The Blind Side (2009)

Originally written December 8, 2010 at 8:41 am

The Blind Side is based upon the true life story of Michael Oher. The Blind Side tells of how Oher was born in the ghetto and, while in high school, was taken in by an affluent family. Oher went on to be a heavily recruited football player and eventually was drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Ravens.


The cast is diverse and effective. Sandra Bullock delivers an awesome role as the mom of the family. Oher is played by Quinton Aaron, a relative newcomer to movies. For most of the movie Oher seems depressed. He seems more like like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh than a teenage guy. Aaron does a great deal of acting with his facial features though which shows much of Oher's inner thoughts etc. All in all a very sound performance by the novice actor. Bullock's character is like a hurricane of will and determination. Reminds me of my wife (even has a great butt too, the similarities are uncanny). Bullock played her character very well, and was rewarded with the academy award for best leading actress. Her husband, played by Tim McGraw of country music fame, is a nice guy and obviously used to bowing down to his wife's forceful character, but is happy to do so. His performance was lackluster. One of their children, Collins, played by another newcomer Lily Collins, is seen only sparingly throughout the movie. Her brother SJ, played by Jae Head of Hancock and Friday Night Lights, on the other hand is shown nearly as much as Oher. He is extremely energetic and quite the scene stealer, making him cute but borderline obnoxious.


While there are a few moments that are over the top, like Oher testing 98% on Protective Instincts for the states standardized tests. What kind of test is there for protective instincts? None; but who needs reality when you have Hollywood. Then there were the scouts showing up after his first game, etc. The Blind Side may not be the deepest and most profound movie, but it is a good movie that successfully ties your emotions to that of the characters. The Blind Side is a feel good movie that delivers on its promise. I would call it a family movie, except that there are a couple of scenes that I would not want my kids watching. There is some racism and bigotry shown as well as gang violence. I'd like my daughter to remain ignorant of those things for now. As the country song says; "Let them be little."
All in all I really enjoyed The Blind Side. I would recommend watching it. I give it 7.5 / 10.

Cinderella Man (2005)

Originally written November 17, 2010 at 5:27 am

I went into this movie knowing only that it was about a boxing champion back in the era of the Great Depression. My dad and step-mom are avid boxing fans. I enjoy watching boxing, but I'm too cheap for HBO or PayPerView. As such, I pretty much only watch it when visiting my family in Reno. I didn't know the story of Jim Braddock. I knew only that it had Russel Crowe (Jim Braddock), one of my favorite actors, and that several of my friends had said they enjoyed it.


Not only did I enjoy it, I actually got excited. Toward the end I was on the edge of my seat silently rooting for Braddock. Hoping for the ending I logically knew had to happen, but worried there would be a twist (again I didn't know the story ahead of time). But it isn't the fight that made the movie.


What made the movie was how much you were able to relate to Braddock. In the beginning you can tell he is fighting for himself. He is providing for his family and is a good man, but there is pride in his fighting. After a series of injuries he is on the outs with the boxing commission and his family is living in poverty. Braddock is trying to survive the Great Depression working on the docks. He is skipping eating so his daughter can have his slice of bologna. Eventually he gets on public assistance (welfare) and begs from the commission and his former manager to raise enough money to support his family. Every step of the way you see what a good honorable man he is. As a father I was totally able to understand the pain of seeing his family struggling. After being brought out of forced retirement for a couple of fights, Braddock even pays back his public assistance money. Further showing what an honorable man he was. Braddock's wife Mae, played by Rene Zellweger, is equally as good and strong of character.


You go through the movie finding yourself really liking the characters and feeling like you have a vested interest in their well being. That is a testament to Crowe and Zellweger's acting. Both delivered amazing performances, as did Paul Giamatti. The movie was beautifully filmed, well directed and the fights were choreographed excellently. There is very little in the film I can find fault in.


I would highly encourage you to see this movie. It has something for both adult men and women. I would not recommend letting kids watch it as the fights are brutal and there is a lot of blood. I give it a 9 / 10.