Now In Theaters - The Blind Side

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Offensive Tackle Michael Oher from the University of Mississippi. In 2006, Michael's life was the subject of a book 'The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game' written by Michael Lewis. In November of 2009 a movie based on that book was brought to theaters. 'The Blind Side' is a reference to the area that a Left Tackle has to protect in terms of his Quarterback. The movie boasts a nice cast with Sandra Bullock, country music star Tim McGraw as well as Kathy Bates. There are also a number of guest appearances from college football coaches. The role of Michael is played by Quinton Aaron, who is a newcomer on the scene.

Michael, or "Big Mike" as he's referred to in most of the film, is the son of a drug addict mother and barely knows his father. His mother barely cares for him at all and he ends up basically homeless once the family he is staying with puts him out. He attends a Christian private school and the parents of a couple students attending the school notice him walking around from time to time. One of the children, Sean "SJ" Tuohy begins to talk to Big Mike one day. Michael is a very sheltered and very quiet young man. Despite being 6'6" and 300+ pounds, he is not as commanding of your attention as his appearance would seem. One day, after the daughter's basketball game, Mrs. Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Bullock, notices Mike walking around in the cold wearing a pair of shorts and a short sleeve shirt. She approaches him and insists he come along with the family and stay with them for the night.

Reluctantly, Michael comes along. And of course, that one night turns into 2 and turns into 3 and so on. Mrs. Tuohy begins to take an interest in his academics and quickly learns that that if his GPA was an amount in dollars... that he wouldn't even be able to get a McDouble off the 99 cent menu. Off course the football coach takes his own special interest in Big Mike. (I did mention that he's 6'6" and 300+??? LOL) But of course he would have to get his grades up in order to get on the gridiron. Most of Michael's teachers do not give him so much as a chance. They just chalk him up as not being able to do the work. It is not until one of his teachers realizes that he is taking in the information better than they all could expect, he is just having trouble communicating it onto his test forms.

With plenty of hard work Michael is able to get his grade together and get onto the football field. Which is yet another struggle for him. Again, despite his ridiculous size for a 17 year old... he is VERY non- confrontational. Not to mention the fact that he has never played football in his life. He is having a lot of trouble following the rules and ideas of the game. But once Michael does get the hang of things. His sheer size coupled with his motivation make him a serious force on the field. Scouts come from all over... Louisiana State, Southern Carolina, Auburn... and of course Tennessee. Now with both Mr. and Mrs. Tuohy being Ole Miss alums, they aren't too pleased with the thought of Tennessee, LOL.

The movie is a lot of fun. It had a good amount of laughs, a lot of feel good moments, and a fun story. My only complaint was that they put a little more Hollywood in there and weren't entirely true to Oher's story. I won't spoil some of the differences between his real life and the life portrayed on screen, but I will share that it doesn't take a lot from the overall fun feeling of the movie. All in all I would put this one as about 7.5 out of 10. Bullock and McGraw were very believable in their respective roles. Actor Jae Head stole the show for me in the role of SJ. He was a very fun little character. This is a nice feel good movie that you can take the whole family to go see. And I wouldn't surprised to see Bullock get a few nominations thrown her way either.