The Sessions

The Sessions give us the story of Mark O' Brien (John Hawkes), a man confined to an iron lung, who begins a personal quest that takes him to a priest (William H. Macy) and then a therapist (Helen Hunt).

Mark wants to be a better man, but the twist in this quest is that he wants to lose his virginity at age 38 and Hunt is the sex therapist who is very willing to help. It's safe to say that the story that follows is both awkward and intimate — and unlike any movie I've seen told on screen.

I certainly enjoyed the upbeat vibe of this year's The Intouchables more, and this is no My Left Foot, but my eyes were fixed to the screen to see how this true story plays out. The actors worked hard for this movie, so I feel like I owe them my ten bucks.

Like last year's Alfred Nobbs, this is a performance movie and not solid film in full. I wish that director Ben Lewin would have reworked the cheesy music score, tightened the script that leads to a few unwanted laughs — and stripped Helen Hunt of her unimpressive Boston accent

Simply put: 50 shades of uncomfortable, but you won't be bored

Award potential: Nominations for John Hawkes and Helen Hunt seem highly likely. 

Oscar loves it when a able-bodied actor plays a disabled character and when an actress plays a hooker with a heart. I don't expect the movie to go far, but I wouldn't count it out just yet. William H. Macy is shamelessly stiff in this role.

The ten buck review: Leave your money on the table. Worth ten bucks.

5 Oscar - caliber films you can see now

You’ll have to wait until it’s much colder to see Lincoln, Life of Pi, Linings, Les Miserables and other Oscar bait that begins with an “L”, but there are several Oscar-caliber movies that have already been released and most of them you can see right now.

  

 Argo

Don’t underestimate the Academy’s deep love for movies directed by actors. And never underestimate their love for true stories about Hollywood. In theaters Friday.

- Early contender for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay and more

The Master 

It’s the most talked about film of October. Emphasis on “October.” I didn’t join its cult of fans, but it’s easy to see why Joaquin Phoenix has secured a nomination. In theaters.

- Early contender for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Original Score and more

Moonrise Kingdom

Other than Gabby Douglas, this may be the only gold-worthy thing to come out of this summer. It’s one of Wes Anderson’s most accessible pictures and a sleeper hit. Perfect for the Globes, maybe even Oscar. In theatres. On DVD/Blu Ray October 16th.

-Early contender for Best Picture, Original Screenplay and Original  Score

 Beasts of the Southern Wild

It won’t be eligible for SAG, but that scandal may keep this heavily praised film top of mind. Pay Per View. On DVD/Blu-Ray December 4^th.

- Early contender for Best Picture and Actress

The Intouchables

It’s France's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film, and in the U.S. it was released by (drumroll) The Weinstein Company, a team who certainly knows how to turn a small film into Oscar gold. French version(subtitles) online.

- Early contender for Best Picture and Best Foreign Film

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom features Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand and of course Bill Murray, who has worked in director Wes Anderson’s last five films. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as two twelve-year-olds who fall in love and run away together.

This original film is charming, enchanting and warm like fond childhood memories of summer camp, but ironically it all takes place in a world that is a little too quirky and a bit too quaint to be realistic. How all this comes together so well is beyond me. But, thanks to Wes Anderson, it does. This is a perfect lil’ Sunday matinee film.

Simply put: A deadpan-funny, storybook tale for adults

Award potential: Should do well in all the comedy categories at the Golden Globes. Quirky comedies don't usually perform for Oscar nominations unless they are connected to Woody Allen, but this film could rally for Best Picture, Original Screenplay or Original Score. 

Bill Murray's performance here will be bonus points to his potential nomination for playing FDR in Hyde Park On The Hudson.

The ten buck review: Worth your ten bucks. Khaki Scouts honor.