US- Controversial 'Sniper' tops BO for 2nd week

(MENAFN- Arab News) LOS ANGELES: Clint Eastwood's mega-hit 'American Sniper' was the top film at North American movie houses for a second week despite controversy over what some feel is a jingoistic message and graphic violence.The war drama based on the true story of Iraq War Navy SEAL Chris Kyle earned $64.4 million this weekend industry estimates showed after last weekend's massive haul of nearly $90 million a record January opening.Nearly half of all movie tickets sold over the weekend were for 'American Sniper' and all told the film has so far earned more than $200 million since its release giving it bona fide blockbuster status.But critics say it glorifies violence and has led to an uptick in anti-Muslim sentiment.The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said Muslims are facing increased threats in the United States after the release of the movie 'American Sniper' because of the way it portrays Arabs and Muslims.The group said it notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after receiving hundreds of violent messages.Among other US films this weekend second place went to 'The Boy Next Door' a steamy thriller starring pop music diva Jennifer Lopez as a divorcee who has a midlife-crisis affair with a handsome neighbor barely out of his teens. It earned $15 million according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.'Paddington' a big screen adaptation of the family classic about a bear lost in the big city took third spot with $12.4 million in ticket sales.