Controversial 'Sniper' tops US box office for second week

Controversial 'Sniper' tops US box office for second week

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 felt was 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. 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. Fifth place went to action sequel "Taken 3" starring Liam Neeson in his third stint as retired spy Bryan Mills, with $7.6 million in ticket sales.