Sandra Bullock 'Blind Sides' the competition and may grab her first Oscar nomination

Could this suddenly become the year of Sandra Bullock?

A little less than a month ago I traveled to the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank to see a film called "The Blind Side" starring Bullock that, frankly, I wasn't expecting much from. Sometimes nice surprises happen.

This is the kind of  inspiring and solid upbeat studio release (directed by John Lee Hancock) that could, and should, put Bullock firmly in the race for best actress. This could be her "Erin Brockovich." Just like the film that earned Julia Roberts her Oscar, this is a true life story about Leigh Anne Tuohy, an unstoppable force of nature who persuades her very white Southern family to take in a virtually homeless African American teen named Michael Oher (played by newcomer Quinton Aaron). This unusual "adoption" leads to a brand-new life for the boy and sends him on his way to eventually becoming an All-American football star.

Like the far more visible (at least media-wise) "Precious," it's a story of a person lifted out of his or her own personal ghetto, who uses hope and an indomitable spirit to prevail against all odds.

Aaron and the rest of the cast, which includes Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates, are just fine. But it's Bullock, burning up the screen as an upscale Southern woman who finds her heart and soul, who should finally earn some awards attention. It's easily her best screen work since her underrated supporting turn in "Crash," but she has yet to appear on anybody's short list of best actress candidates. (This writer excluded.)

"The Blind Side," together with her romantic comedy box-office smash "The Proposal," should make 2009 this star's most memorable year ever. (The less said about "All About Steve" the better.) 

In fact, I've been told by sources at last week's ShowEast exhibitors convention that the movie played like gangbusters there. One top distribution exec for a rival studio actually told me that it could be classified as a great film if it were only about 10 to 15 minutes shorter. It does run long and could lose some of the football footage, but it never loses its grip on the audience thanks largely to Bullock.

Playing a real-life person is always helpful in awards season, particularly when that person can run around to media to say how authentic the portrayal is. It certainly worked with Brockovich's praise of Roberts, and I imagine Tuohy will do the same thing for Bullock.

It's entirely possible Bullock could even end up with two Golden Globe nominations this year if all the cards line up, one for actress in a comedy or musical for "The Proposal" and one for actress in a drama for "The Blind Side." And in the ever-fluid lineup of best actress Oscar candidates this year she has a real shot if Warners gets it out there to the acting community.

The major negative in this scenario is the film's Nov. 20 opening, directly against Summit's expected blockbuster "New Moon." It could get buried in the rubble that juggernaut leaves behind. Still, underdogs, which "Blind Side" undoubtedly is in this case, sometimes find a way to rise to the top.

It's called word of mouth.

Photo: Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side." Credit: Warner Bros.

Comments

[Nick]

Sandra is one of the finest actresses of our time. Her previous two Golden Globe nominations were for "While You Were Sleeping" and "Miss Congeniality." She should have EASILY had the Globe for "Miss", and was in STRONG contention for "Sleeping." Hopefully, the Globes will reward her with at least one nomination..she was excellent in both pictures mentioned!

[Dave]

She is far from being one of the finest actresses of our time. She is a one note actress and is rather low on class in her acting. She looks fake and plastic in the trailer for Blind Side. Hammond also mentioned how GREAT Ameila was after hearing from a studio head, right?

[Patrick]

Hammond saw the film and he admitted that it took him by surprise.. positively.

Rumor has it that the audience loved this movie at a screening. That's a good sign.

Miss Bullock may not be like Streep, Blanchett, or other award winning actors. But the fact that she has been consistently bankable at the box office and is still many viewers' favorite means that she is a superstar with great quality. Even All About Steve made $33m! In my opinion, it should have gone straight to DVDs, so I'm very objective here.

"One note actress"? I assume you have not watched all of her firms. Miss Congeniality, Crash, Infamous? -- one note??

I don't take your comment too seriously.

[renton]

So she could be in the running for an Oscar and a Razzie (All About Steve) in the same year.

Awkward!

[Laura]

I have always admired her work, and I feel that in the past she was shunned. I cannot wait to see The Blind Side and thought that The Proposal was one of her best films!

Cannot wait to hear of her many nominations! :)

[Sean]

I'm not sure this Hammond character has ever even seen a decent movie. Judging from his past reviews and my "gut feeling", Sandra Bullock will come no closer to an Oscar for this movie than she did in...well... any other movie she's ever been in.

[JordanMR]

there is absolutely no chance Sandra Bullock gets an oscar nom for this performance.

[Gspot]

Yeah. I don't think so.

[Tye-Grr]

Hmmm... The trailer looked "ispirational" in that sappy sorta way. But I agree that she was in fine form in 'The Proposal', using her comedic timing to great effect. Who knows, maybe I'll get blind sided later this year by her performance?

[geee]

who the eff is pete hammond? who the eff cares what he has to say? and Sandra Bullock is not a great actress although I did like her in 28 days. I thought she captured an adict pretty well and no body has mentioned that yet.

[Brian Hong]

He's the guy formerly from Maxim that gave glowing reviews for everything. Of course, that meant he was featured on the DVD covers of a bunch of sub-par films. However, I hope the blind side does not disappoint.

[Rob]

May be it's a time for her first Oscar.
Not bad for a german on 46. :)

[Joe]

Sandra Bullock is not a good actress. She stars in comedies and romantic comedies. That's all she does and that's all she's capable of doing.

[Rob Rison]

Sandra Bullock is a fine actress. I have enjoyed watching her over the years and I believe she has great acting ability and has improved steadily over the years. From what I have seen in the 2 clips for The Blind Side, I think she will finally get the recognition that she deserves. Can't wait to see this film! My personal favorite film of hers...While You Were Sleeping. This was a date movie I took my wife on and we both love it!

[Grant]

Sandra Bullock is definitely a talented actress, but there is alot of competition this year, such as Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious," Carey Mulligan in "An Education," and Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia." If Bullock were really to be considered for winning Best Actress, she would have to portray a drug addict or stripper, not a Southern busy-body--a role that simply does not possess enough potential for her to really show how good she can be. Nonetheless, it is very tangible that she may recieve a Golden Globe nomination, although I would be very surprised if she actually won.

[RLS]

Hammy is the shilliest shill that ever shilled. I would take any and everything I hear from him with a grain of salt.

[megmom]

Saw this movie last night.. It was absolutely well done. I was pulled completely into this movie, and I forgot I was watching Sandra and Tim! Sandra is a great actress! This film showed that she can definately tackle such a role!

[Tom]

Good movie. The old lady deserves some Oscar after all.

[RLB]

I saw this movie tonight. I thought it would be good, but it turned out to be so much more than good. I laughed...I cried....I oohed and awed....I clapped. It was, for me, one of the best movies I've seen in a long, long time. It's a must-see movie, and the best part it's one you can take your whole family to and not have to worry about inappropriate content for your kids. It deals with some difficult issues, but does so in a way that really reaches out to you on a personal level. I truly, truly enjoyed this movie!

[nicole yvette]

i have yet to see the film and i already get teary up.

[Benjamin]

You guys, you guys. Wait!

By "Oscar" he meant that her paycheck was big enough to allow her to buy a Mexican boy. That's all.

[KF]

Hammond is right. This is the best film in her career.

[Laura]

Obviously some of you either don't know good acting or don't know anything period. Especially the guy who says Bullock only does romantic comedies or comedies. He must not realize that all this stuff can be looked up online now and that statement was totally off the mark. Not only will she get nominated, I say she walks away with it. If you don't think so then you haven't seen the movie obviously. Looking forward to returning to this site when the noms are announced for this year. Wonder what the naysayers will be saying if she gets it.

[Lisa]

I think she has played some characters in the past that have been taken a little less serious, BUT she deserves an oscar nomination for her performance in The Blind Side!!!!

[Randall Burns]

Sandra Bullock is one of our most gifted actresses. Being able to switch from high drama to slapstick at the drop of a hat and be good at both takes a great deal of talent. "The Proposal" should win her a nomination as well as a supporting actress nod for American treasure Betty White. But "Proposal"won't win it for her...it's just not the Academy's cup of tea, but here comes "The Blindside" and it probably won't win it for her either, but it will get her the nomination. Bullock is this generation's Doris Day who was one of the top box office draws in the 50s and 60s. There's another actress who has not gotten her dues. She was nominated a couple of times but never won. There should be a grassroots campaign to award her an honorary Oscar before something happens to her.