About once a year the movie industry manages to amaze even the cynical of critics when it comes to a sports drama, but “The Blind Side” is more than that, it’s a humanitarian drama.

This movie is the epitome of all that can go right in the world if one person just says yes and that’s exactly what Leigh Anne Tuohy portrayed by Sandra Bullock did. She said yes in helping Michael Oher played by Quinton Aaron. Oher is a homeless black teen and on one fateful freezing rainy night crossed paths with the republican, NRA card holding, multi-tasker Christian woman, Tuohy. When others would just look away and think it’s none of their business, Tuohy takes Oher in her home and makes him part of her very successful, yet still missing something family and that missing link was Oher.

This movie felt real because it was real. A true story brought to the big screen, so maybe others could learn a lesson or two on how the other side lives, no matter what side you might be on. Sandra Bullock captured Leigh Anne Tuohy’s energy and extraordinary personality and amplified on the big screen. This is Bullock’s Erin Brockovich. An Oscar is in her mist for this amazing performance.

One small performer that was bigger than life was Jae Head who played SJ Tuohy, Leigh Anne’s youngest son. He was such a delight and a great young actor. He stole the scene a couple of times in the movie. SJ takes to Oher very early at school, before the family takes Oher home. He has some of the greatest lines, especially during the negotiations with the university football coaches.

The two hour movie just flied by and the packed theater remained in awe of the story that they had just seen, that they sat through most of the credits and applauded upon rising. The audience was moved to tears, for the happiness that there is hope for even the helpless, for breaking that southern white superior stereotype, for believing that one person can make a difference.

While every teenager was clogging up all the different lines at the movie theaters across the country, the adults still managed to make it through. Even though “New Moon” outnumbered “The Blind Side” in theaters and in teenagers, it’s very exciting to see the estimates come in even though a distant second at $34.5 million.

The real Michael Oher was the first round draft pick for the NFL football team Baltimore Ravens. To see how he made it there, you need to go and see the movie.

Thanksgiving weekend is amongst us and if you want to teach, learn, or see the true meaning of what to be thankful for, my suggestion is to go and see “The Blind Side”.

HIT 5 stars A+