American Sniper

There was no murmuring while the credits rolled for "American Sniper." There was no sound of seats slamming backwards as people got up to leave. Instead, there was only silence; no one stirred for a few minutes. There was not even music that played during the credits, which created a metaphorical moment of silence in the theater. It is clear that director Clint Eastwood understands, and is passionate about, what he is doing here--paying tribute to an American hero in a gripping drama about the trials of war.

For those that don't know, "American Sniper" is a true story based on the memoir of Chris Kyle (played in the film by Bradley Cooper), the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. The film opens in the middle of Kyle's first tour, right before his first kill, but before we see the conflict play out, the film flashes back to Kyle before he enlists. It's here that we see how Kyle was brought up as a child, why he enlisted, and how he fell in love with his future wife, Taya (played by Sienna Miller). Eastwood certainly didn't have to devote time to these scenes (many other directors wouldn't), but by doing so the film is made so much better. The heart of the film is created in these scenes, primarily in the relationship between Kyle and his wife, as this will be the focus of much of the film later on. The rest of the film will follow Kyle through his four tours in Iraq as we see not only how he becomes the deadliest sniper in US history, but also how this title haunts him throughout the rest of his life. 

And that is what sets "American Sniper" apart from other war dramas from recent memory. The audience really gets to see inside the mind of Kyle as he becomes "The Legend," a nickname that other SEALs come to call him. We see how this affects him at home, how this affects his marriage, and how it affects his whole personality. Kyle never once positively reacts to being called, "The Legend." Instead it's almost as if the name is a burden to him, a constant reminder of what war has forced him to do, and also a reminder of what he could NOT do. While Kyle says that he does not regret the lives he took (as it saved the lives of many American soldiers), he is haunted by those he could not save. Even though he is incredibly good at what he does, he is kept up at night because he could not be perfect. 

All of this would not be so easily seen on screen if not for a gripping performance, but Bradley Cooper delivers in what may be his best job yet. Five years ago, when I first saw Cooper in "The Hangover," I would have not expected him to gather three Oscar nominations over the next several years, but he has proved himself to be an incredible actor capably of taking on a variety of roles. In this film he excellently portrays the tough, hardened exterior of Kyle. But more importantly, he nails the scenes when we see past the hard exterior, and into his tired and troubled mind. It is truly a performance deserving of an Oscar nomination. 

Comments have been made by certain people that "American Sniper" glorifies war and makes sniper shootings entertaining, and I cannot stress how wrong these claims are. There was never a cheer or applause when Kyle killed in the film. Instead there were only gasps, many gasps, as the theater was shocked to see the events on screen play out. The film is by no means meant to be an "action film," and it is not edited as such. Again, Eastwood knows what he is doing, and therefore he shoots and edits the film not to let us be entertained, but to provide a shocking glimpse at what these soldiers went through during the war. Kyle is haunted by the war for the rest of his life, and it greatly affects how he is even in the comfort of his own home. Does that "glorify war?" Definitely not. 

I, like so many others, walked silently out of theater that night. I was speechless after watching the story of these brave men and women, risking their lives to protect the country they loved, to protect the wives and husbands they loved, and to protect the children they loved. The incredible true story is brought to life on screen by an amazing performance by Cooper, tense cinematography and editing, and masterful directing by Clint Eastwood. Before the Oscars air next month, go see "American Sniper." You won't regret it. 

2015: The Year the Box Office Will Explode

It's here! It's finally here! The year that movie lovers have been waiting for has arrived. Over the next twelve months, we will be returning to a galaxy far far away, we will get to ride along on another top secret mission with 007, we will get to see Hulk smash, and so much more. 2014 was a good year for movies (in an earlier article I talked about how it was the best year for comic-book films since 2008), but 2015 just looks better in every way. Both classic and new movie franchises are returning to the big screen and if all goes according to Hollywood's plan, it could be the biggest year at the box office in a long time. What is making this a possibility is that there are potentially FOUR blockbusters being released this year that will gross over one billion dollars. Now in any given year, there isn't always a movie that reaches one billion. In fact, only nineteen movies have ever crossed that number (last year it was Transformers: Age of Extinction). So the idea that there are four or five films this year that could join the billion dollar club means that this could end up being the year when the box office explodes. So what are the big films coming out this year that will bring in the cash? Let's go in chronological order.

Cinderella (Billion Dollar Alert)!

Release Date: March 13th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent

In 2010, Disney began releasing it's line of "reimagined" fairy tales that are characterized mostly by bright visual effects and A-list actors stepping into classic Disney roles (Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie). Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland became the sixth film to cross the billion dollar mark back in 2010, but many could argue that this was aided by 3D still being a big new thing after Avatar's release a few months earlier. Last year's Maleficent didn't quite reach the heights of Alice, but it still came pretty close. This year we get Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, which actually seems to have quite a few differences between the other two films. First, judging by the trailers, it does not seem like this new film deviates much from the original Disney musical. It also seems that the CGI overload seen in Alice and Maleficent is toned down immensely and the film's two leads are largely unknown to those who don't watch the TV shows the two actors got their starts in. However, this is a live-action remake of Cinderella, arguably the most beloved Disney film of all time, and it will be huge because of that simple fact. However, to reach the billion dollar mark, the film has to be good, really good actually. If it is, Disney may have their first mega-hit of the year. Oh yeah, did I mention that of the four billion dollar potentials this year, Disney made three of them?

Furious 7
Release Date: April 3rd
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: The Fast and the Furious franchise

This film could very easily have been in the running for the billion dollar club, but I doubt if it can reach that number due to it being sandwiched in between two other blockbusters. However, Furious 7 will still likely make around $800,000 in its worldwide run. The franchise has made more money with each film (save for Tokyo Drift), and the series reached new heights with Fast Five when The Rock came on board to fight Vin Diesel. The newest entry is the biggest one yet. The Rock is returning for a third time, and this time we also get British badass Jason Statham as the villain and Kurt Russell in a mysterious role. Many will also come to see Paul Walker's final performance after his tragic death in a car crash in 2013. I didn't start watching these films until Fast Five (which many said was the first "good" film in the series) and I have thoroughly enjoyed the fifth and sixth installments, so I can't wait to see the seventh.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: May 3rd
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: The Avengers, all Marvel films since the Avengers

This is the big one folks. The sequel to the third highest grossing film of all time is just a few months away. All signs point to Age of Ultron being bigger and better than it's predecessor, and if it is truly better, than this film is a lock for grossing over a billion dollars. Looking back at Marvel films over the last three years, it's clear that all films after The Avengers were aided by the "Avengers effect." What the "Avengers effect" did was significantly increase the box office numbers of all their hero's solo films (Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2). Then, Guardians of the Galaxy was released and became the highest grossing film of 2014, and it became clear that Marvel is now a box office king drunk on his own power. Guardians proved that nothing can stop Marvel, and nothing is going to stop Age of Ultron from being one of the two highest grossing films of the year.

Jurassic World
Release Date: June 12th
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: Jurassic Park, Transformers, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

The first Jurassic Park is a classic piece of Hollywood film making that never quite shared its greatness with the two sequels that followed it. Because of this, it's hard to say how Jurassic World will be received. The film stars Chris Pratt, who is still riding on the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, and this fourth entry to the series will finally allow viewers to see what it would look like if the dinosaur theme park actually opened for the public. Will this premise be enough to get viewers to come back for the newest entry? I would say so. It has been fourteen years since Jurassic Park III, more than enough time for viewers to be curious enough to revisit the world of dinosaurs. If the film follows the same trend of other sci-fi franchises with CGI characters (Transformers, Planet of the Apes), then it should have no trouble grossing between $600,000 and $700,000.

Terminator: Genisys
Release Date: July 1st
Studio: Skydance Productions
Box Office Comparisons: Terminator Salvation, Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow 

It has a terrible title, it has a pretty mediocre trailer, there hasn't been a good Terminator film in almost 25 years, honestly...this could be a terrible movie AND the big box office bomb of 2015. But on the other hand, the fifth film in the robot franchise could restore the series to its former glory. After all, Arnold is back, Alan Taylor, who as directed episodes of some of HBO's best shows, is directing, the cast includes the mother of dragons, Emile Clarke, as Sarah Conner. There's a lot to like about the new Terminator, it's just that the marketing campaign is making it really difficult to be optimistic so far.

Ant-Man
Release Date: July 17th
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Again, it's a Marvel movie, people are going to see it. Even though it is unlikely that Ant-Man will reach the heights of Guardians of the Galaxy, it will still likely make the money that the Thor and Captain America films made, especially since everyone will want more Marvel after seeing Age of Ultron. Having Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas lead the film could also help draw in more of those who aren't as big on Marvel films, in addition to the film being called a "heist film" which would make it quite different from other super-hero films.

Spectre (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: November 6th
Studio: MGM
Box Office Comparisons: Skyfall, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 

James Bond is back after his last adventure, Skyfall, worked its way to the ninth highest grossing film of all time with $1.1 billion. Daniel Craig has had massive success with the 007 franchise and his return should continue to trend. Not much is known about the 24th installment, but we do know that the evil organization, Spectre, is coming back, along with a mysterious villain played by the wonderfully terrifying Christoph Waltz. Sam Mendez, the director of Skyfall, is returning to direct as well which holds promise since many considered the Skyfall to be one of the best entries in the Bond series. With nothing standing in its way for a couple weeks, the new entry has a great shot a grossing more than its predecessor. The only film that could stop this from happening is...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
Release Date: November 20th
Studio: Lionsgate
Box Office Comparison: The Hunger Games franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Like Furious 7, the final chapter in the Hunger Games saga has a chance at reaching the billion dollar mark, but will have a tough time doing so since its being released in between 007 and Star Wars. Also, none of the Hunger Games films have reached that number at the box office yet, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything. None of the Harry Potter films grossed over a billion until the final installment which is currently the 4th highest grossing film of all time. Of course, The Hunger Games isn't as big as Harry Potter, but it's still likely that a total of around $900,000 is a possible.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Billion Dollar Alert)

Release Date: December 18th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparison: Avatar, Harry Potter, every major Hollywood franchise

There isn't just a billion dollar alert on this film, there is an all time record alert as well. Episode VI is one of the biggest movie events of the 21st century. The original three lead actors from the original trilogy are returning along with an incredible line-up of up and coming actors, and some inspired choices as well like Andy Serkis and Max von Sydow. Fans are jumping at every tiny detail that escapes the set of the film, but since JJ Abrams is directing, details have been quite scarce. The first teaser trailer provided ample amounts of questions and chills that make the new entry look incredibly promising, and it will be a great Christmas present to return to a galaxy far far away. Look to this film for being the highest grossing film of the year.