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Visitors Review

sme_no_densetsu 2012-05-25 05:51:05

A Hollywood-ized version of an inspirational true story

"The Blind Side" tells the true story of Michael Oher, a recent firstround NFL draft choice whose path to the pros was fraught withadversity. As a homeless teenager he is taken in by a woman and herfamily who help him to succeed both academically and on the footballfield.The story as presented in the film is compelling but it also bears theunmistakable imprint of Hollywood at every turn. The feel-good,inspirational plot points often seem too good to be true and, from whatI've read, many (unsurprisingly) aren't true. Moreover, the Tuohyfamily life is portrayed as little short of idyllic and their clan evenincludes a precocious youngster. More troubling than these manufacturedelements, though, is the fact that the script seems to treat Oher aslittle more than a prop, never giving us much of a glimpse into hispersonality.As for the acting, Sandra Bullock was rewarded with an Oscar for herperformance as Leigh Anne Tuohy, the woman who takes Oher under herwing. As always, she's a likable presence and this is probably her bestperformance to date. Quinton Aaron plays Michael Oher, giving what Isuppose is a decent performance, though it's hard to say since thecharacter is pretty flat. The rest of the cast, which includes TimMcGraw and Kathy Bates, is up to par.On the technical side of things, the film shows polish but not muchcharacter. The direction and score are both solid but forgettable.In the end, the appeal of the "The Blind Side" is somewhat paradoxical.The film has all the hallmarks of a cookie-cutter Hollywood productionyet it hits its targets so accurately that one can't help but getcaught up in the story. Thus, the film is hard to dislike, even thoughit's not without its problems.

2012-05-24 15:00:49

Good story

This review is from: The Blind Side (DVD) This movie was of course a real story, which is why it was very good to begin with, since the true story was a very uplifting one.The acting was so good, and I can see why Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for her performance, but all the performances were excellent. I will watch this movie again.

bungle-20 2012-05-21 00:58:05

Hard to endure racist crap of the worst kind

Movies like this perpetuate racist thinking and behavior.The plot: good, rich, Christian, white, paternalistic family civilizesdumb, helpless black kid. White man's way is the best. Black peoplecan't help themselves and have to be grateful for what white man givesthem. Only if they follow the path of the white man, will they besuccessful and respected as equal human beings.I just can't believe that people give this movie such high ratings. Ihad to leave the cinema because I just couldn't watch it anymore. Thosewho love this movie should seriously question their view on what racismis and how it survives, namely through such movies and through peoplewho feel good with the crap that is shown in them.

torrentstorm 2012-05-20 11:14:39

Now this you can call a movie!

I watched the movie last night. It was a roller-coaster of emotions forme, from feel-good to heartbreak to triumph to defeat, and then triumphall over again.This is 24 hours later, and I'm still thinking if there was somethingwrong with this movie, but I cannot find anything. Powerful story,excellent top-notch acting, believable situations, real life drama atits finest. A movie to treasure and watch again and again as time goesby.I have been reading some of the previous posters' opinions. It does notmake me happy to say that I feel many did not get the message itconveyed, but rather, chose to adopt the very same stance the SocialServices Dept. rep in the movie took, that of openly doubting themotives from the family of helping the boy, and sullying theirreputation by slapping ulterior motives to their "mission" of aid. Ifwe all thought like that, none of us would do anything for anyone. I was a recipient of similar aid myself in the past, not once, butseveral times. Since I have no family, I saw myself in Michael'sposition, and mentally, I reverted back to those days and the eventsthat transpired then. Let me say I'd be damned if I thought or saidsuch aid came to me with an ulterior motive in mind. Having been there,I understood Mrs. Tuohy's approach. Why would I call this an example ofracism, or of a psychopathic lady with an ego problem?I guess it takes all kinds, but you just go ahead and watch the moviewith an open mind without pausing on negatives, and in the end, see howit appears to you. If you think this is an example of racism and hiddeninterests, fine then. But if you view it like I did, you'll be glad yousaw it, and after turning events over in your mind, see how it appealsto your finer senses.I wrote this, not because I'm expecting anyone to read it (I don'tthink anyone will go through over 60 prior posting just to get tomine), but just because I wanted to give it a 10, so well deserved, andI wanted to thank Sandra Bullock and the entire cast for such awonderful story, the kind that can make you believe in life all overagain.

trekbaby716 2012-05-20 04:50:13

I cried - several times

I watched it for the first time at home via DVD. There were severaltimes I had to stop and collect myself. I forgot I was watching a movieand looking at Sandra Bullock. After seeing the "real person" onExtreme Makeover Home Edition, I could see just how much Sandra Bullockbecame her character! I wish I could meet both the actors and the realfamily so I can hug all of them. Everyone needs someone like that intheir lives. Sandra Bullock offers her entire soul to her audience. Herportrayal was spot on. I would love to see the two women in the sameroom and the conversation they would have. The casting director did asuperb job! I can't imagine anyone else playing this part and pullingit off as well. Sandra Bullock looks great as a blonde!

2012-05-20 03:04:14

PHENOMENAL

This review is from: The Blind Side (DVD) A different Sandra Bullock. One clearly in command of her craft and well deserving of her Oscar. This would be a terrific movie if it were fiction. Since it is based on a true story and real people, it just adds that much more lustre to the movie. Great performance and great casting. Superb entertainment. Satisfying entertainment.Highly recommended.

thesubstream 2012-05-13 04:27:17

Who knows if that guy even wanted to play football?!

There's a word that I learned listening to smart people talk aboutissues and subtext and social justice and post-modernism:"problematic". When a person has a problem with something like a videogame or capitalism or the way coffee gets to my house, when they thinkit's bad or wrong or unfair but don't actually have a solution orbetter, correct, more fair idea in mind, things are "problematic". Theyhave the aura of a problem. There's a whiff of trouble, a little stinkyhint.John Lee Hancock's The Blind Side is problematic. The film stars SandraBullock and Tim McGraw as the Tuohys, and Quinton Aaron as MichaelOher, their leviathan adopted son. The film is based on the book of thesame name, which details in part the story of how Oher, abandoned by acrack-addict mother and homeless as a high-school sophomore, came tolive with and be adopted by the blindingly white, incredibly richRepublican Tuohy family, who helped him eventually make it to the NFLas an offensive linesman.In the film as in reality, the NCAA had legitimate concerns about theTuohy's actions re: Oher, suggesting that perhaps they, as massiveboosters for Ole Miss football had taken him in and hired him aprofessional tutor in the hopes that they could convince him,prodigiously gifted as he was athletically, to play for their almamater, which he eventually did. The film handles this question as if itwere a legitimate puzzle, as if the actions of the Tuohys are beyondtheir own ken – Bullock's Leigh Ann asks her husband at one point, "AmI a good person?" Oher in the film is just as puzzled. He has no ideaof their motivations, because he is an inarticulate mass, a giantsilent looming prop, the obelisk against which the Tuohys can attemptto effect their idea of Christian charity. He's not quite Michael ClarkDuncan's obsequious blubbering Magic Black Man from The Green Mile, buthe's close enough. To the white, southern Tuohys, to his white coachesand teammates, he's an unfathomable, totemic, black force that mighthave been dredged up from the bottom of the ocean. What everyone doessee, instantaneously, is that he is large, strong and fast, so theywithout even bothering to ask turn him into a football player. LeighAnn is asked at one point in the film if what she's doing is out ofwhite guilt, and it's clearly not. The film, though, is going to make alot of guilty-feeling white people very happy. That's problematic.What rescues the film from complete collapse is the performance ofSandra Bullock. It's a rare gift for an actor to be able to do workthat seems to be a conscious decision on the part of the performer towork to make the film better. Bullock's performance is not justrazor-sharp and subtle, it seems calculated, it seems like she as anactress recognized the inherent problems in her character and in theway the film is put together and worked in her performance to correctthose problems. Her performance is superb. In every scene in which thefilm could or would dip into maudlin sentimentality and patheticwhite-people-saving-black-people (as long as they're athletic and willhelp the team full of white people win) sludge, she's a littlefrosted-haired scalpel, cutting through the dross. Unfortunately thefilm has scenes without her in it, and those are often terrible.Ultimately, the film does to Oher what the Tuohys did to him. He neverspeaks about his relationship with the family outside of a few pithyone-liners and smiles. He's never allowed to be articulate about hisbackground, or goals, or disappointments. He's a prop moved around atwill by people motivated by a weird combination of religious andathletic morality, a giant instinctual force, aimed by anyone buthimself and unleashed. It's not quite offensive, I don't think, but itcertainly is problematic. 4/10

jeremyscates 2012-05-12 10:17:55

Very well done!

I don't usually feel the need to leave comments, but this movie wasjust to well done not to. I went in expecting more football, more hits& highlights & as a huge football fan that was one of the main draws ofthe movie. The football actually takes a back seat to a wonderful storythat is well executed by everyone involved. I've always thought SandraBulluck has been over-rated, but she nails this role & deserves somerecognition down the road. The movie is so fantastic that anyone andeveryone can relate and feel connected to the characters. The idealtarget audience for this movie is children and adults alike. This movieshould be an Oscar contender but I know these types of movies rarelyever win. Definitely deserves my vote!

Fábio Caldas 2012-05-10 07:12:53

A Life Lesson.

I cannot describe correctly this movie. Perfect would be a proper word,but i don't believe in perfection. At least until now. After seeing it,I consider myself different. I'll never see the world the same way Idid until now. Leigh Anne and his world-size heart inspired me, andthis true story made me believe that life it's not only nice in movies.There's people around there that every day make someone's day better.Sandra Bullock's performance in this movie is just outstanding, and Iconfess myself a little bit disappointed by the non-winning of theOscar to best picture this year. I only knew the movie was based on atrue story when I was in the last part of it. And God only knows how Ifelt stunned when I realized that. I think everyone should see thisgreat movie, the very best I've seen in my whole life. The performanceby the actors is great, the story is awesome, but most of all, it has aphilosophy inside. A philosophy we should all listen and practice. Wesimply should be like that outstanding woman, Leigh Anne. And we shouldbelieve everything is possible, like Michael Oher proved us. Becauseafter seeing this, yes, everything is possible. And yes, there's goodpeople that don't let themselves corrupt in this society we'rebecoming.

2012-05-09 21:24:49

The Blind Side Opens Our Blind Side!

This review is from: The Blind Side (DVD) What a fantastic screenplay of yet another true story. Fiction could not fare better. Ever notice how true examples of love, honor, trust (with a little faith mixed in) always seem to establish an everlasting place in the annuls of movie history? Seemingly destined to sometimes become known as a "classic"?This could possibly BE one of those films in time.Under precarious circumstances, a family invites an intelligent, athletically talented black teenager into their home, then progressively into each others' hearts as they learn and grow together, culminating a grandiose finale.Acadamy Award winner Sandra Bullock's portrayal of an upper-class white female in the South is immaculate. The entire supporting cast is performance-worthy as well. Though sports is an important concept in the film, this movie is more about the inner qualities that reside in all of us... as people... to make proper decisions and help others that need it most. THE BLIND SIDE incorporates all the variables of great movie-making art: drama, humor, action, and sentimentality. (Beware, macho guys... this movie may even bring a tear to YOUR rugged eye). A great cinematic achievement that can be viewed and enjoyed by anyone... with anyone, at any time, again and again.A sensitive, uplifting and thought-provoking movie awaits you. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!

2012-05-08 22:56:01

THE BEST WHOLESOME PARTS WERE FILMED--THIS TRUE STORY TOO BIG FOR ONE FEATURE LENGTH

Sandra Bullock portrays this role with an excellent touch. When she has to be a smart #ss, she doesn't hold back and demonstrates sufficient confidence in her own beliefs that she comes off perfectly! This is not the comedienne, this is a confident, talented woman with a heart (the character she plays) and in playing this role with honesty, she makes the audience laugh, applaud, cheer, and cry at different times.Tim McGraw performed perfectly as her loving, intelligent, compassionate husband who recognized that he was married to a unique jewel.Quinton Aaron plays a wonderful, mysterious, quiet young man who can 'speak' with just a small gesture of his face. We have a wonderful new actor on the scene now! His acting reminded me of the sensitivity and excellence of Rob Brown (Finding Forrester, Coach Carter and The Express.)I plan to own this as soon as its out on DVD. The sweetness, humanity and poignancy in this movie reminds me of "It's a Wonderful Life". The night I saw it at a theater in Mississippi, the theater sold out and many of the people around me said they had driven there from towns almost 100 miles away because those theaters were sold out too. This movie opened the same night as that New Moon thing; I was proud that people packed the theater to see The Blind Side! This film is bound to receive at least 1 or 2 Academy Award nominations and become a classic about family relationships, compassion, and love. Go see it! I believe you'll want to see it again and again! Thanks, Sandra!!!

2012-05-08 17:47:52

America is duped!

Appreciated the story fine. I should not have sat through the whole thing to see Jezebel portray some poor, real life woman. She barters for the souls of man in this very hour. She is all over the place. Movies, music, politics. Let's be careful what we allow our eyes to see, so that we are not blind-sided too. Nuff said.....

courtney-welsh 2012-05-03 10:38:23

The Blind Side

The Blind Side (2010), Alcon Entertainment Cert:12Dir: John Lee Hancock Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, QuintonAaronThe film depicts the true story of now NFL super star Michael "BigMike" Oher, and his turbulent path to becoming the success he is today.Leigh Ann (Bullock) and Shaun (McGraw) Tuohy take a young Michael(Aaron) under their wing, helping him to leave the demons of crackaddict mother and poor upbringing behind him. Having no real educationand chances few and far between for a "Ghetto" kid Leigh Ann, having asoft spot for Michael, takes control and ensures that he gets all theopportunities her own children have. Leigh Ann despite facingcriticisms from her circle of friends for having taking in a "blackkid", battles and when Michael express an interest in American footballLeigh Ann ensures he gets the best coaching to make it. With a footballcoach and a tutor to help improve Michael's grades the offers forathletic scholarships pour in. Problems arise however as Michael mustmake his choice, and in doing so chooses a university to which theTuohys have long been affiliated. People find the choice suspicious andso question the Tuohy's influence on young vulnerable Michael. This is a moving and emotional true story of a boy that with help fromstrangers became something spectacular. The greatness in what theTuohy's did for Michael is captured in a brilliant performance from thewhole cast. Sandra Bullock takes on the role of a strong Southernwoman, but Bullock adds an element of humour which makes it all themore real. The role saw Bullock earn herself an Oscar and quite rightlyso, her performance sees her step up a level; proving she can't onlyflex her funny muscles but can make you laugh and cry simultaneously.Bullock isn't the only star however, newcomer Quinton Aaron steps up tothe mark in the lead role. Aaron brought the vulnerability andbelievability that makes you sit up and watch, and gives a performancethat is well beyond his years. Country crooner Tim McGraw also gives asolid performance that doesn't look out of place against theheavy-weight of Bullock, and their on screen marriage is believable andenjoyable to watch. Hancock cast greatly and directed even greater astory which had to be approached without the attitude of a "rag toriches biopic", but instead a strong narrative of how one familychanged the life of a young man in need. It's sad, compelling, andfunny but above all true to the story of which is based on. Worthy ofits rave reviews, The Blind Side is without doubt a fantastic exampleof simple film-making at its best.If you liked this please have a look at my blog:http://courtneywelsh1.blogspot.com/

callanvass 2012-05-03 04:03:29

Sandra Bullock gives her best career performance in this wonderful heart warming drama!

The Blind Side was a movie I really didn't think much of to be honest,I thought it was another typical sports biopic, but when I heard allthe praise for it, and how good Sandra's performance was, I had to gosee it. Quinton Aaron's portrayal of Michael Oher is absolutelyterrific. You are able to feel the pain with him, because he does notknow how to learn properly and the more harder he works at it, the moreyou root for him. I think the most amazing aspect about this movie isthe fact that a rich Southern Family like the Tuohy's let in a poorBlack man into there lives, let alone parent him it was really quiteamazing and humbling to watch. One of the scenes that truly hit me themost had to be when Leigh Anne|Bullock| goes and visit's Michael'smom|Aaron| at her place, even though she's as high as a kite, it wasemotional and well done. The Blind Side isn't an overly complicatedmovie, in fact it's rather simple, but in the end it's a touching filmthat is mostly worthy of all the acclaim it's received.Performances. Sandra Bullock gives a career defining performance here,and believe me it is worth the hype. I've always adored Sandra Bullockbut here she takes her game to the next level. She deserved her Oscarcompletely, because she put her all into the role, and she completelyresembled the real Leigh Anne, it was quite remarkable. Quinton Aaronis brilliant as Michael. His facial expressions told all a lot of thetimes, and in the end I loved his performance. Tim McGraw surprised mewith his excellent performance here, and his chemistry with Sandra wasfantastic. Jae Head gives a sly and wonderful performance as the kidS.J. I don't like kid actors, but he was terrific, I especially lovedhis scenes with Quntion Aaron. Kathy Bates has a small but veryimportant role in the movie, and once again brought some class.Bottom line. The Blind Side is one Of the best movies 0f 2009 by far,and thankfully lives up to the hype for the most part. It's just amovie that truly warms your heart in every way, and I'm thankful Iviewed it. An absolute must see.9/10

galenmanapat 2012-05-01 18:34:15

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time

Most of the positive readers have already said it all: great acting;great story, well produced, uplifting movie. I didn't see one bad actorin the film.This is possibly Bullock's best film. Can't understand negativecomments by a few people practically denying the good deeds and thegood will of this well to do family who shared what they had and livedtheir Christian faith in a practical way. Teenagers watch cheap "B"films. Older men like me bring their entire families and praise filmslike this by word of mouth. This film is a jewel.One last note...I am an older person training in acting, just won bestadult monologue at the Dallas Expo Nov 17-21.I recognized Patrick G. Keenan as a former teacher at John Casablancas,Charlotte, NC very, very cool indeed

Kevin2252 2012-05-01 06:23:06

Why do people like this movie?

I am absolutely shocked.....and not in a good way. Has American cinemafallen so far that we can consider this monstrosity even an "average"movie at best? The story was utterly predictable and failed to instillany sense of surprise in any moments. From the first twenty minutes,you could predict the course of the plot if you'd seen any kind of"inspirational" sports movie. The characters were no better. Tim Mcgrawfaded into the wallpaper about a third of the way through the movie,and I was about ready to hurl a brick at my TV just so I could pretendI was throwing a real one at SJ. The character of Michael Oher seemedlike a baby made from the genes of Forrest Gump and John Coffey, with atouch of Radio, but I'll give the actor pity points for effort. Mygreatest contempt, however, goes towards Sandra Bullock. I honestlythink she did a better job in "All About Steve". She seems like anamalgamation of the "rough on the players cuz I love 'em" coaches yousee in every other generic sports movie, only with estrogen and aTERRIBLY faked southern accent. I was shocked when they chose her forthe Oscar over Gabourey Sidibe, who, unlike Bullock, seems to know oneor two things about ACTING. All in all, if you're going to watch thismovie, I suggest you drink heavily beforehand so you don't have tocomprehend the awfulness of this "film"

2012-05-01 06:55:30

Touching story but unrealistic...

...The Blind Side was a very good movie...I usually dont like these kind of movies "The good hearted person helps out the poor person then poor person becomes an astronaut or football star or whatever"...I dont recommend anyone going out and picking up a homeless guy and letting him live in your home around your kids...Ive heard of situations like this that turned out very bad...Take care of yourself, take care of your family let everyone else fend for themselves...You cant save the world...

Keystone Class 2012-04-30 13:07:00

two views of blind side

I like this movie because it was about a football player, Big Mike, whowas really good. I used to play football, and I like how realistic thefootball scenes where depicted. The movie is about a young kid wholived in a bad neighborhood where gangs were. There were also a lot ofpeople selling drugs. The neighborhood influenced Big Mike by teachinghim the bad way to live. He really didn't have a family and a woman sawhim walking down the street so she wanted to help him by taking BigMike into their family. She taught him the right way to live and gothim interested in football. Big Mike started a new life and became aprofessional football player. The best thing about this movie I likedwas how good the acting was. The characters were really believable andthe plot was really well crafted.Robert DicksonThe movie "Blind Side" is a sad story with a happy ending, a life-changing and inspiring movie. This movie can make you laugh and cry atthe same time. This is also a movie that you'll watch more than once.Micheal is a homeless boy with no family to support him, maybe only oneoutfit and never has had any education. Micheal sleeps on the couch ofa friend's when he gets the chance to. Micheal's friend who lets himsleep on the couch takes him to a Christian college to enroll Micheal.The guy also mentions that Micheal is very good at sports, so that'sanother reason to enroll him. Micheal gets accepted in the school andmeets a little boy that he becomes friends with. Micheal struggles withthe school work the teachers give him. The little boy's mother gaveMicheal a home and adopted him.In the movie the antagonist would be the people and family aroundMicheal's old neighbor hood where he was raised. These people tried toget him in the drug business and to drink beer. Micheal did the rightthing in the end though.The protagonist in the movie is Micheal because after he gets helped hereally try's hard and keeps it up. Micheal never does anything bad oranything to hurt anyone. He also watches out for his new family andtakes care of them, like they take care of him.This movie is very heart-warming and would inspire you every time youwatched it. Watch the movie the blind side and you'll love it.Amber Adair

2012-04-30 17:06:49

Good But Not Great

This movie first of all requires a suspension of disbelief. What high school coach puts a kid on the practice field without first going over the basic rudiments of the blocking game required of a lineman. Also, the film gives the impression that all major college coaches wanted Michael Oher solely on the basis of the one block in which he blocked an opposing lineman back into his own end zone and deposited him over a protective barrier. The football sequences were by in large weak and unimpressive.Lastly, I didn't get the whole NCAA interrogation thing. They should have been thankful that a family cared enough to take him in and given some purpose to his life, let alone a university who was willing to take a chance on him with his poor academic achievement records. Sandra Bullock gave a creditable performance, but Academy Award status, I think not; Meryl Streep in a walk for sure. The best acting was displayed by the young man who played Bullock's son. Precocious doesn't begin to describe this young actor's ability. He steals every scene in which he appears. This is certainly a feel good, inspirational story. But, somehow it misses the mark on drama and true reality. It is great for family viewing (Which is truly something hard to come by these days), but it lacks the biting edge (sans profanity) that is needed to push it into the classic or near classic film category.

2012-04-29 21:13:20

great movie

This review is from: The Blind Side [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) Great movie. In my top 3 for 2009. Even better in blue ray.