The Blind Side (2009)

So I watched Oscars last night, like so many people, I WTFed Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress in a Leading Role, but I did that without having actually seen The Blind Side . Until today, that is. It's a nice movie. Heartwarming, interesting, but also incredibly predictable and standard for its genre. Though it is based on a true story (they all are), it has a very distinct Lifetime movie quality to it. It's the story of a neglected (and large) black teenager (Quinton Aaron) with no where to go, who finds passion and purpose in football. He is taken in by the brazen and forceful Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) who helps him discover that he isn't as stupid as most adults and teachers think. He eventually becomes part of her family and goes on to do very well with that football thing. That said, Sandra Bullock's performance definitely fits the genre. Her Southern drawl is obnoxious and far from authentic sounding. Her delivery is nothing different from any other film she's made (maybe without the charming snort of Miss Congeniality). At the Oscars, Sandra seemed to realize that this performance was nothing amazing and would never have beaten out such power players as Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren. She even said during her acceptance speech, "Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"

In any case, The Blind Side is definitely a film you can pass up, but if you're looking for something heartwarming and family friendly and Blockbuster is all out of copies of Up, go ahead and watch The Blind Side. Just know what you're getting.

Writing: 7/10
Acting: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Visuals: 6/10