Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Blind Side review

This movie was absolutely awful. Annoying, cliched, cheesy, over-long, racist, ect. It was okay in the beginning, but it got worse and worse. Sandra Bullock wasn't bad, but her accent was terrible. The problem is that her character spends most of the film being pushy and sassy and it's good in some moments, but it gets old after a while. She has some good moments, but they're too underwritten for her to really do something great. Why is she getting all this awards attention?!! No idea. But I'm still predicting that she will win though. If she does, she will most likely receive a low spot on my Best Actress ranking. Speaking of that, I bought the film Coquette yesterday and I was thrilled to have found it since it is hard to find. I also will check out a copy of Two Women (in Italian) at the Library and when I watch that, Butterfield 8, Roman Holiday, and The Three Faces Of Eve, I will be done with the 1960's and the 1950's. After that, I'll be taking a break from the Best Actress films and I might do a Best Actress analysis (like Fritz and Alex in Movieland do) for 1962. So, what do you think of The Blind Side if you have seen it? Did you like or dislike Sandra Bullock's performance?

39 comments:

Tom said...

I couldn't stand her annoying accent in the trailer, so I don't think I'm going to see it.

Racist??!!

Anonymous said...

I seem retarded for even predicting Carey Mulligan winning. But, good god, I can't believe we *might* be calling Sandra Bullock, Oscar Winner soon. She's fine in things like Miss Congeniality, but an Oscar for this? This bad TV movie?!

Oh god, did you witness her son played by Jae Head? That's the worst part of the movie if you ask me.

joe burns said...

Tom: Yes, the movie is racist. It paints the white family who takes the boy in as angelic saviors and pretty much all of the black people in the movie are depicted as bad.

Sage: I completely agree with you! I really like her in Miss Congeniality, but this? Seriously? And I also totally agree with you about Jae Head! Terrible performance and really annoying.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah...that is borderline racist. The complete oppisote of Precious.

joe burns said...

Do you think that Carey Mulligan or Meryl Streep will win the Bafta? I think Mulligan has the edge, but I could see Streep winning.

Unknown said...

I didn't mind her performance. I agree that the movie has flaws, but I still believe Bullock reigned. To each his own fellows. Some people out there still question "Precious." I don't, I'm just saying there are a lot of bandwagons out there..pros, cons...

And Sage, Bullock is still young (relatively speaking). She has a lot of opportunities to give you "the performance".....one that will account for this upcoming win.

I wasn't a fan of Witherspoon when she won, but her subsequent project "Rendition" made me re-consider.

joe burns said...

Did you like Witherspoon's performance in Walk The Line?

Unknown said...

I liked it, I just didn't think it had anything over Huffman.

She did well, considering her primetime tv roots.

Robert said...

Ughhhhh The Blind Side made me so angry. I can't believe Sandra Bullock might win an Oscar for THIS! I mean, if I was her, I myself wouldn't want my oscar to come from this, of all movies. Yikes.

joe burns said...

Nigel: Yes, I liked it too, but Huffman is my pick.

Robert: Completely agree! How did she get any buzz in the first place? Who are you rooting for? I'm rooting for Sidibe.

Unknown said...

She got buzz because "The Blind Side" stands strong, when compared to her roles in the past.

It's that one gem; and to everyone's dismay, voters were bewildered by the way it glitters. (doesn't matter if its an illusion or not...at least to me).

All of you need to start evaluating the role by referencing her poor resume....Sometimes an award is there to acknowledge an actor's growth, rather than how she/he compares to the other nominees. The latter is difficult to assess after all.

Bandwagons, I say..Bandwagons. She has hers..and it seems strong, to everyone dismay...(again).

joe burns said...

I understand your point, but her work in chick-flick movies like The Prposal is, to me, better then her work in The Blind Side.

Nigel Maruva Chikukwa said...

Her work in the "The Proposal" though notable, does not represent this "growth" I keep emphasizing. We all know rom-coms are her comfort zone.

She did something different in "The Blind Side"..........something that reflected her "growth," and it is now due for recognition.


I'm not saying the growth was exponential either, but it was there...It was a step up..Call it "mediocre" if you want but it's still growth.

Sara919 said...

I love Sandra Bullock, but if she does win, it will probably be one of the worst wins in that category. I also don't think she should win just cuz she's had a "great year".

joe burns said...

Nigel: I think her choice in roles is better as a result of The Blind Side and I think her performance could have been great if she had a much better script. And a better accent.

Sara919: I agree! I think she'll win, but it'll be one of the worst. And I also agree that just because you've had a succesful year, doesn't mean you should win an Oscar for a flawed performance. Who's your favorite to win Best Actress?

Nigel Maruva Chikukwa said...

You keep saying accent. YouTube Leigh Ann's interviews on you-tube and do a comparative analysis. And in any case, the accent is a minor detail...What about the maternal instincts she so perfectly conveyed during those quite moments?

Tom said...

The real Lee Ann's interview is on you tube? I'll have to check that one. Maybe it will change my mind. I keep forgetting that some people with real accents DO sound a bit funny.

joe burns said...

Nigel: I'll do that. And I agree that she had some very good quite moments, but most of them are too underwritten for her to really make an impact.

Tom: Hmm, I guess accents are a little funny. Maybe you'll like Bullock's performance if you see it, but, trust me, the movie is terrible.

Sara919 said...

Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry and Charlie Theron for Monster are two of my favorite Best Actress winners.

Sara919 said...

Charlize, not Charlie!

Nigel Maruva Chikukwa said...

I swear if she had tear-jerking monologue with some raw emotion in it you would all think differently.

It's too bad she's playing a strong-willed character...one that doesn't give in to emotions easily.

Let's give this a rest. Sundance is already reeling away and a new year in film has begun lol.

Tom said...

I can't believe you all think this is a racist film. Why would Hollywood vote for it if it's racist?

I might not vote for her for best performance, but I would vote her sexiest actress of the year! ha ha

joe burns said...

Sara919: I have yet to see Theron, but I was quite impressed by Swank's performance and when I do a Best Actress ranking, she'll probably rank in my Top 36. Who is your worst Best Actress winner?

Nigel: Yes, I guess we should give it a rest. lol. Who is your favorite Best Actress winner? Just wondering.

Tom: I think stereotypical is a better word for it. Me using racist was a little too extreme. And, yes, Sandra Bullock is gorgeous! lol.

Nigel Maruva Chikukwa said...

My favorite Best Actress Winner is Nicole Kidman.

joe burns said...

Really? Who is your least favorite?

Unknown said...

Cher

joe burns said...

I liked Cher, but I don't think she should have won. Why did you not like her?

Anonymous said...

I think this "Nigel" is out of his mind. He's trying to tell me Sandra Bullock should because she is growing as an actress.

But, his favorite winner is Nicole Kidman, so I will forgive his intelligence.

joe burns said...

I think he thinks that Bullock should win because the role was a stretch for her and he thought she succeded. And it's just his opinion about Kidman

Unknown said...

Let's be respectful now.

To each his own. Me supporting Sandra Bullock doesn't put my intelligence in question.

Film is as subjective. When one makes a claim, you don't accuse them of being insane...You just accept their difference in opinion and then you hold on to your position.

As I've said....There are lot of bandwagons out there....And there is no need for them to start verbal wars at each other.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

And yes "growth" is one of the many factors considered when making evaluations.

Even in film reviews critics tend to brag about an actor's growth...If it's there. And I'm doing the same....

Your personal biases are allowing you to dismiss any of this, which is fine. My personal biases have caused me to never take pride in Cher's win......alas, we are both humans with different minds........And none of us are at the edge of reason, as you suggested.

Billy Held An Oscar said...

The Blind Side has the feel of a Made-For-Television movie. I have older family members who truly love this film and Bullock's performance. When asked why they enjoyed the film they replied, "Because that Sandra Bullock seems like a nice girl". And I think that is the reason this performance has brought her this far. Audiences are fond of her and clearly her peers, and some critics groups, are also. It just proves that awards are more of a popularity contest instead of a recognition of a job well done.

joe burns said...

Nigel: I agree. It's just your opinion.

Billy: I haven't heard of you in forever! And I agree with you on Bullock.

Tom said...

She'll probably be one of the most hated winners.

Billy Held An Oscar said...

Does anyone get the feeling that Bullock doesn't want the Oscar ? A few interviews that I have seen/read show her deflecting any praise being paid to her performance.

Tom said...

She wants it! She'd have to be INSANE to not want it. Whoops! I used the "I" word.

Unknown said...

Lol, I was only saying it's not necessary to defame each other when sharing opinions....I watch "At the Movies" all the time and you don't see them taking it to the streets lol....

Tom said...

Not yet.