The Blind Side By John Lee Hancock

I finally got around to watching 'The Blind Side' last night and it wasn't nearly as bad as I predicted. That being said the film is by no means memorable.

The film is written and directed by John Lee Hancock, who has been around for a while but hasn't got too many credits to his name. He is however responsible for writing one of my favourite films of all time 'A Perfect World' which was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Kevin Costner. I found that film until it's final moments to be a subtle character study, which hit hard with some emotional truths about the welfare system in the USA.

'The Blind Side' however lacks all of the subtlety that 'A Perfect World' had and due to this I never fully went along for the ride. It is based upon the true story of Michael Oher and Leigh Ann Tuohy and how he went to become an NFL draftee due to her guidance and support. An amazing story truth be told, that is found wanting in this film and really is more movie of the week fare.

So I come now to Sandra Bullocks performance of which she won the Best Actress Oscar. Now her performance is restrained when it comes to letting off the tears but it does play to Bullocks strengths which has always been her quick tongue. The film belongs to Bullock but to me it is not enough to rate this as Best Actress performance.

Gabourey Sidibe in 'Precious' allowed me into a world I had never seen before and did it with such openness, I thought she might just overcome the behemoth that the Bullock Blind Side had become. This however does not surprise me considering for my money the best actor performance of the year wasn't even nominated, Sam Rockwell in 'Moon' a film that I have seen four times already now and can't wait too watch it again due in large part to Rockwell's blistering, emotionally charged performance.

Precious by Lee Daniels

What can be said about this little film that seems to sweeping the independent film world.

For all intensive purposes this is a film that not many should see because of the dark subject matter but somehow seems to be playing everywhere and what a relief that is.

The film belongs to the two central performances. Mo'Nique is sensational as Precious' mother. She scales every bit of emotional terrain with such tenacity and heartfelt honesty that it truly is a wonder. The charter could have so easily fallen into caricature but due to the strength of the performance we get a portrait of a shattered woman who's only way of getting by is through pain. And her Oscar win is well deserved.

Gabourey Sidibe as Precious is miraculous. There is not a wrong foot in this performance who in my mind should have walked away with a best actress award. It truly is special performance that she has give the world, the complete anti-thesis to her mother. I was mezmerized by her and thought that she gave the film so much warmth and hope.

Lee Daniels and screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher have crafted a very dark film. The first half really reaches out of the screen and whacks across the head, so much dastardly shit happens to Precious. But by films there is such strength and resolve from the this young woman you can't help but think that this is a woman who can not only take on the world but bend it to her will.

So thank you to all involved for this miraculous film.