Irish, Million Dollar Baby is better IMO. Eastwood deserved his nomination for acting as well. While MR had an overlong end, MDB doesn't. The direction is also better, especially with the lighting, most notably in that scene in the car. The script itself is very good and packs a punch of emotion while generally staying away from cliches, with the exception of that horrible character "Danger." I think Unforgiven is better then both.

Mystic River - ***1/2
Million Dollar BAby - ****

Le Samouraï - (Jean-Pierre Melville;1967;France/Italy) - ****
A perfectionist hitman leaves several witnesses on his next job, and is pursued by police and his employers.
Definitely one of the best thrillers ever. A simple plot is elevated through excellent direction and visuals from Melville. The score, which is at times Jazzy and pulsating also adds to the feel of the film, along with the grays and blues in the palette. Alain Delon plays his icy role, in what may be the best portrayal of a hitman character.
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