EASY A: EASY GRADE TO GIVE THIS FILM

The rumors of my promiscuity have been greatly exaggerated.

Finally comes a smart film that does not talk down to its audience, although many of them are of high school age, but rather treats them with the respect that many of them, if not most of them deserve. A cross between Mean Girls and Saved, this film is definitely not your average boy meets girl boy loses girl boy in girl get together at the end and everybody lives happily ever after. Like 10 Things I Hate about You, the underlying tone of the script follows the story of the Scarlet Letter; "A is for Awesome". Emma Stone is Olive, our heroine who is smart, well spoken and has cutting sense of humor. Her parents are both supportive equally as entertaining (Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci). One of the things that makes this film most refreshing the things that you think will happen don't, and the things that you don't expect to happen do. Olive's parents and their quirky sense of humor is definitely part of that. "Any friend of Olive's is a friend of my daughter." Rarely do I mention a writer, but Burt V. Royal deserves props for his work on this. This film was highly entertaining, so much so that I did have to watch it a second time. In a way, it is an homage to the films from John Hughes where teenagers are respected and not denigrated. I have a list of the films that I consider the best films of the year. Some are obvious, like Facebook, Inception, True Grit and the King's Speech. Easy A may not be an obvious choice, but it is my choice and I stand by it. Do not let this movie pass you by.

THE BLIND SIDE: WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE

Leigh Anne Touhy: If you so much as set foot downtown, you will be sorry. I'm in a prayer group with the D.A.,

I'm a member of the NRA and I'm always packing.

Leigh Anne Touhy is definitely a woman you want on your side. She's fiery, passionate and compassionate and this film is based on her ability to practice what she preached. The movie is about a successful family with a strong willed mother and wife at the helm leading her children to do their best, do what's right and do the good thing. Shortly after being abandoned by his mother, Michael Oher, a big, strapping hunk of a young man from "the other side" of the tracks collides with Touhy's force of nature and the rest makes for an inspirational film. Yes, there is a lot about sports and some notable football people make cameo appearances in the film, but it's not all just about football. It's about doing the right thing for the right reasons and showing kindness for no other reason but to do just that. Sandra Bullock easily won best actress for her portrayal of Touhy and she earned what didn't come easily. Quinton Aaron as Oher blends the best mix of naive young man with street smart witness and is humble and soft spoken. This film is about values and morals and following the path of the righteous. It has just the right mix of emotion and determination which makes it a pleasure and an honor to witness.

BIG bite: A valuable contribution and refreshing decent story.