Picspam: Ten of Sandra Bullock's BEST Characters ( ... in my opinion) + Commentary.
Okay, since Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for The Blind Side a couple weeks ago, I've wanted to picspam my ten favorite roles she's played because she's been one of my favorite people since I was 12. I was inspired to do so after someone basically told me she has no real talent or acting range and only does ridiculous romantic comedies.... and that statement is completely untrue. These may not be her best movies, but in my mind they are her best characters to date. I hope you all enjoy it.
Note: I know it's a cop-out but these are in the order they were released. I tried and failed to rank them 10 to 1. Warning: There are (obviously) spoilers and profanity below. Caps credit: cute-poison.org, sbullock.net, sweet-vanity.org, sandrabullockfan.com, sns_red_curtain and jarofhoney .
01. Annie Porter, Speed (1994)
Annie: So you're a cop, right?
Jack: That's right.
Annie: Well, I should probably tell you that I'm taking the bus because I had my driver's license revoked.
Jack: What for?
Annie: Speeding.
This is the first movie I saw Sandra in, as is true for most of America I'm sure. She made it clear that she was going to be on the map for a long time. I love when she gets to be a bad ass.
02. Lucy Elanor Moderatz, While You Were Sleeping (1995)
"I might've saved your life on the tracks that day, but you know what? You really saved mine. You allowed me to be part of a family, and I haven't had that in a really long time. And I just didn't want to let go of that. So even though it was just for a little while, I will love them always."
My favorite of her romantic comedies. What's not to love about this movie? Everybody loves Lucy, she's wonderful. It also reminds me of the way my family used to be when my grandparents were still alive. I could always be in the mood for this movie. Lucy just always makes me smile.
03. Ellen Roark, A Time to Kill (1996)
Ellen: Have you ever seen a man executed?
Jake: Not that I recall.
Ellen: Alright then, what I suggest you do is you go watch a man be executed. You watch him die. You watch him beg. You watch him kick and spit the life out of him till he pisses and shits in his pants until he's gone… then you know what? Then you come back here and you sing this crap to me about justice.
A small role, but she put her heart into it. It seems as if I watched this movie, as intense as it is, every other day in high school.
04. Birdee Pruitt, Hope Floats (1998)
Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma used to say. She said beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too.
Had I ranked these, this would have been my #1. I think this is the best role she's played to date, and it is seriously underrated. She flexed both ends of the spectrum to the deepest core of the material. Not even Leigh Ann Tuohy, the role she won the Oscar for, measures up to Birdee in my opinion. I wish she had been recognized more for this movie than anything else.
05. Sally Owens, Practical Magic (1998)
Dearest Gilly: Sometimes I feel that there’s a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean. And the moon tonight, there’s a circle around it, a sign of trouble not far behind. I have this dream of being whole. Of not going to sleep each night, wanting. But still sometimes, when the wind is warm or the crickets sing… I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for. I just want someone to love me. I want to be seen. I don’t know. Maybe I had my happiness. I don’t want to believe it but, there is no man, Gilly. Only that moon.
If I had multiple personalities, I am convinced that Sally Owens would be one of my alters. That's all I really need to say.
06. Gwen Cummings, 28 Days (2000)
"I'm sorry I make it so impossible to love me."
One word: Brilliant.
07. Gracie Hart, Miss Congeniality (2000)
Kathy: New Jersey, as you know, there are people who consider the Miss United States Pageant outdated and anti-feminist. What would you say to them?
Gracie: Well, I would have to say that I used to be one of them. And then I came here and I realized that these women are smart, terrific people who are trying to make a difference in the world. And we've become really good friends. I mean, I know we all secretly hope the other one will trip and fall flat on her face... but oh wait a minute, I've already done that! And for me this experience has been one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences of my life.
Victor: My god, I did it!
Gracie: And if anyone, anyone tries to hurt one of my new friends, I would take them out. I would make them suffer so much that they'd wish they were never born. And if they ran, I would hunt them down. Thank you, Kathy.
Victor: A brief shinning moment and then that mouth!
If Gracie Hart/Gracie Lou Freebush does not make you laugh or at least smile, you do not have a sense of humor. Plus, she gets to be hysterically funny AND a bad ass at the same time.
08. Siddalee 'Sidda' Walker, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
"I don't wanna get all scrappy! I am sick of fighting! And, I am sick to death of this whole center of the universe, holier than thou, nothing is ever enough. Oh, how I've suffered, nobody understands me. Somebody fix me a drink and hand me a Nebutol, worn out Scarlett O'Hara... thing!"
She really did this part justice. As someone who has 'mommy issues' I relate probably much more than I should.
09. Jean Cabot, Crash (2004)
Jean: I would like the locks changed again in the morning. And you know what, you might mention that next time we'd appreciate it if they didn't send a gang member...
Rick: A gang member?
Jean: Yes, yes.
Rick: What do you mean? That kid in there?
Jean: Yes. The guy in there with the shaved head, the pants around his ass, the prison tattoos.
Rick: Those are not prison tattoos.
Jean: Oh really? And he's not gonna go sell our key to one of his gang banger friends the moment he is out our door?
Rick: You've had a really tough night. I think it would be best if you just went upstairs right now and...
Jean: And what? Wait for them to break in? I just had a gun pointed in my face!
Rick: You lower you voice!
Jean: ... and it was my fault because I knew it was gonna happen. But if a white person sees two black men walking towards her and she turns and walks in the other direction, she's a racist, right? Well I got scared and I didn't say anything and ten seconds later I had a gun in my face. Now I am telling you, your amigo in there is gonna sell our key to one of his homies and this time it'd be really fucking great if you acted like you actually gave a shit!
Another very small role, but she went to a deeply angered and dark place and gave it her all. I find it impressive.
10. Leigh Anne Tuohy, The Blind Side (2009)
Leigh Anne: I've lived in Memphis my whole life and never been anywhere near here. You'll take care of me, right?
Michael: I got your back.
I am still not sure I have the words for this movie or performance. In fact, I am contemplating my next picspam being 10 Reasons to love The Blind Side. Leigh Anne reminds me of my adopted "mommy" in Arizona. She is tough. She is heartfelt, loving and protective. She brings laughter to situations when needed, whether intentional or not. Sandra hit it out of the ballpark with this role, and she deserves all the praise she is receiving. I know that she has done the Tuohy family proud.
The end. What did you think? If you are a Sandra Bullock fan, are there any roles I left out that you enjoy? I am always curious about other people's opinions.
Note: I know it's a cop-out but these are in the order they were released. I tried and failed to rank them 10 to 1. Warning: There are (obviously) spoilers and profanity below. Caps credit: cute-poison.org, sbullock.net, sweet-vanity.org, sandrabullockfan.com, sns_red_curtain and jarofhoney .
01. Annie Porter, Speed (1994)
Annie: So you're a cop, right?
Jack: That's right.
Annie: Well, I should probably tell you that I'm taking the bus because I had my driver's license revoked.
Jack: What for?
Annie: Speeding.
This is the first movie I saw Sandra in, as is true for most of America I'm sure. She made it clear that she was going to be on the map for a long time. I love when she gets to be a bad ass.
02. Lucy Elanor Moderatz, While You Were Sleeping (1995)
"I might've saved your life on the tracks that day, but you know what? You really saved mine. You allowed me to be part of a family, and I haven't had that in a really long time. And I just didn't want to let go of that. So even though it was just for a little while, I will love them always."
My favorite of her romantic comedies. What's not to love about this movie? Everybody loves Lucy, she's wonderful. It also reminds me of the way my family used to be when my grandparents were still alive. I could always be in the mood for this movie. Lucy just always makes me smile.
03. Ellen Roark, A Time to Kill (1996)
Ellen: Have you ever seen a man executed?
Jake: Not that I recall.
Ellen: Alright then, what I suggest you do is you go watch a man be executed. You watch him die. You watch him beg. You watch him kick and spit the life out of him till he pisses and shits in his pants until he's gone… then you know what? Then you come back here and you sing this crap to me about justice.
A small role, but she put her heart into it. It seems as if I watched this movie, as intense as it is, every other day in high school.
04. Birdee Pruitt, Hope Floats (1998)
Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma used to say. She said beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too.
Had I ranked these, this would have been my #1. I think this is the best role she's played to date, and it is seriously underrated. She flexed both ends of the spectrum to the deepest core of the material. Not even Leigh Ann Tuohy, the role she won the Oscar for, measures up to Birdee in my opinion. I wish she had been recognized more for this movie than anything else.
05. Sally Owens, Practical Magic (1998)
Dearest Gilly: Sometimes I feel that there’s a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean. And the moon tonight, there’s a circle around it, a sign of trouble not far behind. I have this dream of being whole. Of not going to sleep each night, wanting. But still sometimes, when the wind is warm or the crickets sing… I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for. I just want someone to love me. I want to be seen. I don’t know. Maybe I had my happiness. I don’t want to believe it but, there is no man, Gilly. Only that moon.
If I had multiple personalities, I am convinced that Sally Owens would be one of my alters. That's all I really need to say.
06. Gwen Cummings, 28 Days (2000)
"I'm sorry I make it so impossible to love me."
One word: Brilliant.
07. Gracie Hart, Miss Congeniality (2000)
Kathy: New Jersey, as you know, there are people who consider the Miss United States Pageant outdated and anti-feminist. What would you say to them?
Gracie: Well, I would have to say that I used to be one of them. And then I came here and I realized that these women are smart, terrific people who are trying to make a difference in the world. And we've become really good friends. I mean, I know we all secretly hope the other one will trip and fall flat on her face... but oh wait a minute, I've already done that! And for me this experience has been one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences of my life.
Victor: My god, I did it!
Gracie: And if anyone, anyone tries to hurt one of my new friends, I would take them out. I would make them suffer so much that they'd wish they were never born. And if they ran, I would hunt them down. Thank you, Kathy.
Victor: A brief shinning moment and then that mouth!
If Gracie Hart/Gracie Lou Freebush does not make you laugh or at least smile, you do not have a sense of humor. Plus, she gets to be hysterically funny AND a bad ass at the same time.
08. Siddalee 'Sidda' Walker, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
"I don't wanna get all scrappy! I am sick of fighting! And, I am sick to death of this whole center of the universe, holier than thou, nothing is ever enough. Oh, how I've suffered, nobody understands me. Somebody fix me a drink and hand me a Nebutol, worn out Scarlett O'Hara... thing!"
She really did this part justice. As someone who has 'mommy issues' I relate probably much more than I should.
09. Jean Cabot, Crash (2004)
Jean: I would like the locks changed again in the morning. And you know what, you might mention that next time we'd appreciate it if they didn't send a gang member...
Rick: A gang member?
Jean: Yes, yes.
Rick: What do you mean? That kid in there?
Jean: Yes. The guy in there with the shaved head, the pants around his ass, the prison tattoos.
Rick: Those are not prison tattoos.
Jean: Oh really? And he's not gonna go sell our key to one of his gang banger friends the moment he is out our door?
Rick: You've had a really tough night. I think it would be best if you just went upstairs right now and...
Jean: And what? Wait for them to break in? I just had a gun pointed in my face!
Rick: You lower you voice!
Jean: ... and it was my fault because I knew it was gonna happen. But if a white person sees two black men walking towards her and she turns and walks in the other direction, she's a racist, right? Well I got scared and I didn't say anything and ten seconds later I had a gun in my face. Now I am telling you, your amigo in there is gonna sell our key to one of his homies and this time it'd be really fucking great if you acted like you actually gave a shit!
Another very small role, but she went to a deeply angered and dark place and gave it her all. I find it impressive.
10. Leigh Anne Tuohy, The Blind Side (2009)
Leigh Anne: I've lived in Memphis my whole life and never been anywhere near here. You'll take care of me, right?
Michael: I got your back.
I am still not sure I have the words for this movie or performance. In fact, I am contemplating my next picspam being 10 Reasons to love The Blind Side. Leigh Anne reminds me of my adopted "mommy" in Arizona. She is tough. She is heartfelt, loving and protective. She brings laughter to situations when needed, whether intentional or not. Sandra hit it out of the ballpark with this role, and she deserves all the praise she is receiving. I know that she has done the Tuohy family proud.
The end. What did you think? If you are a Sandra Bullock fan, are there any roles I left out that you enjoy? I am always curious about other people's opinions.