Now Playing: American Hustle

Next up:American Hustle.  So, this is my favourite contender, thus far.  The acting - with all four categories covered (poor  Jeremy Renner, left out in the cold) by Bale, Adams, Cooper, and Lawrence - is just stellar.  Really incisive.  I'm amazed by the ability that Bale has to completely transform himself.  He's pretty distinctive, with his nose-mole, his lisp, and his funny jawline.  And yet, I see no Batman or Machinist or American Psycho.  Impressive. 

The storytelling is gripping, too, with twists and turns and laughs along the way.  You really don't know where you or the characters will end up.  I can't think of a flaw in this perfectly-paced movie, so I'm going out on a limb: 5 out of 5 stars.