‘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