5 Off The Top Of My Head - Birthday Bale

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Christian Bale turns 34 years old today. I stand by my claim that it seems impossible that he's still so young, but I suppose being a child actor gives the illusion that having such longevity in "the biz" makes one older than one seems to be. Anyway, I did a massive picture post for Mr. Bale's birthday last year, which you can view right here, so this year I'll do something a little bit different. Here are my five favorite performances by Mr. Bale. And I should mention, while looking through his filmography I see there are a lot of his films that I've missed, shame on me, so their absence reflects poorly upon me, not his other work. But of what I have seen, these are my faves:

Jamie Graham, Empire of the Sun (1987)

"Learned a new word today. Atom bomb.
It was like the God taking a photograph."

Arthur Stuart, Velvet Goldmine (1998)

"I will mangle your mind."

Patrick Bateman, American Psycho (2000)

"I have to return some videotapes."

Trevor Reznik, The Machinist (2004)

"Right now I wanna sleep. I just want to sleep."

Dieter Dengler, Rescue Dawn (2006)

"Empty what is full. Fill what is empty.
Scratch what itches."

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