Why Sandra Bullock is awesome...

I loved Sandra ever since she did the television series based on the Melanie Griffith/Harrison Ford 1988 movie, Working Girl. Yeah, over 20 years ago. She just had that lovable presence in all her films that you just like being around her. Just look at my lead off picture of her and Betty White. You can't tell me it wouldn't be fun hanging out with Sandy. And Betty too for that matter. Even when she plays a not so nice character like she did in Crash a few years ago, you still sympathize with her. And after her banner year in 2009 with The Proposal and The Blind Side, her career has never been better. Her personal life has suffered thanks to her ex-husband piece of crap Jesse James, but she is better off with out him.

Sandra is by far, my most favorite modern actress, ahead of Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon. And like I stated earlier, I didn't just start like Sandy recently. Even before the Working Girl series (which lasted a short 12 episodes) I remember seeing her in The Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman reunion TV movie as Kate, a young woman with bionic abilities. She was cute and perky and I paid more attention to her than Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner. It was cool seeing this fresh faced new actress on the scene. Her stint on Working Girl may not have lasted long but it did show that she had some potential comedic skills.

 Her first film that I recall seeing her in was the comedy Love Potion No. 9 which had playing a grad research student who along with her lab partner stumble across this love potion that makes both of them attractive to everyone else. Once again Sandra got to show her improving comedic abilities. She would make several more films such as the intense thriller The Vanishing with Kiefer Sutherland and Jeff Bridges; When The Party's Over, and The Thing Called Love with the late River Phoenix.

 But she got her first taste of stardom with 1993's sci-fi action film Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. As police officer Lenina Huxley, Sandy didn't let the boys have all the fun as she got to fight, shoot guns, and drive really fast. This film would set her up for the film that would really put her on the map, Speed, which is one of my all time favorite films. This movie is so cool as it makes Keanu Reeves an action star, Dennis Hopper doing his very best bad guy thing, and Sandy driving the runaway bus while also providing the film's best lines. After Speed became one of the biggest hits during the summer of 1994, Sandy became a genuine movie star. 

The films during the period of 1995 - 2002 would make Sandy one of the biggest actresses in the world with films such as A Time To Kill, While You Were Sleeping, Hope Floats, Practical Magic, Two Week Notice, and Miss Congeniality. Her career cooled off a bit after that but she came back strong with Crash, giving one of her best dramatic performances ever. Even as an unsympathetic wife, you still felt for her and wished her well. I will skip over her years with James and move on to what would be a banner year for her in 2009. With the summer romantic comedy smash The Proposal (which is funny as hell) and the winter release The Blind Side (which I think is her best film performance). She was her first Oscar as Best Actress for The Blind Side. Some say it was given as a consolation prize for all the turmoil that she was facing in her personal life. I don't think so. I thought she gave a terrific performance and deserved the Oscar more than anyone else that year.

I think the reason why a lot of people love Sandra Bullock is because she is so easy going and regular. We can all relate to her. She seems like that person who you would love to just be with. She's beautiful, funny, and has an amazing and friendly personality. I think she has been through a lot over the last year but will come out a better and stronger person from it. I believe she will continue to deliver more great performances in great films in the coming years. Her next film will be a family drama, co-starring none other than Tom Hanks. Color me excited for that one. And I think I will start doing regular posts of her on my blog. Reviews of her films, posting pics and whatever else that catches my fancy. So I hope that most of my followers are fans of Sandra because she will become a regular topic here on All Good Things.

Happy Birthday Sandra Bullock

Almost missed mentioning today is Sandra Bullock's birthday. She is by far my most favorite actress working in film today. Sandra was born in 1964 in Arlington,Virgina. And has starred is some of the best films in current cinema. The Proposal, The Blind Side, Speed, While You Were Sleeping, Miss Congeniality, A Time To Kill, Hope Floats, and so on. I hope she had a memorable birthday, considering all what she has been through in the last 8 months.

Sandra Bullock Returns

My favorite modern actress was back this past weekend. In her first public appearance in recent months, Sandra Bullock shocked the crowd with a surprise appearance on stage during Spike TV's 4th Annual "Guys Choice Awards" Saturday night at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA. Bullock, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress this year for her role in "The Blind Side," accepted the "Troops Choice" Award for Entertainer of The Year. The award was voted on by members of the military worldwide exclusively on the Spike website. The star-studded audience greeted Bullock with an extended standing ovation as she appeared on stage with representatives of the US Army, the US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard. She was smiling and looking wonderful. Here's to her getting on with her life after what she has been through the past few months.

Review: The Blind Side (2009) is one of the best movies I've ever seen....

Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, a well to do Memphis couple,  who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher. Michael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him, including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use Michael's skills. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. That's the storyline of this very enthralling movie. Sandra Bullock deservedly won an Oscar for Best Actress with her performance as Leigh Anne. She comes across as a tough but sincere and a very likable person. One person in the film says it's very Christian of what she's doing for Michael. I have always loved Sandra in everything she has done and she gives one of her best performances ever. Just as good is newcomer Quinton Aaron as Michael, a soft spoken kid who just happens to be giant sized. His introverted nature is the direct opposite of Leigh Anne's light up the room presence. Their scenes together are a joy to watch. Country singer Tim McGraw acquits himself nicely as Leigh Anne's husband Sean, who supports his wife in every decision she makes. Kathy Bates is also on hand as Miss Sue, the tutor who helps Michael with his grades.

The Blind Side is more of a family drama than it is a sports movie. It does feature a few training scenes and an actual football game being played, but the real draw of this film is the interaction between Michael and everyone he meets. Also pivotal is one of his high school teachers played by Kim Dickens,who convinces the other faculty to give Michael a chance to learn in their classrooms. I know much as been said about how the film may pander to audiences and comes across cliched, but I for one enjoyed every minute of this film. It was emotional, heartfelt, and kept my full attention. There are several moments of well timed humor as well. Not too many films can find humor about politics that will not offend anyone. The two jokes that are said are classic and were handled with good taste. I'm sure everyone will get a kick out of them once they hear them.

So, to wrap it up, The Blind Side was my second favorite film of 2009, right behind Star Trek. It was a surprise and was definitely Sandra's shining moment. Without a doubt, she deserved her well won Oscar. And praise for Quinton as well. His low key take on Michael came across very effectively. The Blind Side is a must see.
A

Modern Film Favorite-The Proposal is accepted

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Hilarious comedy and Sandra Bullock's best film in years. She plays a high maintenance book editor who is on the verge of being deported back to her homeland of Canada. So she quickly forces her assistant Andrew (played by Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. Well when an immigration officer finds out, he wants to make sure this is for real, so the duo ends up going to Andrew's home in Alaska to prepare for their wedding. Of course his family is in shock and all kinds of hilarity ensues. It reminded me of those old Cary Grant films from the 40's with a dash of more sex talk. Bullock and Reynolds make a great team and have wonderful chemistry together. A solid supporting cast which includes Mary Steenburgen, Malin Akerman, craig T. Nelson and the always funny Betty White as Andrew's grandma. The Proposal is a great romantic comedy that everyone will enjoy. Trust me when Sandra busts out some dance moves to DJ Rob Base It Takes Two you will be hooked.
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Margaret Tate: I am not getting in that boat!
Andrew Paxton: Fine, see you in three days.
Margaret Tate: You know I can't swim!
Andrew Paxton: Hence... the *boat*.