Top 10 Films: Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has been one of the most likeable and bankable actresses for over 20 years now. 2013 is yet another big year for her. The Heat has already been a big hit, making back its budget in a week while The Heat 2 sequel is already in the works. As I expected months ago, its on pace to be the highest grossing comedy film of 2013. That spot is currently held by Identity Thief, another film starring Bullock's Heat co-star Melissa McCarthy. Bullock & McCarthy clearly own 2013. Her next movie, Gravity, hits theaters on October 4, 2013. Its generating some early Oscar buzz, and will open the Venice Film Festival in August, the first 3D film to do so. Here are Bullock's top 10 films. Well, until Gravity premieres, which should enter any Top 10 list for her.

1. Speed (1994) - The film that launched her career into overdrive. Keanu Reeves became America's stoner action hero, while Bullock became "America's sweetheart", and a badass one at that. Speed blends everything we love about summer action movies. The movie never stops packing thrills and twists, and manages to get you to care about the characters at the same time, where some action/thriller movies can fail. For my money, Speed is one of the best "edge-of-your-seat" thrillers of all time. Bullock charms throughout the film, and her character delivers some laughs in an otherwise dire situation.

2. The Blind Side (2009) - A heartwarming sports movie is something we've seen often. What sets this one apart from the pack is Bullock, who expertly brings Leigh Anne Tuohy to life in a sassy and commanding way. She brings the laughs and draws you into the movie like no one else can as she struts around with quick wit and awesome comebacks. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in this role, and rightfully so.

3. While You Were Sleeping (1995) - This is one of three Bullock films that might be considered "chick flicks" under normal circumstances, yet everyone can enjoy them (the other two being Miss Congeniality & The Proposal). All guys should be thankful for these three movies which are not only tolerable, but interesting and funny. They make for a date night movie that keeps all parties happy. While You Were Sleeping is the best of the three, as Bullock takes that charm from Speed and turns it up a notch. Its because of this charm that the film doesn't suffer from being too sappy like many romantic comedies can.

4. The Heat (2013) - The Heat is a typical buddy cop film, yet Bullock & McCarthy have excellent chemistry that comes across well on screen, which sets the film apart. You can tell that they had a blast while filming it, and the supporting cast is excellent as well. We also get to see Bullock in an R-rated comedy for the first time, which is a nice bonus.

5. Crash (2005) - Sometimes movies with a large ensemble cast can be a mess (ahem, New Year's Eve). Crash manages to do a fine job with many different characters though. Bullock shows that she doesn't need to be funny or charming all the time. Her character is fairly cold and angry in the beginning of the movie, doing a fine job in one of her more dramatic roles to date.

6. Miss Congeniality (2000) - Before The Heat, Bullock starred as an FBI agent in this action-comedy that became one of the biggest hits of 2000/2001. A movie about a beauty pageant would normally draw yawns, but Miss Congeniality makes it work by both poking fun at the idea of a beauty pageant as well as humanizing the contestants. It packs a punch too. Just remember to SING.

7. Infamous (2007) - One of two films to be released around the same time about Truman Capote during his research and writing of the novel In Cold Blood. Even though Capote, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, got most of the attention, Infamous is the slightly better film. That is mainly thanks to a deeper look into Capote's life. Infamous goes into his Manhattan society friendships which give it a little something extra. Bullock plays Harper Lee, and manages to shine well next to Toby Jones (who does a wonderful job as Truman Capote). Daniel Craig, Lee Pace, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels & Gwyneth Paltrow all appear as well.

8. The Proposal (2009) - Another romantic comedy that can be enjoyed by all, since much like While You Were Sleeping, it is not at all sappy. They lean more towards comedy than romance, and of course Bullock knows how to make a romantic comedy interesting. Betty White steals the show of course, as this movie launched yet another chapter in her long career. Much like The Heat, its a movie where the chemistry between the cast oozes off the screen. Just watch White & Bullock do their Native American dance to the tune of "Get Low" by Lil Jon and try not to laugh.

9. The Net (1995) - The Net was one of the first cyber thrillers to deal with cyber terror, identity theft and the Internet. Without Bullock the movie may have seemed more ridiculous, but she manages to make you care about the character. While high-tech at the time, its all pretty dated now, with its use of floppy discs and dial-up Internet. Yet it still manages to be an interesting look at the early days of the web.

10. A Time To Kill (1996) - Ten movies have been released that are based on John Grisham novels, and A Time To Kill is the best of the bunch. It can sometimes drag in parts, but ultimately is entertaining and a solid adaptation. Some of the scenes that never drag are the ones with Bullock.

Listen to "Skyfall" from Adele

Adele has released her much anticipated new song "Skyfall" from the upcoming James Bond movie of the same name. Daniel Craig reprises his role as 007, and ever since Adele was announced to be performing the theme song, everyone has been buzzing about it. The film itself releases on October 26, 2012 in the UK and November 9, 2012 in the USA & elsewhere.

The song lives up to the hype and opens perfectly with a little James Bond style intro that quickly turns into the piano driven song you would expect. It increasingly speeds up though, which makes a good fit for the spy/action film it accompanies. Some familiar 007 themes are heard throughout, and the song is pretty much a guarantee to be a hit on radio, as well as cementing itself as the best Bond theme ever. Listen below.

Opening Weekend of the 2012 Olympics a Hit

The Opening Ceremony and the first two days of the London 2012 Olympics have come and gone, and have delivered on every level. Though, did anyone think they wouldn't?

The Opening Ceremony featured a short film with James Bond (Daniel Craig) and the Queen Herself, Queen Elizabeth II, showing off her dry sense of humor. A stand-in Queen jumped out of a helicopter, and the real Queen entered the stadium to take her seat. Paul McCartney also gave a solid performance, showing that even one of the biggest stars in the world can get choked up being at such a massive event, as he did at the start of "Hey Jude."  There was also a mysterious woman who snuck into the parade of athletes with the team from India (see below). You can't miss her, she is the one in a red jacket and teal pants, walking and waving like she is one of them. I love that she managed to bypass security in a bright colored outfit and get to the front of the line with nobody saying anything to her. She did it with a smile, which must be the key.

Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps for Gold on Saturday, and Phelps failed to medal in the event. The US Women's Soccer team beat Colombia 3-0 to clinch a spot in the Quarterfinals with one group Stage game to go against mysterious North Korea on Tuesday. Abby Wambach got punched during the game by the sneaky & dirty Lady Andrade, getting a black eye, behind the refs back. Wambach responded by burying a goal into the back of the net. Colombia has yet to score a goal in a major tournament (ha ha). And its ironic that her name is "Lady", because she is obviously far from being one. The power-house Spanish men's soccer team lost two games to Japan & Honduras, being eliminated in the group stage. Hope Solo also cause a furor, tweeting her displeasure for US icon Brandi Chastain's criticisms during commentary. I'll stick by Chastain on this, its her job to be critical, not 100% positive all the time. *Update* - Lady Andrade has been suspended by FIFA two games for striking Abby Wambach. 

Kim Rhode (shooting) became the first American to win a medal at five straight Olympics dating back to Atlanta 1996. Both Volleyball teams picked up wins, as did the Basketball teams. Misty-May & Kerri Walsh also kicked off their quest for a 3rd straight Beach Volleyball gold with a hard fought victory. It won't be as easy this time around. USA also won its first diving medal since Sydney 2000. In the men's 400 free swim relay, USA couldn't shock France like they did in Beijing 2008, getting silver behind France this time. Bill Gates is also a big Table Tennis fan, taking in some of the action. Great Britain picked up some medals, but are still searching for their first Gold of the games. China currently leads the pack in both golds and total medals, with USA right behind. 

The London 2012 Olympics have also been ratings gold for NBC so far even though some complained that certain event were held back for tape delays to show in prime-time. The Opening Ceremony was NBC's highest rated ever, getting around 40 million viewers to surpass Atlanta 1996, which had 39 million. The first night of competition also surpassed Atlanta as the most watched opening night ever. I guess NBC gets the gold?