A Blind Side Place.
124 Mins. Starring: Sandra Bullock, Vivien Lyra Blair, Julien Edwards, Trevante Rhodes, Lil Rel Howery, BD Wong, Danielle MacDonald, Machine Gun Kelly, Parminder Nagra, David Dastmalchian, Jacki Weaver, Tom Hollander, John Malkovich & Sarah Paulson. Director: Susanne Bier.
A bird in the hand is worth a Netflix record breaking 45 million opening week streams. The highest of all-time for any of the services original films. But don't you dare cross them and call Sandra Bullock, "that lady from Bird Box". Show some respect! No other legendary actor today has her 'Gravity'. Aside from maybe her fellow 90's legendary like Washington or Hanks contemporary, Julia Roberts with her own streaming service 'Homecoming' showing on Amazon Prime this time right now. For every Robert's Oscar winning 'Erin Brokovich', Bullock has the Academy of 'The Blind Side'. For every 'Oceans 11' to '13' from Julia, Sandra has her own leading 'Oceans 8' franchise. Sister, not lover to Clooney's Rat Pack dapper Danny. No matter what mansplaining critics try and write off this all-female sequel like the Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig 'Ghostbusters' remake, haunted only by their own ignorance. Both new terrific takes were exactly what both floundering franchises needed in a reboot boost. But if all that wasn't enough then just wait and watch like everyone else past the Netflix icon becoming as iconic as the Marvel comic-book flipping one at this chilling, compelling, hook, line and kitchen sink, psychological horror show. To an opening monologue from Sandra against type, full of barely restrained fury and simmering boiling pot lidded composure. Instructions that read almost like an award acceptance speech with that 'Gravity' gravitas in the Alfonso Cuaron year of 'Roma'. But in black and white it's plain to see that this leading actor shows the wonder of the strength that never strains and the deep dedication that never wanes of the by any means or lengths protection of a mother's love. Her emotional and physical descent back into the earth's atmosphere after being lost in space wasn't as rapid as this fall and wave of new age scares. Powerhouse performances don't come more punctuated! She won't be boxed in.
But remember your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see. And when this movie doesn't float like a butterfly you best believe it stings like a you know what. Black and yellow for hazard warning. 'The Night Manager's, 'Serena' and 'In A Better World' director Susanne Bier gives us a post apocalyptic one somewhere between 'World War Z' and 'I Am Legend', with 'The Book Of Eli' read religious references (Sandra paints some modern art that looks like an everyday people take on The Last Supper. Not to mention she rows a boat upstream through a river for the love of God) and more followers than those talking about this on their timelines. Like accomplished wonderkid child stars of the future, Vivien Lyra Blair and Julien Edwards poised with heart and emotion beyond their years. Or the 'Moonlight' of the third Chiron, Trevante Rhodes. Who after being the best thing about the fun 'Predator' reboot this Autumn almost steals the show here with the soul behind his muscle and the heart he frames here in his best picture moment. 'Uncle Drew's and 'Get Out' comic relief Lil Rel Howery provides help here too in that form. But his heart is more than light on this one. Whilst 'Gotham's' Hugo Strange and 'Jurassic Park' star in a whole new 'World' BD Wong continues his redemptive return to Hollywood. And Australian actress Danielle MacDonald of 'Patti Cake$' music and Dolly 'Dumplin' Netflix fame continues to rule. But in a cast that features 'Bend It Like Beckham's game kicker Parminder Nagra returning to the 'ER', or 'Dark Knight' and 'Ant-Man' actor David Dastmalchian born to play parts with a sinister streak (see the arresting 'Prisoners' were he almost makes Paul Dano's character seem normal), there's some real heavy hitters riding shotgun with the blunderbuss...even rap star Machine Gun Kelly. Like the 'Silver Linings Playbook' nominated Jacki Weaver hitting her peak with this and 'Widows'. Or 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Mr. Miami Beach himself, character actor Great Brit, Tom Hollander playing an anxiety riddled enigma. Whilst the ever weird and wonderful, maddening John Malkovich (currently showing the BBC in a 'Murder On The Orient Express' Agatha Christie adaptation time he can beat Branagh by playing the famous Poirot without the infamous moustache) is his best in years, with even some of that 'Con Air' craziness flying out of those angry eyes and expressions that take wing. But in an season later 'Oceans' reunion as Sandra's on-screen sister, 'The People VS OJ Simpson' bar passer and forthcoming 'Unbreakable' and 'Split' sequel joining, 'Glass' smasher, Sarah Paulson in a critical moment of crucial movie make or break ace acting of conviction is the emotional catalyst of this whole end of days reckoning. Although it's Bullock who has inspired all the memes and moments like she will reloading GIFs. Sorry Henry Cavill 'Mission Impossible' reloading fists of 'Fallout'. We have a new superhero now Kent. And she moves with even more bullet time speed Keanu. Just try and stop this 'Bird' actor from flying.
Canary in a coal-mine cage. Let this be a warning in the 'Hereditary' and 'Halloween' sequel/reboot horror renaissance of this year that started with last year's 'Get Out' and will continue with Jordan Peele and 'Us' next year. This may be akin to the searing senses psychology of this year's best horror without a word, 'A Quiet Place' married with the Fantastic couple to be Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. But the eyes to that ones ears in matrimony, this original ideas words (a book wrote by Josh Malerman in 2014) were wrote years before Hollywood's new power couple decided to keep it shut. So these two titans of the horror genre this year should go together like taste, touch and smell no discrimination in distinction. I can't wait for the next horror movie featuring Kristen Wiig and Paul Rudd wearing nose pegs. Working title 'You Smell Me' anyone? But this serious affair mines deeper than the usual sensory overload of look behind you, jump scare B.S. trope horrors to get to the mind of matters. With plenty of haunted heart and harrowing souls for every emotion. This story explores the madness of our own minds and how we can drive ourselves crazy even by what we can't see. Like the true nature of horror, what we can imagine is far worse than what's actually plain to see infront of our eyes as our mind plays tricks on us. The dichotomy of peaceful and evil minds and how they react to such stimuli in a desensitizing world also comes into play. As does the epidemic issue of suicide and what in the world actually drives us to that point of no return. That no one with respect and sympathy can truly understand like those on the the other side until they are right there themselves. A darkness I hope you never have to see. It's a lot to take in and on here so who would blame you if you try to look away. But this is one movie you can't take your eyes off in all our collective fears as a whole. Forget that Sandra Bullock and the two child stars of the future straight up look like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rowing around in that boat through the sewers of what a river wild has turned into with a washed up humanity. Or the fact that after seeing these rustling leaves in the wind, you'll never want to see another Autumn. Even if it is your favourite season. Believe the hype and watch this before you see any more hilarious meme spoilers you can't shield your eyes from on social media. Leave those tweets for the birds, get out the box, take off the blindfold and watch this. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'A Quiet Place', 'Hereditary', 'Gravity'.
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