My Movie Reviews

Release Date: 28 January 2005
Time: 2 hr 12 min
Distributor:
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran boxing trainer who has devoted his life to the ring and has precious little to show for it; his daughter never answers his letters, and a fighter he's groomed into contender status has paid him back by signing with another manager, leaving Frankie high and dry. His best friend and faithful employee Eddie Dupris is a former fighter who Frankie trained. In his last fight, Eddie suffered a severe injury, a fact that brings Frankie great guilt. One day, Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) enters Frankie's life, as well as his gym, and announces she needs a trainer. Frankie regards her as a dubious prospect, and isn't afraid to tell her why: he doesn't think much of women boxing, she's too old at 31, she lacks experience, and has no technique. However, Maggie sees boxing as the one part of her life that gives her meaning and won't give up easily. Finally won over by her determination, Frankie takes on Maggie, and as she slowly grows into a viable fighter, an emotional bond develops between them. When a tragedy befalls one of the three characters, each comes to a decision that shows how the relationships in the film have changed them. Adapted from a short story by F.X. Toole, a former corner man with years of experience in the fight game, Million Dollar Baby also stars Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie, and Mike Colter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie was good but I felt like it was too long. By the end I was ready for it to be over. The film was depressing as well so that didn't help. I am not a big fan of boxing but this was a pretty inspirational story and I thought that Clint Eastwood gave an excellent performance. He made his character pretty believable and I really felt bad for him for never winning a championship.

Recommend: Kids won't enjoy it and you should only watch this if you are pretty awake and ready for the depressing story. The film is good.

Release Date: January 11, 2008
Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13 (Clean up Jack Nicholon's mouth and it would have been PG)
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman
Grade: B

Synopsis: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as two terminally ill cancer patients who decide to break out of the hospital and live their last days to the fullest in director Rob Reiner's seriocomic road movie. Edward Cole (Nicholson) is a corporate billionaire who is currently sharing a hospital room with blue-collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Freeman). Though initially the pair seems to have nothing in common, conversation gradually reveals that both men have a long list of goals they wish to accomplish before they kick the bucket, and an unrealized desire to discover what kind of men they really are. But one can't accomplish such lofty objectives from the confines of a hospital bed, so now, in order to live their lives to the absolute fullest, Edward and Carter will have to make a break for it. With a checklist that includes playing the poker tables in Monte Carlo, consuming copious amounts of caviar, racing the fastest machines on four wheels, and much more, these two terminally ill men will do their best to fit a lifetime of experience into their last remaining days while forging an unlikely, but truly remarkable, friendship. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: I enjoyed this film. Jack Nicholson is funny as always, and Morgan Freeman has his normal calming effect. The plot was a good idea, and the places they visit are great. The film felt a little slow at time, and it didn't always feel like it flowed. However, I loved one line in the film - "Find the joy in your life."

Recommend: This would be a good film for a date or if you are feeling bad about life for some reason or another. These two have a great time until the last day of their lives. It is an uplifting story even with the sad ending.