Million Dollar Baby: Oscar Speculation Thread

[ben shockley]

David Poland thinks about Rope Burns (or Million Dollar Baby...): As we can see on:

http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/poland/2004_oscar/040922.html

Nobody knows anything about the upcoming awards season, but this year people will look at Mr E.

Rope Burns (I'll also call it "Rope Burns" cause I hate the title "Million Dollar Baby") was mentioned several times at MovieCityNews Oscar-Charts:
Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress. 


(EDIT by Mod (Matt): Since we now know the title of the film is definitely going to be Million Dollar Baby and not Rope Burns, I've changed the title of this thread.)

(EDIT by Mod (KC): This thread was originally named for a MovieCityNews column. Since it has become our general Oscar speculation thread, I'm changing the title to reflect that.)

[KC]

Thanks, Ben ... haven't heard from you in a while! Here are Poland's comments:

Best Picture
Picture—Studio: Rope Burns—Warner Bros / Comment: Will Eastwood get out of the gate early for a run?

Best Director
Director—Film: Clint Eastwood—Rope Burns / Comment: A complete unknown as of now

Best Actress
Actress—Film: Hilary Swank—Rope Burns / Comment: Not even murmurs

Doesn't sound all that promising, but some mention is better than no mention, I suppose!

[GBU]

Don't forget,

Best Supporting Actor - Morgan Freeman - Rope Burns/ Comment: Coaching a girl onto boxing greatness

[KC]

Thanks, GBU! I overlooked that one in my haste this morning!  

[ben shockley]

David Poland - 20 Weeks to Oscar

http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/poland/2004_oscar/041014.html

Million Dollar Baby is seen as a complete mystery.
Mixed buzz for best picture.
But: Eastwood (the director) as a  Potential Golden Globe Alternate, Freeman as one of the Best Supporting Actor frontrunners, Swank as one of the Best Actress frontrunners.

[Gant]

Of course it's just a hunch..and I could be way off here.. But I see this movie as possibly having Best Actor Clint Eastwood oscar potential.... I've only read the short story but I think he might finally get it...

[vik]

wow based on the fact you ain't seen the film can he get best director to - which he missed out on last year to a hobbit

[ben shockley]

Kris Tapley (Oscarwatch.com) thinks about MDB:

"Also, the decision to release Clint Eastwood’s MILLION DOLLAR BABY (formerly ROPE BURNS) this year has given way to possible nods for Hilary Swank and co-star Morgan Freeman.  This race is a bit of a mess, but seemingly the Oscar winner’s chances are better than bad."


http://www.oscarwatch.com/Kris/oscarchart04.html

[GBU]

wow based on the fact you ain't seen the film can he get best director to - which he missed out on last year to a hobbit

Last year's Oscars pissed me off! It was LOTR fest. Mystic River was (in my opinion) a better DRAMA then LOTR. LOTR is more of a action than Drama. But at least this year, there are no more Orcs, or hobbits.

[Brendan]

Last year's Oscars pissed me off! It was LOTR fest. Mystic River was (in my opinion) a better DRAMA then LOTR. LOTR is more of a action than Drama. But at least this year, there are no more Orcs, or hobbits.

Oh my, here we go again.  

[Gant]

Point taken Vik.... I just thought that... from what I read in the short story that the character had Oscar potential.... more so than any of Clints more recent roles. Bloodwork/Space Cowboys etc..... I guess we'll just have to see what Clint makes of it. All the talk seems to be about Morgan and Swank anyway....

I would love to see him get that best actor oscar...

[jjgonski]

Well if nothing else, the release time works best for the Oscar nominations and Hilary Swank has proven that she's got the goods and Morgan Freeman is way overdue in my opinion.

[ben shockley]

And now Daniel Kenealy's early Oscar Predicitions:

Again Swank and Freeman. But where's The Clint?

http://www.oscarwatch.com/Articles/Daniel/

[GBHermosa]

Just wait til the academy sees this one.  Nobody has even seen a directors cut outside of the studios.  It is a very powerful tale.  I think it will surprise a few people.  Not at all what the websites are saying this movie is about.

[GBU]

I think this movie is going to be bigger than most people think.

[ben shockley]

I hope that the Academy will see this movie. And that it will be a powerful tale. I trust you, GBHermosa.

But there's the possibility that Warner's won't support the movie. They have already major contenders for the big Awards: Alexander, Phantom of the Opera and the part ownership of The Aviator. I don't think that there will be a huge Oscar-promotion for MDB. Warner's will do everything for the other movies, probably they'll forget (again) The Clint.

Don't forget the marketing of True Crime or Blood Work. Perhaps it's already too late for MDB to start a nice promotion to perform well at the box office or to become a real award-contender.

[GBHermosa]

You bring up good points.  However, the real launch of this movie won't be until 2005.  The December 15 date is just to make sure it gets Oscar consideration.  I actually spoke to some of the higher ups on this production and there is not even a final cut of the film yet.  So, they are working really hard, making sure that the final product is GREAT.  Also, the reason that this film was fast tracked was because the movie is SO good.  The execs at WB and at Lakeshore were so jazzed with the rough cut that they pushed it.  Don't forget that the Academy really owes Clint one.  Last year, he got schooled by a volume of great work in 3 years by the Hobbits.  But, it should have been his.  Now, with this work, he should walk away with a little statue without problem.  As always, this is just my $0.02.  But, the buzz within the biz is pretty high on this pic when one considers that none but the execs have seen any of the film.  There has not even been a super sneaky preview yet.

[jools34]

Hi everyone
Im new to this site.
Not sure if anyone has listed this anywhere, so here goes

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor – Clint Eastwood
Best Supporting Actor –Morgan Freeman
Best Actress – Hilary Swank
Best Score

 

In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (CLINT EASTWOOD) has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time - then Maggie Fitzgerald (HILARY SWANK) walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her. The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility - let alone that kind of risk - but won over by Maggie's sheer determination, he begrudgingly agrees to take her on. In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and they find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago. Yet, in the aftermath of a crucial bout, they both face a battle that will demand more heart and courage than any they've ever known. Million Dollar Baby stars Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. Produced by Clint Eastwood, Al S. Ruddy, Tom Rosenberg and Paul Haggis. Directed by
Clint Eastwood. Running time 100 minutes

http://warnerbros2004.warnerbros.com/million_dollar_baby.html

[AKA23]

Thanks Jools. It appears as if Warners is going all out on this one. That's pretty cool. I was a bit surprised to see that they're even going for Best Score. The 100 minute running time is repeated again here, so I think it's ashame that the movie  is going to be so short. I wonder if that's a function of so little production time, or whether or not that's just the way it worked out being adapted from a couple of short stories. I could be mistaken, but that just might be Clint's shortest film ever. It's definitely one of them. It's a bit of a disappointment, I think. One of the things that I really like about Eastwood's films is that he usually leaves a lot of time to develop the story and doesn't rush things. You really have ample time to get to know the characters and their motivations and feel as if you are really acquainted with these characters in the film as individuals.  

[Matt]

I've read some negative comments about the 100 minute running time here and in other threads. If this is what the running time winds up actually being, I'm not bothered by that at all. If the film is 100 minutes, that's because Clint feels the story is best told in 100 minutes, and not 99 and not 101 or more. Also, keep in mind that the most "important" film that Clint ever made, and one of his very best, Dirty Harry was only 102 minutes long. It never felt too short to me.

I see that there's a link inside the site that Jools linked us to that lists the first screenings in major cities for Million Dollar Baby. Looks like many of our members can see it in less than a month!

Million Dollar Baby Screening Dates