American Sniper

Experience The Silence

           It is easy to say that the original trailer for this film is the most suspenseful marketing campaign thus far in the 21st century. There is a reason all of your friends have already seen this movie and it's not just because it stars one of the best actors of this generation. The heart-wrenching story of Navy SEAL marksman Chris Kyle is inspirational with a capital "I" and who better to bring it to the big screen than Hollywood royalty like Clint Eastwood? While the film itself may not be all around perfect,  you will still be on edge and locked in the mind of this true American hero.

           With 160 confirmed kills or "savages" to your name, there is a reason to be called the "Legend." Bradley Cooper (+40lbs. and a bushy beard) brings to life the story based off Chris Kyle's autobiography of the same name and alternates between being a family man as well as performing his duties as the deadliest sniper in United States history. Post-traumatic stress is a sad but recurring problem with these veterans who are paying the high price of having to relive what horrors are found during deployment. Kyle is no stranger to this and there is a strong focus of what this shell-shocked fury can do to a wife (Sienna Miller) and young family as well as one's outlook on life itself.

              Clint Eastwood hits a directorial peak with American Sniper and watching how Bradley Cooper makes the not-so-smooth transformation even after his first 2 kills is mesmerizing. The clicking of his gun's adjustment knobs and intense focus on where the barrel is pointed all work in his favor. The suspense actually does kill, for once.

             There is no holding back on the lifestyle of these gentlemen. Patriots to the death and mouths like the SEALs they are. While some parts of the film are a bit too fast-paced with details that come off disconnected to the plot, the ending is what makes all 2 hours and 12 minutes worth it. Follow Chris' Texan drawl as Cooper's most visceral performance of his career is an emotional ride.

              The effect on every audience that this movie reaches is the same. Wait for the silence and know what it means. American Sniper may not win Best Picture in the upcoming Oscars but there is a reason it has earned 6 nominations and is breaking box office records left and right. The story of a man who keeps his targets set on what really matters in life. GRADE: 8/10

Foxcatcher

The Eyes (and nose) of Power and Money

            Since the recent unveiling of the 2015 Academy Award nominees, there has been question of how Foxcatcher did not receive a nod for Best Picture. How can acting of this caliber mixed with such an intense and dramatic plot be overlooked? Well, there surely are a few ups and downs in Bennett Miller's (Moneyball) latest directorial project but the obvious credit belongs solely to the actors.

            When the trailer for this film first surfaced, this quote was said by all who viewed it: "Oh cool a wrestling movie... Based on a true story, that's nice... Wait. Is that Steve Carell?!"

             From the beloved Michael Scott of The Office to being a 40-year-old virgin, Steve Carell has got comedy down pat and a style that has captured multiple generations. Here is donning pounds of make-up and nominated for a Best Actor Oscar! Not only is a feat like this unbelievable but completely awesome that he pulled it off. He's a normal guy off-camera with a house and family but you still want to laugh when you see him make any kind of appearance. Except for now. Now, you may be terrified to see him in any other role. It can be said with confidence that he loses himself while totally spot on and even appalling
as multimillionaire and heir to the Du Pont empire, John E. du Pont.

             Staring into du Pont's gummy grill with a bit of nose make-up and fake cauliflower ear also is Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz. His one mission is to get out from older brother Dave's (a nominated and tremendous Mark Ruffalo) shadow and show the world he is capable of earning a gold medal, as well.

             Intensity is a word that constantly comes to mind throughout. The fluidity of Tatum and Ruffalo training on the mats together is a display all on its own. I'm sure Channing's wrestling background was a nice preparation but the grueling physical training alongside insane filming hours can change oneself and take a toll to say the least. It is a workout just to watch the tension grow as Coach du Pont's dead eyes stare motionless when he isn't given the answer he's used to. It takes special talent to have an audience scared of what can come next when the past reaction was to howl with laughter.

              The stars can only shine so bright onscreen and what dulls this beauty is another word starting with "I." Incomplete. Biopics and true stories have a tendency to jump around because usually the person has a pretty eventful life (eventful enough to be made into a movie). The original cut of Foxcatcher was 4 hours long and was eventually cut in half to 2 hours and some change. Having to cover quite a lot of time results in some lack of detail and sudden climaxes that have no leading actions. This can be viewed as just a hiccup but, after all, the Academy must've gotten wise to what was needed. Doesn't change much though when everywhere you turn there are people taking their job seriously. GRADE: 8/10

Horrible Bosses 2

Same Story, Different Sequel

            The story of the "sequel" is the single most tiring story to listen to. It is a tale as old as time -- or at least as old as good movies have been butchered by last minute money-making leaps. The first Horrible Bosses was not only funny because it was a different form of comedy that shined a bright light on Jason Sudeikis' unique style but it was fine with the way it ended the first time. It's an all-star cast with a weak, practice-squad plot. That's not a bad thing, though! It was hilarious and surprising which got everyone riled up when they saw commercials for its sequel but once I got past the first couple scenes there was not much that could be salvaged.

            It is frustrating to see such amazing talent wasted. This cast is solid through and through with each member having a great track record to prove it. The result of having such a far-reaching plot and re-upped lines from its predecessor only comes with worn out laughter. 

            Nick, Kurt, and Dale (Bateman, Sudeikis, Day) have a brilliantly dim-witted entrepreneurial venture that will change showering to a whole new experience. After a promotional appearance on a morning talk show ended in embarrassing [hilarious] shambles, they are sought by billionaire father-son duo Bert and Rex Hanson (Waltz and Pine). As you can imagine, things do not go in the way our three protagonists hope so that leads to familiar faces making a comeback as well as their own completely stupid ways that would give Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels and run for their money. 

           Director Sean Anders can personally thank Charlie Day (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) for maintaining what comedic integrity was left in the script. He has a screech in his voice that never really get old because he can make and line funny. 

           Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, We're The Millers) is funny, also. He can take references from all over and make them work in all of his movies. But, as seen in other reviews, he is hit-or-miss. Here: mostly miss. I cannot totally dog his efforts because he and Charlie Day have proven to be a good team. Jason Bateman is kind of the front man for this trio but seems to be stuck in the shadows this time around. His only route to laughs is being the voice of reason for the other two while they are going back and forth, sometimes a little too long. 

           The supporting cast if what draws viewers in movies like this. Jennifer Aniston reprises her brunette role as Dale's boss, Dr. Julia. With all of the crudeness you can imagine, she is a recovering sexaholic now and that can only help so many people. Her lines are dirty and hot and overall identical to the first installment--eh, a little more emphasis on the "dirty" this time. 

           My ticket stub abbreviated the title to just "Horrible." Maybe they were thinking of Chris Pine. He plays a fake hateworthy character but his performance is plastic and overreaching. Christoph Waltz and Kevin Spacey are two of a very select group of actors who have won an Oscar every time they have been nominated. Spacey makes a 10 second appearance behind plated glass and Waltz is forgettable and incomplete as a crooked billionaire. 

           Well, this has been fun. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, once again. I know Jamie Foxx wishes they didn't show his only good lines in the previews as much as I do. Insult to injury here was how each scene was milked bone dry until there was nothing to laugh at but still tried to find a bang to end with. Let's just forget and move on. GRADE: 5/10