Steamy Streaming: BALE + DAMON

BY: Georgia Davis

The movie gods have answered our pleas as Matt Damon and Christian Bale are starring in their first movie together. James Mangold’s Ford v. Ferrari is opening to stellar reviews — and we assume it’s mostly because of its lead characters. Damon and Bale have never worked together starred, so we’re reliving the best of the actors’ projects to prep for the upcoming Disney movie:

EMPIRE OF THE SUN

We’ll start with Christian Bale’s first film: Empire of the Sun. It takes place during World War II when Bale’s character struggles to survive under Japanese occupation in the UK. Bale was only 13 when the 1987 Steven Spielberg movie debuted. It was nominated for six below-the-line Oscars. Not a bad launch for a career. Empire of the Sun is available to rent on YouTube.

AMERICAN PSYCHO

Bale is known for playing character roles. (He transformed into Dick Cheney for Adam McKay’s Vice.) One of his most best-known is that of Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street tycoon who conceals his psychopathic nature. His violent, sexual tendencies push him into a killing rampage that leaves viewers with nightmares. The film, written and directed by Mary Harron, is now on Netflix.

THE PRESTIGE

It seems almost every big-name actor of this generation has worked with Christopher Nolan. Christian Bale’s is the The Prestige, a tale of two magicians who translate illusions into reality. We can’t say too much more about The Prestige without giving away its huge twist at the end. Trust us and rent it on YouTube.

GOOD WILL HUNTING

Of Matt Damon’s films, Good Will Hunting is probably his most famous. He stars as a genius who wasn’t given a fair chance at success because of his finances. As part of a deal with a professor at MIT, Damon’s character sees a therapist played by Robin Williams. The film still holds up as one of Damon’s sharpest performances, more than 20 years later. Good Will Hunting is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

Tom Ripley is by far the creepiest character Matt Damon ever played, which makes the film so intriguing. It’s full of erotic fantasies featuring Damon, Jude Law and Gwenyth Paltrow. As the film progresses and turns weirder, you will find yourself pulled further into its offbeat charm. You can stream The Talented Mr. Ripley on Hulu.

THE MARTIAN

It takes major talent to carry a film on your own. (Tom Hanks did it best in Cast Away.) Damon did just that in Ridley Scott’s The Martian. It blends humor, drama and emotion into a captivating narrative of a botanist stuck on Mars. You’ll root for Damon even when you don’t think he’ll make it back to earth alive. It’s available to rent on YouTube.