‘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.

‘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.

Jesus in the House in Perry’s New Flick

In this audio clip, I explain to The Current’s radio personality Liz Lane a little bit about April’s (Taraji P. Henson) inability to love and how Sandino, the out-of-work carpenter (played by Adam Rodriguez of CSI: Miami), parallels Jesus in the movie I Can Do Bad All By Myself.

This is not the original on-air clip that was broadcast on The Current on Friday, September 18. It has been edited for this blog.

Audio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

Doin’ Church with Tyler Perry

On Friday, September 18, I chatted with friend and radio personality Liz Lane from Positive Hit Radio The Current about Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself.

I was talking specifically about how in this particular Lionsgate comedy/drama the audience gets a wonderful taste of church, complete with excellent music from real-life Pastor Marvin Winans and stellar recording artist Gladys Knight. Plus, their is a hope-filled message from the pulpit. It’s enough to make you want to raise your hands in praise, wave a hanky, and say, “Preach it!” That’s exactly how I felt. And believe me, I wasn’t alone in my sentiments in the packed theatre on opening night.

Listen to this short, edited audio clip of our conversation, taken when taping for the radio broadcast. This is not the final on-air version, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway.

And be sure to check out Liz Lane’s “Heart of Praise” show Sunday’s from 8 a.m – 11 a.m.

Audio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

Being Bad Fares Well on Screen

From writer/director/actor Tyler Perry, the Lionsgate comedy/drama I Can Do Bad All By Myself centers on the fractured life of a nightclub singer called April (Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and her difficult journey back to faith, love, and family.

April is living a selfish, dysfunctional life, letting her ailing mother raise her sister’s three kids Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson), Manny (Kwesi Boakye), and Byron (Frederick Siglar) while April spends her days abusing alcohol, sleeping all day, and having an affair with Randy (Brian White), a cold-hearted married man.

April’s lonely life is suddenly interrupted when Madea (Tyler Perry) brings by her troublesome niece and nephews and the local church – represented by churchgoer Wilma (Gladys Knight) and Pastor Brian (Marvin Winans) – sends over a handsome, out-of-work stranger with carpentry skills called Sandino (Adam Rodriguez, CSI: Miami), who hopes to get room and board in exchange for a job.

Why I Love Tyler Perry Movies

In light of opening night for Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself, I just wanted to present 5 reasons why I like movies that Perry directs and acts in.

1. I laugh; I cry – a good movie has both. Tyler Perry knows how to make you die laughing one minute, and shed silent tears the next.
2. We doin’ church! Got to have a least one scene with a sermonette. Perry does it with humor and music, without being heavy-handed or overly preachy. Just makes you want to say, “That’s right!” and wave a hanky.
3. If you go on opening night – which I strongly suggest – you get the animated responses from the crowd. And some of their comments are as funny as Tyler Perry’s. Packed theatres are the best.
4. Perry’s pro-woman message. Love it. Love it. Enough said.
5. And finally, 5 letters… M-A-D-E-A!!!

— Laura J. Bagby
The Celluloid Critic

Stalkers, Road Trips, and Pits!

Liz Lane from The Current and I enjoy chatting on the topic of All About Steve. As part of that radio discussion, we talk about stalkers, crazy road trips, and what lessons we learn when we fall into a literal and figurative pit (like Mary Horowitz –  aka Sandra Bullock – does in the film ).

Hope you will listen in now…

Audio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

Radio Review of ‘All About Steve’

Just wanted to say thanks to my friend, Liz Lane, for the enjoyable discussion of All About Steve on The Current FM this morning.

And if you want to check out that other blog I mentioned to all those radio listeners on the broadcast, it’s called Manna For The Moment.

OK, here is the run-down on the new romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, and Thomas Haden Church – in audio format.