The blind side

Is every extraordinary true story worth adapting to film? It seems as though we’ve heard everything before, especially when it comes to down-on-their-luck athletes defying the odds. Well, Michael Oher’s story is pretty much just that, so the success of The Blind Side will rest in your hands. Shun it and you’ll be wishing there was a defensive end ready to take advantage of your blind side and put you out of your misery. But put your skepticism aside, embrace The Blind Side and you’ll be in for a feel-good time.

The Blind Side is based on the true story of Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher. The film opens with footage of the monumental moment when Lawrence Taylor sacked quarterback Joe Theismann, ending Theismann’s career but turning the offensive tackle into one of the highest paying positions in football. If you’re not a football fan, have no fear; The Blind Side is about Michael following in Taylor’s footsteps and becoming a professional football player, but more so, about how his adoption into the Tuohy family got him there.

Michael (Quinton Aaron), a.k.a. Big Mike, is practically homeless when he meets Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). She finds him walking the streets aimlessly in the rain, her benevolent tendencies kick right in and she invites him into her home. Think she’s crazy? Well, for a brief moment she does too, taking into account that she just let a complete stranger, a black teenager nonetheless (a major no-no in her well-off Memphis neighborhood), into her home with her expensive belongings, her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw), and her two young children, Collins and S.J. (Lily Collins and Jae Head). Turns out Michael’s appearance belies his gentle personality, and he soon becomes part of the Tuohy family.

At first, it’s hard not to dismiss The Blind Side as just the story of a wealthy white woman helping a poor black kid that you swear you’ve seen before. On top of that, the film isn’t easy to adjust to. The pace is rather slow, and although Bullock’s Southern accent is decent, it’s not what you expect to hear coming from her mouth. Really, the entire story seems to be more of a caricature than an accurate portrayal of a true tale. Michael might as well have been a giant teddy bear. No, seriously. He doesn’t say much most of the movie, and when he does, it’s as contrived as a talking bear that says ‘I love you’ when his stomach is pressed.


 But as unnatural as it seems, the more time you spend with The Blind Side, the more engaging it becomes. In fact, before you know it, you’ll be taking the social lessons become completely engrossed in Michael’s transformation. Though Leigh Ann is a key component of that transformation, Bullock also gives Aaron his time to shine. There’s a perfect balance of screen time among all the characters, and adorable S.J. in particular, who provides just about all of the film’s comic relief and has just as much, if not more, chemistry with Aaron as Bullock.

Just as Sean is the token ‘yes-man’ husband rolling with Leigh Anne’s big ideas, McGraw is often in Bullock’s shadow, but he also effectively softens her character. Initially Leigh Anne comes across as a no-B.S. mother with a strict agenda, but just as Michael goes through a complete renovation, so does she. By the end of the film Leigh Anne maintains the stick-to-itiveness she utilizes to change Michael’s life and keep her own family together, but sheds her tough exterior and absorbs what their journey has revealed to her about herself. This is what makes the story unique. It’s not just about a rich woman being charitable to a poor boy or the rise of an unlikely athlete; it’s about the transformation of a family. She subtly but forcefully drives The Blind Side and infuses it with a depth and charm, making it a truly inspiring film. 

If you give The Blind Side a chance, the payoff is monumental. I dare you to sit through the entire film and not get chills when the screen fades to black and runs through a montage of the real Michael Oher and the real Tuohy family. The film is generally enjoyable, but it isn’t until the credits roll that you’ll realize what a major sentimental impact it has on you. Do yourself a favor, don’t get too picky, take the film for what it is – an inspirational sports movie – and you’ll win big.

A Maltese recipe - Imbuljuta

This is a family recipe going back a squillion years. My grandmother used to make this and I suspect her mother gave her the recipe - my mum gave me this recipe recently and it worked a treat. This is for a sweet chestnut soup which is so nice in the winter, curled up on the sofa watching the telly. You eat it out of a mug to be authentic, with a spoon.

 

Ingredients

500g dried, shelled chestnuts, soaked at least overnight, preferably 24 hours

500ml boiling water

1 tangerine, finely chopped - skin and all

1 tsp sugar

10 cloves

6 teaspoons cocoa powder (or to taste, maybe you can use less and add more as you go along)

1 stick of cinnamon

125g raisins

1 tot of anisette (such as sambuca or ouzo)

1. Place the chestnuts in a pot.

2. Dissolve the cocoa powder and sugar in the hot water.

3. Add all the other ingredients, bring to the boil then lower to a simmer.

4. Simmer the imbuljuta for about 2 hours or until chestnuts are tender.

5. Add the anisette, mix well, serve hot or cold (but it's much nicer hot).

It tastes better the next day!

Miley Cyrus to Host Saturday Night Live

This is, like, pretty cool news for Miley Cyrus fans.

The 18-year old singer will host Saturday Night Live on March 5. It will mark her first time on that iconic stage, though sources confirm she will only appear in skits. A different musical act will be featured.

The more pressing question: will Miley meet Miley? As seen below, cast member Vanessa Bayer does a killer impression of the actress, anchoring the show's take on The Miley Cyrus Show. Let's hope the universe remains intact when these two versions come face to face...

Aaron Carter Out of Rehab, Back on Music Journey

Aaron Carter is back on feet. 

The 23 year old singer has checked out of Betty Ford Center after successfully completing a month of rehab.
Carter is currently back in his native Florida and working on a new album.

Carter is currently back in his native Florida and working on a new album.

When he entered Betty Ford last month, his rep said that the former tween dream had sought treatment to get himself into fighting shape for the career challenges ahead.

"Aaron, understanding the challenges and hard work it would take to get himself back to the top, requested to take some emotional and spiritual issues he was dealing with," the rep said.

"Therefore he was chosen to enter a facility where he feels he will get the guidance and cleansing he needs that will help him on the music journey he's about to take.

Sounds like a pretty serious venture.  Lord knows there are plenty of examples in Hollywood right now of what not to do next, so I wish him the best.

Did Charlie Sheen Sneeze Into Zachary Quinto's Face?

Zachary Quinto's make-up artist obviously spent hours carefully brushing and deep conditioning the svelte otters over his eyes and didn't have time to make sure that the camera flashes would not catch one of the secrets to his beauty: pressed powder (or whatever the hell that is). I know that it's easy for ones' wrist to go weak while they get lost in the luscious follicles of mink hair clinging to his brow, but that make-up artist had a job to do! Blend that mess.
Quinto's at his big premiere for Margin Call in Berlin with Paul Bettany, Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons, and he looks like he just finished reenacting the cokeater scene from Scarface. Or like he just tossed the Pillsbury Doughboy's salad. It's a good thing Jeremy Iron's hot boots were there to slightly take the focus away.