Yes, of course nation states are still of importance, and will remain so for years to come. But there is a change, and major corporations do hold the ear of even the most powerful states. Like you say: The Chinese spy for their corporations, not the other way round.
When the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, the english crown did not lose all its power at once. However, it started something that developed into the monarchies of the modern day, in which the sovereign is more of a symbolic figure than an actual power.
Perhaps we are witnessing something similar in regards to nation states and corporations?
Oh, yes, Gran Torino was awesome. Talking of senior action heroes: I also enjoyed Liam Neeson in that action movie in which he played the spy father of an abducted girl. High paced and fun!