Movie Review: American Sniper

American Sniper
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Rating: R (for strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout including some sexual references)
Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min.
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Ben Reed
Plot: From director Clint Eastwood comes "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to this true American hero than his skill with a rifle. U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, becoming emblematic of the SEAL creed to "leave no man behind." But upon returning home, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

First and foremost, the utmost respect and admiration must be given to the men and women who sacrifice much to join the military and protect the rights and freedom of many lives. I love all of you and support you no matter what.

American Sniper is one of those movies that's hard to watch. The content is so heavy, it's hard to actually see the horrible situations our men and women are faced with in battle. Gruesome. Raw. Heartbreaking. The toll war takes on those who serve, and their family as well, is outlined in living color. Crafted with heroism and acted with the utmost tenderness that was needed to fill these big shoes.

Chris Kyle was a complex man who left the world too soon, Bradley Cooper takes the performance home with raw acting ability, literally clawing for each facet of realism and authentication. You'll cry right on queue and hang on to your seats in the next scene. It's an emotional roller-coaster that will leave you skinned of anything other then respect.

That all being said, there were several scenes where a CGI baby was used. It was blatantly obvious the baby was not real, at all. Which left me stunned it was even used. Was there a budget cut on getting a real baby? I don't know, but it was VERY distracting and all I could look at. I missed the whole scene just starting that this weird, odd looking CGI thing.

Clint may not have a director style that blows my hair back, but that takes a side seat the RPG's that could actually blow my hair all the way off. It's in your face and somber at the same time. You'll leave the theater in a different state of being. Bradley deserves all the nominations he's receiving for this one and I hope he wins them all!


Getting 4 Sheep

KD

Sheep Movie Review: Trouble with the Curve

Trouble with the Curve, directed by Robert Lorenz, stars Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, and John Goodman. Clint again goes for the grumpy old man like he did in Gran Torino but I wasn't as impressed this time around. It was a nice attempt but the film comes across more corny than authentic. 

Plot:

Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) has been one of the best scouts in baseball for decades, but, despite his efforts to hide it, age is starting to catch up with him. Nevertheless, Gus-who can tell a pitch just by the crack of the bat-refuses to be benched for what may be the final innings of his career. He may not have a choice. The front office of the Atlanta Braves is starting to question his judgment, especially with the country's hottest batting phenom on deck for the draft. The one person who might be able to help is also the one person Gus would never ask: his daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), an associate at a high-powered Atlanta law firm whose drive and ambition has put her on the fast track to becoming partner. Against her better judgment, and over Gus's objections, Mickey joins him on his latest scouting trip to North Carolina, jeopardizing her own career to save his.

I'm a big fan of sports movies, such as Moneyball, but with any great drama you need to have some suspense and Trouble with the Curve lacked that emotional "umph" I crave. The Clint one-liners became annoying after a while and the predictable plot just added to the overall lackluster quality of the script. I think there was some serious potential here, but somewhere along the line the powers that be lost sight of the end game. 

Surprisingly, Justin does an extremely great job with his character, and though it's not a role which needed a wide range of acting ability he presented the part with flawless effort. Plus the man has a smile that can win the devil over! Amy Adams yet again brings her A-Game to the role of aside pushed aside hardball daughter, though you are left wondering why she even puts up with all her old man's antics.

Predictable bar scenes, miraculous stumbles into late night clogging sessions, as well as midnight river skinny dips with amazingly great lighting and the kid no one saw coming that can throw some heat. The list of sports cliches goes on and on.  

Overall the film gives the audience very little it can substantially cling on to. You root for the good guys and despise the bad guys just because the film gives you no other option. You witness, yet again, how backstabbing in the corporate world can be and feel the woe-is-me from the gal just trying to make a name for herself. I'm suggesting you wait for the dvd on this, it's worth a dollar rental but not much more. 

Getting 2 and 1/2 'swing away' Sheep 

KD

Hereafter

Hereafter was directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Matt Damon. Really if he's in the movie who cares about anything else. lol If you have seen any other Eastwood films (Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby etc), you know what to expect. To those of you who have not, then expect a heart-wreching drama and tear soaked tissues. Hereafter follows suit. :)

Plot Summary:

A drama centered on three people who are haunted by mortality in different ways. George (Damon) is a blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world, Marie (de France), a French journalist, has a near-death experience that shakes her reality. When Marcus (Frankie/George McLaren), a London schoolboy, loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. Each character is on a path in search of the truth and when their lives intersect, it'll forever change what they believe might-or must-exist in the hereafter.

Damon gives another stellar performance as the man who just wants to lead a normal life, but is unable to because of his gift (some may see as a curse). Parts of the film were tapped in San Francisco and my only complaint with that was this: Why the heck did I NOT know about this?! Matt Damon was in SF! *stomping feet* Are you kidding me, that's a hop skip and jump away from me! Dang. :)

Moving on to a few downsides of the film. First is actress Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard's daughter). She was awful. I hated her character. She is annoying, pushy and just all around a gag fest to watch. Not a fan. The second thing that REALLY bugged me was the boom mic that kept popping up in scenes. TWO separate scenes had the boom mic creeping in from the top of the screen. Sorry but with a film that's high budget and has many many people working on editing and such, someone should have caught that. That's just sloppy and lazy if you ask me.

Overall the film was an emotional drama for people who like to watch movies for the art of acting and story telling. Well written and beautifully preformed. Not an action bang bang shoot em up, so it will feel slow to anyone expecting that. Bring tissue for this one.

KD