Review: The Blind Side

Picture: (Alcon Entertainment)

The what side? That one with the Oscar? Yah, and it totally deserved it.

I actually had no idea what this film was about when I first put it on. The first time I saw the poster was when I uploaded it for my blog. I didnt know that it was about a "football" star, in fact, I got it confused with "The Hurt Locker" and thought it was a war movie.

Its the story of Michael Oher (Brits read: Misc. American Football Player,) and his transition from the gangsta lands to athletic hero via a very helpful and fantastically portrayed Leigh Anne Tuohy. Sandra Bullock really deserved the Oscar that she won for this part, it was entirely believeable and just great to watch, I have read reports that the part was originally destined for Julia Roberts, which I think would have been a mistake, Sandra Bullock knows how to give attitude, and thats what this role required.

The film is based on a true story, which makes it a much nicer and heart-warming experience all round, especially the closing credits with images of the real Oher and Tuohys spliced in. I would however question some of the points raised in the film, and their proximity to the truth may be questionable - but, movies, first and foremost have to make money, so I dont hold it against "The Blind Side."

A quiet hero, I doubt I would ever have watched The Blind Side had it Bullock not won the Oscar for her role, its inevitably laced with lots of All-American themes, but is touching nonetheless. I would find it surprising if the film had gathered as much steam over here in the UK if it wasnt for its mentions in the news.

A great movie to watch, but give it some attention - dont try and watch it whilst studying for exams, because, like me, you'll fail at the studying part.

4/5 Stars

Review: Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

A sequel to Iron Man?! Hells yeah.

Iron Man 2 is the sequel to the fantastic comic book adaption with method actor Robert Downey Junior. The film picks up where the first one left off, with Tony Stark now public with his role as IronMan. I really like the way the film dealt with a more "real" nature of the superhero world, almost like Kickass (also reviewed,) with governmental lawsuits and public reaction all very close to what I'd expect from the world today.

The film itself also dealt with some more of the emotional side of things, showing a side of Tony Stark perhaps not fully explored in the first movie. I think I liked this bit, I'm not actually sure, and I think it will be a bit "Marmite" when it comes to viewer reaction because whilst I like the way it was done, some purists may not agree that it fits in with the whole Iron Man/Tony Stark ethos.

I'll try to avoid giving away too much information, but lets just say that Samuel L. Jackson plays a very significant role in this whole movie, compared to his ten second skit at the end of the last one, I've read reports that his appearance in this film was contingent on more screen time, and this is almost obvious, I actually think that Nick Fury's increased screen time may have even been a negative, detracting from the whole Iron Man thing, and turning it into a prequel for "The Avengers".

The action scenes and explored tech for the film were at par, expected quality but nothing that really blew me away, still plenty of testosterone pumping, bullet whizzing, explosion filled action to please anyone though.

The film was a superb action flick all round, striking an excellent balance between humour, emotion and action. Definitely worth watching, whether you are a big fan of the whole superhero thing or not, but you should watch the first one before the second.

4.5/5 Stars

PS, Scarlett Johansson is HOT HOT HOT.