Entertainment

Film Review: American Sniper

Published

10 years ago

January 12, 2015

Oakland Post

Luke Grimes and Cory Hardrict as play young G.I. s in the war drama American Sniper.

By Dwight Brown
NNPA Film Critic

This well-produced but flawed bio/war/drama follows the armed forces career and subsequent malaise of ex- Navy Seal Chris Kyle. He was a legendary sniper who did four tours of duty in Iraq. His steely, icy demeanor gave him a steady aim, but didn’t protect him from the fragile aftermath of war, particularly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The film fluctuates between his achievements in battle and is ordeal back home.

Telling Kyle’s story is the purview of filmmaker Clint Eastwood, who directed Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima and is well acquainted with the war film genre. As was the case with those aforementioned films, Eastwood’s style is never climactic. He prefers a moderate pace and a straightforward style that doesn’t add anything new to the game. Helicopters buzz over Iraq. Soldiers on both sides of the battle are killed. But nothing stands out and everything appears routine, considering it’s war. The proceedings lack the verve and staccato pacing that made Katherine Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty a jaw-dropping experience. His languishing, overly choreographed, and pat approach makes the footage feel flat and undistinguished.

After a grueling training, Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) becomes a Navy Seal sniper. A sharp shooter as a kid, his skill peaks in Iraq where, he can protect platoons by accurately shooting a hostile target from as far away as a football field. Deadeye? The man kills 160 insurgents. When fellow soldiers praise him, Kyle is never less then humble. His subdued demeanor is the exact opposite of the anger and rage he incites from enemy forces who put a price on his head. No wonder they call him “Legend.”

Kyle’s Navy Seals, who’ve teamed up with brave Marines, find something to focus on in the helter skelter war. It’s the demonic Al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his maniacal partner The Butcher (Mido Hamada); the latter tortures victims and snitches with power drills. As Kyle and his crew hone in on the new enemies, a sharpshooter, whose talents rival Kyle’s, scopes them out. Mustafa (Sammy Sheik), a Syrian sniper, has Kyle and his men in his crosshairs. First one to pull the trigger wins.

The script by Jason Hall, based on the bestselling autobiography by the real Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice, has plenty of slow, forward motion. When things get too tense, the plotline throws in a flashback for relief. Kyle meeting his soon-to-be-wife Taya (Sienna Miller) in a bar, trips back home on leave, the birth of two sons, phone calls from the front lines; these mini scenes flesh out the imperfect human man behind the perfect aim – to varied affect.

You get a vague sense of the soul of this heroic soldier who tries to balance a dangerous existence with an infrequent family life. But it’s hard to feel compassion for him. He’s too strong a man. If the story followed a weaker person, perhaps a less successful marksman trying to prove himself with a save-the-day shot, he’d be a more compelling protagonist. As is, there’s an emotional shield around Kyle that is impenetrable, even as he descends into a living hell: “It’s not the people you saved that you remember. It’s the ones you couldn’t save. Those are the faces and situations that stay with you forever.”

Bradley Cooper’s performances are not known for their range. He lacks the emotional wallop and elasticity of a Christian Bale. He’s O.K. as the goof in the Hangover series. He stumbled across a golden opportunity with Silver Linings Playbook and turned that part, as an ex-mental patient with a bipolar disorder, into the role of a lifetime. However, he does nothing to get you under the skin of Chris Kyle. Nothing. He packed on weight for the role, but that girth isn’t a substitute for an intuitive or gifted character interpretation.

Sienna Miller, in only glimpses as the reluctant girlfriend turned into the concerned wife/mother, shows more depth and proves far more capable of cementing her dutiful and increasingly alarmed spouse persona. She is Kyle’s only beacon out of his darkness. She is believable. Ben Reed as Wayne Kyle, the weaker younger brother, acts the part; never as strong, smart or good as his sibling. Sammy Sheik (Lone Survivor and TV’s 24) as the stealth shooter Mustafa rarely speaks but powerfully commands the screen. Luke Grimes (Taken 2) and Cory Hardrict (Gran Torino) as play young buck soldiers with a very credible G.I. swagger

Tom Stern’s (Changeling) cinematography, Joel Cox (Unforgiven) and Gary Roach’s editing and the production design by Charisse Cardenas and James J. Murakami (Changeling) make the visuals impressionable. If the film has any air of realism, it’s because of their contributions. Clint Eastwood composed “Taya’s Theme,” the main theme music, which enhances the film in the right places. His taste in music is impeccable.

There will be better films that explore PSTD. They’ll be better if they focus on a sympathetic soldier and not a cold-blooded killer. They’ll be better if a filmmaker with more vigor and innovation directs them. Also, if you see this film and walk out the theater feeling like you just watched 134 minutes of pro-war propaganda, it means the film failed as a character study because it spent too much time on the battlefield.

Visit NNPA Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.

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Arts and Culture

San Jose Jazz Fest ‘24: Fun, Food and an Unforgettable Frankie Beverly Farewell

SAN JOSE — The sounds of summer echoed through the heart of town during the 3-day-long San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024, held Aug. 9 – 11. Multiple stages hosted a variety of iconic performers such as Incognito; local favorites like Tia Carroll; and trailblazers such as Herbie Hancock. Guests enjoyed dozens of vendors featuring art, gifts, and clothing. Tasty bites included flame-grilled barbeque, seafood and a variety of desserts

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2024

Oakland Post

Frankie Beverly performing at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024. Photo Courtesy of Frankie Beverly.

By Carla Thomas

SAN JOSE — The sounds of summer echoed through the heart of town during the 3-day-long San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024, held Aug. 9 – 11.

Multiple stages hosted a variety of iconic performers such as Incognito; local favorites like Tia Carroll; and trailblazers such as Herbie Hancock.

Guests enjoyed dozens of vendors featuring art, gifts, and clothing. Tasty bites included flame-grilled barbeque, seafood and a variety of desserts.

Oakland entrepreneur Ava Carrie and several friends said it was great to get out, enjoy the sun and hear great music. “This is a wonderful festival and just a great time with friends,” said Carrie.

Festival goer Cin-Dee said she flew in from Virginia to celebrate her birthday in the Bay Area. She was saddened that she missed Frankie Beverly’s farewell tour that kicked off in March when he performed in her area on the east coast, capping a 50-year career. When Cin-Dee noticed Maze would feature Beverly in the line up at the San Jose Jazz Festival, in a tribute to him, she made sure to cut short her touring of Santa Cruz to not miss the performance on Sunday evening. “I am so happy to be here and have this opportunity to see Frankie with Maze,” she said, dancing to the music. “This is really special and it’s great to see Frankie on stage and hear my favorite songs.”

Maze performed favorites in tribute to Beverly while introducing their new lead singer, Tony Lindsay. During the last stretch of the concert, Beverly performed, “Happy Feelings,” and “I Wanna Thank You.” The performance was emotional for Beverly as the audience stood up and danced during the entire performance, capturing the historic moment on their cell phones.

Maze was founded by Beverly in 1970 in Philadelphia and was recognized by Marvin Gaye when they relocated to the Bay Area in 1971. The group went on to earn nine gold albums between 1977 and 1993 with mega hits such as “Happy Feelin’s” and “Before I Let Go.” Beverly, known for his soulful baritone voice, wrote hit after hit during his five-decade career. Beverly said he was initially inspired by the pacesetting R&B doo-wop group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

Performances at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest also included the John Santos Sextet, the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars, Faye Carol, Delfaeyo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, David Benoit Quartet, Andre Thierry Accordion Soul, Ayo Brame, The Family Stone, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 11 -17, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 11 – 17, 2024

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September 13, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Jaylen Brown and Jason Kidd’s $5 Billion Plans

On Aug. 9, in downtown Oakland at Oakstop, a co-working and event space, dozens of journalists and broadcasters convened to hear an historic announcement from NBA icon Jason Kidd and NBA All Star and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. The duo told the world that they have joined forces to raise an ambitious $5 billion dollars to empower underserved and marginalized communities. The week prior, Brown set the goal in motion by creating the Boston XChange in preparation to do the same in the Bay Area as the Oakland XChange.

Published

7 days ago

September 12, 2024

Oakland Post

NBA All Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, Oakland XChange's founder Trevor Parham, Boston XChange board member Riz Shah, and NBA icon Jason Kidd at Oakstop in Oakland announcing the creation of XChange Oakland and a commitment to raise $5 billion dollars to empower marginalized communities across the nation. Courtesy of Oakland Xchange.

By Carla Thomas

The duo told the world that they have joined forces to raise an ambitious $5 billion dollars to empower underserved and marginalized communities. The week prior, Brown set the goal in motion by creating the Boston XChange in preparation to do the same in the Bay Area as the Oakland XChange.

“True systemic change requires collaboration, shared vision, and collective impact. By working with community partners, thought leaders, and cultural influencers, our goal is to cultivate a powerful network of support and innovation,” shared Brown.

Through the new nonprofit XChange enterprises in Boston and Oakland and his sphere of influence, Brown has set his intentions in motion jumpstarting a path toward generational wealth and cultivating cultural innovation in underserved and underrepresented communities. Designed to provide opportunities at the intersection of business and culture, Brown says the XChange will use a place-based strategy to drive solutions for better cities, integrating real estate development, business education, technology, and cultural competency to foster economic growth.

Chapters in Boston (BXC) and Oakland (OXC) will serve as organizing hubs, utilizing commercial real estate to empower underserved communities.

Kidd says he was inspired by Brown’s concept and the two have committed millions of dollars from their own fortunes to kick off the venture. Kidd and Brown, both Oakland natives, see a bright future for their hometown.

“We welcome anyone that is willing to make a commitment to the future and health of the community and put it on a path toward generational sustainability,” said Kidd, during the press conference.

“The racial wealth gap is not limited to Boston — It’s a national issue, affecting Oakland and cities throughout the country, revealing how some groups are better positioned to make critical investments in their futures that benefit their families and communities,” said Kidd.

Kidd has also made significant philanthropic contributions to his hometown, such as funding the Willie Keyes Recreation Center in West Oakland.

The XChange will create and showcase scalable and repeatable models for shared real estate ownership and impact investments to facilitate asset building for sidelined community members that can be adopted across the country. They will engage professional athletes, business leaders, philanthropists, and influencers who are passionate about solving wealth inequality in the cities they love, using a replicable model that maximizes impact while uplifting existing organizations working to bridge the wealth gap.

“Using this strategy, The XChange presents an opportunity for individual cities to tailor the model to the unique needs and strengths of their communities, replicating and refining it for optimal impact,” said the Oakland XChange’s founder Trevor Parham.

“Place based strategies are important for unifying and revitalizing underserved communities and our lived experiences inform market insights and social solutions that help foster sustainable economic development. I’m proud of Oakstop’s track record for community-led social impact and our synergy with the Boston XChange.”

Boston XChange board member Riz Shah was also on hand along with local politicians, Caroll Fife, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), and Lateefah Simon, candidate for U.S Congress. They all shared their excitement for the new venture.

For more information visit: www.oaklandxchange.org