20 Best & Worst Movies From 2019 Oscar Nominees

17. Christian Bale

Best: American Psycho (2000)

Christian Bale has done some incredible work over the years, transforming himself for roles to such an extent that you have to suspect he's probably done some serious damage to his insides. His latest chameleon-like transformation for Vice was great and the performance pretty spot on, but it's not quite up there with his more explosive role in American Psycho.

That remains his most sublimely watchable performance, at once charming and irresistible to watch while also horribly grotesque and repugnant. He plays a cartoon, defined by excess in every way, and without this split-personality performance, we probably wouldn't have his Bruce Wayne. So it's worth even more in that respect.

Worst: Newsies (1992)

It might have something of a cult following (and the stage musical is still very popular), but Newsies is a horrible movie whose popularity seemingly has very little to do with its actual quality. It's silly and annoying and Bale's performance is like he's auditioning badly for Oliver and he comes across as an insufferable brat.