iVillage

Haven't Seen the Oscar Best Picture Nominees? Read Our Cliffs Notes!

With 10 movies up for top honors at the Academy Awards, get the scoop on the films vying for a golden statue (11 Photos)

Thelma Adams on Mar 4, 2010 at 9:04AM

chime in now

Single View
View All

2 of 11

Haven't Seen the Oscar Best Picture Nominees? Read Our Cliffs Notes!

Warner Bros.

'The Blind Side'

The Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Quinton Aaron
The Director: John Lee Hancock
The Lowdown: Side crosses chick flick with sports movie to reap box office gold
Total Nominations: 2
The Story: Based on real people, the inspirational drama is about Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) who discovers an African-American scholarship student Michael Oher (Aaron) at her kids' parochial school is homeless. The caring Southerner makes up a bed on her fancy couch, then adopts the burly athlete, giving him the support and encouragement he ultimately needs to become a superstar football player in the NFL.
Why It's Nominated: Bullock's late-blooming box-office success is a Hollywood fairy tale, making her the one to beat for Best Actress and dragging the movie along behind her.