John Lee Hancock | Scott's Film Reviews-1,425 + Reviews posted so far!!!

The Blind Side-2009

Director John Lee Hancock

Starring Sandra Bullock

Scott’s Review #580

Reviewed January 2, 2017

Grade: B-

The Blind Side is a 2009 film that garnered huge buzz and accolades largely based on rave reviews for Sandra Bullock’s performance.

Bullock subsequently went on to win an Academy Award for the role (I would have awarded any of the other four nominees instead).

The story is surmised as a rich, white couple from the suburbs “rescues” a poor black football player and gives him a decent life that he otherwise would not have been able to have.

I was impressed with Bullock’s performance, but I left the theater a little disappointed. I know this is supposedly a true story, but do we need yet another movie about a poor black kid being “rescued” by rich, white people?

Think Finding Forester from 2000.

This film is riddled with the typical stereotypes (rednecks, racist friends, political/religious views) that seem a bit overdone.

Disturbing to me are people who think The Blind Side is the best film in decades- no- it is not.

It is a feel-good, warm, fairy tale sort of movie, that, besides Bullock’s performance, seems rather ordinary.

I was expecting a bit more substance due to the success of the movie and would recommend this as a rental only for anyone who aspires to watch all of the Oscar-nominated features.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Actress-Sandra Bullock (won)

Saving Mr. Banks-2013

Director John Lee Hancock

Starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson

Scott’s Review #36

Reviewed June 18, 2014

Grade: A-

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) is a movie that transports you back to the wonders of childhood.

It is a delightful, whimsical tale of how the story of “Mary Poppins” made it to the silver screen as a Walt Disney production in the 1960s and there were many challenges.

Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks (as author P.L. Travers and Walt Disney, respectively) prevent this film from being overly sentimental and even sappy, by their character portrayals.

Travers is a difficult, demanding woman, but Thompson adds layers to her so the viewer feels attached and sympathetic.

Tom Hanks portrays Disney to the hilt as patient and understanding. Travers’s backstory is heartfelt and interesting.

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) is a mainstream, Hollywood feature, but one that reeled me in from the get-go and never let up.

Oscar Nominations: Best Original Score