Country Strong.

Then I heard Gwyneth Paltrow was in it.

I still had hope.

Then I heard that it was about a disgraced country music star, attempting to revamp her career, perhaps bringing some up-and-comers along for the ride.

Even less hope.

Then I actually watched it.

I didn’t hate it. I kind of liked it. Gwyneth does well as the damaged-by-fame alcoholic. I liked Tim McGraw as her manager husband. He does cold distance in a distinctly southern way that makes it more believable. I wasn’t blown away by Leighton Meester as the bubbly beauty queen cum country ingenue, but I didn’t dislike her.

All of these I was expecting. The one who surprised me was Garrett Hedlund as the old school country boy who just likes playing for people, be it 5 or 5,000. He was better than I would have expected. After watching Tron: Legacy last week, I was pleased to find out Mr. Hedlund has range.

The story lags, the camera work is efficient, but nothing to write home about. All in all they could have done better, but they also could have done much worse. It’s a solid OK in a time when poor is the standard.

Although I must warn you, the Incredible Hulk does not appear in this film. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Drama/Music

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 4/12/11

In case you don’t know the background, The Blind Side is based on the true story of Michael Oher, a Baltimore Ravens offensive left tackle, who was taken in by the Tuohy family as an essentially homeless teen. We see Michael go from a barely literate, misunderstood misfit in his private Christian school, to a young man who owns a sense of belonging and accomplishment. The Tuohy’s demonstrate the true meaning of giving, but Leigh Anne is quick to insist that they are on the receiving end of this life-changing experience. There are many moments in this film where a life lesson pops up, but one of its beauties is that these lessons don’t clobber you over the head, and are delivered in such an entertaining way.

It doesn’t hurt that you get a couple of cool actors like Kathy Bates (isn’t it time to see Misery again?) and Kim Dickens (check out her starring role in a powerful indie, Things Behind the Sun) to portray Michael’s teachers. There’s also a trio of actresses whose characters get across the point of old money and deeply ingrained racism as the gaggle of Leigh Anne’s gal pals.

But in the end, it’s Sandy’s movie. She really did earn that Oscar. (Do check out Carey Mulligan in An Education, out next week, for some wonderful acting chops as well). She gives us an almost iconic character, and it’s fun to watch her in those tight outfits.

This could be an ideal family movie, but with one caveat. There’s a scene in a crack house that, although brief, involves drugs, violence, and sexual references. Even still, I think it’s got enough redeeming qualities to be basically appropriate for kids in the 9 and older range, but it will of course depend on the parents and the kids. Oh, and if you have the impression that it’s a football movie, it totally is not. Just a few scenes on the field.

Lastly, the writer-director, John Lee Hancock. He also wrote A Perfect World, one of my all-time favorite movies, and Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, another winner in my mind.

If this hadn’t been a year where ten movies were nominated for Best Picture, no way would The Blind Side have made it. But it’s been hugely popular and there’s a reason: it’s a good movie. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Biography/Drama/Sport

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 3/23/10

The story is thus: Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play self-absorbed, in-love yuppies who always spend Christmas apart from their respective families. This year, though, their flight to Fiji is cancelled, and they are coaxed into a visit to each of their four parents’ households. Much levity and dysfunctional family humor ensue. I haven’t really liked Vince Vaughn too much since Swingers, but his character does have ample chemistry with that of Reese Witherspoon’s, and Reese is, as always, really fun to watch.

But there were parts of Four Christmases that were decidedly unfunny for me. One of many examples of this would be a baby being forcefully knocked in the head.

What did appeal to me were the supporting performances of Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, and Jon Voight (his soliloquy on family sounded like a personal message to his daughter, Angelina Jolie). And if that weren’t enough, you also have Jon Favreau, Tim McGraw, Kristen Chenoweth and Dwight Yoakam. I first really noticed Dwight’s acting chops in Slingblade, where he was villainous and amazing, and then later in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. Four Christmases is worth seeing for these actors alone.

There are two other redeeming factors, if you need ‘em. One is the, of course, happy ending. The other is that after seeing this level of family madness, our own families don’t seem so bad. I still prefer holiday movies like Home for the Holidays and Pieces of April much more than Four Christmases, but check out these seasoned actors, and kick off the holiday season with a fluff movie peppered with some deeper messages. – [DVD]

Comedy/Drama/Romance

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 11/24/09