The Oscar Race (so far) a Video Entry Part 1

The Sessions, Proves Sex is not a Dirty Three Letter Word but an Act that can Unlock Some of the most Beautiful Emotions

The Sessions (4 out of 5 Stars)

Directed and Written by Ben Lewin

Starring: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, and William H. Macy

The Sessions, proves sex is not a dirty three letter word, but an act that can unlock some of the most beautiful emotions.  In the "current American Society" (whatever that may mean) sex is deemed a perverse act, something taboo, and that is sealed in the sacred act of marriage.  People act as though sex is an evil or something you do for the sake of procreation, and not for the sake of pleasure.  Those who preach abstinence have created an agenda that make sex between anyone something that we dare not speak.  This film takes the opposite approach proving that even within a film sex/sexuality can be something beautiful, and sacred.

The film centers on real life poet Mark O'Brien (Hawkes) who got polio at the age of six and has spent his life in an iron lung.  Mark feels that throughout his life he has opened himself up to intimacy with others but because of the disease and his forced to live laying down this intimacy has never been returned.  Mark seeks refuge and guidance with a new priest at his church Father Brendan (Macy), with whom he confides his deepest longings.  After much consternation Mark seeks out the company of a sex surrogate named Cheryl (Hunt); she helps him explore his own trepidations with intimacy guiding him on a journey to his own sexual exploration, and happiness.

The key to this film is beautiful and raw acting from John Hawkes as Mark.  Hawkes has proven his darker acting side in more recent films like Winter's Bone, and Martha Marcy May Marlene.  In this film Hawkes shows a comical side proving he can make the you laugh, but there is so much vulnerability within his character.  Mark wants to feel this genuine love with someone; he wants to feel as though he can form a lasting connection with another woman on spiritual and physical level.  Hawkes gives one of the best performances of the year; he is one of my favorite actors at the moment because not only does his acting seem effortless, but because he makes you feel every little emotion throughout the journey with this courageous man.

Mark finds this physical and spiritual connection with Cheryl played by the radiant Helen Hunt.  Hunt bravely puts it all out there in her acting and on the screen; she is fearless in this role, and proves that her Oscar for As Good as it Gets was no fluke.  Cheryl has a vulnerable side to her as well; she is drowning in her need to conform to her own life, yet she strives for independence.   As she spends the few sessions with Mark you get to Hunt transform this character, and feel a genuine joy and sadness for these two people.  Hunt is a vision.

Together these two performances bring to life one of the best on screen couples of the year.  As you watch there journey there are moments laughter, revelation, and of course the eventual pain of realism that brings these to characters to a realization that their sessions can only last so long.   Together this on screen couple helps take this material to an astounding level.  There is more to their journey than sex. Together they help Mark get a place of peace.

The film is lyrical, and provides a beautifully brilliant story of a man who fought to be something, and know something real.  Writer/Director Ben Lewin's script helps transform this real life story/article into something that, which never pushes an agenda, but rather sensually caresses you.  The film makes you believe in love, and the pursuit of that physical/spiritual connection with another person.

October Movies to See and to Skip

This may be one of a very small number of posts for the week.  I am on vacation, and have limited access to a computer.  I had to give my loyal readers their score card for this week's October movies to see and skip.

Although we need to take a brief look back in time at September's movies.  September was another slow month at the box office, but some of the smaller films, in limited release, worked their magic both financially and at pleasing audiences.  There were also the disappointments with films like The Words, Trouble with the Curve, Won't Back Down, these maudlin dramas just don not work when you force it. Studios need to realize that there is no middle ground in regard to quality or box office receipts anymore.

On the other hand the genre films do decently at the box office, for example sci-fi, horror, and animated seem to be the most bankable in the slow months.  Hotel Transylvania, which somehow escaped my list from last month set September records making 41 million, animated films do well in these slow times.  Resident Evil and Looper helped out the sci-fi genre, while they did not have amazing numbers they did well for September, and Looper was a hit with critics.  A House at the End of the Street scarred away the critics, but the film pulled in decent numbers, enough to prove Jennifer Lawrence is an it girl.

The name of the game recently for a variety of films was using the limited release to help build up an audience.  Films like The Master open in limited release because they come from small companies and are harder to market to larger audiences.  The film has done well.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Pitch Perfect did this also.  Each film doing well enough, but the question is will they survive? And will October get better?  The answer is an emphatic yes, October is going to start strong!

October 5th 

Taken 2

Frankenweenie

Pitch Perfect 

The Paperboy (limited)

What an opening weekend!  While the original Taken was a solid film, this sequel looks just simple bad.  Taken 2 will however make a lot of money at the box office.  I would wait for DVD.  Frankenweenie is going comes from the mind of Tim Burton, and while this has a weird premise it's being released in the perfect month, and will draw in families like Hotel Transylvania did.  Pitch Perfect did well at the box office in limited release last week, and people are just excited to see more "Fat Amy" this will perform well.  Who wouldn't want to watch Lee Daniels follow-up to Precious where Zac Effron and Nicole Kidman get into water sports....this film was booed at Cannes, can they get anyone to see it? Probably not.  Althought the trailer looks solid.

October 12th

Argo

Sinister

Seven Psychopaths

Here Comes the Boom

Argo is a surefire Best Picture contender, and I think has the potential to be the actual winner.  Ben Affleck has been building his directorial career much like Robert Redford did.  This film has gotten thunderous applause from critics, now will audiences show up?  I think based on this weekend the film will perform well.  Sinister and Seven Psychopaths will not perform well.  Look for the charm from Kevin James in Here Comes the Boom to surprise, but only if the marketing gets better, and quick.

October 19th

Alex Cross

The Sessions

Paranormal Activity 4

Paranormal Activity always owns their weekend, and putting it close enough to Halloween yearly will help once again.  This puts Tyler Perry's version of Alex Cross in the cross fires.  Perry is a poor choice for this role, and I am a little disappointed in the casting.  This film could be good, but I predict failure.  The Sessions is another Oscar hopeful, and people will eat up this film as it gets released in limited release.

October 26th 

Cloud Atlas

Silent Hill Revelation 3D

Both films have the potential to be pretty solid.  Cloud Atlas looks visually stunning, but will the Wachowski's loose the substance for style.  I think this is going to be a mixed bag, and something you will have to see for yourself.  The first Silent Hill was solid, this one looks subpar.  

Must See-Pitch Perfect, Argo, The Sessions, Frankenweenie

Skip: Taken 2, Here Comes the Boom, Sinister, Silent Hill