i just saw the blind side last night. this is the second weekend it has been open and the theatre is packed. and after seeing it, i know why. it was such a good movie. i already can’t wait for it to hit dvd so i can buy a copy. my youngest daughter is going to see it tonight and i just know she’ll love it as i do.
so it’s about michael oher (i have probably spelled his name wrong). he was taken away from his mother as a young boy and it has haunted him since. now he’s a teen and by the grace of God, he is enrolled in wingate christian school. he has trouble doing any school work and mentions that he has never even done homework before. shy and afraid, he goes to school everyday. one evening a family (sandra bullock and tim mcgraw) sees him walking in the cold and makes him get into their car where they take him home and give him a warm, dry place to sleep.
if you want to know the rest of the story, go buy the ticket and enjoy this wonderful true story. thank you hollywood and michael oher for this film.

was it good? it was great!

I just saw “The Blind Side” movie at the theatre and was amazed how great the movie was. One of the best movies of the year. The story was very touching, inspiring, and simply amazing. Sandra Bullock was phenomenal. One of her best performances ever. The entire cast was great.
The movie was based on a true story, which was told in an excellent way. It is very inspiring story, makes you do better in life and makes you to try to help more other people who are in need and to care about people more. Also it makes you realize that there are other great people out there in this beautiful World. I give 5 out of 5 stars and recommend everyone to see the movie.

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are the dynamic duo of the summer in “The Proposal.” While the film is comprised of somewhat predictable situations and more than a few cheesy lines, these two comedic actors save what could have been a box office disaster.

Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a beast of a New York City book editor who could give the cruelest of bosses a run for their money. Reynolds is her unfortunate slave boy, Andrew Paxton, who wishes for greater things every time he refills her empty coffee cup.

When Margaret realizes she’s in trouble with the law because of her outdated immigration papers, she falsely claims that she and Andrew are engaged and thus sets in motion a series of unfortunate events that involve a visit to Andrew’s wacky family in Sitka, Alaska.

If anyone is unconvinced by both Bullock’s and Reynolds’ stellar performances, the addition of unique and lively supporting characters should seal the deal. Enter Annie, Andrew’s 90-year old grandmother (played by Betty White) who chants to the gods in the woods and suggests baby-making at every opportunity.

Of course, baby-making would come to mind when Bullock and Reynolds collide naked onscreen. However, their chemistry is undeniable throughout the film—whether they are naked or not.

Don’t forget Andrew’s parents, Grace and Joe Paxton (Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson), a cooky pair with beaucoups of money who show orphaned Margaret the goodness of family and the earnestness of love. Then there’s Gertrude (Malin Akerman), who plays the role of Andrew’s ex and exhibits the inevitable heartbreak of girl-sees-old-love-with-new-girlfriend quite believably.

The film culminates at the couple’s pseudo wedding, in front of the entire Paxton clan and most of the Alaskan town. Margaret’s conscience wins in a battle between her desire to return to New York City and her career success and her growing love for Andrew and his family. Andrew is left standing alone and confused on the altar.

It’s not long before he’s chasing down her plane, and the audience is rewarded for sticking with the long movie when he finds her in their mutual office and proposes in front of the shocked staff that only knows Margaret as a monster boss.

The film seems to make a comment about the pace of the business elite, and the audience is encouraged to lean back and relax for a moment. Directed by Anne Fletcher, “The Proposal” is filled with enough romance to win girls’ hearts and enough wisecracks to keep the guys laughing, too.

Sempre achei brinco de argola muito casual, não importa se é de ouro ou bijouteria, de brilhantes ou strass…acho que o formato em si não me anima muito para sair de noite e muito menos ir a eventos sociais. Talvez pelo fato de ser um brinco básico e que quase todo mundo tem, e por achar que ele tem cara de dia e não de noite, entende? Mas aí vi essas fotos:

Brinco de argola de Sandra Bullock

E mesmo vendo que a atriz estava linda e elegante na première de seu novo filme, continuo achando que este tipo de brinco é para ser usado durante o dia, afinal há zilhões de brincos no mercado mais interessantes do que a nossa boa e velha amiga argola, companheira de sempre, para usar numa ocasião dessa!

Sandra Bullock

Vocês aceitam bem a ideia de usar brinco de argola para ir a eventos sociais? Será que estou ficando careta quanto a isso? O pior é que não ficou feio, mas se ela pedisse minha opinião, vocês já saberiam a reposta né?  Quem é a favor ou contra, vamos formar um regulamento chamado “bijoux code” hehe!  Oh céus, que dúvida cruel… Rimou kkk!

Fotos: Reprodução

(posted by mafuzaro)

Você Casa Comigo e Eu Te Promovo!

Em Cartaz

Gênero: Comédia Romântica
Censura: 12 anos 
Duração: 100 min
Direção: Anne Fletcher
Com: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Denis O’Hare, Malin Akerman, Oscar Nuñez, Aasif Mandvi.
Local de Filmagem: 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Bearskin Neck, Rockport, Massachusetts, USA – (internet cafe); Beverly Municipal Airport – 46 L.P. Henderson Road, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA; Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA; Manchester, Massachusetts, USA; Myopia Hunt Club – 435 Bay Road, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA – (woods); Newport, Rhode Island, USA; Rockport, Massachusetts, USA e Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California, USA – (studio).
Produção: Alex Kurtzman, Mary McLaglen, Roberto Orci
Roteiro: Pete Chiarelli
Fotografia: Oliver Stapleton
Trilha Sonora: Aaron Zigman

SINOPSE
Sandra Bullock [Speed (1994), The Lake House (2006) e Bridesmaids (2010)]interpreta Margaret Tate, uma executiva bem sucedida do ramo de publicações. Fechada, intragável, competente, odiada e imigrante canadense, Margaret tem um assistente chamado Andrew Paxton, interpretado por Ryan Reynolds [Definitely, Maybe (2008), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) e Deadpool (2011)] que faz de tudo para agradá-la profissionalmente.

Quando chega a notícia de que ela está prestes a ser deportada para seu país, Margaret (Bullock) apressa-se em conseguir um casamento de conveniência com seu jovem assistente Andrew Paxton (Reynolds) para impedir que seu cargo na editora seja preenchido por outro.

No elenco ainda contamos com a atriz, que particularmente adoro, Mary Steenburgen [In the Electric Mist (2009), Four Christmases (2008) e Clifford (1994)], ela interpreta a mãe de Andrew (Reynolds).

CRÍTICA

Da mesma diretora de 27 Dresses – Vestida Para Casar (2008) e Step Up – Ela, Dança Eu danço (2006), Anne Fletcher, aos 43 anos, chega ao seu terceiro longa metragem, dirigindo Sandra Bullock e Ryan Reynolds em seus melhores estilos protagonizando a comédia romântica  The Proposal – A Proposta, filme cuja temática é bem previsível, mas acaba por surpreender, arrancando boas risadas através de um roteiro bem escrito, excelentes atuações e direção impecável.

Sandra Bullock aos 44 anos, está novamente atuando em comédias românticas. Mesmo sendo considerada uma atriz mediana, é indiscutível que nesse gênero ela é imbatível. Outro ponto forte da atriz é a química que a mesma desenvolve com seus pares.

Nesse longa, Ryan Reynolds e Sandra Bullock são a perfeita harmonia, é uma delícia assistir aos dois entre tapas e beijos nos conduzirem de Nova Iorque ao Alaska. Ainda assim, são inesquecíveis os pares de Bullock, que foram elogiados tanto quanto seu par com Reynolds, são eles e com eles:

Hugh Grant – em "Amor à Segunda Vista" – Two Weeks Notice (2002);
Keanu Reeves - em "A Casa do Lago" – The Lake House (2006);
Benjamin Bratt – em "Miss Simpatia" – Miss Congeniality (2000);
Ben Affleck – em "Forças do Destino" – Forces of Nature (1999).

O longa é bem humorado, no tom certo, sem exageros, cativante e me arrisco a dizer, uma comédia elegante, daquelas que agradam os maridos, namorados e homens em geral!

Destaque para a cena em que Margaret (Bullock) está no palco com Ramone, interpretado por Oscar Nuñez [Reno 911!: Miami (2007), Beethoven's Big Break (2008) e "The Office" como Oscar Martinez (80 episodes, 2005-2009)], um sujeito que mora na cidade da família de Andrew (Reynolds) e que faz de tudo um pouco, garçom atendente de loja e striper para festas de despedida de solteiras. Sim, é hilário ver Margaret (Bullock) fazendo caras e bocas com nojo e aflição do “corpanzil” de Ramone, que diga-se de passagem, é lastimável! Daí a graça toda da cena, é preciso ver para chorar de rir com a cena, é fantástica! Sandra com algumas caretas e aquele famoso “olhar 43” nos passa exatamente toda sua aflição com Ramone, imperdível.

O desfecho do longa deixa a desejar um pouco, mas só um pouquinho, é que, com tanto entusiasmo durante toda a história, os finalmentes ficaram entre as cenas que a diretora resolveu economizar… Sabem, no orçamento…

Sendo assim, apesar do famoso “happy end” que é o recurso mais tradicional do cinema não ter sido fabuloso, a fotografia e a trilha sonoro compensam esse deslize e nos faz sair das salas de cinema no maior alto astral.

Não deixem de assistir essa comédia romântica ao estilo elegante que nos mostra que o amor pode estar onde você menos imagina! Em cartaz em todo território nacional. Levem lencinhos, pois rola umas lágrimas. Boa semana a todos!

bom filme!
roberta vieira
http://www.movies.co.jp/ana-muko/

Assista ao trailer abaixo!

I highly recommend you go see The Blind Side.  Even if you are not a sports fan.  Teachers, parents, brothers, sisters, coaches, players, sports fans, humanitarians,  HUMANS.  There truly is something for everyone in this movie.  The Blind Side shows what it truly means to be a good person. 

Leigh Ann Touhy took in a homeless child, Michael Oher, made sure he made the best of his education and gave him the gift of being able to go to college on scholarship for football.  Being from the south (even though I currently do not live there) I pride myself on being a stong southern woman.  I was raised by a strong southern woman.  My Great-Grandmother Ora is perhaps the strongest sothern woman I have ever met.  She raised more than a dozen of her own children and several that like Leigh Ann Touhy were not her own, made sure they got an education; which in the 40s in Appalachia West Virginia was not common.  She pushed them to go on to college, police academies, and the military.  Unlike the Touhy’s though she didn’t have money.  She was “just” a small town farmer.  My Grandfather in turn married a strong sothern womon, a woman who went to college (in WV in the 50s!), who also pushed her children to get an education.  My aunts have college degrees which again was not that common in West Virginia in the 70s.  My Dad and uncle have college degrees (my Dad a masters) and both served over 20 years each in the military.  I have a college degree and this year my younger cousins will follow suit and earn theirs, and will be followed shortly by their siblings.  I think it’s safe to say that all of us were able to do this because of the strong women that are behind us.  It is because of strong southern woman that the men and women in my family are where they are today.  My Mom had a strong southern woman behind her and was the first woman in her family to not only go to college but to finish.  I was the second.  I hope to be the first to earn a Masters and maybe even a PhD.

Sandra Bullock did an amazing job in The Blind Side portraying what is truly means to be a strong southern woman.  She didn’t take no for an answer from anyone.  She did what she had to for not only her biological children but this random child, Michael Oher, she saw needed her.  I hope that some day I can be 1/2 the woman Leigh Ann Touhy is.  Or that my Great-Grandmother, Grandmothers, and Mom were and are.  

So today I am thankful the the Strong Southern Women behind not only me and the rest of my family, but for all of the Strong Sothern Women that are behind someone pushing them to be everything they can be and more.

The other day I went to the theaters and saw a double feature: The Blind Side and Precious.

Both movies affected me pretty deeply and it is easy to know why. The Blind Side tells a story of a young man taken in by a rich family. He’s a withdrawn kid affected by drugs, poverty, and no one to care about him. Precious is the story of a young girl still in her poor home. She’s a withdrawn kid affect by rape, abuse, poverty, and no one to care about her.

These are the kind of movies I’d love to review. I’d love to see my quotes up there on the television saying how amazing I thought the films were. Instead I got to catch them at my local theater. So I don’t have to say much about the films – they’ve already been said.

So what do I have to say about them?

Racial inharmony is awful. I grew up in a town that was 50% white and 50% black – I was lucky because I never really knew racism until junior high school. I never saw color – especially in elementary school. My friends were my friends, I never knew they were black. I lived in a not-great suburb of a city that prospered seventy years ago but has fallen into disrepair. If I want to see drugs and poverty now I can get in my car and drive five minutes. Am I happy that I’m not there. I am. Is it because I’m white? No. I am where I am because people cared about me.

That’s the message in both films. When you have people to count on it is easier to succeed. In Precious the lead character didn’t have that and was still able to make the best of her horrible situation, even if making do is using her imagination to survive. The character in The Blind Side, a true story, was taken in and able to become who he is today (a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens) because he had those around him to believe in him.

The movies both made me cry. I was there in the theater alone….crying at both movies. Just what I needed – people to look over and see the creepy guy by himself crying. But what do you do after you see movies like this? Do you just go home and think it was simply great entertainment? Gee look at the poor black girl who had two children by rape – oh it’s only a story! Let’s go home and play Boggle!

I can’t do that. I can’t go home and think that there are real people out there who perhaps just need people to lean on. There is a non-profit near me called Homefront who helps out the nearly 1,800 homeless people in Mercer County, NJ. So that’s where I went after the film. I went there and volunteered. I’m not doing it for any more reason then right now I have the time to do so. I’m not a social worker. I’m not a rich white guy. I’m just a guy who hopes maybe he can help someone. Even if it is helping out Homefront so they in turn have another person who can help out in a better way…it’s what I can do.

That’s what I took from the films. That anyone can do their part in someone else’s life. Homelessness knows no color. White, black, whatever – homeless is homeless. But people still need a support system. Just because these are Hollywood films doesn’t mean there’s no truth to it. Instead of sitting around and watching movies all the time, maybe I can do more. I hope I can do more. I’ll try to do more.

So I don’t get to review the film. I don’t get to say “This is a film that will affect your life” and see it on the television. Instead I’ll say this.

“These films were so fucking good that it makes me want to go help people. And that’s what I’m going to do.”

Put that in a fucking commercial.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD

From Eonline.com:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b155427_sandra_bullock_gets_chola_makeover.html

Usually when Sandra Bullock gets a makeover, it’s to become a beauty queen or some sassy Southern mom saving lives. But on Lopez Tonight, George Lopez transformed America’s Sweetheart into a chola, which is kinda weird, we know. Now we gotta watch more often. Does he do this to all his guests?

Naturally, Sandy B. rocked the Sharpie brows and lip liner because, lets face it, she can do anything.

‘Crepúsculo’ lidera indicações ao People’s Choice Awards

Robert Pattinson e Kristen Stewart disputam troféus de melhor ator e atriz.
Cerimônia de entrega do prêmio está marcada para dia 6 de janeiro.

10/11/09 – 20h25 – Atualizado em 10/11/09 – 20h25

Os protagonistas da série “Crepúsculo” foram indicados ao prêmio (Foto: AP)

O filme “Crepúsculo” brilhou entre os indicados ao People’s Choice Awards, anunciados nesta terça-feira (10). Os três protagonistas da produção, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart e Taylor Lautner concorrem a troféus da premiação, que homenageia os astros favoritos do cinema, da TV e da música.

A série de filmes “Crepúsculo”, que lança este mês seu segundo longa, “Lua nova”, também foi indicada na categoria melhor franquia, entre suas sete indicações.

O prêmio, que resulta do voto do público, será entregue no dia 6 de janeiro, no início da temporada de premiações de Hollywood.

Pattinson, que interpretar o vampiro Edward Cullen na série “Crepúsculo”, foi indicado a melhor ator de cinema, enquanto Stewart vai disputar a estatueta de melhor atriz de cinema. Lautner, que tem 17 anos, concorre na categoria melhor ator revelação.

No último ano, o People’s Choice Awards divulgou a lista de indicados 11 dias antes do lançamento de “Crepúsculo”. O filme acabou conquistando uma bilheteria de US$ 384 milhões no mundo inteiro, tornando-se um dos maiores fenômenos de 2008.

Desta vez, “Crepúsculo” vai disputar o prêmio de melhor franquia com “Harry Potter”, “Star Trek”, “Transformers” e “X-Men”.

Música

Nas categorias musicais, a cantora Britney Spears recebeu indicações a melhor artista pop e melhor cantora, competindo com Taylor Swift, recordista de vendas de 2008.

Sandra Bullock, que estrelou a comédia romântica “A proposta” depois de dois anos fora das telas, foi indicada ao prêmio de melhor atriz de cinema.

Programas de TV sobre vampiros, como “True blood” e “The vampire diaries”, também se deram bem entre os indicados, concorrendo com atrações veteranas, como “CSI” e “House”, e adolescentes, como “The hills” e “Gossip Girl”.

Os vencedores do People’s Choice Award serão escolhidos pelo público por meio do voto na internet. A votação termina dia 8 de dezembro.

http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Cinema/0,,MUL1374007-7086,00-CREPUSCULO+LIDERA+INDICACOES+AO+PEOPLES+CHOICE+AWARDS.html

So what are you thankful for? I had that question posed to me on Face Book (it is that time of year) so I thought for a second and went with the first thing that popped into my mind…my bed.

I had just come home from seeing The Blind Side and that part of the movie brought tears to my eyes. It’s true…having a bed to sleep in at night is wonderful and just one more thing to add to the list of “what is taken for granted”. How many times are people on vacation and only want to come home so they can sleep in their bed. There are a lot of people in the world who don’t have the luxury of having…their bed.

Speaking of Thanksgiving and The Blind Side…I think it’s a great movie for families to go see around this holiday; especially kids (they might learn something). This is a true story of a giving woman and a boy who was gyped in the “parent” department. The two come together and wa-lah…a heartwarming tale with a happy ending. Michael Oher (subject of the movie) stills plays professional football and I would love to meet  Leigh Anne Tuohy, the mom(Sandra Bullock played her awesomely), she is one tough cookie.

So after you hit the Black Friday sales, take the family to see The Blind Side. My final grade for this movie is an A-

Okay, so Sandra Bullock isn’t hip. And she’s definitely middle-aged. But does everyone have to act surprised EVERY SINGLE TIME she’s in a box office hit?

Last weekend, “The Blind Side” did much better than expected, confounding those that expected all women to go to the “Twilight” sequel and/or be turned off by the football and men to steer clear of a tearjerker starring of all things, a middle-aged woman. Guess what? Some women had no interest in seeing “The New Moon” and some men didn’t fear the femme mixed with sports. “The Blind Side” earned $35 million its opening weekend, topping Sandra Bullock’s best, for “The Proposal” earlier this year.

Moviegoers gave it extremely high marks — it received an A+ Cinemascore rating, only the second this year after “Up,” the LA Times noted.

Yet there were those — yes, you, Steve Zeitchik — that strained for some other explanation, as in a possible halo effect of “New Moon” that even he couches as a reach. Variety barely mentioned the film’s perf,  devoting much more space to “New Moon” and per screen averages of speciality pics such as “Precious,” “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Broken Embraces.” It was up to The Wrap to point out the accomplishment of Bullock’s football weepie. Dan Frankel suggests that the movie ended up in the media’s blind spot in the “New Moon” frenzy.

Maybe. But this isn’t the first time this has happened with Bullock. The media tends to have a blind spot to ALL her movies lately. Patrick Goldstein wrote that helmer John Lee Hancock has finally made it out of movie jail with the success of “The Blind Side,” a fate that apparently befell the director after the abject failure of “The Alamo.”  (Gawker’s Richard Rushfield amusingly riffs on the notion of director jail here.)

Isn’t it time we forgive Bullock for the crime of commercial taste? She’s never been edgy. Sure, some of her movies are duds (“All About Steve,” anyone?) but people generally like her and her movies. Deal with it.

November 25, 2009

A couple of weeks ago we found out that Shakira was going to be at Lopez Tonight. Since Lissette is a huge fan of Shakira, I surfed online to find tickets for the show. We were disapointed that tickets were sold out for a while now. Since it’s a new show, tickets are going quickly. Fans don’t mind which guests will be on, they just want to see George Lopez. We of course, were there for Shakira. But I do like Lopez. I think he’s a funny comedian.

We visited the Lopez Tonight website and there was instructions on what to do if you don’t have tickets. You call a number that’s provided and you hear a message on how to get Stand-By Tickets. The instructions were simple. The taping starts at 4pm. You need to arrive at the Parking Lot by 2pm. If you don’t have tickets (like us) you need to show up earlier to see if they have extra tickets. We showed up at 1:20pm. That’s very late.

Once we arrived, we were given 2 “tickets” with the numbers 447 and 448. These tickets does not guarantee a spot inside the studio. But the employee did say we had a good chance to get in. After hanging around for two hours in the Parking Lot doing nothing, we were moved closer to the studio. About an hour later, we walked inside Studio 29. It’s already 4:20pm and since we didn’t have tickets, we were the lucky ones to stand the whole time during the show. It was interesting though. We didn’t mind. We were in the back standing up but were able to see the whole scene.

While walking in, you can already hear the other 440 guests inside screaming. Once getting into our spot, there was a funny person screaming details on what to do. A couple of minutes later, Shakira came out. Lopez mentioned that Shakira was going to sing first even though she will be the last guest on t.v. It’s Magic!

Shakira came out with a beautiful silver dress. She sang “Give it Up to Me” I haven’t seen a video on YouTube yet but did find this: Lopez finds out if Shakira is lying:

After Shakira’s performance, Lopez interviewed Sandra Bullock. She was great. Check it out!

It was fun. You get to see many things that you don’t see on t.v. Lopez even sings! He would tell jokes to the audience even if the camera is not on. Good times! It’s a unique experience and you get to see something that you don’t usually see.

Movie review time! I was lucky enough to see New Moon’s midnight showing on Thursday and The Blind Side just last night…here’s what I think…

As for New Moon, I enjoyed the movie overall — a lot less awkward than the first. I will not lie, it was a crowded night…even in Newport Beach. The line was longer than last years, and I assume it’ll only get longer as each installment passes. The Twilight Saga in itself is indeed a rags to riches story.

The midnight premiere of this movie has almost convinced me to quit midnight showings of anything Twilight Saga completely. Trying to watch a film on a huuuge screen from the 4th row with screaming teenage fan girls behind me just resulted in a stiff neck, pounding headache, and the urge to punch someone in the throat.

In terms of the movie though, I’d have to say it was very well done compared to the first installment. However, I can’t completely say that Kristen Stewart has won me over, even though there was never a point where she lacked an ounce of class in the film (I can’t fail to mention how great her skin, makeup, and hair color looked). I still find her acting to be a little awkward — but then again, Bella’s character is a little awkward in the book anyway.

Edward must’ve been hiding in a cave over the break because he appeared to be a bit more pale than I remember. But, New Moon wasn’t necessarily his movie…he was probably only present for half of it because all attention was on Mr. Jacob Black.

The part was played by young, but ever so beautiful, Taylor Lautner. I feel like a pedo saying that. Taylor Lautner had a comfort in his acting that made his character appear natural and relatable, unlike awky Edward or Bella. The boy did own up to appearance too — not that his “let me take off my shirt in one swift movement” scene wasn’t enough to prove that…whew!

In my opinion, the movie didn’t fail to please. Twilight Saga fans should be happy with the 2nd installment…introducing the werewolves into the saga was done well thanks to digital imaging. It also ended perfectly with the one question that can only be answered in the 3rd film. I’ll be back with that review this time, next year.

I was lucky enough to see The Blind Side for free, thanks to my awesome movie theater working friend. I’ve been waiting to see this movie for weeks…the trailer got me hooked right off the bat.

The film is based on a true story and if you’re a fan of rags to riches stories, then this is the film for you. I think the fact that the story is true is what really touches the heart. It’s full of heartwarming moments and inspiration, which will have you leaving the theaters wanting to do even more than just a good deed for someone.

I’ve always been a fan of Sandra Bullock, she’s never failed me in any movies I’ve seen her in. I love her character in this one. She’s a strong, I won’t take anyones B.S., I do what I want, and I won’t let people see me cry kinda girl.

Jae Head, who plays SJ Tuhoy in the film, provides most of the comedic relief for The Blind Side. I fell in love with this character…Jae reminded me of a younger, cuter, Shia LeBeouf in Even Stevens. He isn’t much of a trouble maker, but he’s the outspoken baby in the family…and how can you not love that ‘innocent’ smile?!

I might have hyped up my expectations for this film. I read reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango prior to seeing it. A lot of reviews said you’d need a box of kleenex, but I say leave em at home. The story is more inspirational and hopeful, than sad and sappy. I’d say The Blind Side is a must-see in theaters, something you could even see with mom and dad. How’s that for an after Thanksgiving activity for ya?!

And that’s it with movies for me. Happy Thanksgiving, readers! I hope the rest of your week is filled with good food, good people, and my ever so favorite…good shopping! Mmmm.

I went to see the new Sandra Bullock movie, The Blind Side this weekend and LOVED IT!  The story of Michael Oher, an inner city black teen who finds himself adopted by an upper class white family.  His success on the football field leads him to big things.  The movie is based up on the NFL football player, during the credits of the movie, there are actual photographs of Michael and his family.  Seeing the things this man had to go through seriously had me in tears. 

The title refers to the position in football that protects that quarterback’s blind side, which Michael Oher plays.  He is a giant kid, who’s nothing but a teddy bear.  With developmental problems, (which seem to be more from lack of being taught, than lack of smarts), he has trouble getting his grade up high enough to be eligible for sports at the private school he has managed to get into.  Although he has little prior knowledge of how to play football he his a quick study when his strengths are played upon (his protection instinct). 

When a mother of two kids at the school notices Michael has no place to go she invites him to stay with her family.  Sandra Bullock plays the mother with an always-get-what-she-wants attitude and sharp wit.  The son, SJ, has some scene stealing moments, and the daughter is pretty much over looked, but the real story is Michael. 

I was also very surprised to see a packed theater on a Saturday afternoon.  There may have been a seat or two open in the theater, but that’s it.  I really don’t want to say much more about the storyline…just go see this movie!

Uptown and the Garden District are probably the two ritziest neighborhoods in Orleans Parish. When biking around, you can absolutely tell when you’ve crossed from Uptown in to Central City. There aren’t nearly as many trees, whole blocks are blighted, some streets feel empty. And the Garden District? Hell, Sandra Bullock lives here! But the thing is, Uptown and the Garden District are neighborhoods in New Orleans, where decay is just a fact of life. I took this picture of two houses as I rode my bike home after a long day of work. The house on the left is all spruced up and painted a lovely green. The light fixtures are new, but have that olde tyme look that fits well with the neighborhood. The place is thoughtful and matches other houses in the area. The house on the right is nowhere near that condition. You can still make out “Cat Not Found” spray painted on the front. I wonder where the cat went. This neighborhood didn’t flood, so the cat met a fate other than drowning. The two houses don’t match at all. and the run down house doesn’t fit in Sandra Bullock’s neighborhood. But this is New Orleans.

Image from www.theblindsidemovie.com.

Two days after seeing ‘The Blind Side’ and I’m still all warm and fuzzy. OK, didn’t mean to get sappy on ya, but I’m already planning when to see the film again; it was that good. Many others around the country thought so as well because the movie made $34.5 million dollars its opening weekend, marking the biggest opening weekend of Sandra Bullock’s career.

I’ve read some very interesting articles about Michael Oher, the Tuohy family, and the making of the movie. In the “Ravens: Interesting Reads” page on the right, I’ve included links to those I found highly informative. NOTE: while this post does not contain movie spoilers, the articles DO.

Just had to share this because ‘The Blind Side’ really did touch my cynical soul. And,  if you haven’t seen ‘The Blind Side’ or are having misgivings, rest assured: it’s not as syrupy or preachy as it seems. There are many layers to this incredible film. Finally, I’m using the same image from the film that I did in the previous post because it’s from my favorite scene.

The Twilight Series has done it again.  First it was the books and now Stephenie Meyer has taken her ever so popular series to the big screen.  This week alone “New Moon” grossed 140.7 at the box office.  This means, the second movie in the Twilight Series took number 1 at the box office.  Only movies to do better were the “The Dark Knight” which holds the record for the biggest weekend debut at $158.4 million, and “Spider-Man 3″ with $151.1 million.  And get this, according to CNN the majority of her audience is female (80% of tickets went to females).

Other popular movies at the Box-Office:

“The Blind Side” which is a true life sports drama and stars Sandra Bullock raked in 34.5 million

“2012″ brought in $26.5 million this weekend, totalling $108.5 million.

“Planet 51″ came in 4th place bringing in $12.6 million.

Disney’s, “A Christmas Carol” came in 5th and brought in 12.2 million, and now sits at 79.8 million.

-Ron

Drama. “The Blind Side” depicts the remarkable true 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. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. 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.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron
Director: John Lee Hancock
Screenwriter: John Lee Hancock
Producer: Gil Netter, Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove
Studio: Warner Bros.

MOVIE TRAILER :

]]> http://blog.peopleschoice.com/2009/11/23/new-moon-amas-favorite-football-films/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:46:26 +0000 pcavote http://blog.peopleschoice.com/2009/11/23/new-moon-amas-favorite-football-films/

Hope you had a great weekend. According to projected numbers ‘tweens and Twi-Moms (and the gracious men who accompanied them) have about 140 million reasons to be happy this weekend, on account of the spectacular box office showing  of New Moon (full disclosure: I saw it too and had a blast). So the second movie in the Twilight Saga triumphed which should come as no surprise, followed by The Blind Side, which brought in a very respectable $34 million dollars.(Sandra Bullock’s certainly having an excellent year).  Did anyone catch the American Music Awards? Does anyone not think it’s pretty much Taylor Swift’s year? She took home 5 prizes and the late, great Michael Jackson took home 4 awards himself. Also, everyone thinks Saturday Night Live is on a major upswing — did you catch Joseph Gordon Levitt and Al Gore? Pretty great stuff…check it out on YouTube if you missed. Now, let’s get to today’s poll. We got tons of feedback from Friday’s New Moon poll, and any number of you seemed more than delighted by the prospect of a meal with one of its stars. Now this week is Thanksgiving, a holiday that seems to me to be all about travel (and the many ways it can be delayed) plus food, plus more food, plus football. And since The Blind Side did so nicely at the box office, I got to wondering about other football movies…as in which ones were the best. Thus, I selected what I think are 4 popular — and maybe even “beloved”  — movies to consider, and hope you’ll voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which of these football flicks is your favorite.

1) Friday Night Lights

2) Rudy

3) Jerry Maguire

4) Remember The Titans

I don’t think anything will top the Most Beautiful TV News Women of 2008 blog, but this’ll have to do for now.

So this is my list of the 20 most attractive actresses in movies.   I list them as the most “attractive” instead of “beautiful,” because though most of them are beautiful, “attractive” implies personality traits and other intangibles.  The roles are also important, though this isn’t a list of great actresses – it’s a list of the most attractive women in my opinion based on their roles in these movies.  So it’s sort of more the character than the person, since obviously I don’t know them.

Without going through the whole list, this competition was over before it began.  Linda Hamilton has the nice girl, innocent look in “Terminator” and she shows she has a lot of heart.  Then in “Terminator II” she becomes a bad ass.  Franka Potente in “Bourne Identity” has moxie and style.  If I had just seen her without her being in the role, she might not make the top 100, but she is pretty phenomenal in the role of Marie.

Sometimes it’s a particular scene that leaves the impression, like when Sigourney Weaver is possessed by a ghost in “Ghostbusters,” or when Phoebe Cates walks by the pool in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” with an assist by the song “Moving in Stereo” by the Cars (one of the most underappreciated rock bands of all time).  Then there’s the woman as authority figure, like P.J. Soles who played an MP in “Stripes,” a variation on the teacher theme.  In “Silver Streak,” Jill Clayburgh looked wholesome; in “Basic Instinct” Sharon Stone did not.

Back before older women were called cougars, you had Jacqueline Bisset (“Class”), Anne Archer (“Patriot Games”) and of course, Anne Bancroft in “The Graduate,” who just edges out Katherine Ross from the same movie.  Believe it or not, Linda Fiorentino of “Vision Quest” was also an older woman although she played someone who was only 21 in the movie.  Her suitor in Vision Quest was 17.  I always thought her character was more like 25 until I saw the movie again.  Cheesy movie but great.

The mention of Sandra Bullock reminds me that I saw her twice in bars in Washington, D.C. about 10 years ago.  Each time she had her hair colored blond (or was wearing a wig) like she has it in her new movie “The Blind Side.”  It was definitely her.  Once was in Atomic Billiards in Cleveland Park.  I honestly can’t remember where the other time was.  Anyway, I went up to her to talk.   I didn’t mention anything about her looking like (or being) Sandra Bullock – just tried to talk with her but I have to say she was pretty underwhelmed.  She blew me off both times.  Then after that I told her I knew who she was.  Again, she was a little bit unimpressed.  Oh well.

So here you have it.  I’m going to add pictures later.

1. Linda Hamilton, Terminator
2. Linda Hamilton, Terminator II
3. Franka Potente, Bourne Identity and Bourne Supremacy
4. P.J. Soles, Stripes
5. Jacqueline Bisset, Class
6. Sigourney Weaver, Ghostbusters
7. Jill Clayburgh, Silver Streak
8. Linda Fiorentino, Vision Quest
9. Sharon Stone, Basic Instinct
10. Anne Bancroft, The Graduate
11. Katherine Ross, The Graduate
12. Anne Archer, Patriot Games
13. Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven
14. Sandra Bullock, Speed
15. Lucy Liu, Charlie’s Angels
16. Jessica Lange, King Kong
17. Debra Winger, Officer and a Gentleman
18. Halle Berry, Swordfish
19. Robin Wright Penn, Forrest Gump
20. Ashley Judd, Double Jeopardy
21. Phoebe Cates, Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Honorable Mention:  Lynda Carter.  I know she was a TV actress and hardly did any movies, but I had to include her on the list. She can occasionally be spotted in Bethesda, MD and looks as great as ever.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ve missed a ton of attractive actresses but this is the list.  It was almost a year ago that I did the list of the most beautiful newswomen of 2008, and that blog entry has gotten more traffic than all my other blog posts combined.

So as I put this one up, and the previous one just below this, part of the hope is that more people will read the other parts of my blog that deal with www.mikeneedsakidney.com, which by the way, isn’t just for me but is designed to raise awareness for all people who need kidneys.  While I’m on the topic, check out the song that the Dirtbags, the Redskins Appreciation Club band did for me.