Michael Moore and Seth Rogen were among those who commented on Clint Eastwood's new film American Sniper, which has stirred conversation about what defines a hero in America.

Rogen, who also caused controversy with his latest film The Interview, compared the movie to Quentin Tarantino's 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, which focused on a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers that planned to assassinate Nazi leaders during World War II.

"American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds," he tweeted Sunday.

Director Michael Moore was much more expressive about his views, calling snipers "cowards."

"My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse," he tweeted Sunday. "But if you're on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who've come 7K miles, you are not a sniper, u are brave, u are a neighbor."

Moore, known for his political documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, later said his tweets weren't in reference to the film starring Bradley Cooper. In a lengthy Facebook post he wrote that he simply explained what he was raised to believe about snipers. He went on to praise Cooper's performance and pointed out that there is an "anti-war sentiment" in the film.

"I think most Americans don't think snipers are heroes," he added. "Hopefully not on this weekend when we remember that man in Memphis, Tennessee, who was killed by a sniper's bullet."

American Sniper is based on the real-life story of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle who served in Afghanistan and became known as one of the most skillful snipers in American military history. The movie is nominated for six Academy Awards, including best actor. It's also soared in the box office bringing in more than $90 million in its opening weekend.

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