Blu-ray Movie Reviews

"Michael Oher knows little about family. Less about football. What the homeless teen knows are the streets and projects of Memphis. Well-to-do Leigh Anne Tuohy knows little about his world. Yet when she and Michael meet, he's found a home. And the Tuohys have found something just as life-changing: a beloved new son and brother. This real-life story of family and of Michael's growth into a blue-chip football star will have you cheering with its mix of gridiron action and heartwarming emotion. Share the remarkable journey of the college All-American and first-round NFL draft pick who was a winner before he ever stepped onto the playing field.

Sandra Bullock recently picked up an Oscar for her portrayal in this film. While I did really enjoy the character, and film, I can’t say that I agree with the Academy on her award. It just felt like Sandra to me. The film has a lot of heart to it and wasn’t quite as predictable as the previews made it out. The film focuses on a young man who has struggled his whole life but gets a new chance in life after being taken in by a well to do family. You can’t help but be moved by the generosity of the family and the life they help the young man find.

Warner delivers a solid day-and-date release for this one. The video is finely detailed and rich in dimension. You can tell they’ve added a bit of digital love to Sandra’s face now and again, but I didn’t find it overly distracting. Contrast levels are exceptional with deep blacks and nice shadow detail, and the color palette is rich. The sound design is average but the film’s score does do a good job in keeping with the film’s emotional themes. Dynamic range is pretty good, but this isn’t the type of film you’ll be showing off your system with.

Extras include a few behind the scenes features including interviews with the cast and crew, and the real people behind the story. You also get some deleted scenes and what is becoming a norm for Warner Bros.; a DVD and digital copy of the film.

This is a very moving story and the performances here are quite good. Warner does a fine job with the Blu-ray release making it a solid recommendation for great heart warming drama.