Oscar buzz for Sandra Bullock...

2009 was a good year for Sandra Bullock. No. Make that a great year for Sandra Bullock (if you don't count All About Steve). The Proposal was this summer's surprise hit earning $164 million at the US box office to become her highest grossing film ever. Now, just four months later she is on track to beat that record. Her current film, The Blind Side took in $34 million in its opening weekend which is now her biggest opening ever. It has also surprised everyone by taking in $105 million in just 2 weeks and by holding the number 2 spot at the box office 2 weeks in a row.

On top of garnering a huge chunk of change at the box office, Sandra Bullock's performance in The Blind Side is getting both fan and critical acclaim. The film currently has a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes with most critics who don't like the film still praising Bullock's performance (NY Times) and the NY Post even went so far as to claim it was better than "Precious" saying:  "All Bullock's films promote an edifying sense of human experience -- she has an instinct for what people like to see -- and that gift makes 'The Blind Side' the perfect, God-sent antidote to 'Precious'." While that claim is highly debatable, one thing is certain, Sandra Bullock is gathering the winds that could take her to an Oscar nomination.

Warner (the distributor of the film) was not planning on promoting Bullock's performance for the Oscar race but they may be changing their minds soon. The studio distribution president just told The Wrap entertainment news site that he hopes "this movie makes the Academy's top 10 (for the best picture race), and Sandy Bullock gets a look, too."

It was also just announced that Sandra Bullock will be awarded the prestigious American Riviera Award at the 25th edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Past winners include Mickey Rourke, Forrest Whitaker, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The festival's director released this statement: “Bullock’s career-capping performance in ‘The Blind Side’ encompasses everything we have loved about her since the early '90s, from the deft physical comedy in ‘While You Were Sleeping,’ to the mettle of her role in the Academy Award-winning ‘Crash.’ What a most perfect time to salute this enduring movie star’s lengthy career.”

WEZ Sez: The Blind Side: The movie is predictable and a bit over sensationalized at times, but Sandra Bullock will make you forgive every imperfection. Her performance is Oscar nomination worthy.

 What did you think of The Blind Side? Is Sandra Bullock's performance good enough for the Oscars? Comment below...