Thoughtful reviews, the Boulder film scene

" I know a guy married the same dame 3 times then turned around and married her aunt "
— William Demarest, The Lady Eve

MRQE Top Critic

Betty Blue

There can be beauty in tragedy, particularly when the key ingredient is the same in both —Marty Mapes (review...)

Betty arrives like a bolt from the Blue

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Christian Bale

  • Amsterdam (2022)

    Amsterdam Review by Matt Anderson: While Amsterdam isn't perfect, it is nonetheless fantastic for what it accomplishes.

  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

    Thor: Love and Thunder Review by Matt Anderson: Bale and Portman make this one a wee little bit better than the latest string of Marvel movies.

  • Ford v Ferrari (2019)

    Ford v Ferrari Review by Matt Anderson: Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles chose instinct and tactile, first-hand impressions over computers.

  • Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

    Bale is buffeted by Gods and Kings Review by Robert Denerstein: Ridley Scott never answers the important question: Why?

  • American Hustle (2013)

    Adams shows her American Hustle Review by Robert Denerstein: One of the few 2013 movies I was sorry to see end

    Review by Marty Mapes: Russell opts for chaos over clarity and love over work

  • Out of the Furnace (2013)

    Bale can't drive Out of the Furnace Review by Robert Denerstein: Intense acting doesn't save Furnce from the fires

  • The Fighter (2010)

    Bale trains Wahlberg to be The Fighter Review by Robert Denerstein: May not be a boxing classic, but it's got loads of spit-in-your-eye spirit

    Review by Matt Anderson: Christian Bale scores another knockout in this middleweight boxing drama based on a true story.

  • The Dark Knight (2008)

    The Dark Knight returns Review by Matt Anderson: The Dark Knight returns and turns the genre on its head

  • I'm Not There (2007)

    Blanchett's Not There; Dylan is DVD review by Marty Mapes: Full of Dylanology, Dylanography and Dylanerbole... if that's your thing

  • 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

    Crowe hopes to miss the 3:10 to Yuma Review by Matt Anderson: It's a pleasure to watch Bale and Crowe play off each other

  • Rescue Dawn (2007)

    Bale awaits his Rescue Dawn Review by Marty Mapes: Herzog's POW movie doesn't have swagger. It has bravery, cunning, and triumph, tempered by reality.

  • The Prestige (2006)

    Caine has The Prestige Review by Matt Anderson: The Prestige is a spry magic act with a nifty final sleight of hand.

    DVD review by Matt Anderson: It wouldn't have been hard to conjure up a lot more material for this DVD

  • The New World (2006)

    Review by Marty Mapes: Not about the storytelling; a tone poem that sounds gorgeous

  • Batman Begins (2005)

    Bale cuts a striking figure as Batman Begins Review by Matt Anderson: Bless the bat heavens for Christopher Nolan

    DVD review by Matt Anderson: Batman Begins, now on DVD, stands cape and cowl above the previous Batflicks

  • Howl's Moving Castle (2005)

    Sophie plays with fire in Howl's Moving Castle Review by Marty Mapes: Don't wait for video. See Howl on the big screen.

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Visually as good as any other Miyazaki movie, although the plot is less interesting

  • The Machinist (2004)

    Bale lost 60 pounds to play The Machinist Review by Marty Mapes: Too derivative to earn a strong recommendation

    DVD review by Matt Anderson: Thrill to Bale's creepiness

  • Equilibrium (2003)

    DVD review by Ryan Hurtig: Equilibrium offers nothing new as a cautionary tale about totalitarian societies

  • Laurel Canyon (2003)

    McDormand stayed in Laurel Canyon Review by Marty Mapes: Laurel Canyon gets off to a shaky start, but its characters soon come to life

  • Reign of Fire (2002)

    Real dragons unleash a Reign of Fire Review by Marty Mapes: Mankind has fixated on dragon genocide as one last little moral victory

  • Newsies (1992)

    DVD review by Andrea Birgers: Newsies isn't as bad as its reputation, but they don't make 'em like they used to.