Debates have consistently failed to address the fact that this is a poorly made movie. If your benchmarks are 1. story & character development, 2. emotional involvement and 3. editing - this movie failed on all counts. The silly sideshow of politics as a basis for movie criticism - was just that. Clint went for the non-verbal "Dirty Harry" veneer dressed up as an Iraq war movie. Didn't work - especially when compared to The Hurt Locker. This movie was a listless, flaccid "drama". Movie failed to connect me the characters, the Iraqi sniper narrative was a ridiculous, overwrought device and Cooper, as an actor, is simply better off staying in Vegas with his hangover. I mean really - calling your wife from an Iraqi battle scene where you and your team are about to be overrun? Give me a break - or at least my money back. That movie simply stunk.
I trust the people more than the Academy voters. Heck, David Carr revealed in his penultimate column that many who voted for 12 Years A Slave never even saw the movie. That revelation made my wife - a Black woman - furious. Like many of her generation, she doesn't want things given to her, she wants to earn them. And she has.
The elites can look down their noses at American Sniper, but at least those who support it for Best Picture actually saw it -- many more than once.
The elites can look down their noses at American Sniper, but at least those who support it for Best Picture actually saw it -- many more than once.
4
If we're judging movie making, not just politics, i have a strong criticism of Clint's latest. The fake baby scenes in American Sniper were so distracting that it broke my involvement in the film. No one could act around that unrealistic toy doll. I love seeing movies in theaters to lose myself in the stories without distractions. Those ridiculous l& unnecessary lapses totally blow the chance for Best Picture & for Best Director. How stupid & unprofessional.
Americans continue to believe history as writ large by great academicians - like John Wayne. And American progress still confronts a giant task - butting up against the wall of unity between the ignorant and simply stupid.
Run of the mill and mediocre. Not even close to award winning in any category.
2
Saw it the other day. Fabulous picture. First time I ever walked out of a movie theater in dead silence. Really.... not a sound from anyone exiting that flick.
2
Once again, this is a case in which ALL of the right wing radio cult members want American Sniper, whereas the remainder of us are distributed among the other films. In a sense, it is one more demonstration of the power of conservative radio. American Sniper is a very competently crafted, pro forma set piece based on an iconic true story. It releases societal tension over our blunder in Iraq by focusing on a single heroic individual. This is how we assuaged our guilt after Vietnam too, except that American Sniper is vastly superior to Rambo.
1
I saw American Sniper on Wednesday. I left the theater with mixture of feelings that included both confusion disappointment. I felt confusion because various friends of mine told me they saw the film and it was great. I felt disappointment because it was not. The film itself has no heart. It lacks ambition. What type of film is this exactly? Is it an action film? A character drama? What does this film want me to feel? To think? I am uncertain if Mr. Eastwood himself knows. Which is confusing in itself because Mr. Eastwood has proven himself to be a fine Director. I was very impressed with his last effort in the war film vein, Letters from Iwo Jima. That film had heart. That film had ambition. It asked moral and ethical questions about human concerns. The conflict between duty to ones country and to ones countrymen. It promoted a sense of empathy in me for the character of General Kuribayashi. I felt no connection with the character of Chris Kyle. The only scene in the film that made me feel anything truly meaningful was the footage of the funeral procession for the real life Chris Kyle while the credits rolled. Those few moments of stock footage where the most memorable of the film. It had all the elements the film itself was lacking. Namely the very human element of collective loss. A loss that brings us together and helps us appreciate what we have. Those few moments before the screen faded to black had more heart then the entire film.
1
When one nominee earns more ticket money than all the others combined, doesn't that kill its chances to win anything?
Besides, it is too pro-American, patriotic, pro-hetero-marriage, pro-kids, and perhaps NOT anti-war enough although its anti-war aspect - through showing war's effects on people - is much truer here than has been shown in a film made in America since WWII.
Besides, it is too pro-American, patriotic, pro-hetero-marriage, pro-kids, and perhaps NOT anti-war enough although its anti-war aspect - through showing war's effects on people - is much truer here than has been shown in a film made in America since WWII.
3
American sniper probably will not win for it suggests that every American ought to be willing to sacrifice for the common good! And our privileged, self superior 1% do not want to promote this notion of selflessness in the national consciousness, for they need a cover justification of a "right" to be selfish child for life. They believe that only "throw away" average citizens should contribute by paying their fair share of taxes, fight in combat units, or obey the rule of law by not doing insider trading or not selling crap mortgage backed securities or not hiring illegals for slave wages. Then of course a national psychology of emotion driven only "I" and my "family" matter, and 'screw everyone else' selfish egoism creates the perfect uncritical consumer who will buy all manner of fashionable, high profit margin junk, and allow one's job to be sent to China and Mexico in order to get it.
3
Or maybe because it just isn't the Best Picture?
5
Your hate-the-rich bumble didn't work this time.
The rich go off to war FAR more than liberal anti-capitalists, Winthorp. They par FAR more taxes to pay for the military and send their own kids to war more often.
Sadly, cheerleading for government to tax-the-rich will not only never put a dime in your own pocket, but this was the last place to even think of using it. You might as well have blamed soldiers for the global warming scare.
The rich go off to war FAR more than liberal anti-capitalists, Winthorp. They par FAR more taxes to pay for the military and send their own kids to war more often.
Sadly, cheerleading for government to tax-the-rich will not only never put a dime in your own pocket, but this was the last place to even think of using it. You might as well have blamed soldiers for the global warming scare.
Chris Kyle wasn't convinced to make sacrifices. He was a killer. A voluntary killer in an illegal war. He wasn't drafted.
1
What seems commonly misunderstood about the Oscars is that they are voted only by members of the academy, certainly a different demographic than the general public. And yet every year people ask, "Why didn't they choose MY favorite? "
2
The American people know a good movie when they see it. I have seen it twice and may go see it again. It is a very inspiring portrait of courage and sacrifice which should be a lesson to all Americans. Thank you, Clint Eastwood, for producing this masterpiece. And thank you, Bradley Cooper, for adeptly portraying one of America's greatest heroes.
5
It's also fantasy.
3
Southern Boy, you're absolutely right! No wonder ISIL thinks we're soft targets,
we throw our courageous valiant warriors under the bus daily (20 suicides a day). We are a nation of ungrateful fools. But I thank you Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Cooper, and most of all Chief Kyle for your honest portrayal in a theater of war.
we throw our courageous valiant warriors under the bus daily (20 suicides a day). We are a nation of ungrateful fools. But I thank you Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Cooper, and most of all Chief Kyle for your honest portrayal in a theater of war.
No one contacted me for a poll and, since I haven't seen all the nominees, it wouldn't be fair for me to participate. That said, just the thought of Boyhood makes me eyes well up. I don't have kids, nor was I ever a boy, but Richard Linklater's masterpiece grabbed me like none other.
(Note: I'd love to see Selma but, even here in Chicago, it has yet to play anywhere near my home.)
(Note: I'd love to see Selma but, even here in Chicago, it has yet to play anywhere near my home.)
2
Interesting about the showing of Selma...Here too, in local theaters not available. What's up with that? $$ ?
2
Perhaps that is so, but have they seen all the movies. I don't know who these "Peoples" are, but I would bet that their choice is based on a rather narrow participation in movie going. And this is not a judgement of "American Sniper."
1
I may not like war and its consequences but thanks to our military (past and present) I can complain as much as I want. I definitely appreciate that freedom.
3
The military doesn't give or preserve freedom. Try thanking the author of the Bill of Rights.
3
We all know AS won't win anything. It doesn't support the liberal narrative.
7
This will likely turn out to be as true as such "conservative" predictive narratives as " Mission Accomplished!", "Raising taxes on the wealthy will kill jobs", "Mitt Romney is going to pull this thing out before the night is over" and "Ben Bernanke's printing money wii create spiraling inflation."
5
I wonder why they just don't have a phone in ballot for the Oscars like American Idol....just kidding!
1
I have seen all of the nominated films.
My vote goes to Imitation Game for best picture and Benedict Cumberbatch for best actor.
Don't get me wrong, I really liked Bradly Cooper and Michael Keaton, both turning in remarkable performances.
But Benedtict Cumberbatch was a Tour de Force in Imitation Game.
My vote goes to Imitation Game for best picture and Benedict Cumberbatch for best actor.
Don't get me wrong, I really liked Bradly Cooper and Michael Keaton, both turning in remarkable performances.
But Benedtict Cumberbatch was a Tour de Force in Imitation Game.
2
I have not seen all but most of the films nominated for the top award of Best Movie.
While I found many merits in "American Sniper", chiefly the acting by Bradley Cooper the film did not come as close to the quality of others nominated including "Boyhood", "Imitation Game."
What this movie did though, for me, was bring me a better understanding of the war with the intensity of split second decisions by our military in harm's way and being at your brother's back.
The film deepened my insight into cultural considerations, a quality that the director has mastered in this film and before, with "Iwo Jima" et al.
I almost wept when Cooper says "I'm ready to come home, baby" while in his fourth tour of duty as I remembered so many here who have been deployed again and again.
Another movie will win Best Movie for artistry, ingenuity, creativity, but 'American Sniper" touched my soul knowing the interminable conflicts in which our military so very often, give 'their last full measure."
While I found many merits in "American Sniper", chiefly the acting by Bradley Cooper the film did not come as close to the quality of others nominated including "Boyhood", "Imitation Game."
What this movie did though, for me, was bring me a better understanding of the war with the intensity of split second decisions by our military in harm's way and being at your brother's back.
The film deepened my insight into cultural considerations, a quality that the director has mastered in this film and before, with "Iwo Jima" et al.
I almost wept when Cooper says "I'm ready to come home, baby" while in his fourth tour of duty as I remembered so many here who have been deployed again and again.
Another movie will win Best Movie for artistry, ingenuity, creativity, but 'American Sniper" touched my soul knowing the interminable conflicts in which our military so very often, give 'their last full measure."
8
To my mind it is a rather pointless exercise trying to judge which movie is better than another amongst a generally agreed upon list of well-made movies. The movies that are being nominated are all very different from each other, both in intention and execution. Why are we so obsessed in contests of this sort? They seem to me mainly exercises in vanity and commerce, which certainly don't settle questions of value or worth. Who is better, Beethoven or Mozart, Picasso or Rembrandt? You tell me.
8
We know we derided and then neglected Americans who fought in Vietnam. We are making that mistake again. "American Sniper" was not a great movie (neither is it a "pro war" movie), yet it does a good job of telling a necessary story of how war affects soldiers and their families. That is its subject and the key to its popularity. Unfortunately, the importance of that subject is being lost in a discussion of whether the US should have invaded Iraq (a critical topic that deserves serious attention, but not the focus of this movie).
Thank you, Bradley Cooper, for an extraordinary performance and an attempt to make the point that war is hell for every soldier, and that veterans and our families need and deserve their countries' respect and support.
Thank you, Bradley Cooper, for an extraordinary performance and an attempt to make the point that war is hell for every soldier, and that veterans and our families need and deserve their countries' respect and support.
10
In his book, Chris Kyle knew his devotion to his military team was damaging his marriage but he simply couldn't forgive himself for NOT going back - even having to work for a year or to to forgive himself AFTER he'd left the Marines.
The edition of the book I just finished has nothing added about his death and funeral, by the way.
The edition of the book I just finished has nothing added about his death and funeral, by the way.
The key takeaway from all this is the extraordinary antipathy of Hollywood elites to support anything that even suggests that patriotism is a virtue. Here we have an enormously popular and commercially successful movie ("American Sniper" has earned more than all the other nominees combined) that is ALSO near-perfect cinematically -- a well-crafted script, brilliant directing, extraordinary acting by Bradley Cooper, terrific cinematography and editing, and a powerful, emotionally gripping story -- and Hollywood rejects it anyway. This might be understandable if it were up against an equally outstanding film. But "Boyhood" is a clever idea with good acting by Hawke and Arquette but little else. And "Birdman" is a tour de force by Michael Keaton but otherwise sloppy, even incoherent. Really a shame.
11
If you think Boyhood is a mere "clever idea", you probably weren't paying attention. Time, arguably the most influential natural force on the human experience, becomes a central theme and even character of the film, because humans perceive time differently when 12 years takes 2.75 hours than when 12 years takes 12 years. Specifically, time, when viewed this way, evokes memory and reflection upon your own past and present, and also anticipation of your future. Furthermore, the artifice of film making -- the constraint of scenes, of sets, of characters, of props -- becomes a metaphor for human life itself: characters, whether minor, major, or mere extras, enter the scenes of our own lives, and when we see them for the last time, they exit the stage that is our own world of experience as perfunctorily as any actor stepping off stage for the last time in a production.
Boyhood is a profound meditation on time, memory, growth, and change, and if it wins over American Sniper, it's not because the Academy is filled with a bunch of America-hating, pinko commies, although some of them may be that; it's because Boyhood is a landmark, transcendent film that did something that had never been done before and will probably never be duplicated.
Boyhood is a profound meditation on time, memory, growth, and change, and if it wins over American Sniper, it's not because the Academy is filled with a bunch of America-hating, pinko commies, although some of them may be that; it's because Boyhood is a landmark, transcendent film that did something that had never been done before and will probably never be duplicated.
2
Actually American Sniper's virtue is that it attempts to show the perversion of patriotism. But it does this clumsily and incoherently by not being fully honest about Kyle's character as exposed in the raw in his own book. CInt Eastwood is a great director, but he's as Hollywood as you can get among the more skilled echelons of stars. The flaw in this movie is a Hollywood flaw - not delving as deep into the truly dark side of this story, in both character and context, for fear of offending audience sensibilities. "Emotionally gripping" is not necessarily the same as true. The idea that Kyle's "patriotism" wasn't ignorant, twisted and abused by the Iraq what's architects was (too) subtlety belied by the movie itself when he slandered his fallen comrade and the man's mother for their honesty about the war. That cowardly blindness and aggressive ignorance was the key to understanding Kyle. Folks who go to that film and wan to wave the flag or whine about Hollywood are reflecting the kind of shallow thinking that Drew us into the Iraq catastrophe - which among other things led to a group worse than Al Qaeda controlling a large region today. I'm stunned by the above comment - it's revisionism of reality and lack of reflection beyond knee jerk cliches about "Hollywood" not giving enough love to of all people, Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper because of "patriotism." Bizarre. But then so was every rationalization for that insane war itself.
4
I agree with your comment that "Boyhood was a profound meditation, etc." It meditated me right into a light, blissful sleep.
2
The Imitation Game should win best picture.
5
I was very disappointed by it. Almost every incident was inaccurate: the idea that six people or so were working on the project, that Turing was building his machine by himself in the "garage", that an insufferable martinet nearly shut them down, that a "team member" had a brother on a ship in a convoy that was going to get hit, that he would have told the cop about his top secret work at Bletchley, and on and on.
Let's be real, if you ask the general population what movie was the best of 2014, it'll probably be Guardians of the Galaxy.
6
Was the first question of this survey, "Did you see all of the movies nominated for an Oscar?" if the answer was "no" then the ballot isn't valid for obvious reasons. I'd like to see a survey of people who saw all of the nominations for best picture. Then it would have some credibility. Right now it has the value of a middle school popularity contest.
6
American Sniper is a superb example of Hollywood craftsmanship on all levels, from Eastwood and Cooper on down. Birdman, however, is art. No wonder hugely more people have seen American Sniper than Birdman. No wonder American Sniper will win the Oscar. Art has rarely been the Academy's criterion for the Oscar, because it's the criterion for excellence of such a small part of our public, and no doubt the Academy itself.
2
While I have not seen American Sniper and have no interest in seeing it, I will say that Mr. Eastwood is a brilliant film maker regardless of his politics. Anyone who doubts his artistry should watch Letters From Iwo Jima. That to me was a work of genius.
1
No matter how much it has earned at the box office, "American Sniper" struck a chord with people in a more profound way than the other nominees, as did Bradley Cooper's outstanding performance. This is a career-defining role. Unfortunately, the voters either use business as a guide, rather than actual merit, or they award a director because it's "time". That's why Scorsese won best picture for "Chicago", certainly not his best film, when the winner should have been "The Pianist".
6
Scorsese won a Best Director Oscar for "The Departed." He had nothing to do with "Chicago."
2
I've seen all of the films, by the way.
You're correct - it was Rob Marshall. "The Departed" wasn't Scorsese's best, either (and he won it because it was "time" for him to win).
1
American Sniper, like Zero Dark Thirty, is catnip for the baying belligerents, which sadly seems to be the majority in this country. If only we'd tortured or shot more Arabs, we would have won. This is the meme that has been pounded again and again by neocon pundits and war hawks and so-called terrorism experts (read lobbyists) in order to feast at the 4-trillion dollar trough.
In reality, our clumsy military interventions, laying waste to cities and regions and resulting in power vacuums or puppet leaders, are incubators of the very enemies we seek to destroy. Because the reality on the ground is so contrary to the propaganda at home, the public takes solace in Eastwood's fantasy world, where the good guys defeat the bad guys.
In reality, our clumsy military interventions, laying waste to cities and regions and resulting in power vacuums or puppet leaders, are incubators of the very enemies we seek to destroy. Because the reality on the ground is so contrary to the propaganda at home, the public takes solace in Eastwood's fantasy world, where the good guys defeat the bad guys.
29
Unless you've seen all nominees, your vote for Best Picture does not (and should not) count.
11
We are free to have our opinions about the movie and our political views, but we are not allowed to deny that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11 and it did not have weapons of mass destruction. We attacked a country without provocation. Fact on the ground. To think otherwise is delusional and we all know the dangers delusional thinking.
34
Of course the movie that most people saw is going to be the one that most people would pick. Unless someone saw all (or let's say at least more than half) of the nominees, then they shouldn't be counted.
5
The Imitation Game is by far the best movie I have seen in years. American Sniper attracted not an ounce of interest from me.
8
Did you see it? If not, what is the point of mentioning it?
3
I liked both movies.
4
I'm not surprised by this. This country loves war-mongering so there's no shock that a movie about war (and a sniper, no less) is Amurrica's favorite movie.
21
Why doesn't the NYT have an "un-recommmend" choice?
6
Navy SEAL sniper is about the ultimate job in the military. God bless them. You weren't crying about them when Ritchie Phillips was rescued.
4
How wonderfully pithy of you Susan. If only the fly over states would take a moment to try and grasp the depths of your educated irony. Oh well.
Please. The easy to manipulate public also went for Titanic and Avatar...
7
Well it's not my choice because it really isn't much of a film. When I saw it I was dumbfounded by its popularity. However, I do wonder. Do all these viewers see it for what it is: a fairly accurate indictment of the biggest foreign policy mistake in US history? What was this man fighting for. He goes on one tour of duty, shoots a few men dead, then returns home only to go on yet another tour of duty, shoot another man or two dead and on and on. I did not see it as some gungho acceptance of the invasion of Iraq and I will say that if anyone sees this film AS a justification of that disasterous invasion, then this film has done a disservice to this country.
10
But how many movies did those polled actually *see*? That question was apparently not asked, and it makes a huge difference. Your best film out of five is completely different thing from your best film out of 250 or 300. I'm a professional critic, and I saw just under 300 of 2014's new releases. Even Academy members are unlikely to have seen have that many films.
4
A pro-American movie winning something in anti-American, Obama-obsessed Hollywood? The predicted 1% chance is probably too generous.
4
American Sniper the people's choice? Not this person's, nor my partner or her & my friends. It's an excellent movie, as are a number of others, but Boyhood is the best--beyond question. And I've seen both twice. We'll be seeing reruns of Boyhood, an imaginative dazzler that's beautifully done by everyone, for many years to come. I don't want to detract from American Sniper, but Boyhood is the one. As for Birdman, it's one of the most boring big-league films I've watched in a long time. Everyone takes forever to walk through doors and corridors until something sillly happens.
3
The movie "Boyhood" bored me but The Theory of Everything and Imitation Game were entertaining.
2
I think most people (except Kanye West) are able to understand that the value of any artistic endeavor is entirely subjective. The 'people's choice' therefore says more about the people than it does about the film. If would be disappointing if this result indicates that the American public still enjoy violent pro-military propaganda porn, even after decades of wasting money and lives on illegal wars that achieved nothing other than to create the conditions for the rise of ISIS. I hope instead that this -fairly mediocre film- resonated with the American public for its portrayal of loss and the pointlessness of war. I doubt this film would rank highly if the survey polled respondents abroad, where the box office performance has (unsurprisingly) been far less impressive.
10
If you think American Sniper is a 'pro-military propaganda porn' movie then you didn't see the movie.
13
People do read into the movie whatever they want. You see what you want to see . . . but the movie is popular because it presented a good human story, strongly, and appeals to human emotions about death and loss, as well as patriotism. But Brian is right - if you call this "pro-military propaganda porn," you didn't see the same things I saw.
2
You misunderstood what I said Brian. Art has no intrinsic meaning - it is the viewer who imbues meaning. If the message that American audiences have read from this film is 'pro-war' then it is a sad reflection of the American psyche, not a reflection of the film.
2
Be careful where you're slinging that. I'm a 'people' and I thought it was a terrible film. It was dull, plodding and not even tight enough to be pedantic. It had nothing to say except some war mongering flag waving that wasn't even very effective propaganda. If Chris Kyle was as dull witted as he was portrayed in this picture then heaven help us.
And to be very very clear before I get branded a liberal nut job: I don't have trouble with the subject matter, I have trouble with the film. It was bad.
As films go this wasn't even a movie of the week. Not even close to Oscar caliber.
And to be very very clear before I get branded a liberal nut job: I don't have trouble with the subject matter, I have trouble with the film. It was bad.
As films go this wasn't even a movie of the week. Not even close to Oscar caliber.
17
Thank you for your second paragraph. That is my argument entirely.
In the hands of a better script and better director, this could have been a compelling story.
It is just a poorly crafted movie, plain and simple.
In the hands of a better script and better director, this could have been a compelling story.
It is just a poorly crafted movie, plain and simple.
2
Such a group of wonderful movies!
I simply can't get around this simple fact: "American Sniper" was simply a devastating film---artistically, emotionally and intellectually.
Do not let anyone even for an instant begin to tell you what this movie "means", or is "about", without seeing it for yourself.
I simply can't get around this simple fact: "American Sniper" was simply a devastating film---artistically, emotionally and intellectually.
Do not let anyone even for an instant begin to tell you what this movie "means", or is "about", without seeing it for yourself.
6
What is so bad about showing the evils of war?
What about the fake baby scenes? Ruined the whole thing.
I never heard of this survey, but one thing to bear in mind is that in more rural areas like mine, movies like "The Imitation Game," "The Theory of Everything," and "Whiplash," have short or nonexistent runs in our local theaters. "American Sniper," on the other hand, will play for weeks.
18
The Oscars are about the industry congratulating itself. It is not about audiences or their preferences and that's probably for the best. If audiences chose Mr. Cooper would be competing with Groot from "Guardians of the Galaxy" for best actor.
5
I doubt that the PC police of the Academy is going to hand the gold statuette for Best Picture to American Sniper. But stranger things have happened--the Hurt Locker, which was a real sleeper a couple of years ago, surprised everyone by winning Best Picture. And if Patton which was made at the height of anti-Vietnam fury could win Best Picture then anything is possible.
9
.
@ Sharon5101:
I'm not exactly sure if you have read the rules of Academy Awards voting, but to put it very succinctly, every person who voted to nominate American Sniper for ANY Academy Award is a member of the Academy, which means each such person got a vote on the Awards themselves.
Sniper got a lot of nominations, from different "Branches" of the Academy, which means a lot of people have already voted that it should be part of the main competition.
Do you think these imaginary "PC Police" go into action only after nominations are announced, after lying in wait during the nominating phase?
@ Sharon5101:
I'm not exactly sure if you have read the rules of Academy Awards voting, but to put it very succinctly, every person who voted to nominate American Sniper for ANY Academy Award is a member of the Academy, which means each such person got a vote on the Awards themselves.
Sniper got a lot of nominations, from different "Branches" of the Academy, which means a lot of people have already voted that it should be part of the main competition.
Do you think these imaginary "PC Police" go into action only after nominations are announced, after lying in wait during the nominating phase?
A film that shows the reality of war would draw few viewers. Too messy and would likely leave the U.S. looking like the villain. No one could stand seeing real people die, being maimed, tortured, etc. Chelsea Manning is serving 25 years in prison for disclosing the helicopter ambush of Iraqi civilians. Bush would not even allow photographs of returning coffins draped in the flag. Too much reality does not lead to support for war.
American Sniper sells because it sanitizes killing and does not leave the viewer sick to his or her stomach. Reports are people even cheer during parts of the movie.
Watch documentary film footage of the Vietnam War--the last war that was honestly filmed--and see how that makes you feel. Not much cheering and certainly few people have even watched the horrors that took place.
American Sniper sells because it sanitizes killing and does not leave the viewer sick to his or her stomach. Reports are people even cheer during parts of the movie.
Watch documentary film footage of the Vietnam War--the last war that was honestly filmed--and see how that makes you feel. Not much cheering and certainly few people have even watched the horrors that took place.
42
It's frightening how the United States is in love with guns and fetishizes the armed services. I wish people could keep in mind that while our soldiers are a vital part of our society, the risks they take in the work they do are meaningless without the rest of us.
That said, I am proud of the two members of my family who are Marine Corps officers.
That said, I am proud of the two members of my family who are Marine Corps officers.
7
When a studio screener of American Sniper arrived in the mail I passed it on to my husband, "it's yours". Politically it was so far from my world I wanted nothing to do with it. And Eastwood directing was really the final straw. eewww.
One evening I walked through the living room and Bradley Cooper was on the screen aiming at a kid with a large weapon of some kind. My husband was engrossed. I paused and watched. Just for a second. And then for another second. Somewhere along the way I sat down, though I don't remember when that was. And then the movie ended and I was still sitting, transfixed. What was it? Trying to explain this now I can only think of a magnet, something that just sucks you in and holds you still until it releases you. For me it had that kind of power. Here, light, blue-eyed Bradley Cooper was huge, grave, and transfixed by the world he saw through his telescopic sight. He, and this movie, were the most incredible things I saw this season.
One evening I walked through the living room and Bradley Cooper was on the screen aiming at a kid with a large weapon of some kind. My husband was engrossed. I paused and watched. Just for a second. And then for another second. Somewhere along the way I sat down, though I don't remember when that was. And then the movie ended and I was still sitting, transfixed. What was it? Trying to explain this now I can only think of a magnet, something that just sucks you in and holds you still until it releases you. For me it had that kind of power. Here, light, blue-eyed Bradley Cooper was huge, grave, and transfixed by the world he saw through his telescopic sight. He, and this movie, were the most incredible things I saw this season.
20
Ms Blake, Sniper is a classic tragedy. It is structured like a classic tragedy and the most successful thing about it is that it has evoked this enormous cultural debate about the values in the film that create its tragic hero and lead him to his tragic fate. Classic tragedy evokes Catharsis; that debate is a cultural catharsis. It's important. Like Achilles the leading character becomes a "legend" but like Achilles he has a tragic flaw that leads him to a fate that destroys him. The character (forget the real life man) stands in for all of us who live by those values. You sniff at Clint, but Clint has said Sniper is an antiwar movie. Clint has opposed all of our recent wars. Clint's disfavor with the consequences of violence are clear in this movie and others; see them and think beyond your emotional responses. You'll see what I mean.
8
.
You may also find you like other Eastwood-directed films about war. You do not have to admire an artist's politics to admire his work.
You may also find you like other Eastwood-directed films about war. You do not have to admire an artist's politics to admire his work.
11
You must have seen a different picture than I did. There was nothing even remotely transfixing about this picture unless you have a secret wish to become a sniper. And in a country obsessed with guns, maybe that is the draw. It was a very poor picture.
9
If box office is a predictor of general public consensus, looks like Oscar is going S&M next year. Who knew Oscar came in 50 shades of gold?
5
Nominated for "The emperor has no clothes" Oscar is "Boyhood". Don't believe the hype.
9
I not only believed the hype, I found it to be true. "Boyhood" will still be watched after the others are forgotten. All that's required to appreciate it is a little human compassion.
2
I thought it was just me.
3
American Sniper has been dismissed because of right/left politics. But it is a well made film without a politic. it just is.
19
I loved "Whiplash" but, oh, so much of the "f" word! I see it is not mentioned here.
Even so, anyone that has ever been in a musical ensemble, under instruction, could somehow relate, in a weird sort of way. Miles Teller got ignored by the Academy - too bad. Hopefully it will be his path to more, though.
Even so, anyone that has ever been in a musical ensemble, under instruction, could somehow relate, in a weird sort of way. Miles Teller got ignored by the Academy - too bad. Hopefully it will be his path to more, though.
5
Of the Oscar nominees, I gave Whiplash the only 5 out of 5 possible rating, and out of all seen, it tied only Love is Strange for my Best Picture, with both getting 5(+). Having seen it in three different cities, I must admit I never noticed the word's overuse, although I did notice I was heavily perspired and unusually tense at the end, each time. I could imagine this film causing a heart attack...
2
I've seen four of the nominees, "American Sniper", "Imitation Game", "Boyhood", and "Whiplash". IMO, "Whiplash" was far and away, the best of those four, with ferocious energy, plot twists and turns (hence, the title), and a great soundtrack. J.K. Simmons should win BSA for sure, and "Whiplash" would be my pick for best movie...
4
"Birdman" (no cuts!) and "Boyhood" (12 years!) are gimmick movies in the unfortunate tradition of now-forgotten Best Picture winner "The Artist" (a silent movie!) Gimmicks are fine but you need to go beyond them.
"American Sniper" simply works the best as a movie of all the nominees, while "Grand Budapest Hotel," although unfunny, is an amazing aesthetic concoction. Either one would be an okay winner.
"American Sniper" simply works the best as a movie of all the nominees, while "Grand Budapest Hotel," although unfunny, is an amazing aesthetic concoction. Either one would be an okay winner.
9
I'm sorry to tell you this but there are cuts in Birdman. The movie was edited to disguise tbem.
2
Boyhood was, to me, admittedly a little lackluster for the hype that surrounded it. I loved Birdman and I wasn't even aware of the lack of cuts until now - I loved the storytelling, humanity, music and emotion that was communicated by the film. Grand Budapest Hotel was touching and well-composed, but I found it pretty standard Wes Anderson fare. And American Sniper... I found it so sanitized and removed from the reality of its source material (and the reality of the deeply troubled and flawed individual who wrote the book) that they may as well have just set it in the Harry Potter universe and given everybody wands.
Rest assured that everyone has their own opinion of what movie deserves to be Best Picture. And in the end, just enjoy what you choose to enjoy. Nobody, not AO Scott, Roger Ebert or anyone else, has the low-down on what makes a film objectively "good".
Rest assured that everyone has their own opinion of what movie deserves to be Best Picture. And in the end, just enjoy what you choose to enjoy. Nobody, not AO Scott, Roger Ebert or anyone else, has the low-down on what makes a film objectively "good".
"People's Choice"? ... says who?
It's certainly not mine.
It's certainly not mine.
11
Probably, given the box-office for A.S. vs the rest, the question most likely answered was "which movie did you actually see"?
5