Eastwood Makes Gran Return

[Matt]

IMDB

In a finish that surprised for the length of its lead, Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino took the checkered flag in the race for the top spot at the weekend box office, earning an estimated $29 million. Many analysts had expected the film, which had already been playing for a month and had earned $11.1 million in limited release, to be the winner, but most had estimated that it would take in about $20 million. As it turned out, it was Eastwood's top earner ever in a film career that had its genesis in B movies 55 years ago. Three other films opening over the weekend also performed better than forecast. Bride Wars, which received mostly negative reviews, opened in second place with $21.5 million, edging out the supernatural thriller The Unborn with $21.1 million. (It reportedly cost only $16 million to make.) Not Easily Broken, the latest film aimed at churchgoers, also performed strongly, taking in $5.6 million at only 724 theaters.

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Media by Numbers:1. Gran Torino, $29 million; 2. Bride Wars, $21.5 million; 3. The Unborn, $21.1 million; 4. Marley & Me, $11.4 million; 5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, $9.4 million; 6. Bedtime Stories, $8.6 million; 7. Valkyrie, $6.7 million; 8. Yes Man, $6.2 million; 9. Not Easily Broken, $5.6 million; 10. Seven Pounds, $3.9 million.