The Blind Side

Michael Oher, a young black teenager is taken in by the Tuohy’s, a wealthy white family in Memphis, Tennessee. Based on a true story, Michael is given opportunities that transform his life.

That is a pretty pitiful synopsis; nevertheless, you can probably guess the rest. You know, one of those feel good sports flicks. In all honesty I was surprised that I liked this as much as I did. I expected it to be way sappy and overly melodramatic. And, yes it has it’s moments of cliché sports drama, but overall the story is much more about Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and how this boy changes her life.

Bullock does a great job, and for the first time in years, is in an age appropriate role. Entertaining and clever dialogue keep the obnoxiously predictable storyline in check as it does run over two hours. This won’t go down in history as a great sports movie, or even an amazing biopic, but it was cute and fun.

* * ½ Rentable


Rated PG -13 (who knows why, it was like watching a Disney Cartoon)

Fantastic Mr. Fox

A young Mr. Fox makes a promise to his wife that he will give up his thievery career path now that they are expecting a cub. Flash forward; he is working as a newspaper columnist and totally unsatisfied with life. He secretly starts to get back into his old ways, causing a stir and eventually all out war between the animal community and the local farmers.

This is a total Wes Anderson film. Think The Royal Tenenbaums meets Chicken Run. I thought the movie was quite clever and funny, having said that, the comedy itself is so subtle I doubt small children would appreciate this for anything more than the visual effects.

The voice casting was perfect. George Clooney is fabulous, as is, Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman. Somewhat forgettable in terms of a animated flick, yet exactly what one would expect from Wes Anderson…including the lengthy running time.

* * ½ Rentable


Rated PG (for violence)

Pirate Radio

A random and curious group of DJ’s broadcast rock n’ roll music from ships anchored in the North Sea next to the isle of Great Britain. Though not technically breaking the law, the government hates them and is doing all they can to shut them down.

This is apparently based on a true story. That in the mid-60’s it was illegal to broadcast rock n’ roll music while on British soil. So many radio stations took to the seas and became known as Pirate Radio. I found this so odd, as some of the greatest music of the 60’s came out of England; it seems so silly that they wouldn’t allow it on air.

Nevertheless enough history—back to the film. While based on actual events the movie itself doesn’t really have much of a story line. It kind of follows a teenager in a weak coming of age attempt, but the rest of it is basically just a bunch of cleverly written skits that are merged together with the momentary government angst clips.

Having said that, the music is fabulous, and if you are a fan of that era you will have tons of fun watching this collage of vignettes’ about nothing more than sex, drugs, and rock and roll. See it.

* * ½ Rentable


Rated R (for language and sexual content)

The Box

A young couple, in the late 70’s, are given the financial opportunity of a lifetime. Push a button and receive $1 Million dollars, someone, somewhere, will die as a result. Don’t push the button and you will be paid $100 dollars and the offer will be made to someone else.

So this movie had such potential but fell flat. The idea was intriguing. Testing humanity and the general integrity of mankind, however the movie takes on this random supernatural sci-fi twist that completely down grades the story. I thought that this would be so much more suspenseful and more of a psychological thriller. Instead you are left with a heavy handed question of morality that is neither thought provoking nor entertaining.

The art direction does however create a very 70’s feel that is commendable, not worth running to a theatre near you, but it works.

* ½ Rentable


Rated PG-13 (for language)