American Sniper

Another day another movie. I am totally immersed in the film culture here in Wellington with the imminent arrival of the fabulous French Film Festival at the Embassy.

But last night I caught, against my  better judgement, the latest Clint Eastwood offering, a chauvinist American movie perhaps, but still one critical of the evil of war. Called 'American Sniper', it featured the excellent Bradley Cooper, a bulked up hero in real life, who was Iraq war veteran Chris Kyle the redoubtable top killer in this awful war of occupation. It is dubious honour to have bestowed on one, but then this is America a country which loves its heros, especially the Cowboy and Indian sort, like Hopalong Cassidy and Tom Mix were in their time.  

The movie was well made as Eastwood usually does, but there was still a lot of killing and ghastly scenes which don't make one feel good at all. The awful ending where is was  documented that Kyle was killed by one of his vet friends doing an action which was doubtless an act of charity, did not lose irony at the end of this rather bloody and sad movie.

America looking after the rest of the world, in the process nearly destroying an Iraqi city and murdering countless locals, in the name of protecting world peace - give me a break. It was certainly the Bush administration reaction to 9-11 which gave birth to this madness and also the righteousness of Daddy America. It was a disturbing movie, but possibly not as the disturbing as the film I plan to see tonight about the  Snowden whistle-blowing tapes called 'Citizen Four'.

In the meantime, the marvellous weather continues and Wellington is showing itself off, in a quiet, unpretentious way. People are out in droves enjoying themselves and there is lots to offer, especially for the queer population this weekend. It is without any doubt the free-est and most creative city I have ever experienced (apart from perhaps Brooklyn NY) and I can't begin to say how lucky I have been to have this two year experience. See, already I am counting down.

Now if only I could find out how to allow this i-pad to accept some more photos!