Clint Eastwood has consistently been considered a “movie a year” actor since the 1950’s. However, over the last five years, Eastwood stepped behind the camera and tried his luck as a director. It appears that luck has not kept him waiting for too long, because his latest production, “Gran Torino”, crossed the finish line first at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday. The film is full of emotion, setting a new record for the busy 78-year-old actor and director by earning an impressive $29 million. At this point, Clint Eastwood remains one of the greatest angry actors of our time.

 

The Warner Bros. suburban drama, in which Eastwood plays a cynical Korean War vet who turned into a grumpy old man after his wife passed away. He takes on Hmong gang members on his attempt of reforming his next-door neighbor, an Asian teen who tries to steal his prized 1972 car. It was the star's biggest nationwide opening ever.

In spite of being praised by the critics, the film has been largely ignored this awards season so far, missing out on a Golden Globe with just one nomination for best original song.

His previous best opening weekend was science fiction comedy “Space Cowboys”, which earned him $18 million in 2000. He also played in “Dirty Harry” and “Million Dollar Baby.”

This week's second highest movie was “Bride Wars”, starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, with $21.5 million, closely followed by the modestly budgeted supernatural thriller “The Unborn”, with $21.1 million.