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Jason Lee: I agree with what most everyone has said: this really helps Eastwood in his hopes for an acting nod but the Best Pic roster seems set. Course, I woulda never predicted Seabiscuit or The Green Mile would have gotten nods, so stranger things have happened.

David Mumpower: I too agree with the group-think here. Eastwood has a better chance of getting a nod now than he did three days ago, but I thought he was already better than 50/50 last Thursday. In terms of the movie itself, what we all seem to be saying is that Gran Torino probably will not get a nod. If it surprises us all and does so, this spectacular box office performance would be the rationale, but it's definitively a better candidate for Best Actor than Best Picture.

Money or accolades? Money or accolades? Aw, why can't I have both?

Kim Hollis: Do you feel at this stage of Clint Eastwood's career that he is more satisfied with critically lauded releases or box office blockbusters?

Brandon Scott: I don't think he cares much. I think he cares about storytelling and he has the right sensibilities as a director to tap into themes that are universal. He doesn't have the Midas touch (see Changeling), but he does have a generally good eye. The allowance/desire of his casting the virgin Hmong actors in Torino is unforgivable. That is the real Unforgiven in my book. I am shocked that he let this happen. Shocked.

Daron Aldridge: True, Brandon, I don't think Eastwood gives a rip what the films do. He just does the movies he wants to do. I doubt that any movie released with his name on it wouldn't be completed without his 100% satisfaction. All the rest, whether awards or money, is just gravy. People will always give him money to make movies, if for no other reason than that he is Clint Eastwood.





Jamie Ruccio: I agree with the previous statements in one part - I don't think Clint Eastwood much cares. He's been a box office smash. He's been lauded with awards for awhile now. I think he's a creative force at the end of his life who enjoys making the films and working on the projects he likes. The fact that he's so accomplished at it is a gift.

I completely disagree Daron that, "People will always give him money to make movies, if for no other reason than that he is Clint Eastwood." He's given many not because of his name but because of the long track record of success. Hollywood doesn't care in the least about a name. It's what that name translates into.

Sean Collier: Daron nailed it. I'm convinced Eastwood just makes the movies he wants to make - exactly as he wants to make them - and is happy just to have the power and respect to do what he wants now. This, to me, explains occasional bewildering choices.

Jason Lee: I agree with Daron, Sean and Brandon . . . though I will say that not giving a damn is a lot easier when every film you make wins itself some degree of critical acclaim.

David Mumpower: I'm going off the board here in my reply and disagreeing with all of you who have said Eastwood doesn't care about this weekend's performance. When a 78-year-old man has his biggest opening weekend ever, which is what has happened here with Gran Torino, that does matter. I don't care who the person is or how much they have accomplished in their long and storied career, even if we're talking about a guy like Eastwood who I have said before in this very column that I believe is in the discussion for greatest Hollywood career ever. When his Space Cowboys brought in $18.1 million in 2000, that news item was written by every entertainment journalist as the last hurrah of a screen icon. In the decade since, he's reached the pinnacle of his career in terms of box office and critical acclaim. Instead of being done, he was just getting warmed up. Capping off the critical success he's had in recent years with a $29.5 million opening is the type of hallmark achievement that even the best of the best would take a moment to savor. No one ever gets THAT jaded about their career.

Reagen Sulewski: I agree with David. My guess is that he cares more about an acting Oscar than the box office, but let's not kid ourselves here. I'd also point out that this kind of result could be enough to shake that "last acting role ever" business, too.

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