‘THE BLIND SIDE’ (PG-13)
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Quiet Memphis teen Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) has no family to care for him. That’s until wealthy Leigh Anne Touhy (Sandra Bullock) ignores her bigoted white friends and brings the boy into her home, helping him find success in the classroom and on the football field. Long story short: Oher is now in his rookie season as a tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
The verdict: “The Blind Side” feels less like a true story than a synopsis. What’s important is getting to know Oher and the progression of his life through his eyes, not giving a superficial pat on the back to Leigh Anne, her generous husband (Tim McGraw) and her goofball younger son (Jae Head). This generic, largely conflict-free film leaves you not uplifted but wondering whether the Touhys still would have adopted Oher if he wasn’t such a big teddy bear.
‘Rebuilding Hope’ (Not rated)
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This documentary, about three “Lost Boys” returning to Sudan after fleeing 20 years ago, is a bit slow and often academic to the point of feeling like you’re sitting in class. Yet Jen Marlowe’s film becomes incredibly powerful as the three young men (including Garang Mayuol, who lived in Chicago while getting an education) recall their own painful memories and do everything they can to help at home, only to feel like they’re not doing enough. “Rebuilding Hope” offers sad, moving access to impoverished villages in Sudan. Garang and his friends return to fill in a missing part of themselves but wind up giving back much, much more.
– “Rebuilding Hope” plays at 8 p.m. Friday at Portage Theater, 4050 N Milwaukee Ave., followed by a Q&A with Marlowe and Mayuol. More at portagetheater.org.
ALSO OUT
‘Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans’ (R)
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“The phrase ‘starring Nicolas Cage’ sheds some of its negative connotation.”
‘Planet 51’ (PG)
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“Visually, ‘Planet 51’ isn’t bad, but everything else is absolutely horrible.”
