Local Boy Clint Eastwood Scores Big at the Box Office with Gran Torino.

When you live in Carmel, you expect ex-Mayor and exemplary Carmelite Clint Eastwood to perpetually raise the bar with every new project. He, along with dazzling yet down-to-earth wife Dina. does it in our podunk paradise of a community with his generous financial and emotional support for worthy causes. He does it creatively in a myriad of intriguing ways, from his business acumen to jazz musicianship. And now, this weekend’s boffo box office set a new personal best at the North American box office on Sunday as ” Gran Torino “ raced to No. 1.

Hint: Oscar nomination ballots are due shortly.

The quirky drama, in which the 78-year-old actor/director plays a grumpy old man who takes on some neighborhood thugs Dirty Harry-style, earned $29 million during the three days beginning Friday, Warner Bros . Pictures said, beating out the Kate Hudson/Anne Hathaway bridezilla chick-flick Bride Wars.