The Blind Side Directed by: John Lee Hancock Cast: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates Running Time: 2 hr 6 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: November 20, 2009

PLOT: Based on Michael Lewis' book, "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game," this is the true story about an extra-large, struggling teenager (Aaron) taken in by a do-gooder (Bullock) who hopes to turn his life around.

WHO'S IT FOR? It's not a sports movie. It's not a football movie. This is a family drama about the difficulties in raising children and helping those less fortunate. Football plays a role eventually, but not as much as everything else.

EXPECTATIONS: For me, the preview looked like it was a good story about a young man who didn't fit in, and Bullock threw herself into the mix. It did not look promising, almost like I couldn't enjoy this without worshiping her new Southern accent. With all that said, I thought I still might shed a tear.

SCORECARD (0-10)

ACTORS: Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy: She's struck out twice for me recently with The Proposal (little whiff) and All About Steve (big whiff). Leigh Anne truly has a heart of gold, not that she would want you to see it. It's a powerful performance full of reserved emotion from Bullock. When Leigh Anne gets her hooks into something, you know she'll never let go. This is one of the most enjoyable Republican performances I've seen in a long time. From the moment Leigh Anne utters the line to Michael, "Don't you dare lie to me," you believe she's good, caring and strong. Score: 8

Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher: His silence is his strongest asset. And this role let's Aaron be fairly quiet. Coming from an almost homeless situation, Michael is taken in by Leigh Anne and slowly given the chance to open up. Big Mike wants to live in a world where people just call him Mike. It's easy to feel his pain and root for him when he finally hits the football field. There are moments of others stealing the spotlight like S.J. (Jae Head), but most of you will probably find the little kid's comedy amusing. Score: 7

Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy: He nailed it. It's so much better to see Bullock with someone her own age (instead of Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper). The two of them have the best back and forth dialogue in the film. People will feel the love and amusing moments of disagreement. Score: 8

Kathey Bates as Miss Sue: It's underdeveloped. She's a tutor who loves her alma mater Mississippi State. It's almost an assumed love between Mike and Miss Sue. Though Bates is part of one of the most uncomfortable moments in the film when she's trying to scare the idea of Tennessee out of Mike. Score: 5

TALKING: Leigh Anne can spin a line, even as overdone as "don't get your panties in a wad." Again, the best dialogue is with Sean and Leigh Anne. And then there's this gem, "Who thought we'd have a black son before we met a Democrat." Score: 7

SIGHTS: The Blind Side could have taken some notes from "Friday Night Lights." Nothing about the football rang true. It was shocking there was no team camaraderie at all. We have no idea what his teammates thought of him, or if any were friends. Little S.J. took control of Mike's college recruiting, and there's a painful montage of coaches watches a DVD and coming to the house to have a shot at Big Mike. Score: 5

SOUNDS: There's a mixture of country and rap but nothing that will make you run out and buy the soundtrack. In fact, I can't even find the soundtrack on amazon.com Score: 5

PLOT SPOILERS

BEST SCENE: I already announced the line when Leigh Anne says "Don't you dare lie to me," to Big Mike. After that, I was hooked to see the power (and love) she was wielding trying to help the high schooler.

ENDING: Stay for the credits to get to see real-life shots of Big Mike, Leigh Anne and the crew. Since this is a "based on a true story" you know it's good vibes all around when this story comes to an end.

QUESTIONS: Didn't it feel awkward when suddenly Big Mike an the family are under allegations of tampering? And look, I know Big Mike is big, but plowing through an entire house of angry men packing guns, that's a little much.

REWATCHABILITY: This is the film I would be happy to sit through a second time with somebody. It would be the perfect background movie if I was working on some writing.

OVERALL

The Blind Side is a chance for families to get together, realize what they have, and embrace the chance of helping others. Bullock does her best acting in years with a tough-as-nails (soft on the inside) southern woman who feels compelled to help, even if that puts her in tough situations. The film doesn't always hit a home run (or score a touchdown) and we've definitely seen better football movies, but this isn't a sports movie. This is Hollywood-realism done really well. What I mean by that is, it's not trying to have the raw power of something like Precious, but it still makes us feel like we're seeing life unfold. We all want Big Mike to be saved from the life so many are stuck with. I'm simply shocked Bullock was up to the task of doing the saving. Yes, it appears I was blindsided.

FINAL SCORE: 7/10