Review of American Sniper (2014) by Carrie G — 08 Dec 2015

First, let me say this is ABOUT WAR SO IT IS VERY VIOLENT! It's not for kids IMO but these days these days they see more violence right outside the front door on the street than in this movie so it may not even phase them at all. I like to think I can take pretty much anything that is onscreen and keep it separate from reality. When that mother gives the child that grenade and it goes off and she has to finish the job, I had to stop the movie a min. So if you're emotional about things like this I'm sorry to say this. Second, I wish someone had told me so I'd have been prepared for it! That's why I'm letting you know. Third, NO I'm not spoiling anything and frankly I'm tired of being criticized for helping people! It's not spoiling bc it's so obvious! If you can't tell what's about to happen when every soldier is telling Chris watch those 2 bc they too know what is about to happen, then you're too ignorant to watch anything other than cartoons! If you are even capable of doing that.

This was one of the best movies out of Hollywood in YEARS! I don't know if it's the tragic story or the brilliant performance by Bradley Cooper. Both? I have alot of family and friends past and present in the military so maybe I'm more based than I should be. The movie was as close as I can imagine what it must be like over there fighting for the freedom so many take for granted. I've not seen any other movie about war that's this good since The Thin Red Line. Reminds me of this guy Doug who I met at rehab. He was such a really good guy you never would think that he was somebody who had PTSD but yes he did after he came back from Iraq. He was doing the right thing, getting help and was doing alot better he was told too and was just about to get released. Then one day he went to the doc for his regular checkup and something for the "crud" he said thought he was coming down with. Nurse gave him a shot and left the room I think it was to to get some samples so he could have a break on the cost of his meds or something. All very routine and the nurse didn't do anything out of the ordinary is what I'm saying. Happens to patients all the time and I know I'm grateful for the samples when I can get them. His wife didn't go with him to the doc that day. By the time the nurse came back w the samples and his chart to let him go home, he was dead. No it wasn't a suicide. No meds were found on his person and we have to keep meds behind lock and key where I live bc of all the frickin meth heads around here so none of the docs have anything but hand soap, towels and hand sanitizer foam in the patient rooms. Guy went to Iraq and Afghanistan I forget how many times and just like Chris, comes home and something crazy like that happens just as he's getting his life back. I only knew him a month or two but I won't ever forget him. The first time I heard about Chris, he came to my mind. I don't know what I'd do in either case if it happened to me. I didn't know Doug well at all and it just tore me up inside! He had I think 2 kids too he left behind. Such awful tragedy but I just makes me appreciate my freedom more.