Over the years, I have become captivated by the films of Wes Anderson. Even though his recent movie Isle of Dogs (2018) is not my favorite, I view Anderson as someone who makes movies that grab his viewers’ attention through his creative sense of mind. He has many trademarks that speak to his audience (including me). What has spoken to me most about his movies is how he creates lengthy introductions of each character who all have a meaningful connection to the center of the problem in the film. He also ensures that his characters have quirky trademarks that are memorable for his viewers.

When it comes to Anderson, one of my favorite films where he utilizes his unique structure and setup in an enthralling format is The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). The film’s setup is a family of geniuses that are dysfunctional. The film stars Gene Hackman (as Royal Tenenbaum), Gwyneth Paltrow (as Margot Tenenbaum), Anjelica Huston (as Etheline Tenenbaum), Ben Stiller (as Chas Tenenbaum), and Luke Wilson (as Richie Tenenbaum). The characters live under the same roof, but the father does not live with them until he returns because of his terminal health issues. He has a case of cancer and hopes he can make things with his family right again. Throughout the movie, Anderson displays important facts and habits of his characters in brief descriptions.  When he does that, viewers start to develop an understanding of why there is tension between everyone in the movie. That is, in fact, what makes The Royal Tenenbaums so brilliant. It incorporates internal feelings and builds curiosity as to what the outcome of the movie may be. While the storyline features various problems, the film’s screenplay and acting give viewers hope for an attention-grabbing ending.

In terms of being inconspicuous, but also creative, organized, and filled with intriguing scenery, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) is also a piece of art by Anderson that I purely enjoy. In my younger days and not knowing much about Anderson, I found myself bored with this one. However, once I became quite engrossed with Moonrise Kingdom (2012), that is when I began to really grow into a huge fan of Anderson.  Even though his setup seemed slow and quiet, I found those elements to be why Moonrise Kingdom was my favorite movie of all time. Then I thought back to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and re-watched the film and loved it. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou involves a bizarre plot about an oceanographer who loses a friend due to a shark attack, and he wants revenge to find the shark and kill it. The oceanographer gathers up an odd group of people for assistance. They include his estranged wife, a journalist, and a man who claims to be his son. The film stars Bill Murray (as Steve Zissou), Anjelica Huston (as Eleanor Zissou), Owen Wilson (as Ned Pimpton), Cate Blanchett (as Jane Winslett-Richardson), and many other great characters in supporting roles, but are still important to the film’s central focus and conflict. What I love most about The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is that it is a film where there is one goal, but with the people associated, it opens many doors to negative yet also satirical situations.

Currently, Wes Anderson is on his way to make another movie titled The French Dispatch which is set to open in 2020. Based on some the facts and back stories, this one looks to be better than Isle of Dogs. I did not completely dislike Isle of Dogs as it was captivating in some moments.  However, it was somewhat confusing, given the film was animated and its central point was dogs.  Personally, I could not understand which dog played the most important role because the graphics and colors were all quite similar. In this movie, I believe Anderson went above and beyond with art and creativity, but the graphics were such that it made it hard time to enjoy. With the French Dispatch coming out soon, I believe this will be a better film due to it being set during World War II.  My respect has grown for Anderson over the years due to how he uses real-life historical events and blends them with creativity of his own.

I decided to write this article because I was thinking of who I admire in terms of filmmaking.  While I have many favorite directors, Wes Anderson is near the top of the list. That is in part because whenever I read trivia about him or his movies, he is always trying to be sure that his films have meaning. He focuses on key aspects of his films to make sure they are significant to his audience. The written introductions and organizational setups in his films set them apart. When I attended Cannes back in 2016, I attended a roundtable discussion with Willem Dafoe and asked about his work with Anderson.  He described the visionary development process Anderson used on the films Dafoe has worked with him on. Dafoe told me that Anderson would set up figurines and do all kinds of drawings before filming even started in order to think the story through. Given this information, I view Anderson as an inventor of components that grow to have personification for the plots and characters in the films he directs and writes. Anderson is the true auteur of brilliance who pursues his passion so that his films truly speak to the audience.

Over the past several years, I had lost respect for actor Shia LaBeouf.  But after how heartfelt and touching The Peanut Butter Falcon was, I am starting to have faith in him again. The Peanut Butter Falcon is one of the most inspirational, funny, but also sad films about what it means to give others who struggle in this world something to be proud of.  The Peanut Butter Falcon displays a positive message for those who have a learning disability or are born with a condition that presents challenges to various elements in their life. Shia LaBeouf plays the role model for the actor, Zack Gottsagen, who was born with Down syndrome. The film brings us on a journey of two different people as they grow a relationship that is empowering for them both.

The Peanut Butter Falcon gears on Zak (Gottsagen), a boy with Down syndrome with no family, or any form of support so has spent most of his life in a care facility.   He has one obsession and passion and that is wrestling. His case manager, Eleanor (played by Dakota Johnson) has faith in him and cares for him, but in the beginning does not try to encourage him to go out in the world. Zak receives bad advice from the other patients at the facility and decided to escape. As he flees, he ends up in the boat that belongs to a man that is trying to get away from problems of his own. That man is Tyler (LaBeouf) and they meet unexpectedly when Tyler finds Zak hiding in his speed boat. Zak tells Tyler he wants to go to a small town in Florida to find his favorite wrestling icon and learn how to wrestle from him. Tyler is hesitant and a jerk in the beginning, but he begins to realize how Zak is treated unfairly. Therefore, he agrees to go on this risky, yet crazy journey with Zak. The film becomes a touching friendship story that will leave viewers in tears.

What I loved about The Peanut Butter Falcon is how it displays the message of never giving up and having more faith in those who are limited in life. I admit, I speak from experience. I was not so involved in activities in younger days until my Mom encouraged me to come out of my shell and to start acting. From that point on, I have always been a theatre and film enthusiast, and have found many forms of the arts that inspire and entertain me.  I am also now growing a loyal fan base by writing film reviews and sharing my reflections with others. Based on my own life experience, The Peanut Butter Falcon’s message to do what makes you happy and work to reach your personal goals really resonated.  Zak’s goal is to feel like a champion, and Tyler helps him achieve it by encouraging him to stay in the present and not the past. He encourages Zak to overcome his fears, including the fear of people putting him down. During the film, Zak overcomes many obstacles that will leave viewers in astonishment.

One of the things I found most touching and important about the film were the moments where Tyler stands up for Zak when he is called retarded or stupid. In this world, people are so negative and cruel, however, Tyler wants Zak to have the mindset where he feels his dream can come true. This film is like Rain Man (1988) meets Martian Child (2007). That is because Tyler and Zak are on a journey, and Zak wants to view himself as a pro wrestler. The idea may seem silly or stupid to others, but it is what makes Zak feel he has a purpose to fulfill. This is such an important message for people in this world who have learning disabilities.  Because if they do not have hope, then they do not have many days that are uplifting for them.  And, everyone in this world deserves to be recognized for their strong qualities.

The Peanut Butter Falcon is by far one of the best independent films I have seen this summer. It is a film that is sad at moments but is purely positive. Viewers will laugh, they will cry, and they will just be touched. I even believe it is one of those movies where it can be positive for those who are in a similar situation as Zak. It demonstrates they too have talents, and are capable, if they can find the way to put their mind to it. Tyler helps Zak out to the max which helps Zak not be afraid of the things that have always frightened him. The Peanut Butter Falcon deserves four stars.

In terms of movies that combine war, psychological behavior, and deep characterization, Apocalypse Now Final Cut is even more in depth in this special released than the original 1979 version. I saw the movie at Navy Pier’s IMAX where the advanced technology, sound, and the additions to the cut of Apocalypse Now makes the audience feel like it is brand new. Francis Ford Coppola is the master of directing films which focus on enemies and their connections. In Apocalypse Now Final Cut, the enemies are psychologically thrilling throughout the movie. This is a ride that is engrossing, yet haunting (even forty years later).

The film takes place in the 1970s during the Vietnam War. Our hero is Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen). Willard is given an assignment to assassinate the ruthless Colonel Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando). Willard is assigned to this because Kurtz went crazy and violent deciding to make a few plans of his own including not taking orders from any of his superiors. Willard is on a Navy Patrol boat with some young college-aged soldiers. He later meets an Air Cavalry officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (played by Robert Duvall). Willard’s trust is most with Kilgore, but as he continues with his team in the shady rivers of Vietnam, the films tone gets darker as he later comes across a bizarre photojournalist (played by Dennis Hopper). Apocalypse Now Final Cut is one of those films where the audience is left feeling uncomfortable yet enticed.

When I first watched Apocalypse Now back in 2011, I remember what captivated me the most about the movie was the deep narrations as the film progressed. The narration is Willard and given the old cut of the movie is grainy with audio, not every narration seemed clear to me.  In Apocalypse Now Final Cut, things are much more crystal clear as both audio and visuals were restored. When I saw this in IMAX, I found myself curious about what conflict scenarios will be featured in the next three-hour cut of this film. The film is a thrill ride of horror, realistic warfare, betrayal and confusion. The additional time which was added provides even more shock value to the viewers.

After seeing this film, I have tons of respect for Martin Sheen as an actor. He plays the role of someone who has some mental health disorders very well. He is serious and stays in character while acts out the addiction scenes due to his character’s mental health struggles Also, I remember reading through trivia pages that Sheen suffered some health issues through the process of filming but continued to do this movie. I believe that Apocalypse Now Final Cut will make fans grow even more impressed by Sheen, because his performance was truly Oscar-worthy. Overall, I found Sheen’s role to be so memorable I consider it to be one of the best performances in cinema history.

Apocalypse Now Final Cut is a film that can be seen on some select days in some select locations. For fans of war movies and Francis Ford Coppola, this is one that I believe all cinema aficionados need to see. Especially if someone has never seen this movie on the big screen or has never seen any of the other cuts. Most re-released cuts for movies do not turn out to be very good and just tend to drag. However, this cut of Apocalypse Now is a visual and marvelous sensation that will take its audience on a rollercoaster ride of darkness. I give Apocalypse Now Final Cut four stars.