The Blind Side

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 20, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 23, 2010

Plot 411: A well-to-do Memphis woman takes in a homeless kid who grows up to become an NFL athlete.

Review: The movie was really emotional, endearing, inspirational and heartwarming, but I don't know if Sandra Bullock really deserved the Oscar. I mean, she did a great job in a difficult role and pulled off the bossy, no-nonsense character, but I don't think the performance was exceptional. Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, a woman who saw a child in need and extended her hand to help. She took in Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a boy from the other side of town who had been in and out of system. His mother was a drug addict. He was essentially alone. Tuohy opened up her family and their home to help him succeed. She supported him when no one else would. She fed and clothed him and even became his legal guardian. This is a story about love. Also great in this film is Jae Head, the actor who plays Tuohy's younger son. He is precocious and extremely funny. Tim McGraw, Lily Collins and Kathy Bates round out the cast.

Watch It: Because Bullock's character is extremely likable despite her pushy ways.

Skip It: If you're looking for a football movie because that's not what this one's about.

The Lake House

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: June 16, 2006

DVD Release Date: September 26, 2006

Plot 411: Two lovers separated by time live in the same space, a glass house by the lake.

Review: Has anyone watched this movie recently? I don't think I've seen it since it first came out and remember being quite baffled by the space/time continuum with which this moving is working. Alex (Keanu Reeves) lives in 2004 and has moved to a run-down house on the lake. He falls in love with it and is determined to renovate it. Upon entering the home, he finds a letter from its previous tenant Kate (Sandra Bullock). Kate, however, lives in the year 2006. The two communicate via letters left in the mailbox and soon develop a long-distance (hardy har har) relationship of sorts. The theory behind this movie is really intriguing even though I'm not quite sure the timeline actually works out. I can't seem to wrap my mind around how two people living in separate times can work. Please, all you sci-fi lovers, explain this one to me. This is the first movie since Speed that stars both Reeves and Bullock. What's weird is that they're not in too many scenes together because they're living in different time periods. Why would they waste such a reunion on a script like this? This movie is full of sentimentality and the idea of destined romances. Some part of me is attracted to that idea (similar to Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers), but I'm not sure it works in this movie. I suppose if you just go with it, you'll be fine.

Watch It: For the love story and just let everything else disappear.

Skip It: If you need to find rhyme and reason behind everything.

Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 7, 2002

DVD Release Date: November 5, 2002

Plot 411: Like mother, like daughter.

Review: I really enjoyed the spunky nature of this film and related with Sidda (Sandra Bullock) a lot. I'm not sure what that says about me or my relationship with my mom but let's not dwell on that. After reading Sidda's interview that mentioned a bad childhood, Sidda's mom Vivi (Ellen Burstyn) is so upset that she disowns her. In her own dramatic fashion, Vivi throws a tantrum that Sidda reciprocates because she is completely frustrated by her mother's behavior over the years. In an attempt to reconcile mother and daughter and because they belong to the age-old sisterhood of the Ya-Yas, Vivi's friends Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), Necie (Shirley Knight) and Caro (Maggie Smith) kidnap Sidda from New York and bring her home. The three women will not let another sister down and hope they can explain to Sidda why her mother acts the way she does. Through flashbacks, we are treated to the childhood, teen years and young adult lives of the Ya-Yas. Ashley Judd plays a young Vivi. Despite all the harping and irrational behavior by Vivi and Sidda, this movie is somehow endearing. The characters have their flaws, but that's what makes them realistic and dare I say lovable? I've noticed that a lot of films set in the south portray very strong female characters, such as Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias. This one is no different.

Watch It: If you're a girl who thinks that you'll never, ever, ever end up like your mother.

Skip It: If you're that girl's boyfriend/husband as you know the above is an outright lie.

Two Weeks Notice

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 20, 2002

DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003

Plot 411: When Lucy becomes a corporate lawyer to save her beloved community center she discovers a whole new world of superficiality in George.

Review: Environmental lawyer Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is hired by rich real estate developr George (Hugh Grant) with the understanding that if she works has his chief counsel he will stop the destruction of Coney Island Community Center. She quickly finds out that George is hopelessly unable to make decisions on his own. She becomes not only his lawyer but his personal assistant in every matter in his life. Thoroughly fed up with his behavior, she puts in her resignation notice and agrees to train her replacement. This comes in the form of a inexperienced but beautiful June (Alicia Witt). During this time, both Lucy and George realize just how much they really enjoy each others company. But with the development of the community center back on, will they be able to reconcile with each other? The movie is a breezy comedy in which Bullock and Grant have great chemistry. She plays the girl-next-door character and he plays the zaney Brit. In general, this is a movie made at probably the height of both of their careers during a time when everything they touched turned into gold. That should be enough of a description to know what it's about and how things'll end.

Watch It: For great, but very predictable, comedic beats.

Skip It: Because it's just another conventional romantic comedy.

The Proposal

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 19, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: When faced with a denied visa and a deporation notice, editor-in-chief Margaret Tate takes drastic measures to remain at the top of the publishing industry.

Review: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have great chemistry in this romantic comedy about a devil of a boss Margaret Tate and her dedicated assistant Andrew Paxton. Margaret is a career-driven publishing exec and her entire office walks on eggshells around her. They openly IM each other warning of the witch's presence. But when Margaret announces her engagement to Andrew to avoid a year's long exile to her home country of Canada, everyone, including Andrew, is stunned. However, he decides to see this fake marriage through to the end because she has the power to make or break his career. However, when the immigration official tells them that they'll be quizzed about their relationship, the two take their act all the way to Alaska for Andrew's grandmother's 90th birthday party. Reynolds' silver-tongued quips really bring humor the show and add to the physical comedy for which Bullock is known. Together they're a pretty intereting duo. While this rom com isn't groundbreaking by any means, it does reflect society's growing trend of older women with younger men. Alaska's scenery is truly beautiful. Other notable performances come from Craig T. Nelson, Andrew's dad; Mary Steenburgen, Andrew's mom; and Betty White, Andrew's grandma. Also, this is the first movie I've seen Malin Akerman in where she is playing the plain Jane character and not some spoiled little rich girl or a sex kitten.

Watch It: For a typical Sandra Bullock flick that molds slapstick comedy and tender romantic moments together.

Skip It: Because it doesn't really break any barriers or address new motives.