The Best of Sandra Bullock

-There's much to like about Sandra Bullock. She's funny, down to earth, extremely charitable, speaks german, and above all else she has that certain likability factor that only certain actresses such as Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan can attain. People associate themselves with Bullock when they see her on the screen. They feel like they know her. Throughout the years the actress has lovingly met audiences' expectations of her by doing stellar turns in many popular films of the 90s. Recently she achieved her first Oscar nomination with her turn as a southern socialite in the football drama The Blind Side. The movie's success has astounded me given how, given the circumstances, it should have failed. Not only did it have the bad luck of being released the same weekend as the second Twilight installment, but it also came out after Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire and before Invictus; two films which provided a more compelling portrait of troubled inner-city youth and sport success stories respectively in a way The Blind Side didn't. Its pretty clear that the main reason people flocked out in droves to see The Blind Side had MUCH less to do with the subject matter and MUCH more to do with seeing one of America's most beloved actresses give the performance of her career. In celebration of her nomination, subsequent accolades and overall winning year, here is a look at some of Bullock's other performances which show that she never was just America's sweetheart, but also a first rate actress...

1. The Vanishing (1993)
-Though she's only in the film for the first 10-15 minutes, Bullock makes a real impression in her handful of scenes as the girlfriend of a writer who disappears mysteriously from a gas station. While the rest of the film is devoted to Sutherland trying to find her and Bridges exercising his villain skills, Bullock's presence is felt throughout and makes the film so much more intense. While the original film is much more superior to this otherwise lackluster remake, Bullock's work alone makes this a film worth examining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmXPYfHAMf4

2. 28 Days (2000)
-By now, already an established star, Bullock took a considerable risk with her screen image playing an alcoholic writer who is ordered by the court to spend a month in rehab. The result is one of her finest moments on screen in which she conveys a toughness coupled with insecurity. Had there not been such an attempt to infuse the film with an abundance of comedic elements, but rather stick to the dramatic, perhaps 28 Days would have been more acclaimed and Bullock wouldn't have had to wait so long for a nomination. While the comedy in the film works, its moments like Bullock's confessional to Buscemi in which the film and the actress both come to life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRW_iVajmfA

3. Crash (2005)
-In the rush to (dutifully) praise the overall film, as well as standout turns from Matt Dillon and Thandie Newton, Bullock's fine work as a Los Angeles housewife sadly went unlauded. Bullock shed all traces of likability to portray a woman who has everything most people want, yet who is still angry at the world. It is a performance full of rage, anger and despair. If ever there was a textbook performance to signify "best supporting actress," it was this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51r7295YFQ

4. The Lake House (2006)
-Most dismissed this time-traveling romance drama as a sloppy piece of Hollywood stock with the only appeal being the re-teaming of Speed stars Bullock and Reeves. Yet if you re-examine the film, you get some of Bullock's most beautiful work. So many times the actress has been asked to be overty physical in both comedy and action films; a challenge she can definitley handle. Here, we see another side to bullock; one which is gentle, warm, and heartfelt. She embodies the ideal romantic film heroine while maintaining her trademark charm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hYO8b4u3po

5. Infamous (2006)
-Released the same year as The Lake House, Infamous saw the actress do a complete 180 turnaround from her last film to play author Harper Lee who assists friend and fellow-writer Truman Capote in the creation of his book "In Cold Blood"; based on the real-life slayings of a mid-western family. The movie's release one year after the similarly-themed Capote ensured this film would go unnoticed. Its a shame since of the two films made on the subject, Infamous is hands down the better choice. As Lee, Bullock abandons all traces of her movie star persona and instills life and energy into the character; two elements missing from Catherine Keener's performance in the same role a year before. Again, another missed Oscar nomination for Bullock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5iO49ojJA

Way to go Sandy!!