Review: The Blind Side February 6, 2010

I put off watching ‘The Blind Side‘ because, quite frankly, it seemed like a bunch of the same-old, same-old. Well, it is, but at least it is watchable.

It is not watchable because of Sandra Bullock’s leading role, but in spite of it. She does a good job with the part, but what’s with all these awards? Oh, I forgot, Hollywood is almost completely politics. Bullock has been around the (acting) block and made some decent movies. It’s time to award her career with an Oscar. Sorry, but I’ll be damned if I support that. The award should go to the best performance, and both Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep were in better and more challenging roles. Too bad Bullock was the only one in a crowd-pleaser.

But enough of Bullock. ‘The Blind Side’ is a moderately true story about a big, unfortunate black child who receives a home, an education, and some love from a wealthy Memphis family. Not surprisingly, the family that helps him is white. I suppose by now you will be aware of the movie and know that that child is Michael Oher, who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. It ruins a bit of the magic when you know how things will end up (this is why I’m rarely a supporter of biopics).

Carey Mulligan in ‘An Education’ January 10, 2010

Oscar season is quickly approaching. Having seen almost all of the nominees, I can now speak on some favorites to be nominated or to win. I will make official predictions once the list of nominees is revealed, but for now, Best Actress belongs to Carey Mulligan in ‘An Education’.

She gives a great performance in a good film (3.5/4 Stars). What is so special about her performance is that she has a sweet naivety when she is with David (Peter Sarsgaard), but among her peers something very interesting goes on: She is much more well-read and cultured than any of them, but they are still more mature in their life decisions. Jenny (Mulligan’s character) thinks she has it figured out, how to beat the system of work and boredom, but can a 16 year-old girl really have it all figured out? There are always angles to be missed. As we age we see pitfalls more clearly and can sidestep them in time, but for Jenny, she thinks she can just cruise along. Really, she’s floating, and has to fall eventually.

As I try to be vague and avoid spoilers, instead, check out a great FYC poster and the trailer after the cut.