AMERICAN SNIPER – We Are Movie Geeks

Box Office Phenomenon AMERICAN SNIPER Becomes Highest Grossing Film of 2014

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ AMERICAN SNIPER has surpassed two more major milestones, emerging as the top-grossing domestic release of 2014. The film has also surpassed half a billion dollars worldwide, and still climbing.

To date, the film has grossed an estimated $337.2 million at the domestic box office, and still counting, making it the highest-grossing film in director Clint Eastwood’s long and illustrious career. Among its many other records, AMERICAN SNIPER is also the number one war movie of all time and the top-grossing film in the career of Bradley Cooper, who earned his third consecutive Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of the film’s title character, Chris Kyle.

In addition to its domestic success, AMERICAN SNIPER is drawing large numbers of moviegoers overseas, where it is currently in release in 57 markets. The film, to date, has earned an estimated $163 million at the international box office, for an extraordinary worldwide total of $500.2 million and rising.

The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Kroll stated, “‘American Sniper’ has become a cultural touchstone that people want to share, discuss and remember. We are thrilled that the movie is still filling theatres, not only in the United States but around the globe, as filmgoers everywhere experience the power of the story of Chris and Taya Kyle.”

“We are all so proud of ‘American Sniper,’” Silverman added. “Its box office success is not only a testament to the talents of Clint, Bradley and all those involved in the film, but also a measure of our appreciation for the sacrifices of all veterans and their families. Congratulations to our partners at Village Roadshow and Ratpac-Dune and everyone behind ‘American Sniper’ on reaching another momentous benchmark.”

Kwan Vandenberg noted, “Clint Eastwood has delivered a powerful story on the personal cost of conflict, and the response we’re seeing internationally alike reflects the universal reach of this compelling drama. Along with our partners at Village Roadshow, we couldn’t be more thrilled with these spectacular results.”

Eastwood directed AMERICAN SNIPER from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller star in the film.

The film has been rated R for strong and disturbing war violence and language throughout, including some sexual references.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Has $239.7 Million Global Weekend At Box Office; AMERICAN SNIPER Surpasses Past $300 Million

More like 50 Shades of GREEN. The phenomenon FIFTY SHADES OF GREY became the motion-picture event for Valentine’s Day with an estimated $81 million at the holiday weekend box office and earned $239.7 million around the globe this weekend

Opening in 59 markets, the film brought in a massive $158 million overseas, ranks fifth all-time among R-rated movies and is the biggest debut ever for a female director.

The film adaptation that had been the subject of widespread speculation and boundless curiosity, whose first trailer became YouTube’s most-watched movie trailer last year, is on the big screen playing at 3,646 locations.

The movie stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora and Marcia Gay-Harden.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the erotic love story from series creator E L James took audiences inside a rich and mysterious world that explores the complexities of male-female dynamics.

Read Michael Haffner’s review HERE.

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE claimed the number 2 spot this weekend.

“In its second weekend internationally, the movie took in $23.1 million in 38 territories. This combined with the $35.6 million it earned in its North American debut gives KINGSMAN $58.7 million for the weekend and a worldwide total to date of nearly $80 million,” according to Rentrak’s Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, X-Men First Class), KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

The movie stars Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton and Michael Caine.

Read Jim Batts’ review HERE.

Read our interview with co-composer Matthew Margeson HERE.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ Oscar-nominated blockbuster AMERICAN SNIPER continues to make cinema history, crossing $300 million at the domestic box office today. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, AMERICAN SNIPER has continued to fill conventional and IMAX theatres nationwide. It is now the top-grossing war movie of all time, Bradley Cooper’s biggest live-action feature ever, and the second-highest-grossing R-rated drama ever. In addition, it is the first Warner Bros. non-franchise film, only the seventh Warner Bros. release of any kind, and one of only 50 films in cinema history to achieve this milestone domestically.

In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “This is another extraordinary benchmark for an extraordinary film. Rarely does a film come along that strikes such an emotional and thought-provoking chord with such a wide audience. Congratulations to Clint Eastwood and everyone involved in ‘American Sniper’ on the film’s huge success, both at the box office and in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.”

“American Sniper is also showing strength overseas. With just 40% of international markets launched to date, the film has grossed an impressive $85.7 million, with many major territories prepping to release next week, including France, Spain, Japan, Brazil and Mexico.

Eastwood directed AMERICAN SNIPER from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller star in the film.

AMERICAN SNIPER has earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall). In addition, Eastwood was honored by his peers with his fourth Directors Guild of America Award nomination and also won the National Board of Review Award for Best Director. The film’s other honors include a Producers Guild of America Award nomination, a Writers Guild of America Award nomination, and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Oscar Sunday is next weekend, February 22. Opening in theaters is THE DUFF, HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2 and MCFARLAND, U.S.A.

The top 12 worldwide weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, are below. (via Rentrak)

1. Fifty Shades Of Grey – Universal – $239.7M
2. Kingsman: The Secret Service – 20th Century Fox – $58.7M
3. Spongebob Squarepants: Sponge Out Of Water- Paramount – $44.0M
4. Somewhere Only We Know – Multiple – $30.0M
5. Jupiter Ascending – Warner Bros. – $25.0M
6. American Sniper – Warner Bros. – $20.1M
7. Big Hero 6 – Disney – $9.9M
8. Taken 3 – 20th Century Fox – $8.3M
9. Imitation Game, The – Multiple – $7.5M
10. Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb – 20th Century Fox – $7.1M
11. Detective K: The Laborer’s Daughter – Showbox/Mediaplex – $6.2M
12. Paddington – Multiple – $5.1M

The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, are below.

1. Fifty Shades Of Grey – Universal – $81.7M
2. Kingsman: The Secret Service – 20th Century Fox – $35.6M
3. Spongebob Squarepants: Sponge Out Of Water – Paramount – $30.5M
4. American Sniper – Warner Bros. – $16.4M
5. Jupiter Ascending – Warner Bros. – $9.4M
6. Seventh Son – Universal – $4.2M
7. Paddington – The Weinstein Company – $4.1M
8. Imitation Game, The – The Weinstein Company – $3.5M
9. Wedding Ringer, The – Sony – $3.4M
10. Project Almanac – Paramount – $2.7M
11. Black Or White – Relativity Media – $2.6M
12. Boy Next Door, The – Universal – $1.8M

AMERICAN SNIPER Holds Number 1 Spot At Weekend Box Office With Estimated $31.9 Million

There’s no sign of Warner Bros. Pictures’ AMERICAN SNIPER slowing down at the box office.

Estimates have Clint Eastwood‘s drama taking in $31.9 million over this Super Bowl weekend. The Oscar-nominated film has an estimated domestic total of $248 million. The movie, which opened on December 25, 2014, has crossed the $300 million mark globally.

AMERICAN SNIPER is just one the films to be honored tomorrow, February 2, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual Nominees Luncheon.

Among the Lead Actor and Actress nominees, Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper, Marion Cotillard, Felicity Jones, Michael Keaton, Julianne Moore, Rosamund Pike, Eddie Redmayne and Reese Witherspoon are expected to attend the pre-Oscars event.

Other Best Picture hopefuls are still plugging along at local and international cinemas. THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING’s cumulative numbers stand at $29m domestic, $70.7m worldwide, THE IMITATION GAME’s estimated receipts are $60.6m U.S., internationally $117.6m and BIRDMAN numbers are at $30.9m domestic and $50m worldwide.

SELMA was #11 for the final weekend of January. With a $2.7m take at the U.S. box office (playing at 1,714 locations), director Ava DuVernay’s film has an estimated cumulative total of $43.6 million.

Opening February 1st are SEVENTH SON (Universal Pictures, JUPITER ASCENDING (Warner Bros. Pictures) and THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (Paramount Pictures).

The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 by Rentrak, are below.

1. American Sniper – Warner Bros. – $31.9M
2. Paddington – The Weinstein Company – $8.5M
3. Project Almanac – Paramount – $8.5M
4. Black Or White – Relativity Media – $6.5M
5. Boy Next Door, The – Universal – $6.1M
6. Wedding Ringer, The – Sony – $5.7M
7. Imitation Game, The – The Weinstein Company – $5.2M
8. Taken 3 – 20th Century Fox – $3.6M
9. Strange Magic – Disney – $3.4M
10. Loft, The – Open Road – $2.9M
11. Selma – Paramount – $2.7M
12. Into The Woods – Disney – $1.9M

AMERICAN SNIPER Hits $200 Million at Weekend’s Box Office; STRANGE MAGIC & MORTDECAI Flop

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ Oscar-nominated mega hit AMERICAN SNIPER has surpassed $200 million worldwide at the domestic box office on only its tenth day in wide release.

Following its record-breaking first weekend in wide release, the Clint Eastwood-directed film has continued to fill conventional and IMAX theatres nationwide. AMERICAN SNIPER took in an estimated $64.4 million this past weekend, representing the smallest percentage drop ever for a film that opened at more than $85 million, including both three- and four-day weekends, and bringing the domestic gross to $200.1 million and climbing.

The R rated AMERICAN SNIPER is now, domestically, the highest-grossing film in Eastwood’s long career, and it is on track to become his top-grossing film worldwide. The film has earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall).

Universal Pictures THE BOY NEXT DOOR, starring Jennifer Lopez, fared well this weekend with an estimated $15 million, while Johnny Depp’s latest film MORTDECAI and the George Lucas produced/Disney animated movie STRANGE MAGIC essentially tanked at $4.1 million and $5.5 million respectively.

Producers Guild awards winner, BIRDMAN, has an estimated domestic total of $31 million now; worldwide $50 million.

The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates (Rentrak), listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, are below.

1. American Sniper – Warner Bros. – $64.4M
2. Boy Next Door, The – Universal – $15.0M
3. Paddington – The Weinstein Company – $12.4M
4. Wedding Ringer, The – Sony – $11.6M
5. Taken 3 – 20th Century Fox – $7.6M
6. Imitation Game, The – The Weinstein Company – $7.1M
7. Strange Magic – Disney – $5.5M
8. Selma – Paramount – $5.5M
9. Mortdecai – Lionsgate – $4.1M
10. Into The Woods – Disney – $3.9M
11. Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies – Warner Bros. – $2.8M
12. Unbroken – Universal – $2.1M

Bradley Cooper Makes Surprise Visit To The Troops With A Special Screening of AMERICAN SNIPER

Last week (Jan. 14), Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper paid a surprise visit to service members and patients at the Brooke Army Medical Center.

260 service members and staff were invited to preview Cooper’s new movie, AMERICAN SNIPER, based on the life of military sniper Chris Kyle. Kyle emerged from the war in Iraq as the most lethal sniper in the history of the U.S. military,

According to BAMC’s report:

As the movie was playing in the auditorium, Cooper was in the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Rehabilitation Gym visiting patients, staff and Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers, signing several movie posters and T-shirts which he handed out.

As Cooper made his way through the hospital to the auditorium, he received a warm reception from everyone he encountered. As he entered the auditorium, the crowd erupted with cheers.

A few special guests joined Cooper for the event: Chris Kyle’s father, Wayne, and two veterans, Bryan Anderson and Jacob Schick, who were also in the movie.

San Antonio Military Medical Center. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Bradley Cooper (center) along with veterans Jacob Schick and Bryan Anderson answer audience questions after the preview of the film American Sniper as Chris Kyle's dad Wayne (far right) looks on. (Photo by Robert Shields) — Bradley Cooper (center) along with veterans Jacob Schick and Bryan Anderson answer audience questions after the preview of the film American Sniper as Chris Kyle’s dad Wayne (far right) looks on. (Photo by Robert Shields)

After the screening, Cooper addressed the audience:

Making this movie was a life-changing experience,” he said. “I was terrified when I started. I didn’t know if I could actually get to a place where I would believe that I was Chris [Kyle].”

Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War and was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism. He was tragically shot and killed in February 2013 while working with a veteran at a shooting range in Texas.

A Marine in the audience stood up and tearfully thanked Cooper for such a real portrayal. “I feel like you are one of my brothers,” he said. “I think you did really well and I just want to say ‘Thank you.’”

CLICK HERE to see photos of Cooper’s visit on the Brooke Army Medical Center’s Facebook page.

Bradley Cooper along with veterans Bryan Anderson and Jacob Schick answer audience questions after the preview of the film American Sniper. Several service members were invited to the special screening. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Bradley Cooper visits with Soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion in the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Rehabilitation Gym Jan. 14 at San Antonio Military Medical Center. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Bradley Cooper visited with a burn patient in the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Rehabilitation Gym. (Photo by Robert Shields)

BAMC employees from the Pathology department greet Bradley Cooper Jan. 14 at San Antonio Military Medical Center. (Photo by Robert Shields)

Bradley Cooper recently spoke at the Washington D.C. premiere on his decision to make the film. “In some ways, it’s a universal story about what most veterans have to go through – dealing with the seesaw of being in a war zone and then suddenly coming home to a ‘normal’ life. That was very moving to me. I liked the fact that it wasn’t as much of a war movie as it was a character study.”

Surpassing all targets, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ multiple Oscar-nominated drama AMERICAN SNIPER smashed virtually every available record as it opened nationwide on the heels of its already record-breaking limited release. Easily topping the box office, the film took in an estimated $105.3 million for the four-day holiday weekend and has grossed $108.7 million to date and counting.

The film also broke records for a January weekend opening, including both three- and four-day weekends; the highest single day ever in January; the best four-day weekend for an R-rated film; and the biggest opening for any drama in cinema history.

The overwhelmingly positive response to AMERICAN SNIPER is not only measured at the box office. It also earned a rare A+ Cinemascore rating, becoming one of only 11 films in history to receive an A+ in every category.

The movie has earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall).

Read Tom Stockman’s review HERE.

See photos from our screening with the Marines HERE.

AMERICAN SNIPER is playing in cinemas everywhere now.

Clint Eastwood’s AMERICAN SNIPER Takes In Estimated $105.3 million Over Four-day Holiday Weekend

Surpassing all targets, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ multiple Oscar-nominated drama AMERICAN SNIPER smashed virtually every available record as it opened nationwide on the heels of its already record-breaking limited release. Easily topping the box office, the film took in an estimated $105.3 million for the four-day holiday weekend and has grossed $108.7 million to date and counting.

The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures

The film’s spectacular opening marks an all-time high over the course of director Clint Eastwood’s illustrious career. Among its many other milestones, AMERICAN SNIPER also broke records for a January weekend opening, including both three- and four-day weekends; the highest single day ever in January; the best four-day weekend for an R-rated film; and the biggest opening for any drama in cinema history.

The film also broke records in IMAX theatres nationwide, earning more than $10.6 million at 332 locations, making it the top-grossing January weekend ever for the large-format venues.

The overwhelmingly positive response to AMERICAN SNIPER is not only measured at the box office. It also earned a rare A+ Cinemascore rating, becoming one of only 11 films in history to receive an A+ in every category.

In his review, Tom Stockman wrote AMERICAN SNIPER “is a great film, an intelligent film.”

In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “‘American Sniper’ has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, offering a personal view of not only Chris Kyle’s life but also of the hurdles faced by many veterans, as well as their families. We congratulate Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper and everyone involved in the film on this enormous success, and we expect strong reviews and word of mouth to continue to fuel the box office in the coming weeks.”

“We are so proud of this movie,” said Kroll. “We had a visceral reaction to it when we saw it and immediately made room for it in the year. We certainly couldn’t have known the level at which the film would resonate, but we knew it was special—providing a different look at war and its emotional impact on those who fight and those at home, which has struck a deep chord with filmgoers everywhere. From the first trailer, we designed this campaign to convey the different facets of the film and showcase its appeal to both men and women. The response from critics, audiences and, now, the Academy, has been hugely gratifying and we could not be more thrilled.”

Silverman added, “We knew this was a story that could transcend any divide with its compelling character study of a man who deserves to be remembered for his sacrifices on and off the battlefield. Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper have truly done the story of Chris Kyle justice and, in doing so, have also paid homage to the service of all men and women in uniform. We congratulate them and our partners at Village Roadshow on this extraordinary start to our worldwide run.”

Eastwood directed AMERICAN SNIPER from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller star in the film, produced by Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Cooper and Peter Morgan. Tim Moore, Jason Hall, Sheroum Kim, Steven Mnuchin and Bruce Berman served as executive producers.

The film has been rated R for strong and disturbing war violence and language throughout, including some sexual references.

http://www.americansnipermovie.com

AMERICAN SNIPER Breaks Box Office Records With Estimated $90M+ Opening

Clint Eastwood’s remarkable film about the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, AMERICAN SNIPER, broke all box office records this weekend with an estimated $90 million. Since it’s initial release on December 25, 2014, the R-rated drama’s total stands at $93.6 million domestically – $119 million globally to date. Made for $60 million, Bradley Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell.

The film is looking to add about $15 million Monday, raising its total since its limited Christmas Day release to $108.6 million in the U.S.

The screenplay, written by Jason Hall, is based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.

AMERICAN SNIPER received 6 Academy Award nominations last week for Best Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall), Best Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

Read Tom Stockman’s 5 star review HERE.

Sony Pictures’ R-rated comedy THE WEDDING RINGER, starring Kevin Hart, Josh Gad and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, came in second place with an estimated $21 million from 3,003 theaters.

Claiming the third and fourth spots respectively were PADDINGTON ($19.3M) and TAKEN 3 ($14.1M). The third film in the TAKEN franchise has an impressive $161.8 million total thus far.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures’ BLACHKAT, starring Chris Hemsworth, came in at a paltry $4 million.

Some of the films currently in cinemas received a bump in box office receipts from the Oscar nominations.

Over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, director Ava DuVernay’s SELMA came in at fifth place with an estimted $8.3 million. Playing in 2,235 theaters and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the Best Picture nominee’s total stands at $26 million.

Now playing at 1,611 locations, THE IMITATION GAME (The Weinstein Company) benefited from its multiple Oscar nods and brought in $7.2 million for cume total of $50.8 million.

Disney’s INTO THE WOODS, nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep), Production, & Costume Design, saw $6.5 million in ticket sales. From director Rob Marshall, the fantasy movie has a worldwide total of $140 million.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES crossed the $800 million mark at the worldwide box office in its fifth week in global release, now standing at more than $803 million. The movie received a nomination in sound editing.

The conclusion to Peter Jackson’s acclaimed “The Hobbit” Trilogy, based on the timeless classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES has earned an estimated $244.5 million domestically to date and held the top spot at the box office for its first three weekends. Jackson now has the distinction of having all three films in both his “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy and “The Hobbit” Trilogy be number one at the box office for at least three consecutive weekends, which is a record for any film series.

The film dominated the international box office for its first four weekends in a row, and has grossed $558.6 million to date.

The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, are below.

American Sniper – Warner Bros. – $90.2M
Wedding Ringer, The – Sony – $21.0M
Paddington – The Weinstein Company – $19.3M
Taken 3 – 20th Century Fox – $14.1M
Selma – Paramount – $8.3M
Imitation Game, The – The Weinstein Company – $7.2M
Into The Woods – Disney – $6.5M
Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies – Warner Bros. – $4.9M
Unbroken – Universal – $4.3M
Blackhat – Universal – $4.0M
Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb – 20th Century Fox – $3.8M
Annie – Sony – $1.9M

AMERICAN SNIPER – The Review

Most combat troops want to get it over with and go home, but Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who had a terrifyingly dangerous job as a sniper, nobly embarked on four tours of duty in Iraq where he was credited with over 160 confirmed kills. The new film AMERICAN SNIPER dutifully chronicles Kyle’s life from his boyhood in Texas, to how he met his wife Taya and recreates the highlights of his military career (and even makes up a few!). Bulked up, bearded, and somewhat inarticulate, Bradley Cooper’s terrific performance as Kyle is not built on speeches. When it’s over, little has been said in so many words, but we have a pretty clear idea of why Kyle needed to shoot people. 1) He was motivated by his father’s adage that the world is divided into three types of people: sheep, wolves and sheepdogs, 2) These were evil people who needed to be shot, and 3) No one’s aim was truer than Chris Kyle, who quickly earned the nickname “The Legend”.

AMERICAN SNIPER is from director Clint Eastwood, a master of telling stories about men and women who choose to be in physical danger, and is a conventional biography done right. It’s a great film, an intelligent film, a film shot clearly so that we know exactly who everybody is and where they are and what they’re doing and why. The camera work by Eastwood regular Tom Stern services the story. Eastwood has always known that you can’t build suspense with shots lasting one or two seconds. And you can’t tell a story that way, either. Eastwood shows us not only the violence but its human consequences and he’s careful to paint Kyle in a complicated light. The film opens with Kyle forced to make the decision whether to take out both a mother and her young son as they approach U.S. forces with what he suspects is a grenade. It’s an unbearably tense scene and a bold way to introduce Kyle. This scene repeats an hour into the film, this time with more background info but no less intensity. Shooting people from a distance is Kyle’s job and it’s not always an exciting one. He’s forced to lie undetected for hours at a time, peeing himself because he can’t move. In one scene, he impatiently pulls himself off rooftop duty to get in on the action with a door-to-door canvas in the hunt for terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the ‘Butcher of Baghdad’. Eastwood is especially good on the disorientation and of stalking the fragged ruins of Baghdad, where everyone — be they child or adult — is a potential trigger. A battle in the middle a blinding sandstorm so fierce neither audience nor participants can see much is the type of sequence a lesser director would have botched into mass confusion.

The somber final act of AMERICAN SNIPER chronicles Kyle’s postwar civilian life where he provided target shooting therapy for soldiers who came home in much worse physical and mental shape than he. All of the stateside sequences may be filler between the Iraq tours, but they’re well done and give the audience a chance to catch its breath, especially a moving, well-acted scene in a tire shop where a one-legged soldier confronts a humble Kyle, thanking him for saving his life. Sienna Miller as Taya is fine in a role that never degenerates into the put-upon wife, though that’s exactly what she is. Miller nicely pulls off hysteria in a tough scene where she’s on the phone long-distance with her husband when he’s suddenly caught in the middle of a firefight. AMERICAN SNIPER has been criticized from some for Kyle’s perceived bloodthirstiness and general indifference to the Iraqis and their country (an attitude stronger in Kyle’s memoirs), but the geopolitics of the Middle East are not on Eastwood or screenwriter Jason Hall’s mind, nor are the straightforward slings and arrows of the modern combat flick. This film is one man’s story, and because movies are such a curiously voyeuristic form, we identify with heroes like Kyle and accept their actions, at least as long as the film runs. Afterward, there may be some hard questions to answer, but not about Kyle’s sacrifice nor the filmmaking skills of Clint Eastwood. I did not see AMERICAN SNIPER before I turned in my 2014 ‘Top Ten’ list, but it deserves a spot near the top.

5 of 5 Stars

Marines Attend AMERICAN SNIPER Screening in St. Louis

On Monday evening, WAMG welcomed members of the US military to the advance screening of AMERICAN SNIPER in St. Louis.

We had the privilege of hosting the 3D Battalion, 23D Marines and Navy Corpsmen, and a few Marines stationed at Scott Air Force Base at the screening of director Clint Eastwood’s upcoming movie. With some travelling from as far away as Scott Air Force Base, the officers and servicemen called the film “incredible.”

Starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle and Sienna Miller as his wife, Taya, the film is based on Chris Kyle’s autobiography, “American Sniper” which recounts the personal story of the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.

Eastwood says he hopes the film, “will remind people of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families and make people even more appreciative of those who have given so much in service of their country.”

Warner Bros. Pictures will join forces with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (CKFF) on special pre-release screenings of AMERICAN SNIPER.

Eight cities have been chosen to host the CKFF benefit event on Wednesday, January 14: Dallas, Kansas City, Chicago, San Diego, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Miami, Denver, and San Antonio.

Chris Kyle Frog Foundation was launched this past Veterans Day, with Taya Kyle presenting the organization’s vision of establishing a nationwide connection of service members and first responder families.

Taya stated, “I am so happy to welcome everyone to enjoy these special screenings of this inspiring, powerful and meaningful film, which captures Chris’s spirit and his character in telling the story of our family’s military experiences. ‘American Sniper’ not only reflects our story but also those of all military and first responder families; we honor them and their service to God and country. On behalf of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, I also want to express our deep appreciation to those who have supported our mission and made these screenings possible, especially Warner Bros. and our cinema partners, which are all listed on our website.”

Warner Bros. is proud to be a part of this special event, which will aid in introducing the foundation to the selected cities and beyond.

For more information about tickets, please visit: chriskylefrogfoundation.org.

From filmmaker Clint Eastwood comes AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield.

But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

Navy SEAL 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. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

Two-time Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell.

AMERICAN SNIPER opens in theaters nationwide on January 16.

Visit the film’s site: http://www.americansnipermovie.com/

Clint Eastwood Talks AMERICAN SNIPER In New Featurette – Opens In IMAX Theatres on Jan. 16

Director Clint Eastwood discusses his latest film, AMERICAN SNIPER, in this brand new featurette from Warner Bros. Pictures.

This week, the film received award nominations from the American Cinema Editors, Producers Guild, Art Directors Guild, and Writers Guild. It undoubtedly is one of the best films you will see this year.

Eastwood says of his movie, “What we all hope is that it will remind people of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families and make people even more appreciative of those who have given so much in service of their country.”

From director Clint Eastwood comes AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

A two-time Oscar nominee for his work in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle,” Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell.

IMAX, Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures announced that AMERICAN SNIPER will be released into domestic IMAX theatres on Jan.16, 2015.

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