February 23, 2005
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WEDNESDAY MOVIEMillion Dollar Baby
I saw both this film and Hotel Rwanda this week, but I chose this one this morning to review because it will probably win Best Picture Sunday night. I’ll get to Hotel Rwanda next week. I’m not a boxing fan – serial killers and assassins yes, boxing no – because bludgeoning people’s faces just doesn’t do it for me. And you see just as much of that in this movie as any men’s boxing flick. If you can just get around that and the very tragic ending (sorry at least I’m not giving details), you’ve got a stunning experience ahead of you. It’s really a character study, not an action tale. Hilary Swank did a serious beef-up physically for the role and the contrast between her psychological vulnerability and the tank who charges straight into her opponents is dramatic. Eastwood is like one of those scarred-barked trees that keeps growing older and stronger and closer to the sky. His repartee with Morgan Freeman, his boxing manager sidekick, is delightful. It’s hard to recall he was once Rowdy Yates, young and fine on a TV horse. All together the ensemble tells a story of deep love between two lonely people – well three I guess. I’m glad I went – boxing fan or no.
Deep Thought: “As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.”
Today I am grateful for: Running water.
Guess the Movie: “Well I ain’t sorry for you no more, ya crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!” Answer: The African Queen, 1951.
Winner: strawberry14.
Americans and Rebels Begin Talks on Timetable for Withdrawal from Iraq
by Patrick Cockburn
American officials are talking to negotiators from the anti-US resistance in Iraq, whom they have denounced in the past as foreign fighters and remnants of Saddam Hussein’s regime. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 8:52 pm
+ = Spring in February!
- = Where is Howard Dean?
Comments (15)
I need to get to the movies, or at least to Blockbuster. I’m fully a year behind on “Best Pictures”
Humm I have good things about it, but not having any interest in boxing I haven’t yet been motivated to watch it, maybe I’ll rent it when it comes out..
I’m thinking “African Queen”…sounds a lot like Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn….
Yuppers!
Yeppers you can’t judge a movie by its trailer. I didn’t see the movie (MDB) but a newspaper columnist gave away the story in his article.
RYC: You are so right, I forgot about my own uncle. Perception is funny that way.
Glad to know someone else remembers Rowdy Yates! Forty plus years ago I thought he was gorgeous! I’m not particularly nuts about Eastwood’s middle years, but his maturing has brought an intelligent diversity to his work it seems.
Most of the critics are giving this one thumbs-up. Thanks for the critique!!
They do say that Eastwood will get a oscar for this film so it must be worth going to see . Your description does the film a great justice I will remember to watch it once is released here
I absolutely Adore Clint Eastwood….I can’t wait to go see this movie….I had no idea that was Bogart and Hepburn line! Loved that movie….great post and review….have a great day…’til the next
I like Eastwood and Freeman, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to see a movie about boxing. Well…I don’t go to the movies anyway, so I guess that last comment doesn’t really matter.
What’s the controversial scene that happens towards the end of the movie? I don’t plan on seeing it, so tell me! I can’t find it anywhere, but they talk about it on t.v. a lot – but not what it is…..
P.S. Do you think with all this weather we skipped our rainy season? Crazy stuff huh?
I have seen neither film. I will probably wait until they come out on DVD later this year. I am a couple of years behind. Have a great day.
Hillary Swank rocks. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie!
Ugh… so many people saying they’re not going to see this movie. It’s NOT a boxing movie… yes, there is boxing in it, but there is also dialogue, relationships, humor and tragedy! GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
I think Eastwood will win best director and Million Dollar Baby will in best picture. Hillary Swank will also win best actress as well as Morgan Freeman for best supporting actor. We’ll find out Sunday night just how right I am. I’ve disagreed with the academy a lot, though, so I guess I wouldn’t make bets on my predictions. I thought Daniel Day-Lewis was robbed for his work in Gangs of New York. That’s about the best acting I’ve ever seen… EVER.
And to round off the big categories, Jamie Foxxxxxxxxxx for best actor and I don’t have a clue for supporting actress. If I were to have to guess, I’d say Natalie Portman for her eyebrow raising work in Closer.