Middle America Cheers For Sandra Bullock
by Richard GrenellListening to National Public Radio handicap the Academy Award Best Actress Nominees, it’s clear that media and Hollywood elites think the movie The Blind Side has too much mass appeal and not enough edginess to win any serious awards. Within hours of the announcement of Oscar nominations, the Hollywood press had mostly condescending analysis of Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy, a real-life suburban woman who intervenes in a troubled teenager’s life. ABC News went so far to ask on February 3, “Does Sandra Bullock Deserve an Oscar for Blind Side?” For the super-cool Hollywood types, Leigh Anne is just too simple. For them, straight forward and inspiring is boring. They think church-attending Republicans from the South are not hip enough for an Academy Award. However, despite the fact that Bullock’s performance continues to inspire millions of moviegoers around the world, few filmmakers in Hollywood seem impressed enough to reward her an Oscar.
The divide between those who attend movies and those who make movies has never been wider. While serious Hollywood types spend most of their time, energy and money on movies that trivialize the experiences of middle America, Middle America spends its time and money on movies that celebrate what it is to be an American. Capitalism is good for Hollywood executives, but it’s under assault in the scripts being written. American military men and women are celebrated as heroes on Main Street, but they are overwhelmingly portrayed as killers in the movies that Hollywood produces. And while Hollywood is tremendously liberal, the rest of America is not.
But middle America is fighting back. Millions of people have responded to The Blind Side and Sandra Bullock’s performance in such a way that many of the traditional Hollywood types have been forced to take notice. If there is one thing that Hollywood understands, it is money. Variety reported in early January that The Blind Side brought in $208.5 million in its 7th week of release, making it the first picture in history driven solely by a female star to break the $200 million domestic box office mark. Sandra Bullock is America’s star, not Hollywood’s. We have responded to her performances over the years because she is inspiring and talented. America loves Bullock’s real humility, fun personality and true generosity. Bullock gives generously to crisis’ like her $1 million dollar gift to the Tsunami Relief effort in Indonesia, more to Hurricane Katrina relief and recently the Haiti earthquake fund – all without seeking media attention for it. She is funny, beautiful and refreshingly normal. Bullock is not from a Hollywood dynasty or family, she is someone from your family.
For the millions of moviegoers who have seen The Blind Side, it’s more than a blockbuster movie. For them, Bullock is a hero who doesn’t wait for others to respond or a government program to kick in before she helps a young man in need. The Blind Side speaks to America’s sense of right and wrong, and Bullock’s portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy is a suburban anthem that continues to inspire and cajole men and women to help change someone’s life. For millions of Americans, The Blind Side is more accurately America than the highly celebrated movie Precious. The Blind Side is the conservative response to Hollywood’s fêted Precious. While Precious was gritty and edgy, Bullock’s performance in The Blind Side was just as real. Bullock could have easily given in to the usual Hollywood portrayal of a southern Christian woman by overdoing the sappiness and creating a condescending caricature of life in the suburbs when you have a southern accent. But Bullock knows real suburban America because that is where she came from. The brilliance of The Blind Side is that the characters weren’t over the top in the usual Hollywood way. The characters were real – real Americans struggling to change their world.
While many in Hollywood dismiss the life experiences of everyday Americans as trivial or unglamorous, Bullock’s performance in The Blind Side celebrates real Americans. America doesn’t need to be taught by Hollywood, Hollywood could use some lessons from real Americans. Sandra Bullock just may be the one person is Hollywood that could bridge the ever-growing gap between the two.
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179 Comments
Go Sandra! I really hope she wins the Oscar.
Sandra Bullock was great in the movie. But read the book as well it is better on many levels. The problem with Ms. Bullock is that she is a left wing actress and in articles that came out promoting the film she confesses she always had contempt for people like the Tuohy's. As she said she had to be convinced they were really that good at heart. Additionally, I read the transcript of her acceptance speech at some awards show and she never mentioned Michael Ohre's or the family, the writer Michael Lewis no one but herself and her husband. It was all about her. I don't think that type of person could ever be a bridge connecting anyone to anyone.
Exactly right RIcki—-"America's Sweetheart" is very cagey—she really wants this Oscar, and is using the lefty media that right wingers don't read to let her peeps know she really had to hold her nose and do this film—the stills of this film were enough to turn me off…the family portrait, where her character is in full "southern belle" mode was enough for me…glad people found it uplifting, but I just think it's juts another instance of the left coast mocking the flyover country.
Sandra B. certainly deserves an Oscar much, much more than Barry O. deserves a Nobel Peace Prize…
…or re-election.
If Bullock wins this award, it will really just be a make-up Oscar for her overlooked work in "Demolition Man".
Ah! The three sea shells.
The Oscar folks need a movie that sets our preconceptions on it's ear. You know, a movie where the perfect nuclear family is just a thin cover for quiet desperation, where the father figure wants to nail his daughter's friend and the redneck neighbor is masking his gay feelings with outward displays of homophobia. Now THAT would be an Oscar-worthy movie.
I mean what is shocking about a Christian family showing compassion and stepping out of their comfort zone to do the right thing? That's what Christians do every day, right Hollywood? Nothing edgy there.
Maybe its just me… but it's a movie, she was great, I'm a big fan…. but it's a movie, it's just the academy… ultimately, people really just don't give a shit… real middle America will go enjoy an afternoon at the movies, like this one… then hop in the car and move on with everyday life. There's nothing new to the revelation that Hollywood is the poster child for political bigots, but putting the academy on a pedestal doesn't really fly in middle America, because frankly, we just don't give a shit about "The Academy".
that is my favorite of her roles. (no joke)
if something gets an oscar for best actor, director or film, i usually avoid it.
Animation, make up, score etc are often actual indicators of greatness, they seem less out of touch.
Ha! "You're a savage creature, John Spartan."
This is probably fodder for another article, but in some ways this movie was ahead of its time and in other ways, it'd never be made today.
"not enough edginess"…………
YEAH……….ONLY ONE BLINDSIDE ON PRESIDENT BUSH.
She's the quintessential "girl next door"….
I wish.
…not enough edginess… I suppose if she had turned her first-born into haggis, on screen, the devil-worshippers would give it better reviews.
Hear, hear.
I thought I actually caught a glimpse of self-parody in her role in Demolition Man – as in ScottDS's quote.
As in American Beauty. Exactly.
HAHAHAHA!!!!
"I'm not a narrow minded judgement cow, like YOU PEOPLE!"
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Yes you could have said it better. The word is "judgemental". You haven't even the sense to know when an adjective is in order. DUMMY!
There are many thoughts I have about Sandy…
I would award her an Oscar… three times a day.
Yeah, I named mine. So what!
Also, I said SHE isn't. NOT "I'm .." You must have failed reading comprehension at the homeschool taught by your semi-literate Mommy.
Ahhh, Seymour, the irony in your post is as thick as it is sweet. Being a mov…sorry…FILM expert, I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of Projection?
–Bill Smith
Movie fans are often guilty of projecting the persona of a character upon the actor. This has happened since the birth of film. Mary Pickford was "America's Sweetheart," an innocent, dainty little thing (so not true!), Jimmy Stewart was George Baily (great guy, but no George), Marlon Brando and James Dean were tough rebels of a new generation (only on film), Jessica Lange and Sally Field are experts on the problems facing farmers (are you kidding me?), etc.
Remember, folks, these people are playing a ROLE that is written by someone else. That is what they get paid to do. Ms. Bullock was excellent in this movie because she is an ACTRESS, not because she is the same person as the one she portrayed on the screen.
Sy, your udders are showing. She had something to do with a movie that portrays Christians well. We appreciate that. If she was actually a Christian then she would be a "narrow-minded moralist judgemental (sic) cow"?
I got an idea, start a bigoted, hate-filled anti-religion blog to show how bigoted and hate-filled those people are.
Nor can you, Seymour, punctuate a sentence properly, but we Christians don't demand perfection in a blog comment.
Seymour, home schoolers run rings around public school kids in SATs, etc. Colleges court them.
I hope Sandra wins, it’s a nice movie. In my mind the actors were virtually irrelevant, it’s the great story.
Hear, hear! Well said!
[...] Middle America Cheers For Sandra Bullock from Big Hollywood by Richard Grenel [...]
To summarize your comment:
Mind closed, mouth open.
So you missed Gladiator?
She already worked with Haggis (Paul) on "Crash" ;-D
The criticism of Sandra Bullock on this thread makes me sick.
1. That was a perfect rendition of Mrs. Tuohy. She took a somewhat campy movie and made parts of it unforgettable, moving, lesson-teaching, and philosophy-reenforcing for all decent, thoughtful, caring, people. 2. She is not notorious for saying poorly thought out, strident political B.S. out in public. Wouldn't it be great if more of our entertainment leaders were thast way? Why isn't this strictly optional? I mean if they want to really dig into policy and take the career risks like oh say, JULIA ROBERTS or NATALIE PORTMAN to change the world…oh, uh…maybe that's not a really productive way for some to spend their time. 3. Why should she shake the beehive of politics since the record shows it can hurt hollywood careers one way or the other, either alienating audiences or alienating your colleagues–the people that help you get paid for the career you have chosen? Furthermore, why should she take the risk of the thoughtless misinterpreting ANYTHING benign she says about the movie? It happens everyday in the media. 4. She has a clear track record of being VERY charitable in a low key way. She's a great conservative example, in that regard. 5. My cursory exploration of her biography shows she's some decent level of business person that employes people and renders services and creates value. She does not sit around and bitch about the government needing to do it, which as we all know, does it poorly, for the most part.
Leave her alone. The criticism on thread reminds me of stereotypical, poorly thought out, liberal cackling in reverse.
I said usually, it is not a hard and fast rule, but I generally have never seen the movies nominated for most awards.
I make no bones about it, I see the movies I want to, not what the academy thinks i should.
I enjoyed Gladiator.
I say go Sandra! She is only an actress and she did an excellent job on the film. And No I do not believe that she is anyway conservative. She is a capitalist and loves to make money off of people like me who enjoy seeing a movie with a positve message on God and family. Go Sandy GO!
Grammar nitpicking: the last refuge of the trolling scoundrel.
Give it up, Seymour. You're just another narrow-minded, hate-filled bigot.
"And lets not be mistaken, Southerners can aspire to be middle American, seems like Bullock's character may achieve that honor, but the South has a long way to go overall to even come close."
Speaking as a native Southerner: you're completely full of shit. I reckon you must be a damyankee.
*Ahem*. Welfare is largely responsible for poverty. Michael Oher's nightmare youth was in great part a creation of the Great Society.
Thanks for saying this.
Mrs. Bullock,
You get my vote.
Joe
I just don't get the Sandra Bullock love here. She is not a Conservative. In fact, she is as liberal as the actors/actresses we rightly scorn here. Her politics are of the Julia Robers variety but she just keeps her mouth shut about it. However, her contempt for the character she played in The Blind Side has come through loud and clear in interviews.
it's sad, but true…
Bullock is playing the Hollywood game. Pretend you're one of 'the folk', but make sure you diss them when the klieg lights are on, therefor protecting your Spago buddies from turning on you. It's why director John Lee Hancock inserted the anti-Bush shot AFTER the test screening (real cowardice there), so he could tell his lefty pals 'See- we slapped 'em when we had a chance'.
Yet it will be beloved for it's story anyway…
Technically, Lee Anne IS a simple character, as are all the characters in the film…no-one really has an arc or develops–they start as nice people, and end the film just as nice. (Oher is taken in pretty much immediately) So if acting achievement is judged by a character's growth, well, she's perfectly lovely, but she doesn't achieve any. I'm not putting her down, but look in contrast at Jeff Bridges' "Crazy Heart" character, who undergoes a definite high/low/growth cycle in that film. I loved Streep's Julia Child, a showy one, but a much more dynamic performance. Haven't seen Helen Mirren's film, and skipped "An Education." Gabourey Sidbe's "Precious" performance is remarkable considering she's never acted before, but her character is acted upon more than acts. It's between Streep and Bullock…and the actors get to pick the winner in their catagory. Streep may get it because they might think she should've gotten it for "Prada" a few years back. But if Bullock really wants it, she needs to stop declaring in interviews that she's not going to win…the Academy may just oblige her as the Streep love is strong and deep…
It appears that sarchasm is wasted.
Exactly!
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Sigh….the beauty of trolls is that they can't wait to hate. Seymour only logged in because he thought the homeschool insult was original, clever, and just HAD to be used before the idea disappeared into the void of his MTV-addled attention span.
The poor guy doesn't have anything better to do down in mommy's basement, all the home schooled folks took the really good jobs.
So…the solution is for the rich to adopt the children of the poor?
Hmm…you sort of need the actors in a movie to tell the story, no? Otherwise, we'd have all stayed home and read the book! The movie wouldn't have made 200 mill if it starred Sandra Jones. It's precisely because she was in it it did so well. The actors aren't irrelevant at all.
It's spelled "sarcasm", Einstein. And in your case, protoplasms is wasted.
I have never seen MTV in my life. I still read books. I mean, NOT the stupid Bible! That's what has addled the lot of you.
She thanked them when she accepted her Golden Globe…
A bad generalization. A lot of them are made unsuitable for higher education by being taught nonsense like: The Earth is 6000 years old, dinosaur bones were put there by Satan, geological stratification and Carbon Dating are nonsense, etc. For every homeschooled student who actually succeeds in the REAL world, I can show you thousands of ill-educated rednecks.
Nonsense. I'll criticize your asinine political and religious views (no distinction in your mind) any time!
Jeez Sy, I can just feel the hate oozing from your fingers.
I know you're frustrated, but you should have thought ahead before nominating the Village Idiot as your parties standard-bearer.
Seymour, do you experience alot of road rage?
You just seem the type.
LOL. When I got to the end of Demolition Man, I was ticked off at myself…I couldn't believe that I just sat in front of my TV and watched that crap for 90 minutes. Since then, I have only watched one Sandra Bullock film, and that was the one with Keanu and time travel (my wife wanted to see it).
With Sandra Bullock, what you see is what you get–she is devoid of pretension.
As an actress, she can create a fictional character who's genuinely believable–that's called good acting. She's not plastered all over the tabloids and keeps her mouth closed regarding her private life–that's called self-respect. And she's able to maintain a Hollywood presence without succumbing to Hollywood–that's called having a life.
Let me point out the following irony: I noticed this topic when I went to John Nolte's site. There, he was bashing George Lopez for saying a nasty thing about Sarah Palin, who, to Rightists, is above criticism! (And let me also note that right-wing twerps chimed in with immature personal insults about George Lopez's looks.) Well, anyway, the irony is that Sandra Bullock was the Executive Producer of the George Lopez Show! She financed i! She got it on the air! She made a guest appearance on it! Take that, all you silly rightists who are making her a Conservative Icon just because she played one on the Silver Screen!
Yes I am. Are you saying that Rightists aren't judgemental? I also know that far from being as judgemental as you people, Liberals are generally accused of being spineless wimps instead. I am out to disabuse you people of that notion.
Whats unbelievable is that you seem to think reality tv shows are…reality.
Is that what you're saying?
You know, it's kind of hard to accuse someone who was head of the Harvard Law Review and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of being an idiot. Bush, on the other hand, was TURNED DOWN by the University of Texas Law School because they knew he was not up to the course work. Hey, you can disagree with Obama's policies, but to accuse him of being stupid is just plain immature. I see a lot of that in Rightists.
Hey asswipe, did you even read the responses here?
Show me where anyone said she was a conservative.
Typical straw-man lib.
Actually, I agree with you.
We do think liberals are wimps.
Those of us who like Sarah do not say she is above criticism. I haven't read what Lopez said, but what we object to in general is the outright lies, and smears.
And, Seymour, talk about lack of reading comprehension. No irony here. People liked Bullock's PERFORMANCE in portraying a conservative, Christian woman. Do you not see the distinction?
He's shown zero evidence of being anything more then a puppet of the progressive movement.
Where are his college grades?
Where are his writings?
And, what is a "Corpseman"
don't forget, Obammy passed his geography class. he knows that there are 57 states.
you're a fool…
… a bigoted fool.
“Virtually!”
I like Sandra Bullock, my wife and I watched the “Proposal,” last evening. To me the strong point of, “The Blind Side,” was the story, that’s my opinion.
that's the point. we don't care if she's a liberal in her personal life… we just don't want her preaching liberalism at us. she doesn't and that's why she's very popular in middle America. she's smart enough to know that her job is to act in and promote her films. she's not a political pundit. her opinion is not more important than anyone else's just because we have a media that is obsessed with so-called celebrities and will give them a soapbox if they ask for one.
Yet another tired thing that Rightists need to let go of. Obama was referring to the state primaries and caucuses, which, including DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, The US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, adn BOTH forms in Texas, adds up to 57! But I have no doubt that Rightists, petty and unable to let ANYTHING go, will be harping on this for decades to come.
Actually, I think it was 59.
I believe he said, paraphrasing: "I've been to 57 states, so I have two to go"
Puppet? Not hardly. As for his grades, they're none of your business, but not a state secret. One doesn't become Magna Cum laude unless one has a high A average. As for his writings, what about the two bestselling books he wrote that you people sneered about during the election? Don't tell me you've forgotten already?
Why don't you shoot me, then? You're a coward.
You'll change that opinion. We will not continue to tolerate you much longer.
"I am out to disabuse you people of that notion."
Yes, because spewing bigoted bile over the Interwebs is a profile in courage if I've ever seen one.
"YOU PEOPLE!"
Did you read Richard Grenell's original essay? He was making not a Conservative cause celebre out of Bullock– no Conservative. I was cautioning against that, and for that, I get called an asswipe by you. No class. No decency. I guess that's what being religious does to you.
ERROR CORRECTION: He ws making a Conservative cause celebre
You're right Sy.
Would DUMMY be more classy?
I mean you yourself have used it to describe some posters right here in this very thread.
I am pulling for the Oscar, just to poke the eye of Hollywood that we really like feel good moral stories, and Christians aren't that scary. And let's not forget the wealthy Tuohys mentored a kid in their own forlorn city (I know, I live here). What about those Hollywood elitists we are bankrolling so they can adopt kids from Africa, support political causes and post bail? Sandy may be a bleeding liberal, but there is no doubt LeeAnn got under her skin and that is a good thing!
I could say why I think he became Magna CUM laude, but this ain't the proper venue.
As far as him writing two books, that has been strongly and convincingly questioned.
But you keep holding on to this Obama is smart canard right up until he drives the Country into bankruptcy.
I think he learned how to govern after reading "How to be President for dummies"
Actually, I believe you.
Have you enlisted in Obama's civilian Army.
But you probably wouldn't have checked it out had it not starred an actress you like, no?
How immature of you to deliberately misconstrue a proper Latin word as a common vulgarism.
NO ONE has questioned his authorship. Do you think him incapable of writing?
As for driving the country into bankruptcy, why did you people keep silent when Bush laid the foundations for ruin? At least Obama had a good reason to deficit spend– to prevent the economy from collapsing into a Depression. Bush HAD no good reason for what he did, and you all backed him up!
Tell you what, Skippy. I won't hesitate to mix it up the next time I run into a Teabagger. Okay? Get my knuckles bloody. That''ll make 'em respect Liberals for a change.
Perhaps! I sometimes see a movie because I read the book, and I don’t care whose starring. I’m more likely to see a movie because of the reputation of the director/producer, if it’s the Cohen’s I’m there. My wife and I saw, The Blind Side, just last week, I think it’s been out for several months – - and this was at the recommendation of my brother and his wife, and the fact that it was up for an Oscar. Sandra Bullock was a plus, but not the driving force for me. However, she did her job well, I was more involved with the character in the movie, than her as a star.
I'm sure you're right but compared to the liberal sludge that normally comes out of Hollywood this movie was a breath of pure, fresh air. Bullock's performance was warm, respectful and real. There were no subtle cheap shots in her portrayal and it wasn't a caricature. And the message was of a kind, decent Christian family, who are also Republicans, who truly practice Christian values. Whatever the politics of the performers…even Tim McGraw is an Obama supporter…they gave us a terrific movie and, Bush slam aside, I didn't feel insulted and demeaned at the end.
"I won't hesitate to mix it up the next time I run into a Teabagger.—-Semen Kreech"
You know, nobody needed to know you're dating Anderson Cooper tonight…..or that you fantasize about being a brown-shirted National Socialist Stormtrooper.
Ah, one-track minds, how would I pass the time without you?
: : : "yeah, just like you libtards can't stop talking about Palin!!!" despite not having identified a political affiliation or mentioning Palin in 3… 2… 1…. : : :
Everything Obama is doing in antithesis to growing the economy.
Good luck finding any reputable economists who agree with what your boy is doing.
Even Buffet has turned on him.
Note the off-base ad hominem. I'll remind you that the Nazis were a bunch of angry Liberal-despising conservatives, just like YOU.
If the dunce cap fits, wear it, buddy.
Now which one is the Stupid Bible? Is that the subtitle of Hitchen's book or something?
If you were somehow referring to the actual Bible then you would fit well with Thomas Paine's quote: "The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book that ever existed". And despite your faux-intellectualism you are the counterpoint to Tennyson's adage: "Bible reading is an education in itself."
Say 'hey' to the other creatures under the bridge for me, willya?
It's not "shocking," it's just not a very movie. "Conservatives" are swooning all over "Blind Side" for the same reason that "liberals" swoon over… say, "Revolutionary Road"… because it flatters their prejudices, panders mercilessly and offers them a fantasy (please don't pretend that "based on a true story" is a relevant response) vision of their place in the world.
For pity's sake, there's a scene where Sandra Bullock puts a pack of armed crack-dealers in their place by telling them she's in the NRA. Not even James Cameron, with a blank-check and three-picture-deal, would try to pass something that dopey off in a theatrical movie.
no, you didn't- and neither did millions of American filmgoers. It is an extremely DECENT film; better that the people who made it ever expected.
Ad the left HATES it. So it must be doing something right here…
"she is devoid of pretension."
And range, and depth, and good movies after 1995
This has gotten ridiculous.
Give Leigh-Anne Touhy a Person of The Year award, fine, whatever. But an Academy Award to one of the least engaging major actresses currently employed for one of the worst "feel-good" movies in recent memory? Yeesh.
You dummy right-wingers ! Look who is being judgemental now. I know we aren't as smart as you lefties. The economy is doing great and liberalism is so powerful. Bullock is just another self-righteous bigot who thinks she knows it all….kind of like you. I watch very few Hollywood movies these days. It is apalling watching rich spoiled children who thing they are so much better than us "common folk". I see more movies bombing than doing well. May be they can get a bailout too.
The Nazis had a great Public-Option Healthcare system, just like the Obamacare plan US Democrats are pushing. Of course, they called theirs the Auschwitz Memorial Plan…..
The Nazis also nationalized as much of their economy as possible.
The Nazis also used Sturm-Abteilungen, much like SEIU, ACORN, and the New Black Panther Party are being used by US Democrats……
The Nazis also were for strict gun-control, and confiscation of personal weapons, in the same vein as the US Democrats wanting to get rid of the 2d Amendment.
The Nazis also used the various media organs of the day to disseminate their lies and defame and insult their dissenters, much like the US Democrats use MS-NBC, ABC, CBS, NPR, ETV, the NYT, HuffPo, among others, to propagandize the populace and trash critics of the Precedent.
Lastly, the Nazis also had paid individuals who would go into beerhalls and meeting-places to stir up and insult people who disagreed with their elitist policies, and threaten them with violence, just like the US National-Socialist Democrats use people JUST LIKE YOU. How's Ellie Light these days, champ?
Please say hi to Anderson for us, when you see him (from whatever angle you see him from) tonight, Sturmbannfuhrer Semen KumNuts….
Hang on… Frances McDormand wins an Oscar for "Fargo" (perhaps the least Oscar-worthy role in the history of cinema), and ABC questions Bullock's bonafides?! This is why I haven't watched a Hollywood award ceremony of any kind in twenty years.
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