American Sniper

[chachacha]

this is an excellent film and a piece of our history. clint eastwood directed so you know that part is going to be done very well....bradley cooper must have really had to bulk up to play Chris Kyle, a legendary navy seal sniper who saved many lives during four tours in iraq...his acting was superb as well as that of sienna miller who played his wife...i have seen his real life wife on tv saying that the film is very accurate in portraying their lives and what a soldier goes through. the lines were practically out the door at LSL and i think this one will be a best seller for weeks to come.

[MikeV]

Saw it and really liked it.

[Taltarzac725]

this is an excellent film and a piece of our history. clint eastwood directed so you know that part is going to be done very well....bradley cooper must have really had to bulk up to play Chris Kyle, a legendary navy seal sniper who saved many lives during four tours in iraq...his acting was superb as well as that of sienna miller who played his wife...i have seen his real life wife on tv saying that the film is very accurate in portraying their lives and what a soldier goes through. the lines were practically out the door at LSL and i think this one will be a best seller for weeks to come.

Thanks for that review.

[rubicon]

With the prices I pay comcast I'll wait until it hits a premium station:cus:

[villagetinker]

This film is worth the price. This is the best film I have seen in years. My advice, go see it.

[GatorFan]

Great picture. First movie I have gone to that there was dead silence at the end. Respect to all our veterans and active military who serve our country.

[chachacha]

the audience applauded at the showing i attended! i suggest also it is worth the price to see it on the big screen and with other people...you can feel the connection between us all as americans. and you can't get that from comcast.

[John_W]

I was ready for a big letdown. Seems everything is usually overrated. Turned out to be great, gave it a 10!

[GeoGeo]

Thanks for the review. Read the book and couldn't put it down. Can't wait to see the movie.

[Taltarzac725]

I was ready for a big letdown. Seems everything is usually overrated. Turned out to be great, gave it a 10!

It is at two theaters in the Villages-- Barnstorm and Old Mill Playhouse. So there seems to be a lot of opportunities to see it.

[jebartle]

but left with a heavy heart, I had to close my eyes during many parts of movie....Even thou a true story, difficult for me to watch...Will save this film for tough guys, I'm a wimp!

[zcaveman]

I will wait until it comes out on NetFlix and watch it in the comfort of my home.

Z

[Shimpy]

Just got home from seeing it at Brownwood and the line to go in was out the door. They are saying probably the picture of the year. I read the book and the movie condenses it quite a bit of course, but is an excellent movie. I highly recommend it and gives you an appreciation for those doing combat.

[blue72]

Very well done
Excellent movie
As always, great respect for the guys and girls in our military.

[chachacha]

the film just broke all records for box office on a weekend in january....deservedly so!

[Thnonne]

Just saw it at LSL, what a great film and a tribute to U.S. armed forces. When I got home I went on the internet to learn more about Chris Kyle. I was disappointed to read about Hollywood types condemning the movie and Chris Kyle. Particularly Michael Moore who has a rep for these type of attacks, my suggestion is to never support any work he does so he loses the platform he uses. Let us praise Chris Kyle and all the men like him who served and continue to serve our country.

[Taltarzac725]

Just saw it at LSL, what a great film and a tribute to U.S. armed forces. When I got home I went on the internet to learn more about Chris Kyle. I was disappointed to read about Hollywood types condemning the movie and Chris Kyle. Particularly Michael Moore who has a rep for these type of attacks, my suggestion is to never support any work he does so he loses the platform he uses. Let us praise Chris Kyle and all the men like him who served and continue to serve our country.

Clint Eastwood is a Hollywood type. You will not really see consensus on any topic from Hollywood.

[villagetinker]

Amen to the comment on Michael Moore.

[Jaggy]

Just saw this movie and to describe my feelings at the end , they were some of the same feelings I had after 911.. closeness to my fellow americans.. I just wanted to give everyone a hug..The theater was dead silent during the credits.. <sigh> Go see the movie in the theater with your fellow Villagers .. you won't regret it.

[blueash]

Interesting background to the story told in the book and during the promotional tour for the book by Mr. Kyle. And it was this story, as you will read, that got the book moving up the best seller list.

Why Did the ‘Deadliest’ SEAL Sniper Punch Jesse Ventura in The Face? | Video | TheBlaze.com (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/01/05/what-caused-a-navy-seal-to-punch-jesse-ventura-in-the-face/)

Sniper Admits Punching Jesse Ventura | Military.com (http://www.military.com/video/forces/seal-teams/deadliest-sniper-punched-jesse-ventura/1367858079001/)

Mr. Kyle it turns out had some difficulty with truth in his book, although his military actions are not lied about. And the movie does not include the lies in his book. Mr Ventura has already been awarded nearly 2 million in a slander lawsuit and stands to receive millions more from the success of this movie.

American Sniper lawsuit: Chris Kyle told lies about Jesse Ventura. (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/01/american_sniper_lawsuit_chris_kyle_told_lies_about _jesse_ventura.html)

I don't get why someone who could get such community support for his legitimate actions in the military needed to confabulate additional stories. Feet of clay

[chachacha]

i don't think it was the Ventura story which caused the book to skyrocket, but rather Kyle's appearance on O"Reilly which is watched by millions...no one is saying he is a perfect human being, but he certainly is a hero who saved hundreds of lives. no doubt about that.

[sunnyatlast]

Chris Kyle is dead.

Jesse the Body Ventura is alive and needs money because he is a has-been.

End of story.

[Madelaine Amee]

I know very little about this subject, but I am surprised that Dirty Harry did not look further into this persons background before making this movie. The news channels are digging deep into his background.

[Taltarzac725]

Interesting background to the story told in the book and during the promotional tour for the book by Mr. Kyle. And it was this story, as you will read, that got the book moving up the best seller list.

Why Did the ‘Deadliest’ SEAL Sniper Punch Jesse Ventura in The Face? | Video | TheBlaze.com (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/01/05/what-caused-a-navy-seal-to-punch-jesse-ventura-in-the-face/)

Sniper Admits Punching Jesse Ventura | Military.com (http://www.military.com/video/forces/seal-teams/deadliest-sniper-punched-jesse-ventura/1367858079001/)

Mr. Kyle it turns out had some difficulty with truth in his book, although his military actions are not lied about. And the movie does not include the lies in his book. Mr Ventura has already been awarded nearly 2 million in a slander lawsuit and stands to receive millions more from the success of this movie.

American Sniper lawsuit: Chris Kyle told lies about Jesse Ventura. (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/01/american_sniper_lawsuit_chris_kyle_told_lies_about _jesse_ventura.html)

I don't get why someone who could get such community support for his legitimate actions in the military needed to confabulate additional stories. Feet of clay


Thanks for the background on aspects of Chris Kyle's personality. Think what he went through for his country. I doubt if you find many flawless heroes especially those with the sensitivities forced out by war memories.

[blueash]

Chris Kyle is dead.

Jesse the Body Ventura is alive and needs money because he is a has-been.

End of story.

The slander suit was filed well before Kyle's sudden death. A court of citizens decided that Mr. Ventura deserved the money because of Mr. Kyle's actions. Appeals courts have also agreed that the trial and judgment of the jury were proper

[blueash]

i don't think it was the Ventura story which caused the book to skyrocket, but rather Kyle's appearance on O"Reilly which is watched by millions...no one is saying he is a perfect human being, but he certainly is a hero who saved hundreds of lives. no doubt about that.

I don't know if you read the link I posted from Slate.com. Your claim about his appearance on OReilly is correct. But he made his slanderous claim on that TV show. Here is the pertinent paragraph:

Early drafts of the book identified the SEAL as Jesse Ventura, former governor of Minnesota and famed professional wrestler, but Kyle’s publishers removed the name for fear of a lawsuit. Nonetheless, in a radio interview following the book’s release, Kyle admitted that “Scruff Face” was Ventura, and he repeated the claim soon after on The O’Reilly Factor. American Sniper shot to the top of Amazon’s best-seller list, becoming a smash hit for its publisher

[graciegirl]

I don't understand. I haven't seen the movie but know who Chris Kyle is. Was he played by someone who was/is controversial?

[blueash]

Lest anyone claim that the O'Reilly Factor interview was not all about pushing the Jesse Ventura story, Fox does post transcripts of the show:
It began and more than 50% of the interview was about Ventura. Where it reads start Video, it is a video of Ventura. Draw your own conclusion about Mr. Kyle's approach to avoiding the cops with his "Punch and run" philosophy.

"
This is a RUSH transcript from "The O'Reilly Factor," January 05, 2012. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
Watch "The O'Reilly Factor" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET!
BILL O'REILLY, HOST: "Personal Story" segment tonight, Chief Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL, is officially the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. The chief has written a brand-new book called "American Sniper" that chronicles his amazing story in Iraq. I spoke with him last night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'REILLY: So Chief, I read your book. Very entertaining. I recommend it for my audience. I think they'll like it.

First of all, you said you knocked Jesse Ventura to the floor with a punch. Now you don't mention his name, but everybody knows who that is. No. 1, that happened? Knocked him out?

CHRIS KYLE, FORMER NAVY SEAL SNIPER: Well, I knocked him down.

O'REILLY: Why? Why would you punch Ventura?

KYLE: It was in '06. It was the year we lost our first two SEALs in Iraq. We came home. We lost our last guy just before coming home. We had the wake in a SEAL bar there in Coronado, and he was there. He was there for a speaking engagement at a bud ceremony, graduating class.

O'REILLY: Because he was a SEAL, right?

KYLE: Yes.

O'REILLY: He was a Navy SEAL. So he was bad mouthing the war. Right?

KYLE: Bad mouthing the war, bad mouthing Bush. Bad mouthing America.

O'REILLY: And you took exception?

KYLE: I did find a problem with it. The family was there. I asked him to please tone it down, that we did not want to upset the family members of Michael Mansoor.

O'REILLY: Who was killed?

KYLE: Yes, sir. And he earned the Medal of Honor. He jumped on a grenade and saved everybody else around.

O'REILLY: But I want to be clear. Ventura wasn't attacking him at all, verbally bashing him. He was just bashing the whole thing in general?

KYLE: Yes, sir. Until he said we deserve to lose a few guys.

O'REILLY: He said we deserve to lose -- we, the United States...

KYLE: No, he said, "You, y'all deserve to lose a few guys."

O'REILLY: Navy SEALs?

KYLE: I am assuming he was saying that to me.

O'REILLY: Was he drunk?

KYLE: No, sir. I never saw him with a drink in hand at all.

O'REILLY: So once he said, "You deserve to lose a few guys," you popped him?

KYLE: Yes, sir.

O'REILLY: Did he fight back?

KYLE: He went down, the cops were there. I took off running.

O'REILLY: You ran?

KYLE: Yes, sir.

O'REILLY: Did they arrest you?

KYLE: No, sir. I have a master chief that always said, punch and run.

O'REILLY: Now if I ask you a tough question, you going to pop me tonight?

KYLE: No."

If you wish to read the shorter remaining part of the interview it is available.
Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2012/01/06/most-lethal-sniper-us-military-history/)

But as you can see, the FIRST item of interest to O'Reilly was the Ventura story which multiple witnesses and photographic records of Mr Ventura from that day convinced a jury was a slanderous lie from which Mr. Kyle monetarily benefited.

[graciegirl]

I still don't get it. The words you printed don't seem controversial.

[blueash]

I don't understand. I haven't seen the movie but know who Chris Kyle is. Was he played by someone who was/is controversial?

No issue with the actor or the movie. The issue is not about Mr. Kyle's actions as a sniper in Iraq. The only issue is whether Mr. Kyle was truthful in his book about the other parts of his life, the other actions. I don't own the book but allegedly there are claims of his being on top of the New Orleans Superdome during Katrina shooting looters and other completely made up stuff. (Hard to believe a book publisher would allow such an easily disproven claim to get into a book.) And you be the judge about the character of a person who uses a sucker punch to the face as a response to hurt feelings then runs away before the cops or his victim have a chance to respond.

[graciegirl]

No issue with the actor or the movie. The issue is not about Mr. Kyle's actions as a sniper in Iraq. The only issue is whether Mr. Kyle was truthful in his book about the other parts of his life, the other actions. I don't own the book but allegedly there are claims of his being on top of the New Orleans Superdome during Katrina shooting looters and other completely made up stuff. (Hard to believe a book publisher would allow such an easily disproven claim to get into a book.) And you be the judge about the character of a person who uses a sucker punch to the face as a response to hurt feelings then runs away before the cops or his victim have a chance to respond.

Never gave or received a sucker punch. Never witnessed a real one in person. I am sure I have deserved one now and then, and reading the transcript above, I might have been inclined, and I surely would have run.

[blueash]

I still don't get it. The words you printed don't seem controversial.

GG, He LIED about it. The event never happened. He made it up. He never hit Jesse Ventura. That is why Mr Ventura sued him, for going on a national TV show watched my millions and lying, creating a story to at least to himself make him a bigger hero, and sell books. That is what the jury found. The controversy about Mr. Kyle has to do with his character, nothing to do with his ability to shoot a gun.

[bkcunningham1]

We just got back from Sumter Landing where we watched the movie with a packed theater. The audience sat silent at the end until the credits rolled and the screen went black. Then there was applause. I cried during the movie and couldn't stop crying for some time after it was over and I walked heavy hearted and sad to the cool night air filled with music playing in the square. The movie takes a raw look at war, life, death, family and the passions that drive us.The clash and similarities of two different cultures and countries made my head reel and made me think. Really think. About life. About children. About God. Good and evil. About the way we are all the same and all so different.

"It's a heck of a thing to stop a beatin' heart."

[Wandatime]

Whatever the protagonist was or was not, this movie is good. I must have been to the same showing as you bkcunningham1, and I too, had a tear in my eye as I left the building.

[Sandtrap328]

I have not seen this movie but have talked with people who have seen it.

Is it true the audience would cheer and applaud when the sniper killed his Muslim targets?

[Wandatime]

I have not seen this movie but have talked with people who have seen it.

Is it true the audience would cheer and applaud when the sniper killed his Muslim targets?

Not at the showing I attended. Very respectful and quiet, especially at the end.

[Shimpy]

I have not seen this movie but have talked with people who have seen it.
Is it true the audience would cheer and applaud when the sniper killed his Muslim targets?

You mean like the Muslims cheered when they watched the world trade center come down?..........I don't recall hearing cheering when I saw the movie but so what if they did? Are you against one of our snipers saving several American lives?

[Wandatime]

You mean like the Muslims cheered when they watched the world trade center come down?..........I don't recall hearing cheering when I saw the movie but so what if they did? Are you against one of our snipers saving several American lives?

I think he was just asking a question.

[2BNTV]

Not at the showing I attended. Very respectful and quiet, especially at the end.

:agree:

[Walter123]

I went snipe hunting once. Does that make me a sniper?:confused:

[Taltarzac725]

Good movie and I will have to read the book and see how these two compare. There did seem to be a lot of poetic license taken though unless I am mistaken about my assumptions.

It was a very good anti-war movie about the affects of combat on extraordinary as well as ordinary soldiers.

[PennBF]

I thought the movie gave a good understanding of the pain both physical and emotional that our young soldiers go through when in battle and recovery after battle. We are truly indebted to these young people who get wounded. When I was about 12 years old I went on rounds with my father in the hospital for returning soldiers in WWII. Some had bones showing in legs with mesh protecting them, some were blind, some were trying to walk, and a host of all other injuries. If his actions saved one life or protected one soldier from a major injury then he is a hero. Everyone should see the movie in order to get a good understanding of what it means when a 20 year old is sent to the middleast to fight these psychopaths. They are not terrorists they are psychopaths, that have no conscience. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

[dplars]

I did not know Kyle, but being formally from Mn. I felt I knew Ventura. If push came to shove on who to believe, I would take Kyle, but apparently the Judge didn't see it that way. I hope the appeal process works for Kyle's widow.

[bimmertl]

I did not know Kyle, but being formally from Mn. I felt I knew Ventura. If push came to shove on who to believe, I would take Kyle, but apparently the Judge didn't see it that way. I hope the appeal process works for Kyle's widow.

Judge didn't make the decision, it was a jury trial.

[outlaw]

I really don't understand why Ventura would call fellow SEALS cowards. Sounds like he deserved a lot more than a punch. Anyway, Ventura is showing his stripes by taking money from Kyle's widow and children. What kind of character does that indicate?

[tomwed]

read this (http://www.businessinsider.com/jesse-ventura--18-million-lawsuit-navy-seal-chris-kyle-2014-7)
Draw your own conclusions.

[spring_chicken]

Some will do anything to bring down a hero. This post was about a movie, but haters gotta turn it into something else.

[Happinow]

For me this was an experience. The movie is well done. I must be living in a cave because I didn't know it was based on a true story. Weighed too heavy on my heart. I can't unsee it and wish I hadn't. I have only the utmost respect for our military and their families but it was intense. Too intense for me. God bless our military.

[tomwed]

It was an experience for me too.
I think about this movie a lot.
If that was the director's [Clint Eastwood] intent, it worked.

[DeanFL]

Finally went to see it - waiting for the lines to slow. Saw the 1:15 yesterday - turned around before the start and the place was almost full. Gave me a good feeling - I knew TV was generally very patriotic and cared about military etc.
What a well done movie. I knew the story very wel but did not read Kyle's book yet. The acting, esp B Cooper was chilling. A+ perf. The fighting scenes were (I assume) so realistic and (I assume) depict the real action to a T. How those guys put their lives on the line...yikes.
Knew the story's ending and when it came we had a hollow feeling. Eastwood did a wonderful job on this film - I respect that he included pictures of the real Kyle and wife before the credits. Heartbreaking.
Great job to all producing this movie. Glad it is such a moneymaker - but I'm afraid when it comes to Oscartime it will be snubbed, solely due to subject matter.

[MikeV]

Totally agree.

[john1953]

As it does turn out Kris wanted to sell more books and made up the beating up of Jesse Ventura.Ventura sued and won to the tune of 1.8 million.I loved the movie but reading about the lies to make more money kind of put a damper on his reputation.Hes still a hero but with a asterisk on the whole thing for me.

[MoeVonB61]

EXCELLENT! We saw American Sniper today at LSL, audience applauded at end. Mr. Bradley Cooper did an outstanding job, as always. RIP Chris Kyle, you appeared just as patriotic as my Dad.............!!

[hulahips]

Loved the movie. Real american hero

[graciegirl]

I haven't seen the movie, for the same reason that Happynow describes. My heart is too fragile anymore. I can't seem to watch real things of this magnitude without carrying it around for days, I worry about the world and the future of our country much more than I used to.

When I read the comments I am so proud to live among you. So glad that this place is peopled with the kind of people I grew up with and admire.

I want always to believe in heros and I want always to think that this country will prevail against it's enemies.

I hope and pray that things change and that patriotism again becomes a common virtue, extolled by all.

As far as whether Chris Kyle was perfect? I don't know. Few people are. He did what I could never do.

[DeanFL]

We saw it a week or two after release. Wonderful movie, and we had little doubt back then that it would receive Oscar snubs as it certainly did. At the TV theatre, silence at the end then applause. Glad I brought a hanky.

BTW I simply cannot watch the first 30 minutes of Saving Private Ryan after seeing the movie the first couple times, another stellar movie. These type of movies are a stark reminder to many of us of the sacrifices so many made for us --- and that so many in this country take for granted or simply don't know.

Best country in the world this is - and we are so fortunate to live in one of the best (and most patriotic) communities in the good ol' US of A.

hmm salty discharge from eyes again...must be the allergies.