Next years big boys: 2015 preview. Part 1: American Sniper

By Henry Thackray

2015 is rather large year for film, or more correctly, movies. There is an awful lot coming out next year, and when I say loads  I mean, LOADS. Jurassic World, The 2nd Avengers, a small independent film called Star Wars. Next year is packed with popcorn movies from beginning to end. Some could see this a negative. They spout of about the death of Cinema, the end of the auteur. Films are now directed by studios.  Kevin Fiege is the devil. Well that last bit may actually be true. Any how. I try and look at the whole situation glass half full. This year has actually been fantastic for popcorn cinema (that's an oxymoron if ever you heard one) with the release  of The Lego Movie, in which everything was indeed awesome,  Edge of Tomorrow, The New Captain America and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Captain was a fantastically well directed action superhero pic that actually was far more 70s thriller than special effects bonanza, whereas Guardians was a loving hark back to the Saturday morning, cartoon influenced, films Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Edge of Tomorrow was just so much more than Groundhog Day meets Starship Troopers. Tom Cruise is just so well cast and totally nails playing up to the whole smooth talking dickhead version of himself that is often perceived (He then proceeds to be shot in the head about a dozen times. A bonus, some would say). You could argue that perhaps not all studios are getting it wrong. Marvel for one is definitely on a role, in fact it pretty much has been since The Avengers came out: Iron Man 3 was good, Thor 2 maybe not so much, but both Guardians and Captain were fantastic. So there's definitely hope that at least some of these huge films will be decent. So this little article will be your fine guide on what to watch, on what looks good, on what looks bad  and if Chris Pratt is the real deal. Enjoy.

January 16: American Sniper 

What's going on? 

The first big release of 2015, American Sniper, based on the 2012 autobiography "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History", tells the tale of Chris Kyle, a native Texan who racked up the highest number of confirmed sniper kills in U.S. history. It stars Bradley Cooper as the Eponymous Sniper, and also Sienna Miller and Luke Grimes. Clint Eastwood directs.

Why you should see it:

 Chris Kyle is a pretty remarkable person. He has the highest number of recorded kills in US military history, over 160, but even this is considered conservative. By his own accounts, and those of his Navy SEAL squad he killed at least twice as many. After his four tours of duty he finished with two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with Valor, three gunshot wounds and two helicopter crashes. By all accounts this is a fascinating tale to tell. Bradley Cooper has surprisingly decent dramatic chops (Two nominations in two years), and it has a young fresh cast. Also, its limited release is on December 25th, meaning that at least someone thinks this is Oscar worthy.  

Why instead, maybe you shouldn't:

 Someone thinks this is Oscar worthy. To be honest this kinda seems like Oscar bait. Chris Kyle, was accidental killed a year ago, and this, not to be disrespectful, gives the film its sob-story. Also: Clint Eastwood. Not that Clint Eastwood is a terrible director, its just he is very rigid and its most likely this film will play like a best of album, Forest Gumping its way through Kyle's life. Hopefully its going to be more of a Lone Survivor action pic, as it would suit the material far more.

Chance of awesomeness: 2.5/5