Rating: 
Summary: Silly stuff but fun
Review: What this latter Sandra Bullock film proves that she can truly stand her ground and deliver an even better film than her insipid "28 Days." This comedic look at FBI agents going undercover as beauty pageant contestants is funnier than it sounds, with Michael Caine and the ever-likeable Sandra Bullock the two main standouts.An inept FBI tomboy with an annoying snort is coerced into posing as a beauty pageant contestant in Texas by her partner (Benjamin Bratt). There, like Cinderella, is transformed into a brunette bombshell, but she undergoes serious treatment before the pageant, by depriving herself of pizza, having Caine stuff voyeur temporary breast implants in her bikini top while her fellow FBI agents look on with interest, and other comic mania. The script is dysfunctional, yet predictable, but the movie is so funny and Bullock sparkles as the lead role, you'll forget about it and go with the flow. Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual references, and profanity.
Rating: 
Summary: Silly But Fun Family Fluff
Review: Movie Summary: After a threatening letter from a terrorist, the FBI needs to send an agent undercover to the Miss United States Beauty Pageant (or is it a scholarship program?). Since Ernie Hudson doesn't look as good in a bathing suit as Sandra Bullock, they send FBI agent Gracie Hart. Gracie is a piece of work. As far from a Beauty Pageant contestant as any woman can be, or is she? My Opinion: A fun movie, but it completely lacks any depth what so ever. There is never any tension or suspense. It's silly from start to finish. Just a little bit less of the silliness would have made for a better movie. I loved Shrek and Spy Kids both of which did a great job balancing silliness with a great story and some serious points (serious being a relative term here). I'm sure both kids and die hard Bullock fans will give this 5 stars. But those not falling into one of these groups will find it lacking. DVD Quality: Very nice DVD with enough extras to satisfy all the little Madison's who yell for extra features as soon as the credits appear. What You Should Do: Definitely rent it first. The movie carries a PG-13 rating but is still tame enough for kids. The outtakes are not as tame containing some strong language.
Rating:
Summary: Sandra Bullock is a savvy movie maker
Review: Let's give Sandra Bullock credit where credit is due: - She's a savvy businesswoman. Not only is she the star of 'Miss Congeniality' (and the subsequently released 'Two Weeks Notice'), she produced it as well. Sure beats audtioning for the part. This is a smart actress who has leveraged her box office power. And more power to her. - She's the finest physical comedienne working in film today. An example: her head-long dive off the stage while dressed as something resembling a milk maid (and playing a tune on water glasses, no less) is a thing of beauty. - She knows what she's good at and works the formula. Bullock teamed for the first time with writer Marc Lawrence in 'Congeniality.' They clicked. The movie resonated with audiences. Knowing a good thing when they saw it, they developed the equally funny 'Two Weeks Notice.' Now, look for the as-yet-untitled 'Miss Congeniality' sequel in 2005. As far as the movie itself, I know from asking around that this is one of those films that was a real pleasant surprise. It really exceeds expectations, both in terms of the quality of the comedy and the sweetness of the story. A lot of that can be attributed to Sandy Bullock's very high likability quotient. But Ben Bratt is very good here, too. And getting Michael Caine to appear is a real coup. In the transitional makeover scene, he steals the show with great lines like this one: "Eyebrows: There should be two."
Rating:
Summary: Light, fun - and all Sandra Bullock
Review: Let's not be confused: this movie is not intended to be more than it is, a light comedy that highlights Sandra Bullock's considerable talents. It succeeds admirably with its goal. "Miss Congeniality" is funny and well-paced, slapstick in parts, but all Sandra Bullock. Gracie Hart (Bullock) is a rough and tumble FBI agent who is both clumsy and skilled in self-defense, a woman who pounds her punching bag after a frustrating day at work. She is the unlikely candidate to go undercover at a beauty pageant, but she's the only one in the bureau office who looks good in a computerized bathing suit. Michael Caine is hilarious as the man in charge of making her over in two days, and Benjamin Bratt is convincingly clueless and charming as her friend and sudden supervisor. Candice Bergen and William Shatner, as the pageant's directors, are brilliant casting choices. While Sandra Bullock goes overboard at times making her character uncouth and uncoordinated, she completely carries this movie with her on-screen presence. Her makeover is convincing because Bullock never allows us to forget what lies underneath the sheen. The best part of the DVD is not the movie itself. It's the running commentary of Bullock and co-writer Marc Lawrence found in the special features menu. I almost watched this movie twice in one sitting as I listened to them joke and tell the background of the filming and writing from the beginning to the end of the movie. They were as entertaining as the movie itself. If you buy or rent the DVD, don't miss this feature!
Rating:
Summary: Hilariously funny, Sandra Bullock is "Miss Congeniality"
Review: Finally had a chance to rent "Miss Congeniality". I found it extremely funny and entertaining, though as some people have pointed out the plot is nothing spectacular. When FBI Agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) bungles an assignment leading to the injury of another agent, she feels herself incapable of doing anything. But soon afterwards she is assigned by friend and fellow agent, Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) as an undercover agent. To go as Miss New Jersey in the Miss United States Pageant in San Antonio, Texas! Unfortunately for them, though Gracie is the only one able to go, she absolutely hates to wear make-up, wear a dress, and meet all the requirements of becoming a contestant in a beauty pageant. Even with the help of the famous Victor Melling (Michael Caine), will they be able pull off changing Gracie into a lady? Also starring; Candice Bergen as Kathy Morningside, William Shatner as Stan Fields, and Heather Burns as Miss Rhode Island/Cheryl Frasier. Sandra Bullock is exceptionally good, playing the part of Gracie Hart, FBI agent. She is incredibly good, her humor is given off to perfection. From the way she walks, talks, and snort/laughs, I just died laughing! Benjamin Bratt is great as another FBI agent and the chemistry between him and Sandra Bullock was well-acted. Their bantering is so fun to watch. Michael Caine should also be mentioned since he is wonderful as Gracie's 'trainer'. One small disappointment in the acting was of William Shatner. I have always loved him as the commander on the USS Enterprise of the Star Trek series but seeing him as a sort of stupid announcer was a bit sad to watch. Though he was acting well, it's just that I wished they should have at least given him a better part. As I said, "Miss Congeniality" is incredibly funny, filled with one-liners and favorite scenes you would love. A few of my favorite lines and parts are: 1) When the agents use a 'Dress up Sally' program to dress up agents on the computer. 2) The gym scene where Gracie Hart and Eric Matthew go head-to-head. 3) Gracie Hart being 'transformed'. 4) When Gracie takes off all her concealed weapons. 5) When Gracie says about Eric, "I knew he had an incurable disease, I just hadn't realized till now it was stupidity." 6) I love it when Sandra Bullock says to Eric, "You think I'm gorgeous... You want to kiss me... You want to hug me... You want to love me... You want to smooch me... You want to hug me." I thought that that was very cute and the way she says it is so funny!
And lots, lots more! "Miss Congeniality" is rated PG-13 for some language and also for innuendos. In actuality, I would give this movie 3 and 1/2 stars for these reasons because at some points I felt they could have skipped some parts. But a very enjoyable movie to watch though as I said the plot is nothing spectacular. Recommend to older teens and adults.
Rating: 
Summary: homage to hallowed heroine legends
Review: notice the visual tributes to now classic cinema - this magnificent modern but truly beautiful Martha Ray(sic) becomes Katherine Ross of correctly 1974 "Stepford Wives" fame (forever to suffer the "Graduate" Identity- clone in form and style. Amazing actor.
Rating:
Summary: Deft Comedy
Review: Miss Congeniality took me by surprise. Sandra Bullock in a chick flick about a beauty pagaent? Come on... But this movie genuinely emanates a levity and gayness that is completely absent from most mainstream chick flicks nowadays. Sandra Bullock is very funny and winning in the main role of Gracie Hart, an FBI agent who hides behind a coarse and ironic demeanor to mask her shyness and lack of friends. When a terrorist threatens to overtake the Miss USA Pagaent, Gracie is nominated to go undercover as Miss New Jersey, which involves a stunning transformation from ugly to pretty. Most films that include such a physical transformation (She's All That; The Princess Diaries- to name a few) usually have their rote heroines whip off some geek chic glasses to become what they already are: gorgeous. Here, Bullock actually does risk being truly unattractive- donning greasy hair, furry eyebrows, and disgusting personal habits. It's hard not to admire Bullock's plunge into that which all movie actresses must fear: frumpiness. Bullock also finds time to dig beneath the appearance and find a character. As chick flick heroines go, Gracie seems like a real person- one whose only defense against her fears is sarcasm and a pint of Ben and Jerry's. As much as I laughed at Gracie's social ineptitude, there's just enough going on internally that connects us to our heroine. Once Gracie, now "Gracie Lu Freebush" (it's funny in context, I swear) actually enters the pagaent, the movie becomes truly hilarious. Gracie befriends a variety of contestants- and each are so funny and likeable that you feel like you're at a sleep-over where no one, including yourself, stops giggling. The movie captures the best aspects of all-female bonding. For such a girl-power movie, the male characters are just as funny. I really liked Gracie's FBI boss Eric (Benjamin Bratt) whose romance with Gracie is beyond cute because it's not based on emotional games that exist purely to keep them apart (in this genre- usually involving a bet)- but on growing attraction that's both physical and intellectual. Michael Caine co-stars as the pagaent consultant who gives Gracie the make-over. He's a delight to watch in whatever he's in- it's Michael Caine for chrissakes! But virtually my only complaint surround the treatment of his character's homosexuality, which is subtly homophobic, unfunny, and should have been ommitted. Unlike a lot of comedies nowadays, Miss Congeniality's biggest belly laughs don't arrive via post-modern irony or crude sexuality. The movie is funny in a 40's slapstick way...when physical comedy and charismatic unpredictable personalities were funnier than farts and pop culture references.
Rating:
Summary: Fun for what it is
Review: I like Sandra Bullock, she's fun and at the same time you can see a working thoughtfulness to her. She's carved out a holdiay niche for a certain kind of movie and at the sametime I think takes more risks than Julia Roberts occasionally. Perhaps as she grows older she'll mature into parts that aren't so----easy on the thought process but for now she serves a purpose. Like a Star Trek novel, fun, light entertainment where you can genuinely see that she is a good actress and cares about her work. She plays an FBI agent who undergoes a Pygmalion like transformation. A friend actually left this movie at my house and I watched it a month or so later. I wouldn't have minded seeing it at the theater. Her and Benjamin Bratt have a nice chemistry and Candace Bergen who will never regain her former "soft" acting style after Murphy Brown makes a great villain. Michael Caine is fun as Sandra's beauty coach and Sandra mocking the whole beauty industry for having beauty contests (It's about the scholarship!) makes the film funny. No true horrid violence and the mystery isn't that deep but Sandra holds the film up for what it is. Sometimes you just want a hot dog and not filet mignon.
Rating:
Summary: "Gracie Lou Freebush? My IQ just dropped ten points."
Review: Sandra Bullokc can turn her hand to almost anything, but she sticks to a tried-and-true formula, of what she does best: act like she probably does in real life! Ditzy, clumsy, funny - the list goes on. Wouldn't it be nice to see Sandy in a horror movie? Nice little something to add to her CV. She exec-produced this, and along with Marc Lawrence, had an instant hit. Then she did Two Weeks Notice. I'm sorry, but the magic was lost. And teamed with Hugh Grant? Bad move. Personally, I'm looking forward to the sequel, not due out until next year mind you. Not quite sure what the sequel could be about. The ending of this doesn't exactly scream out "Make a sequel to me!" now does it? I'll always love this movie. Hell, I'll love anything, even if it's bad, that's about an ugly duckling turning into a swan (Never Been Kissed, She's All That, and a few more). The transformation from unkempt Gracie, to HOT Gracie leaves you wanting that team working on you! (Although, her eyebrows were a bit OTT and very much fake) And also, teaming Sandy up with the lovely Benjamin Bratt was fabulous! THe extras on this DVD are pretty much average. You've got your obligatory (hehe) trailer, and behind the scenes features, which also show one or two deleted scenes! (I hate it when they do that) But of the one commentary I've watched of a movie, this one is the best. Sandy & Marc just seem to laugh right the way through it. (Unlike some commentaries, that just brag about how brilliant the cast/scenery/extras/location/ducks/blade of grass are) And when you re-watch the film, you'll remember certain parts of the commentary (I always remember Sandy saying about Frank Tobain's little dance, when they all walk out on stage for the first part of the beauty pageant) The soundtrack is also terrific (I own it). There's some terrific songs, including the most memorable scene, whilst "Mustang Sally" plays. Directly after the make-over scene, when Gracie first emerges as Hot Gracie, and everyone gets to see her for the first time, she wears a dress. Made entirely of rubber bands., Gracie emerges while "Mustang Sally" plays loudly. Wearing a dress that is made entirely out of rubber bands. When she held the "gown", it could fit in the palm of her hand. It also looks like she's pretty much poured into it! (The lucky thing) This movie is terrific. It does normally upset me. The girl changes her whole image and gets the guy, so it could be seen in a very sexist way, that the guy (in this case, Benjamin Bratt) changes her. I don't like that whole section of the film - although it pretty much IS the film! This is definitely in my top five movies.
Rating:
Summary: homage to hallowed heroine legends
Review: notice the visual tributes to now classic cinema - this magnificent modern but truly beautiful Martha Ray(sic) becomes Katherine Ross of correctly 1974 "Stepford Wives" fame (forever to suffer the "Graduate" Identity- clone in form and style. Amazing actor.
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