MY OSCAR VOTE (IF I HAD ONE) IS FOR THE BLIND SIDE

For sheer power and inspiration, my vote for Best Picture of the Year is The Blindside. The movie adaptation of Michael Lewis' compelling book surprised many, especially when it premiered against the Twilight Vampire sagas. Hurt Locker and Avatar are more likely to walk off with this honor; but the story is already out there and it has already changed many a life. Makes Christians look like real people, too, not those caricatures that the media is so found of.



Black teenager Michael Oher (now with the Baltimore Ravens) is befriended by Leigh Ann Tuohy and her husband Sean and has his life utterly transformed. Leigh Ann is a Christian, who despite her machine-gun like verbal delivery (think Julia Sugarbaker as an agent of God's grace), has a deep respect for the person God created Michael to be and uses her considerable will to make sure others are giving Michael the chance she believes God wants him to have. A young man who is essentially homeless finds a supportive family, and in so doing transforms that family from what some might view as a shallow suburban Christian family, more nominal than committed, into a group of people who live out their calling from God as well. The trailer just gives you a clue.

Interestingly, Sandra Bullock, who plays the lead, says her she became a genuine believer herself through this experience.

It is one movie that when the DVD is released I intend to buy whether Oscar says it's the best film or not. If you have not already seen the movie, I'd encourage you to buy it - or at least, rent it.