The Daily Howler’s Bob Somerby has his list:
Finding Neverland. Could anyone makes a duller film bio?
The Aviator. Omigod! Somebody did!
Sideways. As Quinn observes, a classic male fantasy. Creates modern film’s most soulful character. Instantly drops her like a rock.
Million Dollar Baby. A well-wrought tone poem. But what’s up with Clint’s now-repetitive gloomy tone? Explanation: It’s all about Clint! At the end, he rides off silently into the west, the way the big stars always do. Mopping up for the final time, Morgan Freeman gives the closing narration.
Ray. We thought this film was loaded with merit, but a bit short of a Best Picture.
Two we thought were better:
Maria Full of Grace. The most fascinating study of manners and morals we have seen in quite a long time. And then, of course:
Hotel Rwanda. No, [it] isn’t great film art, something we especially noticed on second viewing. But the importance of Hotel Rwanda’s meditation dwarfs that of the five nominees combined. With most films, we find ourselves wondering why anyone bothered to make it. In the case of the dissed Hotel, no one is likely to ask.