in-theatre review: "Million Dollar Baby"
A+
I knew this would happen. "Million Dollar Baby" knocked "Sideways"
from my number-one spot with a brutal left hook -- and I'm not mad about
it at all. It's that amazing, with the rare feel of a film that is
already a classic.
The plot may sound familiar or even clich+â-¬d: Hilary Swank is Maggie
Fitzgerald, a waitress in her early thirties who is determined to be a
boxer. She's equally determined to have gym-owner Frank Dunn (Clint
Eastwood) train her. Dunn, a troubled character with an estranged
daughter, refuses to train her.
Gym manager and former fighter Eddie Dupris (Morgan Freeman) gives
her a few pointers and encouragement and manages to gently maneuver
Dunn into training Fitzgerald. Determined to succeed at something -- everyone in her trailer park family has failed to accomplish anything -- she begins rising in the boxing world.
And that's all the plot you're going to get. Consider the ignorance a
gift. Do not read any other reviews and stay the hell away from the
stupid political debate manufactured by sadistic, opportunistic,
plot-spoilers Michael Medved and Rush Limbaugh. Just go see this
movie.
Fake controversy aside, what's truly shocking is that Eastwood had to
struggle to get funding for this $25 million movie. How Eastwood could
show up with this script and the studio execs say, "We don't think
boxing movies are very popular right now" is both hilarious and
depressing. As Eastwood said, this is not a "boxing movie." I have no
interest in boxing or sports but I passionately love this film and
long to see it again. To call the film a "boxing movie" is like
describing "The Aviator" as "an airplane movie" or "Sideways" as "a
wine movie." What kind of moron would do that? Apparently, the kind
that runs Hollywood studios.
"Baby" deserves to sweep the Oscars. All three actors -- Swank,
Eastwood, and Freeman -- should win. Each scene with Freeman and
Eastwood, two of the 20th century's greatest actors, is a joy to
behold. Their chemistry in this movie is unparalleled by any film this year.
One glaring omission in the nominations "Baby" received is in
cinematography. The film's manipulation of light and the beautiful
photography it achieves is particularly noticeable. The paintings of
light and darkness that Eastwood and his director of photography, Tom
Stern, created are stunning -- and perfectly appropriate for the film.
Contrary to the right-wing pundits' simpleminded assault on the film
(which is ironic, considering Eastwood is a well-known Hollywood
Republican), a deep spirituality pervades the film, floating in the
background of the characters' struggles and decisions. It's also the
kind of spirituality in cinema that's the most difficult to do -- that
which is implicit instead of explicit.
Perhaps it's that kind of depth and complexity that scared away the
Hollywood financiers. Lucky for us, Eastwood knew when he had
something special.
"You Must Buy This DVD Right Now" DVD review: "Disinformation: The
Complete Series"
This was the most important DVD I purchased in 2004 because it
introduced me to a host of wild new ideas. The two-disc set is
essentially an eight-hour counterculture education. The first disc
collects the four episodes of the "Disinformation" TV series -- a bizarre
newsmagazine that features unique artists, on-the-edge scientists,
perverse conspiracy theories and peeks into sexual subcultures. Each
episode also features a schizophrenic rant from comedian Brother
Theodore and a clip from "Uncle Goddamn," the so-called "Citizen
Kane" of white trash torture home video."
The second disc includes such speakers from the "Disinfo.Con 2000" as
media theorist Douglas Rushkoff, comic writer and chaos magician Grant
Morrison, author and philosopher Robert Anton Wilson, Marilyn Manson,
Aleister Crowley-disciple Kenneth Anger and eccentric artist Joe
Coleman. The girls of the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black also
perform "The Wall of Vagina."
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