Caryn James in The New York Times:
And with “Million Dollar Baby” winning three of the four biggest prizes – best picture, Clint Eastwood’s for director and Ms. Swank’s for actress – the awards themselves hint at how happy Oscar voters are to linger in the past. The film may be about a woman boxer, but it is shaped by a pure retro sensibility. It’s a throwback not only to 30’s-era boxing movies but also to other Oscar-winning films about underdogs, like “Rocky.”
“Million Dollar Baby” is, essentially, “Rocky” with a tragic ending, the kind of familiar movie it is easy for the academy to embrace. … But in the future the enthusiasm for such an unoriginal film may seem as inflated as the Oscar for “Rocky” does now.
The most original film to gather a handful of nominations this year, “Sideways,” went the way of another fine, innovative movie, “Lost in Translation,” which in 2003 was also nominated for best director and best picture and, like “Sideways,” won only for its screenplay. The fate of “Sideways,” like the choice of Mr. Rock as host, says that the academy will let in a breath of fresh air, but quickly close the window before an actual breeze comes in.
Sideways is fresh air?! Sideways is original? How was it original?
Oh come on. Sideways was a great movie. It’s a chick flick for guys. You’re so insistent about not liking it. Maybe it shows you’re missing male friendship in your life or too much time on line – not enough drinking wine. Coco