Batman

No spoilers... my full 'American Sniper' review. Glad you liked it deaddebate. http://reelbrief.com/?p=1735

More downrange ops focusing on Kyle's 4 tours in the film than I was expecting. But this movie is about one subject and one subject only--Chris Kyle the husband, father, teammate and American. It's not political or an indictment on OIF or why we're there. It covers war and the pressures, strain and multiple deployments exceptionally well and the affects on one SEAL. An abrupt and shocking ending that most already know is coming is still powerful and emotional. 'American Sniper' will squarely hit civilians in the heart and mind about sacrifices made by so few, for so many, and for so long. Is the movie perfect? No. But does it get the message of casualties and sacrifices from the military and our families at war now for over a decade through the big-screen? Without a doubt. I was pleasantly surprised by this film's impact. http://reelbrief.com/?p=1681

'American Sniper' tonight. We'll see what Eastwood and Bradley bring to the table.

Critics and Hollywood insiders have been critical with harsh words towards "Unbroken" and "American Sniper"--calling these military film's full of clichés. One misguided reviewer even wrote American Sniper's "Iraq moments feel false as anyone making a film involving Navy SEALS better pay close attention to Kathryn Bigelow's 'Zero Dark Thirty' as she set a high bar for anyone hoping to capture the intensity of tactical warfare with a sense of authenticity." WTF? "American Sniper" will show the most authentic portrayal of NSW forces on film that we've ever seen. Despite critics and Hollywood attempting to keep moviegoers from these two fine films, the paying public will make both blockbuster hits. I enjoyed "Unbroken" and thought Jolie had a very difficult job competing with a hugely popular novel that spent 3 1/2 years on the NYT's bestseller hardcover list. But the movie was true to Zamperini and his amazing life--and deserving of the time devoted in the film to his adrift and POW periods. 'Unbroken' movie review; http://reelbrief.com/?p=1557

Latest trailer from 'American Sniper'. http://reelbrief.com/?p=1468

The Chris Rock movie blends nightclub comedy, mind numbing sexual exploits and classic romance plot twists. http://reelbrief.com/?p=1426

Does 'Guardians of the Galaxy' deserve to be on Best Picture list? http://reelbrief.com/?p=1306

From "The Theory of Everything"... "Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) portrays the brainiac Hawking and gives the strongest lead acting performance I've seen in years. Diagnosed with a form of ALS in the early 1960s at the age of 21, Hawking struggled with his debilitating disease as he pursued his Ph.D. and future wife, Jane, at the University of Cambridge. Redmayne convincingly showcases Hawking's physical limitations as the film ventures into theories on space-time continuums and relativity. Redmayne's physical transformation and slowed speech easily dwarfs Dustin Hoffman's autistic, Academy Award-winning gem in 1988's Rain Man." http://reelbrief.com/?p=1284

Highly recommend 'Birdman'... "Together, Keaton and Norton give movie audiences a volatile mix of personalities so convincingly testy that viewers will be left cringing at times and shaking their heads..." http://reelbrief.com/?p=1222

Here's an update. . . http://reelbrief.com/?p=1144

"Interstellar" moves at a speed and distance that doesn't afford us, the moviegoers, the time to get complete answers along this fascinating journey. With such vast space to cover in the film, Nolan must play loose with the math and science equations, staying focussed instead on the many threats facing the talented cast. After all, the stakes are high; Earth is becoming uninhabitable and another planet must be found…right now. Like a rock skipped across the smooth waters of a lake, Nolan couldn't slow down to fully explain the mathematics of gravity, Einstein's theory of relativity, or how space travel was possible from a Midwestern farm to deep inside a wormhole. That deceleration would've halted the 3-time Oscar nominated director's story and sank this movie..." http://reelbrief.com/?p=1201

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a good creeper in "Nightcrawler". http://reelbrief.com/?p=1158

Looks like the added 40 pounds to Cooper was good intel. http://reelbrief.com/?p=953

More on 'Lone Survivor'; "Exceptional cinematography and editing give moviegoers a feeling of isolation, despair, and perhaps even the sense of dirt in their shoes. With every jarring injury and wound, viewers will find themselves in theaters ducking bullets and squeezing armrests." http://m.explorernews.com/livenup/article_e8595c0e-7da5-11e3-8400-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm

There are more pictures out there, and recent ones. He's a tall Dude. I think he passes the Mark I Eyeball Test and presents to the public an image of a middle-aged, acceptable appearance (I'd even say better than average for an American)--illustrating how poor of an evaluation the waist measurement is for people of taller heights. Waist measurement advocates say they need this to determine which service members are of risk to heart disease and other problems due to their >39" abdomens--but if "risk" to future health is cause for a PT failure the same could be said of smokers. Our PT assessment has become more important than leadership attributes, job knowledge and communication skills--which is crazy.

Looks like our CSAF--and I don't mean that in a harsh way. There are much worse out there. Wonder if he had multiple failures?

And now cannibalism.

You need to read closer and pay attention to the quotation marks in my post... I was quoting POTUS (who even I think you'll agree is a CIVILIAN) and yes, they do mix up the terminology--just like I addressed. And my description of op's location is true. Concur, Rainman.

I think the WH and Pentagon should have kept this operation mum until AQ chatter caught up with the fact that UBL was dead. And, as for Pakistan, I would love to know in 20/20 hindsight if they would have ever opened their rusty sheriff's badge to tell the world they were hiding him for years. And at the time of our nation's choosing, have the President come out and say that "On May 2nd, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. special forces east of Kabul near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. No Americans were injured or killed in the operation. Our nation will forever be grateful to all the men and women who defend our freedoms." Period. And never discuss it again. No political lies told. No informants found. No TTPs leaked. No books written.

There are two story lines being told; one--from someone who was there--that the hallway shots hit their mark and left UBL laying on the floor and getting additional rounds. Two--from weak-kneed, civilians, who've never had to run towards gunfire--changing the story to a more ROE-friendly, easier to sell, self-defense fabrication. As we saw on several occasions in Iraq, civilians and politicians want to Miranda terrorists, provide them with U.S. courtrooms and will second-guess our warriors on the battlefield based upon a few seconds of videotape or misleading testimony from untrustworthy witnesses..all with no understanding of the timeliness of decisions nor expertise in our adversary that our guys have. I have no doubt that this author's version is 100% correct on how the raid went down and that others hearing it decided to change the story to avoid second-guessing from arm chair, MSNBC viewers.

It will be found that the crew was doing and talking about anything and everything except flying, instruments, and VID until it was was too late. All these comments about which instrument set-up (if even used) is giving them too much credit. There will be chatter in the cockpit (flight deck...forgive me, I'm old school) with checklists and briefings abbreviated because of previously said chatter and people not doing their jobs. This crew will survive with their wings. Crew Q3s and loss of aircraft commander and instructor quals. Cancelled or terminated upgrades for minimum of 18-months. Sit on the bench for a few weeks while giving safety briefings and "There I was" recaps. Additional training sorties (sims) and re-check with DOV's chief at appropriate time. As for the squadron/wing/base...a hard look into crew make-up, any previous history or poor decision-making by those on crew (2nd or 3rd strikes could be FEB) and were all of them current/qualified/crew rested. The units and leadership can get a ton of scrutiny, particularly if there's any history of poor aircrew discipline or perception of it. I imagine General Mattis--like all the others--were shocked at how close the C-17 came to a rest at the end of the runway. He probably understood the gravity of situation, however, having seen his share of truely grave situations and casualties probably didn't get into it with the crew before departing to McDill by vehicle. Despite how awful those crewmembers felt and continue to feel about their mistake and ramifications on their flying future, they need to step back and appreciate that they didn't kill someone, themselves and still are here today.

My ex-wife dropped the divorce on me at the 17-year Air Force point...I got custody of our kids and she gets no part of my AF retirements. A few things to consider: 1. Mediation is good. However, the attorney NEEDS to represent one of you "officially", so I'd find the lawyer for mediation and bring her in. Mediation is good start because it attempts to keep things civil initially and that what you need from her to keep your retirement. 2. Give her 70/30 on any equity of home and split IRAs/bonds/savings etc., 50/50. By giving her 70/30 on the home make move for sole custody of your retirement...home is chump change compared to 1/2 of your retirement (if applies). 3. Move all household goods to your next location of PCS. She has option to get her stuff beforehand or will be forced on her own dime to go to your next location and collect stuff there (Court ordered this). 4. Let your supervisors and leadership know what's up. Seek out counseling from Military One if necessary and leadership will fully support (I'd let first O-6 in your chain know--that level gives you top cover from bad deal TDYs until you're ready again). Just be open and honest with leadership on your mental status. 5. Your attorney (even in mediation) will have her sign over all her rights to your retirement. Judge received this and sent message back via attorney, making her sign a 2nd time acknowledging she what she was giving up. She signed again. (thank God!). 6. Most (yes MOST) states are now giving military members (and Dads) rights on divorce preceedings and custody. I was in the highest ops tempo unit in the AF (brought up in Court by wife's attorney for child custody fight) and Judge (female) looked at me and her and gave me cusody of our 3 kids. 7. Look for attorney's who are JAGs in Reserves or have spent time in the Service. They know the newest laws that protect Servicemembers while deployed, about to deploy on divorce, legal issues and child custody, etc. Best of luck!

I have cool stuff. And Batgirl. Life is good.

I bet she's doing her nervous walk. Always did when things she couldn't control came into her life. I still picture her with a cheek-full of chaw and throwing back a beer at the same time. Crazy shit. Good Guys won this round, we'll see in a few months if we give back some territory. In the meantime, I bet she's having a meltdown like that old answering machine message from years ago...screaming rant, expletives, which ends in a tearful, dolorous, blubbering loss of wingman cry for retribution on others.

Look for the Chunker to take credit.