'Gran Torino' not only 'made Clint Eastwood's day', it has also made his weekend, giving him the best movie opening of his long and noteworthy career. With 'Gran Torino', the sun shone warm on the winter box office, as in the first weekend of its release, Eastwood's film made $29-million in ticket sales, topping the $18-million his 'Space Cowboys' raked in, in 2000.

Eastwood, 78, who not only directed the film, but also plays a disgruntled Korean war veteran turned reformer / protector in 'Gran Torino', says this is his last performance onscreen, despite the fact The National Board of Review rated his performance, as the best for an actor in 2008. As well, his song of the same name as the film, won a Golden Globe nomination at Sunday's awards ceremony.

Remarkable for someone at this stage of his career, Eastwood's film managed to steal the (box-office) bouquet from 'Bride Wars', a wedding comedy about bride wars starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, which came in second, closely followed by horror film 'The Unborn' in third place.

Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson's 'Marley & Me', family dog tale that was box office No. 1 for two consecutive weekends, now stands at No. 4.

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' continues to do well in the third week of its release, almost hitting a century with $94-million.

Building momentum as the Oscars near, 'Milk', 'Revolutionary Road' and 'The Wrestler', continue to do well, as does Daniel Craig starrer 'Defiance', a tale of Jewish brothers and their band of freedom fighters, against the Nazis in Eastern Europe, including underdog film 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

'Not Easily Broken', a faith-based drama is the only other newcomer this weekend to make it to the Top 10.

Among the Top Ten are:
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).