Medium level "American Sniper" spoilers below guys 
American Sniper (2014) - Not really a big fan of Clint Eastwood when he's in directors chair. Can't really explain myself why I didn't like this film, I just didn't. It felt a bit "scattered" story-wise because at first it portrays Chris as a cowboy and then he sees an act of terrorism on TV and just heads straight to the army (to be honest,I thought that scene was pathetic..). Is that related? Being a cowboy and a patriot? Well, lets say it is, I don't really know much about American culture. Lets say it's a patriotic movie.
Then the story moves towards the family and conflict arises as to whether Chris should protect his country (being the best sniper) or should he look after his own nest? Yes, great conflict and I thought it was delivered quite well because film didn't choose sides. It portrayed war as a patriotic act when we see Chris saving his fellow soldiers and then at the same time it tried to show that family is suffering without a husband when we see his wife worrying about Chris being in the battlefield (even when he's home). Loved the scenes when Chris related drill noises or the dog playing to the war, great idea and the best part of the whole film for me perfectly illustrating how war leaves never healing scars in you. Could've been a little more subtle though.
But after building Chris as a tough soldier the film suddenly turns around and kind of tries to prove that family is more important. Chris rehabilitated himself, left war and started a normal family life - he did what about 1 hour back to the film he said he would never do. Where was that breaking point that made him change? And the very end was just even more puzzling. Seriously, I don't get this story.
There were other things that disturbed me - repetative "war-home-war" sequences, catching one specific bad guy kind of felt like they're trying to make it an action film now, Bradley Cooper's acting wasn't really that good (huge praise for the weight gain though!).
Just felt like the film was constantly drifting away.
Inherent Vice (2014) - went to see it not really hoping much as PTA never made an absolutely perfect film for my tastes (TWBB comes very close though) but I do like this director and I respect his different style and approach to films. What I also like about him is that his films are completely different yet he somehow manages to leave his signature in it.
Anyway, with no expectations ended up really enjoying the film, this is the type of movie where good story meets amazing culture recreation. This time it was 70s dope fiends with a bit of crime spice. I liked the story and the characters, loved the portrayal of the 70s. However, I did think it was a bit dragging and slow at some scenes and sometimes maybe just a little bit over the top.I read some reviews that people find the plot too complicated but I think that was the point of the film - to make everything so "wtf" not only plot but also music/costume/character wise so the viewer could kind of get into Doc's shoes and see the world the way he sees. Seriously, it's like watching a film when you're high except you're not.
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