Behind Sandra Bullock's 'Blind Side' Oscar Nomination

Feb. 3, 2010 — -- Few contest her congeniality.

But should Sandra Bullock win an Oscar, that coveted golden statuette that all but guarantees a place in cinema history, a paycheck with a few extra zeros and a more worthy Wikipedia entry?

It's debatable.

Bullock is favored to win the best actress Academy Award next month for playing a Southern belle turned foster mom in "The Blind Side," which itself is nominated for best picture of the year. She has already scored a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy.

Critics agree that because of the wins, Bullock's body of work and the Academy's desire to recognize recognizable stars, the 45-year-old actress may well go home with the first Oscar of her career come March 7.

"She's a very serious actress," said film critic David Thomson, author of the 2008 book "Have You Seen ... ? A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films."

"I think she's just lovely. But I think she got nominated because the Academy is in a desperate state and has hardly any mainstream candidates around anymore."