Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" Hits a Nerve

Across Middle America this weekend, audiences gave American Sniper a bigger audience than Avatar, which set the previous record. Hollywood has nominated it for six Oscars. But, the New Yorker magazine says Clint Eastwood’s new film is both pro-war and anti-war— and the Twitter debate is raging.

American Sniper is a bio-pic about Chris Kyle, the late Navy SEAL who racked up more kills than any other American sharp-shooter — only to be shot to death himself by another veteran. Played by Bradley Cooper, he’s a hero whose success takes a toll on his own psyche.

Matt Beloni is Executive Editor at the Hollywood Reporter.