Christian Bale investigates a series of gruesome murders in 1830 Hudson Valley, N.Y., in Scott Cooper s "The Pale Blue Eye," an adaptation of Louis Bayard s 2003 novel of the same name. It s a film based on some really good material, that takes place in an intriguing setting, and that sports a terrific cast who click right into place. Yet despite the many things it has going for it, "The Pale Blue Eye" can never quite get out of second gear.