Film on Friday #36 - American Sniper - Review AND Giveaway!

Chris Kyle. I can't imagine there are many who haven't heard his name or know his story.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing American Sniper, the movie based on the life of Chris Kyle, on Blu-ray/Dvd on May 19/15. Clint Eastwood is the director.

Kyle is the most lethal sniper in US military history - and he was the most wanted man in Iraq. But there's so more to this story - it's also the story of a father, a husband and a veteran.

Eastwood grabs the viewer right from the start with a tension filled opening scene in Iraq on Kyle's first mission. From that we are taken back to Kyle's childhood and move forward through his four tours in Iraq,

Gentle viewers be warned - there are graphic scenes and violence. But, what Eastwood has shown us is not movie make believe - it's reality, difficult as it might be to watch. (The special effects, setting and sound effects were incredible) But also explored is the effect of war on those waiting at home - and the difficulty re-integrating into 'everyday' life - PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Bradley Cooper plays Kyle - and quite honestly I thought he was amazing. Having watched clips of the real Chris Kyle, I was so impressed with his portrayal - physicality, accent and more. This role takes Cooper leaps and bounds beyond roles such as Hangover.

I encourage you to watch this as the story of Chris Kyle and his family and not as a commentary on politics and war. I felt so many emotions as the movie played out and was absolutely drained by the closing credits. I cannot even begin to imagine the reality. Highly,highly recommended. Watch the exclusive clip below for more from the cast and crew of American Sniper.

And if you'd like to own a copy of American Sniper, I have a copy to giveaway, courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to continental US and Canada, no po boxes please. Ends June 6/15

"Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will donate a portion of the proceeds across physical and digital sales to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). One dollar of each purchase will be donated up to $1,000,000 from April 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015. To get involved and learn more, visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.com. The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To learn more about WWP’s life-saving programs and services, please visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs."

a Rafflecopter giveaway