Rating: 
Summary: Study of a psychopath
Review: Just wanted to get something off my chest. Those who have reviewed this film and commented that it is NOT an insight into the mind of a serial killer need to do some more research.
We are only now starting to understand the psychopathic condition and discover what motivates one to become a serial killer. This film's portrayal of Bateman as an empty shell, a man on the outside with nothing inside is very accurate. Psychopaths do not have the social skills or moral limitations that "normal" people do. They have to learn these things in order to "fit in" as Bateman says. Otherwise they would be as obviously different as an alien life form. When Patrick says that we might be able to see him and hear him but "I simply do not exist", I think this is the clearest, most insightful comment on a psychopathic personality that I have ever seen in a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Sociopath In A Silk Suit...
Review: Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a terrifying mess. He's a hollow shell among other hollow shells. His life consists of meaningless ritual and routine. Patrick has no sense of who he is or what he is doing. He is only aware of his own greed and inner hatred for all around him. He's a perfect physical specimen, perfectly wrapped in designer suits. His self-pampering shower regimen is a wonder to behold! When Patrick has sex with two women at once, he only notices his own reflection in the mirror. Patrick is a narcissist with no discernable personality. On the exterior, he is handsome, well groomed, and "together", while his interior is a frenzy of violence and death. Patrick is coming apart. He is no longer able to keep his inner deadness at bay. His friends are as unaware of his problems as they are of their own, living only to burn up the vast amounts of money they make in the most impressive ways possible. Patrick finally snaps, releasing his inner beast to murder those who he sees as unlike himself, which turns out to be anyone / everyone who comes in contact with him. To add to this insanity, things happen to make it unclear whether Patrick has actually killed anyone at all. Is he a prolific serial-killer or does he just have an over active and demented fantasy life? He's confused and so are we. He watches porno and slasher flicks which mysteriously look like events in his life. He carries one victim right out the front door of his penthouse apartment building, and loads it into the trunk of a cab. This leaves a long, wide trail of blood right in plain sight of many passers-by. Did this even happen? No one is certain. I loved this movie's view of the 1980s, especially the ridiculous nightlife and empty headed music. Patrick and his fellow business sharks are more plastic than flesh and blood with no concern for anyone but themselves. Patrick wants to fit in with them, but his own lack of a soul causes him nothing but misery. He is truly a repulsive creature, a living falsehood, a homicidal maniac with no real reason to kill. Patrick is the good-looking bottle of poison. Do not touch, unless you want to die! I found Patrick's utter void to be far more disturbing than the violence he perpetrates. He is totally lost, without hope or any idea of how to live. His misogeny is just a symptom of his own terminal condition. Patrick is a walking corpse. AMERICAN PSYCHO is a great character study of a man bereft of character. Bale plays his role with ease and confidence. Highly recommended...
Rating: 
Summary: A Very weird yet beautiful movie
Review: Before everyone jumps and yells what do I mean by beautiful no not the violence but the music and the acting and the way the movie is shot. The reason for 4 is that like many critics this film trys to be many things but the people who say that it is trying to be a slasher are tottally wrong and probly rented the movie for the violence or dont read between lines or reels. Is it a social satire yes on the 80's Matiralism or "me" genration etc. The odd thing is that the 2 min they cut out (a scene in which patrick looks at himself during a sex act) is more evidence what the movie is trying to say Patrick is so crazy that all he can think about is him his things and what people think about him. To get a better perspective read the book which in itself is more sexual and more violent then this movie could ever be but all those action explain who patrick is not what he does. Yes there are better way better films but if your looking for something weird, (but not out there) and new buy the movie, but if you like the movie for what it says pick up the book since in many ways is totally differint but still has the same message.
Rating: 
Summary: Queer Eye gone horribly wrong...
Review: For some reason, this movie is classified as horror. It is not - it is a comedy: a very, very, very black comedy. Just watch Christian Bale's over-the-top performance - everything is played for laughs. The murders are not the focus of the film - rather it is Bale's narration as he comments on all things '80s: everything from his in-depth analysis of pop artists like Whitney Houston and Huey Lewis, to his grooming ritual, to whatever hot spots were popular in New York back then.The eighties as satirized in the movie are an idea that never really existed - much like Patrick's idea of himself. I vaguely remember some of the places he talks about in Manhattan, but they were trends - like anything else. Even the yuppies back then who agonized over getting the right seat at the right restaurant and having the perfect look and business card didn't even really believe in those things themselves. They were all playacting, whether they knew it or not. It is a wise decision to downplay the horror aspects of the movie. Sadly I have not read the book. I hear that is very misogynistic. I don't know about that but the hero-villain, Patrick Bateman, certainly is. Violence against women is not something we need to see more of. It is present in the film, so be prepared for some offensive scenes. This movie, like other movies about the eighties, play best as nostalgia. We can look at the cultural differences and say, "What the hell were we thinking." American Psycho is intent on giving us a good laugh.
Rating: 
Summary: horrible waste of time
Review: overly self aware and tedious slasher "black comedy"- I did watch the whole thing, however, so I guess I'm the sucker. The music is good at least, especially "something in the air" from bowie.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely overrated waste of time, try Bad Influence instead
Review: Don't be fooled as I was by a few ridiculous comparisons to Seven, or Fight Club (by teenagers apparently enamored with the film's violence). This movie is a poorly acted/directed pseudo-satire of Hollywood's favorite nemesis: the Reagan era. It's attempt at being "social commentary" is of the ninth-grader variety.
Rating:
Summary: Mood Swings
Review: This review refers to the Unrated DVD Version(Universal) of "American Psycho".... "American Psycho" is a film that seemed to have a hard time making up it's mind whether it is a comedy or a terrifying slasher flick. On the one hand we have a social satire, that takes a comic look back at successful young Wall Street types of the 80's.This story focus on a group of friends who are always trying to one up each other with their lavish lifestyles.The over personification of these guys is totally laughable as they are so highly competetive that even the look of their business cards becomes an obsession with them. On the other hand we have, Patrick Bateman, the most obsessive of them all. Patrick's problems go much deeper than his need to compete. His appetite for the best things in life, takes us into the deep dark world of a serial killer. Patrick goes on chilling murder spree that rivals 'Freddy" and "Jason' and will have you on the edge of your seat. Even with a detective questioning his every move, his urge to kill is uncontrollable. These two storylines constantly intertwining, made this a tough one for me to reconcile. Adjusting to the change of mood in every other scene made it hard to enjoy this otherwise well made film. The cast including Christian Bale as the psychotic Bateman,Willem Dafoe(who didn't get nearly enough screen time), as the persistent detective, Reese Witherspoon as the immaculate fiancee,Chloe Sevigny,Jared Leto, Josh Lucas and Samantha Mathis are all impeccable in their performances. Wonderful camera work by Andrzej Sekula and the music of John Cale help make this film worth the view. It is also a film that will leave you wanting to talk about it afterwards, as there may be different interpretations on the final outcome(this is something I always enjoy). And all those things together are definately worth at least 3 stars in my book. The DVD is excellent. The surround sound is fabulous in DD5.1. The picture is beautifully presented in anamorphic widescreen. There are captions in English and may also be viewed in French(also 5.1). There are several special feautres including an interview with Christian Bale, a making of featurette(these were a big help in understanding this film), some production notes and a theatrical trailer. Worth checking out for those that have a taste for something different. Thanks.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: The Blackest of Black Comedies
Review: When I walked out of the theatre after seeing this, I was blown away. Not just by the sex and the violence, but also by the great writing, acting, and overall atmosphere of the movie. I thought it was astonishingly raw and very good. My companion felt the complete opposite. This is typical of the reviews of my friends: some loved it, some hated it. No one was in between. What I'm trying to get across with my anecdote is that this movie, brilliant though it is, is just not for everyone. The sex and the violence are so raw that I still find them disturbing. However, they are nowhere near the book in terms of those (see my review of the book, coming shortly). This movie manages to capture the important ideas and themes of the book, without the gratuitous violence. It's still a violent movie, though. But it has so many redeeming qualities, so don't judge it on that alone. Some standout features: 1. The exploration of identity.
This comes through an amazingly tense scene in which Patrick Bateman, the lead, exchanges business cards with friends/rivals. This was such a powerful scene that I find myself holding my breath whenever I watch it. There's also a lot about mistaken identity. I believe this is to show the utter lack of identity one had in the vile, excessive glamour of the rich in the 80s. Everyone was interchangable. 2. Not knowing whether the killings are real or a part of Bateman's sick fantasies.
I'm inclined to go with the latter, but there are some great, skillfully ambiguous scenes that allow you to make an argument either way. 3. The music/pop culture soliloqueys
These are in the book as well, and they're fantastic. Bateman has some interesting music tastes. He treats the lightest pop acts with the same weight as another would treat classical composers. These pieces are hilarious. Even if you hate the rest of the movie, you'll love these. This is just a great movie. Definitely watch it, just not with a weak stomach. And know that you will either love it or hate it.
Rating:
Summary: This is a COMEDY!!!
Review: When I first saw this in the cinema in April 2000 I hated it. But I watched it with the wrong attitude. I was judging American Psycho as a horror film. Which it certainly is NOT. It's about (as the film constantly says) a complete [loser]. He's no friends. Unable to communicate on any level with anyone of his superficial, yuppie colleagues (some of which don't even know his name), takes far, far too much pride in his appearance and has way, way to much love for his material possessions. He is Patrick Bateman. And fitting in/looking normal/being just like everyone else is the toughest thing in his life. But murder, misogyny, degradation and mutilation is what he secretly longs for. It's really only Huey Lewis and the News that prevents him from doing so. American Psycho is full scenes that are tough to watch. You'll be watching them through the gaps between your fingers. How can you not squirm as Patrick Bateman looks in the mirror smiling, flexing his muscles, while having sex with a call girl? Or taking the whole business card thing WAY too seriously? Other times the film is just laugh out loud hilarious. Bateman tells Willem Dafoe's detective he would love to help him with his case but he has a lunch meeting with Cliff Huxtable. Come on! Cliff Huxtable??? Or how about the scene in the Men's Room when Patrick attempts to strangle the gay guy? Don't watch this as a horror film. It's a comic, drama-tragedy. Patrick Bateman is a disaster waiting to happen. And his inability to stay connected to the world around him is a wicked delight. Though his world of slick, cocaine-snorting, superficial, Wall Street yuppies of 80s credibility is not really the thing anyone would want to be connected to. Maybe he's better off as a psycho with no pals. The DVD has a great looking 2.35:1 anamorphic picture and a loud, well produced Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The extras (apart from the deleted scenes), unfortunately, are pathetic.e movie with a scene of Bateman discussing his morning facial cream routine) that the point of the satire is nearly lost: Without the fickle trends of society, Bateman is an empty shell. Save his greed and bloodlust, he is a robot. Harron tones down the violence to a lesser degree - although it is no less gruesome; the scene where Bateman, nude and bloody, chases a hooker with a chainsaw is an edge-of-the-seater - and emphasizes the story's taking place in the "Me Decade" with appropriate song and fashion that add to one's enjoyment of the film. Despite a lame "Is Patrick really nutso?" twist that hurts the movie, the point is not lost here, and Harron has a solid sophomore hit on her hands. Bale shines as Bateman, making us thank God the powers that be did not go with Leonardo DiCaprio as they at one point hoped to. Whether he's stiff, menacing, dryly sarcastic, tortured or over the edge psychotic, Bale is mesmerizing. If there's any justice in the world, Patrick Bateman will be a career maker. Too bad the supporting actors don't fare as well. With the exception of Matt Ross, who steals his scenes as a homosexual co-worker of Bateman's in a memorable bathroom confrontation, all other actors are window dressing. Witherspoon's role is written so blandly anybody could have played it, while Sevigny is incredible annoying as her characer moons over Patrick. Willem Dafoe is amiable enough as a detective investigating one of Bateman's crimes, but ... this is Bale's movie. It's a wild ride that gets a little hazy in parts, but is certainly enjoyable in most places.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Based on the Bret Ellison book by the same name, this movie is actually better than the book. The problem with the book was that it became too descriptive of every product's brand name that it was hard too concentrate on what was actually going on, even though it tried to make a good point of how ridiculous commercialism was. The director even said that her film edited the book down, that's a good thing in this case. American Pyscho is a social satire film, exposing the hidden misery of a man that seems to have all a guy could ask for, good looks and money. Christain Bale gets the essence of his character, Patrick Bateman a rich man who really is a nobody that no one would honestly care for (one guy kept thinking he was someone else which drove him crazy). Bale acts like a big shot business man then a maniac the next. He secretly hates everyone he knows, is obsessed with sex and kills people. All this is a criticism of the lifestyles of a business man in the 80's, it criticizes the music of that time as well. Bateman would rant about pop music he was playing while he killed someone, the comedic factor of the film. The violence is toned down, you'll just see splashes of blood go around and cuts on people but they do show a lot of nudity. Bale was chasing a girl with a chainsaw while he was naked and there was one scene where he had two 'escorts', it's not pornographic. You'll learn something from this movie, you should value your sanity more than your money.
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