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But with a lawn.

David Mumpower: What surprises me about this result is that Gran Torino performed like a de facto action movie, the last great Dirty Harry movie as it were. The one aspect of this I find relevant for us moving forward is that it reinforces the idea that consistently making good films galvanizes consumers who may otherwise be on the fence about a project. Eastwood's last five years have been among the best any Hollywood talent has ever had in terms of critical acclaim and a return to his roots was the perfect capper. I am deeply impressed with what we have seen this weekend with Gran Torino.

Let someone else win some awards, big guy!

Kim Hollis: Do you feel that Gran Torino's performance this weekend will have an impact on Academy Awards nominations?

Brandon Scott: Perhaps not. The only thing with any real hope is his acting performance. The movie certainly doesn't deserve that sort of acclaim. But awards shows are so completely biased anyway, they are losing value and importance in reputation by the year.





Daron Aldridge: I agree with Brandon to a point - that Eastwood's acting will be the best chance at a potential nomination and that best picture just seems like a pipe dream. I will not be surprised if he gets the nod and the award in lieu of a lifetime achievement. This would disappoint me because I really would like to see Mickey Rourke get the trophy for The Wrestler, if he gets nominated.

Eric Hughes: The surprise opening weekend take will put this movie on more people's radars, but not the Academy's (save for a possible acting nom for Clint). As Brandon said in an earlier question, the acting in this thing - except Clint - is so completely terrible. You don't want to call too much attention to this point because all the Hmong actors are first-timers, but come on.

Jim Van Nest: I fully expect to see Clint get an acting nod this year. The thought process is that this might be his last shot. The only thing I wonder is how his director/producer wins would affect this. It's not like he's never WON an Oscar before. In fact, he has four.

Sean Collier: I think some voters may be swayed, but you're on to something, Jim - it's not like he needs an Oscar. In the face of Mickey Rourke's performance and seemingly clear path to the win, Clint might get a token nomination, but they're not going to rob Rourke just to make Eastwood's mantle 20% shinier.

Jamie Ruccio: It's unfortunate but I think don't think Gran Torino's performance this weekend will alter its Oscar chances. I think the slate of movies is set. It's unfortunate because I disagree and in fact think it's a wonderful film. The much maligned performances are of the supporting cast are raw but not distracting. It's Clint Eastwood living out on set one of the very themes in the movie. It manages to take a very common story and infuse it with something special and endearing in the way that many Eastwood-helmed movies do. It won't get the award acclaim to match its critical and box office success, but it should.

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