Fighting the good fight

Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman; in theaters now)

Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) wants to be a boxer. Only problem is, she's too old. And she never has received any formal training. And, oh yeah--she's a girl. But she talks Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) into being her trainer and embarks on an improbable ascent to the championship bout Million Dollar Baby, nominated for seven Academy Awards, isn't only about boxing. It's about "the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you." It's about how sometimes, when your biological family lets you down, you have to create a different kind of family. Showcase your sensitive side, and bring the girl you're dying to impress--just don't forget the Kleenex. You'll need it.

Cinderella Man (Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger; release date June 3)

At last, a sports movie for the intelligent fan. With three Oscar winners on board (Crowe, Zellweger and director Ron Howard), what else would you expect? Cinderella Man is inspired by the true story of Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock (Crowe), who is forced to give up boxing for a string of dead-end jobs in order to provide for his wife (Zellweger) and three sons. He dreams of a second chance in the ring--and gets one. Despite long odds and injured hands, he makes the most of his opportunity and inspires a nation. Backed by swelling, feel-good instrumentals, the trailer sums up the film with this little gem: "When America was on its knees ... he brought us to our feet." All together now ... awwww.

Glory Road (Josh Lucas; release date TBD)

Ben Affleck originally was tapped to play Hall of Fame basketball coach Don Haskins, but Affleck bowed out because of scheduling conflicts. Stepping in is Lucas, best known for dating Salma Hayek and for being the cutie who won Reese Witherspoon's heart in Sweet Home Alabama. Because that's probably not enough to get you into the theater, how about this: Glory Road is the tale of the 1966 NCAA championship Texas Western team, the first squad to feature an all-black starting five. In other words, it has inspirational written all over it.

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