‘The Blind Side’: I Smell an Oscar

At first glance, this sports drama is another football vehicle in the vein of Facing the Giants or Remember the Titans, where the main characters have internal or team challenges to overcome in order to beat the opposing team and succeed in life. After all, the term “blind side” is a football term.

But this movie is really more about two things: believing that you can have a better life if you can apply yourself through hard work and believing in the goodness of humanity. Actually, in the end, the film is really about change, change for the better.

Sandra Bullock not only looks amazing in this film, but she also really does a wonderful job of portraying a very different type of woman than we have seen her play. Bullock’s typical comic or anal idiosyncrasies fall away and suddenly you aren’t watching Bullock on screen anymore. Instead, you are pulled into the life of strong, Southern socialite Leigh Anne Tuohy as she rallies around her new cause, a young and talented athlete from the projects called Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron).

‘2012’: New Meaning to the Disaster Film

In a word… disappointing. Here’s my take on this sci-fi blockbuster wannabe.

Basic Plot:

In 2009 American geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers that the earth’s core is heating up and goes to warn U.S. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) through White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) about the terrifying ramifications: an apocalyse. But before a global plan can be implemented to save the earth from disaster, global quakes and tsunamis start destroying the world.

The 2010 G8 summit decides to create giant arks to save a select 400,000 people and several animals in hopes of salvaging some of the planet.

In the middle of this chaos, writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to enjoy an adventure with his kids in Yellowstone away from ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) when he stumbles upon a conspiracy theorist and radio host called Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) who keeps announcing that the Mayans were right and the world will end in 2012.

Jackson now must save his family – and perhaps even repair his former marriage with Kate – by locating the arks and getting his family to safety before the whole earth is destroyed.

‘This Is It’: MJ Tribute Worth the Price

The Kenny Ortega Michael Jackson movie was well worth the admission price.

OK, I admit: I am a Jackson musical fan. That is partly why I enjoyed the documentary/music video. But even if you dislike the man, there is something fascinating in watching a man so obviously talented as a performer put together what would have been a fantastically creative show.

What comes through on celluloid is both Jackson’s eccentricity, his incredible energy, and his sincere wish to give his audience the performance of a lifetime. All that was inspiring enough for me to think, yep, he was still the reigning king of pop.

There is also something sober about watching the behind-the-scenes rehearsal knowing that Jackson is no longer living. I could sense a reverence in the movie theatre as the magic onscreen unfolded.

Whether you believe the film exploits MJ or brings out his true intent – and there are arguments for both – no doubt you would agree that losing someone so creative way before his time is truly sad. I mourn this loss.

— Laura J. Bagby

November 2009 Box Office Movie Releases

Nov. 6

• The Box – Thriller starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella
• *The Men Who Stare at Goats – Comedy starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
• * Christmas Carol – 3-D animation starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn
• *Precious – Drama starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo-Nique, Mariah Carey

Nov. 13

• *Fantastic Mr. Fox – Animation starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartmann, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray
• *2012 – Sci-Fi starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet
• *The Princess and the Frog – Disney animation starring Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, Oprah Winfrey, John Goodman, Keith Howard

Nov. 20

• Broken Embraces – Drama starring Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar
• Planet 51 – Animation starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Justin Long, Jessica Biel
• *The Blind Side – Drama starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron Bull

Nov. 25

• Old Dogs – Comedy tarring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Seth Green
• Nine – Broadway musical adaptation starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman

* NOTE: These are the films I really want to see this month! However, I know I won’t be able to see them all.

— Laura J. Bagby

November Movie List Coming

Celluloid Critic Fans,

Just letting you know I will be putting up a list of November movies soon as I can.

Have a very happy and safe Halloween!

Laura

Flying High With ‘Amelia’

I just viewed the Mira Nair movie Amelia, the film based on Amelia Earhart’s two loves – flying and, apparently, men – starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor.

Despite a couple of flashback scenes near the film’s beginning that are a bit disorienting, and the annoyance of seeing Hilary’s hair change colors throughout the film — blonder with highlights, redder, then back to highlights, not to mention how Richard Gere’s hair went from nearly white back to light grey at a time when it should have remained the same — the film has merit in reminding us that we need two things in life: the ability to follow our dreams unrestricted and people who can support that dream.

Get ‘This Is It’ Movie Tickets Soon!

Hey, Celluloid Critic fans,

A friend of mine called me a couple of hours ago to ask if I wanted to head to the theatres this Halloween weekend to see the new Michael Jackson documentary, This Is It, based on rehearsal footage of his world tour.

The movie opens Wednesday, Oct 28th. I am guessing tickets will sell out fast. It’s only in theatres for about two weeks. So, with that said, you might want to jump on www.fandango.com and get your tickets!

I will share my thoughts about the film with you soon.

— Laura

‘Whip It’ Equals Skip It

Don’t waste cash on this Fox Searchlight Pictures comedy/drama that marks Drew Barrymore’s debut as director. This sports movie starring Ellen Page as a young roller derby queen has the teen angst and issues of an after-school special.

Let’s take a brief look at the plot and then uncover the good, the bad, and the ugly about this Flower Films production.

‘Surrogates’: When Virtual Technology Backfires

Get the full synopsis plus commentary in this movie review of the Touchstone science fiction film Surrogates.

Movie Synopsis

What if you could work, play sports, and enjoy a night out without ever having to leave your home, experience personal harm, or suffer negative consequences?

Welcome to the world of the new PG-13 sci-fi film Surrogates, where human operators are plugging into the Internet and letting their better-looking robotic selves called surrogates live out their lives for them.

October 2009 Movie Releases

Because it is Halloween month, you will see more thriller/horror films on this list of October movies. I am not advocating you watch horror. I am only providing this list as reference and hope that you will choose wisely at the box office.

So here is the list, with the dates for each release…