Not only is Sandra Bullock among the most talented and successful, she is also a very likeable Hollywood star of her generation and, in fact, of all generations. This actress with German roots spreads glamor and elegance without seeming too aloof or arrogant. In fact, like few of her colleagues, “Sandy” represents the desirable mix of best friend and tough power woman who manages to do everything she sets her mind to – and never loses her grip on reality.
Most importantly, she is a star who really shines in every genre and, despite her famous face, lets us forget the face behind her role: No matter if it’s in action thrillers, schmaltzy rom-coms, nerve-wracking thrillers or hard-to-digest psychodramas – Sandra Bullock always delivers across the board in every flick and is constantly at the top of her charm game. That she has already won an Oscar (for “The Blind Side”) in addition to countless awards is actually no more than a matter of fact.
To this day, Bullock has refused to be part of a franchise, which is perhaps why she is among Hollywood’s last great film stars. The 58-year-old last wowed audiences with her charisma and self-irony in the adventure comedy “The Lost City” alongside Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe, and the famous “Bullet Train”, proving once again that in Hollywood, too, age can be just a number. That is, at least when you display such a casual naturalness as Sandra Bullock. Stay tuned as in the following we are going to introduce 7 of the best Sandra Bullock movies.
7- Miss Congeniality (2000)
While the film may not be Oscar material, it is unquestionably one of the actress’ most rousing and likeable feel-good movies. In essence, the highly entertaining action-comedy is a modern-day fairy tale: the ugly duckling ultimately turns out to be a beautiful swan – who, in this case, also knows how to handle firearms and is a master in hand-to-hand combat.
Here, Bullock has the opportunity to play up her comedic side as well as her badass side to the fullest, reminding us of a brightly lit candle that burns at both ends. She never lets her character slip into the cartoonish despite a few cliché pitfalls.
6- Speed (1994)
Bullock’s big breakthrough: as Sandy sped through Los Angeles at high speed, the whole world started to fall in love with her. In fact, the full-throttle opera was totally tailored to lead actor Keanu Reeves, although it was the coolness and charm of the bus driver that turned the film into a major and, above all, timeless hit.
It was a groundbreaking, pioneering and thrilling metropolitan odyssey in a rush of speed, precisely staged. In case you have watched Speed, you probably agree that this one deserves to be on the best Sandra Bullock movie list.
5- The Lake House (2006)
Some of the best rom-coms are those that excite not only the laugh muscles, but also the tear ducts. Bullock once again teamed up with dream partner Reeves for “The Lake House” and allowed the really big emotions to boil up, which makes the film a must-see for all those who can’t do without a pack of tissues and a large chocolate during movie night.
This fantasy drama is a Korean film remake that sometimes gets a bit confused, but it hits all the right buttons on the emotional piano. So keep your head out and your heart on! Taking us on a powerful romantic journey, Bullock turns the film into pure stunning cinema that gets under your skin. This is a haunting and quiet play on the disparity between yesterday and today, in which Bullock once again emerges as a big winner.
4- While You Were Sleeping (1995)
This classic film secured Bullock a place in our hearts forever: As Lucy, a subway ticket seller, she manages to save the life of her secret crush Peter (Peter Gallagher) just at Christmas, when the latter is pushed onto the subway tracks by robbers. Peter then falls into a coma – and promptly Lucy is believed by everyone to be his fiancée …
The story is told in a pleasingly unagitated way, but it is all the more warm-hearted, sentimental, funny and also deep. Even quiet tones can be loud. Here, Bullock is so sweet that two decades later it’s not hard to understand why she was regarded as the rom-com queen of the ’90s. Her performance here is quite sensitive to interpersonal tones. In fact, her understated performance only amplifies her screen presence all the more. Bullock easily carries the film and it should be on the list of best Sandra Bullock movies.
3- Crash (2004)
Writer and director Paul Haggis puts together several interrelated stories about racism, money, family and gender differences into one big, escalating whole. With all stories set in post-9/11 Los Angeles, the film has turned out to be correspondingly bleak, nihilistic and socially critical.
This ensemble film brings together a top-class cast: in addition to Bullock, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, Ryan Philippe, Brendan Fraser, Thandiwe Newton and Matt Dillon, among others, perform their hearts out. However, Bullock, shown here in one of her most dramatic roles, still manages to shine brighter than the finest Hollywood diamond, even in this setting.
2- The Proposal (2009)
Most of the time Bullock plays the likeable, down-to-earth lady with a great sense of identification. So it’s all the more refreshing that here she slips into the role of the nasty business lady devoured by ambition, who even compels her assistant to marry her for the sake of her career. She does this with such passion and dedication that it really doesn’t matter that you know how it’s supposed to turn out from the beginning.
Furthermore, Reynolds and Bullock have a chemistry that is dangerously close even to that between her and Reeves. The verbal wit is punchy, the situational comedy casual, and each scene is infused with an unaffected lightness. What’s more, Betty White is there, too. Truly one of the best Sandra Bullock movies!
1- Gravity (2013)
This sci-fi one-woman show – but also a thriller and survival drama in equal measure – finds Bullock alone in space, where she desperately fights for her life. Alfonso Cuarón’s masterpiece not only marked Bullock’s arrival in the sci-fi genre, but also turned her into a genre queen, rivaling even Sigourney Weaver. Weaving superhuman strength with deeply human fragility, Bullock is loud and quiet at the same time, completely immersing herself in her role and at the same time resisting the self-indulgent urge to overact.
Completely deservedly, she earned her second Oscar nomination for this – and the general consensus among critics is that she should have won the award, too; Bullock is at her acting best here. Possibly the best role in her already multi-layered and storied career. Gravity deserves a place in the list of best Sandra Bullock movies.
So what do you think about our list of best Sandra Block movies? Does, in your opinion, there are other titles which deserve to have a place in this best Sandra Bullock movies list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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