On Thanksgiving night, Mark’s brother was kind enough to stay with Annalyn so Mark and I could go to a movie. While the impromptu date didn’t relieve us of some pretty severe grumpiness, we did get to see a really great movie.
[Seriously, we are I have been so grumpy and out of sorts the past couple of weeks. I don’t know what the deal is, but I’m ready for it to be over. I’m hoping a little holiday festiveness as we put up the decorations tonight does the trick. Stay tuned.]
Back to the movie. We really want to see Sherlock Holmes, but of course it doesn’t come out until Christmas Day. So we were left with Couples Retreat or The Blind Side. And I believe we chose wisely.
The Blind Side is based on a book that is based on a true story. Here’s the synopsis from IMDB (mild spoiler alert):
The Blind Side depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.
When we got home from the movie, I did what I often do: I looked up reviews online. I like to see if my opinion matches up with the pros’, okay? In this case, it really didn’t.
While Variety called the movie an “uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama,” other reviews labeled it “middle-class pandering at its most shameless” and “a facile, feel-good fable that substitutes cliché for reality at nearly every turn.”
I guess I can see what they’re talking about. But I thought the movie was great. And so did the sold-out theater full of people who watched it with us. Throughout the movie, people spontaneously clapped several times, we all laughed hard, and most of us couldn’t help but wipe away a few tears.
The Blind Side was funny and touching, and it made at least one viewer (ahem, me) really think. It had some sports stuff for the guys, and it was clean enough for most audiences. And Sandra Bullock…or her character…or both were amazing. Overall, it was just a darned good movie.
I give this one two thumbs up. No matter what those critics say.
What’s your favorite sports movie?
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I can't wait to see The Blind Side. :) I am a big fan of Rudy. I really like the spirit of the movie… he's such an underdog, working so hard to play football at Notre Dame…and meanwhile getting an education when no one thought he could. :) just love it!
There are so many good sports movies (they are usually have an underdog in them or show real connections/friendships between men & I'm a sucker for either type of plot)…Field of Dreams, Cinderella Man, A League of Their Own, 8 Men Out – ooh, ooh, Remember the Titans!) Ok, I'll stop now. :)
I keep staring at that picture — it's so cute! :)
We saw The Blind Side over Thanksgiving weekend and I have to say I thought it was the best movie I have seen in a very long time. I think it is Sandra Bullock's best performance ever. I was very touched by the story. I knew of Michael Oher but I never new his story until now. It really touched my heart, making me want to be a better person. BTW…I thought Tim McGraw did a great job too. :)
What is this "SPORTS" that you are referring to? Never heard of it. (And thankfully, neither has my husband. It's so nice that Sunday afternoons are not muddled with the sound of sports fanatics. We prefer a nice musical or to read a good script. Yeah, you are right! I AM a lucky girl!)
But we love Sandra, so we will see this as soon as it's on DVD!
We don't care for sports around here, and I was so glad the movie wasn't totally about football. I LOVED the movie and the story line. I wondered for a week or so if I and my family could take someone into our home like that – as a matter of fact, I'm still wondering! I think Sandra Bullock did an awesome job and I absolutely adore Tim McGraw, he is my favorite!
we loved the movie too.
he took me to see it last night and we cant' stop talking about it. it was so great.
and sandra did such a good job. such a good job.
Definitely very thought provoking … imagine the possibilities if we just give one person a 'chance'?!!
I was worried Sandra's accent was going to annoy me, but she really did a good job. And Tim McGraw was just icing on the cake for me:)
I'm excited about a movie my hubby & I can BOTH enjoy. We haven't seen it yet – but we are going to – and I'm looking forward to it. LOVE Sandra Bullock – and I always enjoy
Tim McGraw too.
I heard on KLove today that Sandra Bullock's faith in "people of faith" has improved since doing this movie. She said these people (the real people and their story) "walked the walk." THAT is impressive!
We saw Blind Side on the second weekend it was out and the movie was STILL sold out. We were shocked. And we didn't get to sit in the top row where there is ample leg room. That didn't really change our movie-going experience, though. I thought this was a great movie. I can't say that I cried, but the lady next to me was silently sobbing from the previews to the credits. Seriously. Sobbing.
I thought it was a really uplifting story and I think it showed how caring and giving to others can not only change someone's life, but also yours.
There were only a few moments of odd, spontaneous cheering, but then again, I really don't like it when people clap in a movie.
All-in-all it was a great movie experience. We saw "Fantastic Mr. Fox" last night. I would recommend it too. But not for kids. It wasn't really for the younger folk, but it was still good and really funny!
Oh…and my favorite sports movie. Yeah, right. I mean, you can always "Win one for the Gipper" but really, not surprisingly, I'm not a sports movie kind o' guy.
I have heard so many great things about this movie, and I can't wait to see it myself! I read this recently which I thought you might be interested in: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=792418
Thanks for the good review… I hope I can watch it soon.
My fav sports movie thus far is "Remember the Titans". :)
I LOVED THIS MOVIE TOO! It was a beautiful funny touching uplifting experience. So glad you could have a little getaway. Here's hoping your gloomies move on over as well!
Oh, I forgot: my favorite sports movie is The Cutting Edge. That counts, right? :)
oooh I love inspirational sports movies…favorites: Rocky 1&4, and Chariots of Fire.
My husband and I took our girls to see this movie on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we all loved it. I've been thinking about it ever since and will probably go see it again. Last night I said to my hubby, "I think that was Sandra Bullock's best performance–ever!" He agreed. She kind of annoys us to be honest, but she was very authentic in this role.
I really want to see this movie! Thanks for the review.
My sister and I just went to see The Blind Side while she was here over the weekend. One, because we heard it was good — and two, I was curious as it's set in Memphis.
I can't say enough about this movie. It was well done, well acted, well-written. And honestly, I don't love Sandra Bullock, but her performance, well, might have just won me over.
I definitely shed some tears and for me, this could have been one of my most favorite sports movies — although I kinda forgot it was even a sports movie.