American Sniper

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Sunday, June 7, 2015 01:32
VIEWED: 12920
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SHINYGOODGUY

Monday, February 23, 2015 3:46 PM

I don't get what all the hub-bub is about this movie. At the end, as the credits rolled they showed how the folks in his home state of Texas honored this fallen hero gunned down by a marine, who may be schizophrenic. Right now that former marine is on trial for murder, or, at least, they are trying to determine if he's fit for trial.

I caught some of the controversy surrounding this movie, but it is just a bunch of hype. Some have said that it glorifies war. After seeing this film, I didn't get that feeling at all. Yes, Eastwood shot it as a typical war movie showing men in combat engaging the enemy (there was a plot within the movie about an enemy sniper that presented as motivation for our main character), and yes there were explosions and firefights, Humvees, tanks, etc. But, to me, this was a character study about an all-American gung-ho patriot who's personal struggles with the war was instilled in him by his staunch upbringing.

Chris Kyle's father laid the groundwork for this seemingly unflinching hero who did not know the meaning of the word - Quit. He was called the Legend by his brothers in arms (for which he seemed to struggle with as well). He had an unshakable belief in this country that drove him to distraction and that he kept bottled up inside. This "war" movie is an unvarnished, sober account of the life of an American Hero, as well as, a raw depiction of the mess that was Iraq following 9/11. The grunt's reaction and the relentless pursuit of a spinning-out-of-control never-ending war.

To me, this was as anti-war as the classic All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). Every red-blooded American should see this film, just to see what "our" boys go through in a hostile environment. The endless tours of duty, constant pressure to stay alive, and being surrounded by a culture and people who hate our very existence (according to the film). But also the cannibalistic approach taken by those who would wreak havoc on the defenseless and weak. This film is not for the squeamish, so don't bring little children (I was surprised to hear little children were in the theater, no doubt with their parents, watching this intense movie).

Was American Sniper a masterpiece? No. Was it a good solid piece of filmmaking? Yes. What I liked most about it was that Eastwood did not beat you over the head with any kind of message. He just pulled back the curtain to reveal the wizard pulling the levers. He presented the story stark and bare bones, without editorializing or with over-the-top embellishments. What was of particular significance Bradley Cooper's portrayal of this brooding hulk of a man, who suffered greatly in defense of his country. That came clearly across as the story of Kyle's life unfolded. So No, this was not a movie glorifying war, but rather a study in what our servicemen and women struggle through on a psychological basis.

Like I said, raw and unvarnished. For me, it deserved the Best Picture nomination, among other noms. It was a markedly intense movie that left the audience emotionally drained by end credits roll. Every one in the theater left without a word, as if in shock of what they just finished seeing. I strongly feel that that was Eastwood's intent.

SGG

ECGORDON

Monday, February 23, 2015 8:45 PM

To say that I "liked" American Sniper would be misleading. As a story, I think it did a very good job of depicting the emotional conflicts of serving in a war zone, as well as the alienation from reality that soldiers experience when they come home. However, I was not as impressed with it as a film. The pace was disjointed, and other than Cooper and Miller, the acting was flat and unconvincing.

JONGSSTRAW

Monday, February 23, 2015 10:04 PM

The whole idea of showing the world how the U.S. military uses snipers makes me both angry and nauseated. Is this something to be proud of and boast about? It seems to me more like a dirty little secret, something that never gets discussed, much less made into a movie. I saw Chris Kyle interviewed many times on tv when his book came out and felt the whole thing was fucked up. If our military has to use snipers to keep the troops safe, then I'd say there's something very wrong with the operations planning and/or the commanders*.

* The same commanders who never figured out how to stop humvees and transports from getting blown up from IEDs in the road every damn day for eight years.

ECGORDON

Monday, February 23, 2015 10:20 PM

Snipers are utilized in city fighting due to the fact that the sniper can see threats that the soldiers on the ground cannot. I don't know for sure, but I would bet they were used in the same way during that type of campaign in WW2.

SHINYGOODGUY

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 6:09 AM

Has anyone seen Saving Private Ryan?

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by Jongsstraw:
The whole idea of showing the world how the U.S. military uses snipers makes me both angry and nauseated. Is this something to be proud of and boast about? It seems to me more like a dirty little secret, something that never gets discussed, much less made into a movie. I saw Chris Kyle interviewed many times on tv when his book came out and felt the whole thing was fucked up. If our military has to use snipers to keep the troops safe, then I'd say there's something very wrong with the operations planning and/or the commanders*.

* The same commanders who never figured out how to stop humvees and transports from getting blown up from IEDs in the road every damn day for eight years.

SHINYGOODGUY

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 6:10 AM

My response: Have you seen Saving Private Ryan?

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Snipers are utilized in city fighting due to the fact that the sniper can see threats that the soldiers on the ground cannot. I don't know for sure, but I would bet they were used in the same way during that type of campaign in WW2.

ECGORDON

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 6:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
My response: Have you seen Saving Private Ryan?

Yes, but it has been quite a few years.

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 7:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
My response: Have you seen Saving Private Ryan?

Yes, but it has been quite a few years.

Circling around. Barry Pepper has worked for Clint as well.

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 8:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
I don't get what all the hub-bub is about this movie. At the end, as the credits rolled they showed how the folks in his home state of Texas honored this fallen hero gunned down by a marine, who may be schizophrenic. Right now that former marine is on trial for murder, or, at least, they are trying to determine if he's fit for trial.

I caught some of the controversy surrounding this movie, but it is just a bunch of hype. Some have said that it glorifies war. After seeing this film, I didn't get that feeling at all. Yes, Eastwood shot it as a typical war movie showing men in combat engaging the enemy (there was a plot within the movie about an enemy sniper that presented as motivation for our main character), and yes there were explosions and firefights, Humvees, tanks, etc. But, to me, this was a character study about an all-American gung-ho patriot who's personal struggles with the war was instilled in him by his staunch upbringing.

Chris Kyle's father laid the groundwork for this seemingly unflinching hero who did not know the meaning of the word - Quit. He was called the Legend by his brothers in arms (for which he seemed to struggle with as well). He had an unshakable belief in this country that drove him to distraction and that he kept bottled up inside. This "war" movie is an unvarnished, sober account of the life of an American Hero, as well as, a raw depiction of the mess that was Iraq following 9/11. The grunt's reaction and the relentless pursuit of a spinning-out-of-control never-ending war.

To me, this was as anti-war as the classic All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). Every red-blooded American should see this film, just to see what "our" boys go through in a hostile environment. The endless tours of duty, constant pressure to stay alive, and being surrounded by a culture and people who hate our very existence (according to the film). But also the cannibalistic approach taken by those who would wreak havoc on the defenseless and weak. This film is not for the squeamish, so don't bring little children (I was surprised to hear little children were in the theater, no doubt with their parents, watching this intense movie).

Was American Sniper a masterpiece? No. Was it a good solid piece of filmmaking? Yes. What I liked most about it was that Eastwood did not beat you over the head with any kind of message. He just pulled back the curtain to reveal the wizard pulling the levers. He presented the story stark and bare bones, without editorializing or with over-the-top embellishments. What was of particular significance Bradley Cooper's portrayal of this brooding hulk of a man, who suffered greatly in defense of his country. That came clearly across as the story of Kyle's life unfolded. So No, this was not a movie glorifying war, but rather a study in what our servicemen and women struggle through on a psychological basis.

Like I said, raw and unvarnished. For me, it deserved the Best Picture nomination, among other noms. It was a markedly intense movie that left the audience emotionally drained by end credits roll. Every one in the theater left without a word, as if in shock of what they just finished seeing. I strongly feel that that was Eastwood's intent.
SGG

You need to forfeit your libtard card. That is the detailing of the glorification of war, and warriors.

You neglected to mention the deafening complete absence of sound during the entirety of final credit roll. As many others have, you have underestimated Eastwood's skill of craft. He surely intended the silence to encourage the reflection of the exiting audience.

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 8:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
To say that I "liked" American Sniper would be misleading. As a story, I think it did a very good job of depicting the emotional conflicts of serving in a war zone, as well as the alienation from reality that soldiers experience when they come home. However, I was not as impressed with it as a film. The pace was disjointed, and other than Cooper and Miller, the acting was flat and unconvincing.

You don't think the "disjointed" was intentional? Covering several tours in theater, on/off immersion in the "real world" with impending PTSD? How else did you expect him to portray the non-linear nature of mental distortion and compromise?

BTW the first 4 times I went to see this, it was sold out for all the shows remaining in the night.

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