‘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).

‘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

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

Dishing About ‘Meatballs’

Liz Lane and I enjoyed discussing the meatier aspects of the fun, animated flick Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on radio station Positive Hit Radio The Current.

Listen to this edited audio clip about the movie.

Audio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

Looking Forward to Tyler Perry’s ‘Precious’

Last Friday I went to see the opening of Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. Watch for a review later this week.

In the meantime…

I can’t wait to see Perry’s November 6 release of Precious. Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, the Lee Daniels film is produced by Lionsgate, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry. The film stars Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, and introducing Gabourey Sidibe (as Precious).

Check out the trailer:

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

Quick Thoughts on ‘All About Steve’

I just saw a matinee for the new 20th Century Fox comedy All About Steve, starring Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper, with a respectful nod to Thomas Haden Church. I am actually writing the official review for Blue Ridge Christian News, so I can’t share all my thoughts with you just yet.

But I will say that I did think the film was generally funny, and I liked the overarching message, which is the fact that what you think you are looking for externally is really something you need to find within yourself. You can’t look to the outside world for internal validation. That’s what Bullock’s character, Mary Horowitz, was trying to do in her crazy chase of handsome camera man, Steve (Cooper).

What I Learned From ‘Shopaholic’

New stilettos, a fabulous Coach bag, a faux fur jacket – advertisers say we can have all this and more with that shiny plastic credit card… or maybe several of them. And time and time again, our culture has fallen victim to that trap. Never mind that we can’t afford these things, don’t truly need them, and don’t have anywhere to store them. We got the “cash back” and travel points. Plus, it’s “normal” to be in debt. Everyone else is, so who cares? Thus begins the vicious cycle we call consumer debt.

But knowing that our consumer debt can ultimately lead to business failures, foreclosures, divorce, bankruptcy, and even suicide, it is time that we have more voices speaking “enough is enough – there is a better way.”

The true call for change must begin with personal responsibility. That’s why I love Confessions of a Shopaholic (now out on DVD!). We are enlightened both about the scary potential consequences of out-of-control credit card spending and the way out of the debt cycle – all within the context of a funny romantic comedy.