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.

I saw Gaspar Noe’s Climax back in March with some level of excitement. However, after I saw the film itself, I had a hard time determining whether Climax is good, bad, or just a disturbing headache. Climax is a dark movie where viewers will feel dizzy or nauseous if they are prone to vertigo or cannot handle flashing lights. Climax is inviting, yet disconcerting on many levels. The film is a dance party that goes awry and there are multiple violent scenarios that breakout. The film takes place in France and the whole film is with French subtitles.  As a director, Noe has a twisted and clever mind, but Climax was a bit over the top. Not because of its scenarios, but because of how the technical elements purposefully give viewers a haunting experience by utilizing odd camera angles that cause dizziness.

Climax focuses on a dance team dancing in a night club for a weekend to get ready for a dance competition. The film opens with a long interview sequence with many of the stars, and a long dance sequence that looks to be quite complicated so that viewers can tell the dancers are professional. Once the practice is over, the dancers decide to retreat to an after-party. There are all kinds of snacks and beverages, but drinking the beverages is where the troubles start to emerge. As soon as the dancers begin drinking sangria, they can feel the side effects of drugs and soon they realize that someone spiked the sangria with LSD. With that, everyone starts to hallucinate, point fingers, get into all kinds of fights, and exhibit very poor judgment. It quickly escalates into an irreparable disaster.

The reason why Climax is a challenge to watch is because the shots rarely transition. The camera pans on many of the characters when they are hallucinating. The camera is set to make viewers feel odd because it is bouncing back and forth.  On top of that, the lighting is dark. Also, there are many moments where insane things go wrong, like a person getting injured, killed, or accidentally doing something they did not intend to do.  Again, this is all being caused by the LSD.  Now, I did find the film to be thought-provoking, but I admit I was also disturbed. It got to the point where I asked myself how much longer I am going to have to endure this shaky camera.  While I have seen many films where the camera is jittery, Climax really makes the viewers feel they are in the movie with the realism created by the of the technical effects.   It is like Cloverfield (2008) meets Requiem for a Dream (2000) in a bad way.

There is no question that Climax is brilliant with the audacity of its creativity, visual elements, and choreography.  However, the conflict of the movie is not a very fun experience and in truth is quite negative.  Noe is talented, but this film was just over the top for me. I didn’t absolutely dislike it, but I was a bit annoyed with it. While I may decide to watch it again someday, it will be awhile since I’m still feeling dizzy and disturbed. Therefore, I can only give Climax two and a half stars.