[Dyre Straits]

I really enjoy movies and books based on true stories. And, this one is shown in incredible fashion.

It's the true story of how Michael Oher, now playing Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, got a series of huge breaks as he was lifted from homelessness and life in the projects of Memphis, TN, to become one of the most sought after college football players in recent years. He made All American with the Ole Mississippi program and was rated the Number 1 Draft Pick for the NFL.

This was a Christmas/Birthday Gift to me and I can see myself watching this one a few more times.

If you haven't seen it, I really highly recommend it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[blibbax]

Sounds good. Would it make sense for a non-American viewer? (I don't know anything about American football or US culture.)

[iPlayer]

You could say I'm on the opposite side of the scale. I really don't find these fairy-talesque stories endearing, nor riveting, though.

I mean, you could say he didn't have it easy at one point, but what happened to him after was akin to winning the lottery, with the added support of caring people to support him. Overall he had it much easier than most in this world.

Hopefully people don't miss that in our limited power, as individuals, we can only do so much, being ultimately subject to our interactions with the environment, resources and most important people we have contact with. It's in each individual that lies the power to make of this world a better place, if they trully will it anyways. So, with some luck, if even a few can gather that from this lolmovie, then I suppose it's not so bad.

PS: Sorry if it offends any of you.

[blibbax]

Originally Posted by iPlayer

in our limited power, as individuals, we can only do so much, being ultimately subject to our interactions with the environment, resources and most important people we have contact with.

Originally Posted by iPlayer

It's in each individual that lies the power to make of this world a better place, if they trully will it anyways.

Aren't these two statements a tad contradictory?

Anyhow, yeah real life isn't a fairytale for 999,999 in a million of us, but this is a movie, not an education on social mobility, politcal philosophy or life advise. It's a feel good film with a little bit of thought provocation thrown in (and, in your case, it seems to have succeeded at least slightly in at least the latter discipline). Don't try to make it anything more :P

[iPlayer]

I certainly didn't express it well enough, even after editing that a couple times. Or maybe it made even less sense, if that's possible, after those.

What I mean is each of us can help make a difference, but without support we would only get so far.

Anything can be thought provoking to me; I question everything. Or rather try to in my limited capacity.

Anyways, just not my cup of tea.

Originally Posted by blibbax

Don't try to make it anything more :P

Not the movie, but the reasons the story might appeal to people. How selfish of me, eh?

[Dyre Straits]

Well, first of all, this movie is based on real events in the lives of real people. Even their real names are used in the movie. Of course, the movie is the result of a book written about this family's relationship and ultimate support of Michael Oher.

The question may arise: Where would he be today without this support?

Apparently, Michael had some innate character decency that prevented him from succumbing to the many actions and activities that were being committed everyday by many of his peers. But, he kept himself above that kind of low-character "criminal" activity by taking care of himself as best he could under the circumstances.

This isn't to say that he didn't steal at times in order to eat, or to cloth himself. (He did use an lady's clothes dryer to dry his own clothes, for example.)

In the movie, one thing that Sean Touhy noticed about him was that Michael started picking up popcorn bags that had been tossed onto the floor of the bleachers. He knew immediately that Michael intended to eat the tossed-away popcorn. (As did anyone who watched the movie with any discernment.)

The movie isn't just a "feel good" movie. It's a depiction of what can possibly happen if people who, for no fault of their own, are born into such deplorable circumstances, could get a little encouragement and help in order to take the steps in the right direction.

I think it's kind of a mistake to depict the movie as a "fairy tale" since it actually depicts what really did happen in this man's life.

And, as for whether one needs to understand American football, culture, or anything like that, I do think the message transcends culture.

[iPlayer]

I know it's based on a book, that's based on real events. Should probably note he was already good at football before meeting them.

I stand by his life-story not being particularly harsh in this terrible world we live in. There's a lot more unfortunate people out there, be it due to their much harsher environments, health, or simply lack of opportunities. And they don't happen upon people like the Tuohy, a wealthy faimily, that would sponsor them.

Besides, I wouldn't call it a little help. Given the leverage money has in our world.

[Dyre Straits]

Originally Posted by iPlayer

I know it's based on a book, that's based on real events. Should probably note he was already good at football before meeting them.

I stand by his life-story not being particularly harsh in this terrible world we live in. There's a lot more unfortunate people out there, be it due to their much harsher environments, health, or simply lack of opportunities. And they don't happen upon people like the Tuohy, a wealthy faimily, that would sponsor them.

Besides, I wouldn't call it a little help. Given the leverage money has in our world.

No, he wasn't good at football prior to meeting them. He was good at basketball, though. Football came after he was placed in the private school and after he got his grades up to where he could even try out for the team.

[iPlayer]

You are right, he had his physique going for him, he could probably be successful in other sports as well. I don't think his coach isn't given enough credit in the movie.

My thoughts are all over the place. I haven't been able to sleep much as of late with this loud whistling I hear on my left ear - aka tinnitus. Physicians consider it related to my heart issues. : |

[Dyre Straits]

Originally Posted by iPlayer

You are right, he had his physique going for him, he could probably be successful in other sports as well. I don't think his coach isn't given enough credit in the movie.

My thoughts are all over the place. I haven't been able to sleep much as of late with this loud whistling I hear on my left ear - aka tinnitus. Physicians consider it related to my heart issues. : |

I know all about tinnitus! I'm clinically deaf at this time and have been for several years. But, when I was younger, and could hear better, I had that ringing, chirping, drumming sounds all the time.

The way I made peace with it was, when I was a youngster, we had no air conditioning. So, at night time, there would be the rustling of the leaves, automobile traffic, and the chirping of crickets outside the window. I would let those noises put me to sleep. So, when the tinnitus started up, I decided to imagine I was again hearing the crickets chirp, cars passing on the road, and the leaves rusting.

I really do feel for you, though. It's quite a battle to overcome something like this that we have no control over...other than with our minds.