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Based on the true life story of Mark O’Brien (John Hawkes), a man struck with polio as a young boy who’s been confined to a gurney and an iron lung for the last 30 plus years. A poet and highly educated man as well as a devout catholic Mark turns to the church and his priest Father Brendan (William H. Macy) for emotional support. Feeling his expiration date is drawing near Mark seeks council on his desires to love and be loved, physically and emotionally. With Father Brendan’s blessing, nervous Mark ventures on a journey to become a man with the help of a sexual surrogate named Cheryl (Helen Hunt). Through Cheryl’s teachings and his further experiences Mark learns of love and what it means to be loved, but this is just the beginning, what wonders lay ahead for Mark? Touching screenplay and heartfelt acting from the ensemble, possible Oscar nods are in plain sight here. Writer/Director Ben Lewin has managed to combine the perfect blend of levity to serious material, making for a potent dramatic comedy that at times will have you laughing over the next line saying “wait wait, this is important I didn’t catch all of that.” And, while not appropriate for all audiences due to the semi-graphic concepts contained within, the overall message about life is beautiful and worthy of attention from all. Worth your consideration, The Sessions is rated R.

In the world of arcade games there are good guys and bad guys; and, unbeknownst to humans, they have feelings, dreams, and aspirations. So when Ralph (John C. Reilly), the villain from an 80’s arcade game, gets the urge to win a medal of honor, the hierarchy of good and bad is challenged in the arcade. And, while trying to fulfill his dream it’s a series of simple mistakes that ultimately leads to the possible wrecking of the entire arcade. It’ll take the militant Calhoun (Jane Lynch), the glitchy Vanellope (Sara Silverman), Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer) and a cast of all your favorite video game characters to save the arcade, but is it already too late? Clever nods and inside jokes to all who’ve enjoyed their share of video gaming over the last 30 years with the foundation of straightforward solid comedy makes for a win with gamers and non-gamers of all ages alike. And, while the laughs weren’t necessarily rapid fire or deep belly laughs every time, the overall sense will still leave you smiling. Crisp animation with stimulus overload in the color and audio departments will put up a good fight for this year’s loudest film; meanwhile, the 3D here felt unnecessary, yet if ever there was a call for the exploitation of the technology, this was it, ho hum. Clocking in just a few minutes shy of 2 hours long, length feels about right, maybe a shade long, but satisfying none the less. Matinee or maybe more. Wreck-It Ralph is rated PG.