by Frank Wilkins
What starts out feeling like a scrawny little run-of-the-mill sports movie with a wimpy title, actually goes the distance to end up as one of 2004's best films. Based on a short story, Rope Burns, from the collection of writings by author F.X. Toole, Million Dollar Baby is strong in nearly every respect. From Paul Haggis' screen adaptation, to Clint Eastwood's masterful direction, to the career performances of Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman and Eastwood himself, this film becomes an instant contender for Academy gold. If you go see one movie this year, make sure it's Million Dollar Baby. You won't be disappointed.....read more

by Lorna Magarian
As a female boxer, I have come to know through four years of training what is contained in "the heart" of a boxer.

As the movie's opening monologue suggests, the heart is about personal integrity, going past your limits, and earning respect. Unfortunately, Million Dollar Baby was only concerned with these attributes being played out by Hilary Swank's character, Maggie, leaving a very poor image of the other boxer's for speculation......read more