Blog Two. American Sniper and Flags of Our Fathers.

Every jackass thinks he knows what war is.  Especially those who've never been in one.  We like things nice and simple, good and evil, heroes and villains.  There's always plenty of both.  Most of the time, they are not who we think they are.
—Dave Severance—John Bradley's old captain—talking to young Jim Bradley at the beginning of "Flags of Our Fathers."

So there you have it—the most successful American film of 2015.  There are no Chris Kyle dolls, toy sniper rifles, or fast food American Sniper meals.  For me, it is an incredibly sad movie about...well, that's the question, isn't it?

1.  Your reaction to the whole movie? Like?  Dislike?  Would you recommend it to someone who is not a war movie fan?  Why or why not?

2.  We talked a little about the ending of the movie today: really, the last 10 minutes, when we see the "cured" Chris Kyle through his funeral.  Clark said it may have been too sentimental; Brooks saw it as honoring the real man.  It can be read as Eastwood lionizing Kyle as the hero so many think he is.  What is your take on the ending?  What do you think Clint Eastwood is doing in it?

3.  As I wrote above, "For me, it's an incredibly sad movie about..."  For you, how would you sum up American Sniper?  What is it about?  What is it saying about Chris Kyle, about heroism, about America, about the Iraq War?

4.  Finally.  Look at the quote at the top of the page from "Flags of Our Fathers."  Can this apply to "American Sniper"?  If so, how?  If not, why not?

Don't skimp here, folks.  200 words at least.  Answer all the questions. Finally, here's a trailer for the film we are watching now.  See you tomorrow.

Blog One. American Sniper.

What we touched upon today in class about the controversy of "American Sniper" is highlighted in this brief clip from the HBO show "Real Time With Bill Maher."  Please watch this clip and keep in mind as you do what you saw in class today.

1.  Your reaction to the movie so far?  Like?  Dislike?  Something else?  And why?  Also: what moment or scene has stuck with you since our viewing today? What about it made it stay with you?

 2.  Look at the clip above.  Take a side in the debate being waged in it.  Why do you take side you do?

3.  There are virtually no other developed characters in this film besides Chris Kyle and, to a lesser extent, Taya Kyle. This is, after all, American Sniper.  So what is the picture Clint Eastwood is painting of the man?  Is he a hero?  Is he a mad killer?  Is he a racist?  Is he a good man?  A bad man?  Something else?  Something less?  Something more?  And are we supposed to like him?  Do we like him?  You don't have to answer every question I've asked, but you should address whether or not he is a hero—and whether or not we are supposed to like him.

Write about 200 words.  BE SURE TO ANSWER THIS BY CLICKING ON THE COMMENTS BELOW. Have this finished by 11 PM.  See you tomorrow.  Here's a preview for the film.