I finally saw Million Dollar Baby. WOW!!! ***spoiler***

[Beaverhausen]

So glad the plot twist has not been advertised and I had somehow missed what the controversy was.

Eastwood is really becoming a master filmmaker. It is shot beautifully and the acting is beyond good. He can really tell a story.

so sad though...at least I had been warned.

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. At least you were warned

When I saw it, I had no clue what was going to happen. I went through all the napkins I had and had to start using my sleeve. Cried so hard I could barely breathe.

I agree about Clint becoming a master filmmaker. I'd like to see him take the director Oscar this weekend, but I think they're finally going to break down and give it to Marty. I do hope that MDB takes best picture because it is the best out of those five choices. Don't argue with me people, I've seen just about everything nominated this year :P

[Kire]

2. i've seen absolutely everything nominated..

...for best picture, and you're right! MDB should win.

[progmom]

9. You described my reaction to a 'T'

I haven't sobbed like that at a movie since Philadelphia.

[SCDem]

12. Same reaction

in fact it kept with me after the film was over and I was driving home. I kept balling my eyes out. But the movie made me think of how i had to be a fighter in personal things going on in my life now and then how the character said that most people can't say that they had achieved there greatest desires and successes and can leave the world proud. And then I thought about that and how if I had to leave I could imagine saying the same because of certain accomplishments and then that made me ball even more. I thought it was a great movie and I went into watch it with a chip on my shoulder because there was so much talk about Million Dollar Baby and not Eternal Sunshine. I came out a true believer I thought MDB was great.

[LisaM]

3. I thought the movie was a big disappointment

I didn't care for it, the dialogue was horrible, and some parts at the end didn't make sense. Plus her family was cartoonishly portrayed.

I have only seen one other nominated movie ("Sideways") which I liked immeasurably more. The other movies nominated were all biopics!

[hollywood926]

8. Cartoonishly portrayed?

Have you ever been to West Virginia/Kentucky/Southeastern Ohio? Sadly, that was very accurate and close to many members of my own family.

They may as well have had "Bush voters" written on their t-shirts.

[LisaM]

11. Not so much what they looked like...

but as a vehicle to move along the plot, they didn't ring true with me.

[LynneSin]

4. I just changed my best supporting actor pick to Morgan Freeman

I think he's long overdue. One of the most talented hardworking actors who actually helped teach me to read (he was Mr. Reader on the Electric Company)

[RubyDuby in GA]

5. I think Morgan Freeman will be getting it too

My only up in the air category at the moment is Supporting Actress.
Either Cate Blanchett (whom I love and she was totally robbed for Elizabeth by Gwyneth) or Natalie Portman. What do you guys think?

[Calico Jack Rackham]

6. Wasn't Morgan Freeman

known as "Easy Reader" on the Electric Company?

[xmas74]

7. Yes he was.

I miss Electric Company.

[hollywood926]

10. He played several different characters on the Electric Company eom

[Shredr]

13. "Becoming"?

I agree with what you're saying... but UNFORGIVEN is, IMHO, one of the best films, certainly one of the best Westerns, of all times. Along with MYSTIC RIVER, THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES, BIRD, just to name a few, to say Eastwood is "becoming" a master filmmaker is a bit of an understatement.

[Lindsey]

14. I think it will win several awards including Best Picture...

I've seen every movie that's nominated in every major category(including all of the actors, supporting too)and I have to say that I really loved them all (IMHO it was a good year) MDB was about so much more than what happens to her at the end. It's a story of the human spirit and what she did to make her dream come true. The ending was completely true to the characters (Roger Ebert has a great piece about this as he chose this film as his #1 for the year). As far as the family being over the top - you haven't been to some of the midwest/southern states. That's EXACTLY how some people are - I can say that because I'm originally from the south. The truth is, I won't be disappointed no matter who wins (for best film) because I thought they were all very special in their own way. I saw closer only because of the nonimations of Clive Owens and Natalie Portman (both incredible) However, I've never been a hugh Jude Law fan and I thought HIS performance was phenominal. All in all, a really good year.