for an epic finale of the Batman trilogy, with huge action scenes, and end-of-the-world speeches and moments, felt sometimes too fake and over the top...and this is where the plot holes come in. Struggling for almost a year to get of the worst prison in the world, Bruce Wayne climbs to the top, and without any money, passport, transport, he arrives safe and sound and with clothes in the most protected, craziest and secluded place in the world. Should I even mention the fact that if a bomb would really explode in the middle of the ocean or bay, it would probably trigger a tsunami so strong that could wipe out a city? And how did he have time to get out of there in time? Also, when did he have time to write his will leaving all of the buildings he previously lost AND indications for a specific character before being forced into the pit? I'm sure there are more and more important than this one, but I'll leave it at that.

Before I continue, I know most of you are probably rolling their eyes right now, saying "Come on, it's an action movie/blockbuster/different world, why is it so important?"- it isn't and I probably wouldn't have noticed or mention it, if it wasn't for the fact that overall, the movie failed to impress or excite me. You could argue that Avengers had a worse script or bigger plot holes, yes, but that movie had me on the edge of my seat, entertained and excited for most of the time.

But, you see, there are some amazing details in The Dark Knight Rises that need to be talked about. Firstly, the splendid Hans Zimmer score, who was perfectly chilling and powerful for the story. Secondly, the visually beautiful cinematography, from the close ups or wide shots, to the dark tone of the film. Thirdly, the fantastic casting: I love Michael Caine- his sweet, wise, caring and noble personality, and most especially, his last scenes, as they were, probably, the only moments where my emotions got to me (and, of course,the goodbye scene). Christian Bale, mister Batman himself, continued his line of great performances by delivering a suffering, dark and lonesome Batman. Tom Hardy's was good, but that's the thing- he didn't actually stand out in any way, which is probably ok, since his character is just a toy of the main villain, just a man fighting someone else's war, because of love. Anne Hathway was a lovely surprise and I really liked her portrayal of Catwoman, and Marion Cotillard was stunning as usual- got to say, I was not expecting that twist at the end. As for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, well, yet again, nothing out of the ordinary until the last scenes, were I was, once more, taken back by the reveal. My friends seem to think we will definitely have a continuation because of that, do you think so, too?

I admit, the last part was pretty amazing and I loved all the character revelations, the way Nolan tied up loose ends by giving Alfred his dream ending and so on.

To sum things up, The Dark Knight Rises is a fantastic summer blockbuster that fails to connect in some places. Wonderfully made and full of action and power, but doesn't reach its maximum potential, as it clogs in a sea of details, characters, storylines and a need for epic proportions. If I really had to rate it (something that I never do, as you must have noticed), I would give it a 3.5, maybe 4, out of 5. That's still good, right?

American Psycho [2000]

(that's actually my DVD cover, not the original poster- I like it more)

[SPOILERS]

To celebrate the 4th of July, I decided to finally see American Psycho, a movie based on a great book by Bret Easton Ellis, directed and written by Mary Harron, about a man who leads a seemingly perfect life, but actually has a horrifying secret that makes his day to day routine much harder. Even before it started, I knew I was in for some crazy shit, since you can't avoid the online pictures of a wild Christian Bale.

He plays Patrick Bateman, a 27 year old who works in an advertising company and recently became a VP. At a first glance, nothing stands out. He has a great job, a group of friends around him (Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas), a girlfriend (Reese Witherspoon) and he affords going out and having fun every night in clubs and restaurants. But as things move along, you observe little details about him and his personality that make you reconsider.

Here is where you start analysing him, and honestly, my review will probably be that, since the character Bale portrays shines throughout this movie. One of the first things I noticed is the obsession with details, that most likely has to do with his need for power- you see it in his overreaction to business cards, or in his daily beauty routine. I think it's just a way of controlling a part of his life that he understands and has access to, unlike his nightly adventures that are beyond his control. When it does begin, his moments of rage don't last long- two or three quick swings, shots, in the most brutal and horrible way possible, and then he is done...back to his normal, restrained self.

This leads to a confession that explains a lot to us: he has no emotions, with the exception of greed and disgust, adding that"something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why". It's obvious by now that he is a serial killer and that he can't and won't stop.

He carefully plans his escapades and when his infatuation with Paul Allen (played by Jared Leto, who was, apparently, huge in the 90s) goes to the highest level, he deals with him the only way he knows, but this time, things don't go as planned and for the first time, the police are on to him. I found it funny that the detective (Williem Defoe), is the one who manages to get a normal reaction out of him, since Bateman starts acting erratically and making everyone suspicious.

The end is crazy and I was left wondering what just happened, especially when his lawyer says that he met with Allen twice in London- I kept asking myself, or my imaginary friends, what did he mean? Was it all in Patrick's imagination? It's obvious the guy didn't believe the wild phone call (btw, brains?), but.....Allen, alive in London? Overall, I liked the fact that it left the audience wanting more, it makes the film even more memorable, although I do wish I'd know what really happened. One of his last quotes describes his character, the story and the possible follow up perfectly: "My pain is constant and sharp, and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others....my punishment continues to elude me, and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself. No new knowledge can be extracted from my telling. This confession has meant nothing."

American Psycho is quick, irregular, with no emotions, just like Bateman's personality and behaviour. It's nicely made and it moulds around the character, as he is the star. There are some funny tibdits in the film, maybe intentionally put to relieve some of the tension. The classic "I have to return some videotapes", or his weird, but interesting obsession with music, since he talks and interprets lyrics and songs before having sex or, actually, before the craziness begins. I also have to mention the fact that Bale looked amazing in this film- very fit, beautiful skin, nice haircut (for that era), I think that guy would have made a fantastic Christian Grey nowadays.

Yes, American Psycho is a crazy movie, with a great character- development story and a fantastic performance by Bale that you definitely have to see.