American Hustle- Movie Review by Sean Wu

Based on the first trailer, and the first scene of the first trailer, there is only one thing you need to know about the film: That there are two sides to everything and everyone. This is initially telling when Irving Rosenfeld (a hugely chubby Christian Bale) points out a forged Rembrandt picture to FBI agent Richie DiMaso (an off-the-walls Bradley Cooper).

So everything is more than meets-the-eye, and that's what makes the movie great. Literally everything is detailed, every main character is three-dimensional, every scene is thorough and fleshed-out, and many hilarious lines of dialogue mean more than they seem. It's a work of genius, the film, because it is so intelligent, well-crafted, and well-made.

American Hustle has its first screening, Jennifer Lawrence is a standout.

So yesterday American Hustle screened in LA. Is it good for double-digit nominations? You betcha? Is it good? That's a different story.

I'm sensing some mixed reaction. Jennifer Lawrence apprently stole the show, and is bound for another Oscar nomination and got a mid screening applause. There was also a smatter of boos when the credits rolled, mostly drowned out by tepid applause. Kris Tapley of Hitfix tweeted that he thought the movie was "...okay".

American Hustle is...okay. Lawrence and Cooper the stand-outs.
— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) November 25, 2013

However, Variety reports that the film earned 'a big thumbs up.' Reviews are embargoed until next week, but the real opinion you should hear is mine, which you will get mid-December. I still can't wait for American Hustle, and screenings for The Wolf of Wall Street are due to begin next week.

A hustle of new American Hustle stuff: new trailer and five posters!

I would be lying if I said that this movie did not look awesome. I'm really digging the 1970's mood.


Posters after the jump.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012): A rise to the occasion.

I am going to start with saying this: YES, this is better than The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises is a bigger film with better characters and a badass Bane.

The film kicks off on a sour note. With all these new characters, we never see them get a proper introduction. The 8 year difference between the films is also a contribution to the introduction of the new characters. We see Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the movie, trying to steal from a hermit Bruce Wayne. This is our beginning setup, but why? It's not very well explained, except for implication that Bruce is a hermit after making a poor investment in Wayne Enterprises.