One of the big movies hitting theaters this Christmas is AMERICAN SNIPER. Directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the life of Chris Kyle, it stars Bradley Cooper as the American soldier who saved many of his fellow servicemen by being an incredibly good shot with a rifle. For those who don’t recall, Chris Kyle suffered a tragic and highly unexpected death in February of 2013, shot by a former soldier said to be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder… Kyle was actually trying to help him deal with his condition. The movie focuses on his entry into the military, the strain it had on his wife and family, and his eventual decision to leave the battlefield. It’s received a lot of attention thanks to Cooper’s strong lead performance – it should also be noted that he wasn’t the original choice, though he was the one who bought the rights to do the story – Cooper at one point wanted Chris Pratt to play Kyle. The cast also features Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Brian Hallisay and Kyle Gallner. My review is coming next week, but in the meantime check out the new trailer courtesy of Warner Bros., and look for the film in theaters on Christmas Day.
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.
Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
