American Sniper

American Sniper is the highest-grossing war film in American history, and Bradley Cooper’s transformation into Chris Kyle — the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with 160 confirmed kills — is one of the great physical performances of the decade. Cooper gained 40 pounds of muscle and adopted a Texas accent so convincing that Kyle’s own family was reportedly shaken. Clint Eastwood’s direction is characteristically restrained, letting the tension of each rooftop shot build naturally. The recurring sniper duel with an enemy marksman provides a through-line across four tours, and the depiction of PTSD’s toll on Kyle’s marriage gives the film emotional depth beyond its combat sequences.