The Blind Side

[Bourne101]

http://l.yimg.com/k/omg/us/img/c0/83/3901_8701816769.jpg?y=660&x=616&q=75&n=0&sig=izximgPKWkl.RmGZryZHeQ--

Directed by John Lee Hancock

Written by John Lee Hancock

Genre: Drama

Plot Outline: Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, is taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head

Rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

Runtime: 126 minutes

Looks generic as hell.

[ericdraven]

"Based On A True Story"

yeah, and some hollywood distortion

[BakeTheMooCow]

The only reason I'd watch this sometime down the road is for the comedic factor in seeing Sandra Bullock as a nice white lady (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVF-nirSq5s) with a Southern drawl. But for multiplex prices? lol no.

[screamer581]

I vomit in my mouth a little every time I see the tv spots for this.

[ilovemovies]

It looks sappy with a capital SAPPY!

[Monotreme]

This looks like crap, but I actually read a review praising Bullock's performance and even going as far as claiming that it might bring her her first Academy Award nomination. Might have been hyperbole, though, and I don't remember who wrote it, but in general, this looks like generic, "inspirational", manipulative Hollywood schlock.

[echo_bravo]

The actual story of Michael Oher is pretty fascinating. His father was murdered and his mom was a crack addict. I am sure this film will be a toned down/more Disney type of film. I remember seeing a story about Oher before the 2009 draft. Now he's a millionaire playing in the NFL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Oher

I will probably wait to see it on DVD.

[anakinsrise]

I vomit in my mouth a little every time I see the tv spots for this.


I laugh at the t.v spots when they show all of the college recruiters/coaches
fascinated expressions when they see Michael Oher
Wait for it to hit the Disney channel

[rocknblues81]

Another cliche feel good football movie for the fat ass McDonald's eating population.

[Bourne101]

The Blind Side - 6/10

It was alright. Funny, moving and fairly well-acted film that was entertaining from start to finish. This is easily one of Sandra Bullock's best performances. Quinton Aaron is also great as Big Mike, and Jae Head often provides some great comic relief. There are some cliches of course, but for the most part the movie just tells the story as is, develops its characters well and does not try to be something its not, while also not sinking to the level of eye-roll inducing convention.

[bigred760]

I also really enjoyed it - moreso than I thought I would. I'm a sucker for sports movies, but this felt more like a character-driven movie than a sports flick. Sandra Bullock is suprisingly good (I don't know about Oscar-worthy good like the TV spots imply, but good) and the story is charming, uplifting, and a little tearjerking. I thought the characters, especially Sandra Bullock, Big Mike, and SJ, were able to drive the movie really well with either emotion, humor, or just plain personality. It seemed every moment in the movie was a lesson learned, either for the audience or the other characters in the movie. The football scenes were fun to watch and I liked how the ending showed the real life characters and how things turned out for them.

8/10

[darkface]

Another cliche feel good football movie for the fat ass McDonald's eating population.

How is this for the "fat ass McDonald's eating population"?

[bigred760]

Another cliche feel good football movie for the fat ass McDonald's eating population.

Even though the character is now a professional football player, him playing football is a small part of the movie and doesn't come into play until about halfway through the movie. The movie's more about the kid, the kid's past, and the family that brings him into their lives.

And like darkface said, I don't know why you're bringing audience's eating habits into the mix.

Don't knock it if you haven't seen it.

[JoeChar4321]

Agree with the praise. In fact, it's on my top ten list of the year.

8.5/10

Any movie that starts with the infamous LT destruction of Joe Theisman and ends with actual clips from the NFL draft has a lot going for it. Certainly not a pure football movie, this film delivers an emotional punch and a great message. I've read invalid criticism of this movie that tries to say that the main characters aren't fleshed out enough. I couldn't disagree more. When Sandra Bullock's character says, "I'm not changing him, he's changing me" you clearly see why. Experiencing life through Oher's eyes is like re-experiencing everything for the first time. You appreciate EVERYTHING and learn that there really are no "little things" in life. Simple things taken for granted like food and a bed are to be savored and never overlooked. This movie manages to remind us all of that while delivering great entertainment. The performances are outstanding. Sure, it's predictable and there are some cliches ranging from inner city portrayal to a dufus high school football coach but those things are easily forgiven in my book. If you're too jaded to enjoy a film like this then I feel sorry for you.

[Crazy Dud]

The Blind Side

**** out of ***** (8/10)

The Blind Side tells a powerful story and is very impacting. The characters are dynamic, the dialogue is excellent, the humanity is stellar, and the acting is top notch. Of particular note is Sandra Bullock, who may very well win her first Oscar or Golden Globe for this. She gives a dynamic performance and practically disappears into the role. Almost every single scene in this movie is full of humanity that will uplift your spirit. Having said all that, why did I only score the film an eight out of ten? First of all, the movie presents many details about Michael Oher's life that, while interesting, were not essential to the story being told and creates a very inconsistent pace for the film. Also, according to Oher himself, there is a detail regarding his football playing that was not only inaccurate, but unnecessary, and provided for the weakest moments in the film. The film is also a bit too talky for its own good, and often forgets that film is primarily a visual medium, and oftentimes a scene can be more effective without dialogue. Having said all that, do not be confused. This is an excellent movie that absolutely must be seen. It is flawed, but those flaws cannot defeat powerful storytelling, dynamic characters, and stellar acting. See it!


P.S. People on these threads need to stop bashing every single movie that comes out that clearly doesn't have them as its target audience. It is hypocritical, immature, and utterly destroys one's ability to be taken seriously as a lover of film (I'm not referring to anybody specifically). And, BTW, there are plenty of sappy uplifting movies that are classics, such as Chariots of Fire, Rudy, and just about every movie Frank Capra ever did. Yes, most of the ones Hollywood makes today are terrible, but that doesn't mean EVERY one is, so to not give a film a fair chance based on recent previous films in its genre is simply unfair.

[ProgWizardry]

I'll stick with the 1993 Blind Side with Rutger Hauer, Rebecca DeMornay, and the late Ron Silver.

Now THAT was a good flick.

[screamer581]

P.S. People on these threads need to stop bashing every single movie that comes out that clearly doesn't have them as its target audience. It is hypocritical, immature, and utterly destroys one's ability to be taken seriously as a lover of film (I'm not referring to anybody specifically). And, BTW, there are plenty of sappy uplifting movies that are classics, such as Chariots of Fire, Rudy, and just about every movie Frank Capra ever did. Yes, most of the ones Hollywood makes today are terrible, but that doesn't mean EVERY one is, so to not give a film a fair chance based on recent previous films in its genre is simply unfair.


For me, the tv spots and trailers just made it look ridiculously cheesy.


I am a football fan, and Michael Oher's story really is amazing.
I am sure I will watch it on dvd, but ( and I know you weren't targeting anyone in particular) the tv spots are really what turned me off from this flick.

[Conz]

i am absolutely shocked at the money this movie is making. I dont even know it's audience. I mean, the mere fact that there are only a hand full of reviews in this thread and it's made $100+ mill doesnt even make sense to me.

Wow

[Crazy Dud]

i am absolutely shocked at the money this movie is making. I dont even know it's audience. I mean, the mere fact that there are only a hand full of reviews in this thread and it's made $100+ mill doesnt even make sense to me.

Wow

Because it's mostly families seeing this, as well as churchgoers. Among the Christian community, this film has been promoted rather heavily (the family that hepled Michael Oher in real life is very outspokenly Christian). JoBlo posters don't represent any of those people (not largely, anyway), yet we KNOW the power that those demographics can hold over ticket sales.

[Dirtyfrog]

i am absolutely shocked at the money this movie is making. I dont even know it's audience. I mean, the mere fact that there are only a hand full of reviews in this thread and it's made $100+ mill doesnt even make sense to me.

Market economy is all about supply and demand. Look what's available in theaters right now ... like Crazy Dud says , not much to see in there for "family viewing" atm so yeah. They have no competition in the "based on a true story" (http://www.cracked.com/article_16478_7-movies-based-on-true-story-that-are-complete-bullshit.html) playing field.

I think Twilight : New Moon raking 200-300M$+ makes even less sense.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I'm not getting suckered again. Every year a group of Oscar bait films is dumped on the unsuspecting public. Some make some decent money and people start to think they are missing something.

Bollocks for an Oscar, now i can't take anything anyone says positive about this film seriously. She always sucked, and always will, but since the Academy is made up of people that like this sort of drek, it's possible. And wait, Tim Mgraw, oh god, i'm avoiding this like the R2D2 virus. I wouldn't even stream it on NF when it becomes available.

If i want a feel good movie or some sort of message, i'll watch the Lifetime channel or the Oxygen network, which is what this film probably is, a glorified Lifetime Original movie. Say what you want, i'm not paying money to find out any diff, my instincts have been right in the past and i'm listening to them again.

[Badbird]

Okay, guys, don't worry about having to turn in your man-card and having to put your balls in your girlfriend's purse if you see this movie. It is not the sappy, manipulative cliche-fest that the trailers and TV spots make it seem to be.

This is a solid drama about a family and a young man from a broken home finding a place together. From what I gather, most of it is taken straight from the true story. The only part that gets remotely cheesy is all the college head coach cameos towards the end. That aside, this is a well made, well acted, and very touching movie that won't hurt you to see.

8/10

[HurricanesR1]

I thought the movie was ok. The story was really good, but Sandra Bullock and the Hollywood touch made me give it a lower rating. You can tell a libral approach was taken when making this film.

B-

[thebirdswillgetme]

I thought it was excellent. Sandra Bullock was terriffic in this role.
Some of you might think its sappy, but its really not. Sandra Bullock's character makes sure its not =P

[Puck Bond]

The Blind Side(2009)-6/10...enjoyable but very predictable and formulaic sports drama about a Southern Christian family, who take in a poor and uneducated young black man and raise him as their own. Based on the true story of Michael "Big Mike" Oher and the Touhy family, its an inspirational story about love, compassion and perseverence. Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Tuohy a strong and opinionated woman, who sees "Big Mike" walking in the rain alone one day and decides to give him a place to stay for the night. A product of a broken home and a bad neighborhood, Michael could have gone the path of so many other kids from the projects, so he is essentially saved and given a chance at a future. With his size, strength and athletic ability Michael seems like a perfect candidate for football...at first he has trouble grasping basic concepts but over time becomes one of the most sought after and heavily recruited offensive tackles in college football. Eventually he signs with Ole Miss...and this past year was the 1st round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL draft. As I said its predictable and formulaic story, but it has a good message and should make for fun family viewing. Cast also includes Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head and Lily Collins.