Matthew McConaughey may not look how he usually does in most films as he does in “Dallas Buyers Club.” What I mean is the big ladies man that is buff and catches any ladies attention right when he catches their eyes. However, he is a stud and is deep with his performance as Ron Woodroof in “Dallas Buyers Club.” “Dallas Buyers Club” is prodigious. McConaughey is at his best. Also it stars best supporting actor Jared Leto (as Rayon) and Jennifer Garner. It is a film that deserves all of the awards it can win.

“Dallas Buyers Club” is the true story of Ron Woodroof, an electrician and hustler who has many bad habits. He parties frequently, drinks to the extent, takes a ridiculous amount of drugs, and engages in unprotected sex on several occasions. All of a sudden though, the consequences of how he is treating himself comes back to haunt him. He wakes up in a hospital and is told by his doctor Eve (Garner), that he has been diagnosed with AIDS. Therefore, he does not have much time to live.

Woodroof is in despair and is distraught and he is desperate to seek treatment to help him survive. He realizes there is a drug called AZT which can treat AIDS. However, the problem is the drug is not legal in the U.S. Woodroof does not care though, he goes over the limits to get what he needs. With the help of a hospital buddy named Rayon (Leto), they establish a business that Woodroof names “The Dallas Buyers Club” to help AID patients get the help they need including his own self.

This movie is one that I felt compelled by, I have seen many melodramas relating to health problems. Movies that range from “21 Grams,” “50/50,””Terms of Endearment,” and more. But I do not think I have seen a film as extraordinary about one character fighting for their own life compared to “Dallas Buyers Club.” Once you watch it, you just wonder how you can take part in helping anyone who is in these dramatic situations. It is thought-provoking and dramatic that you just feel you are part of the experience.

This is the fifth film directed by Jean-Marc Vallee. He works with some talented make up artists to make McConaughey look exactly like how one should look when they are suffering in this type of condition. He hired Melanie Deforrest as the key make-up artist for the production. She did the make-up for the most recent blockbuster film Oblivion. However, that was just a typical hollywood, Tom Cruise film. For her, this one was a bigger sensation, especially with her work she has done to make our characters look so devastating, yet brilliant. McConaughey is brilliant at being the redneck, sick man, Leto is terrific at being the other sick man. It is just so captivating that you’ll want to cry.

“Dallas Buyers Club” is a heavy film. However, it is one that is also important. Pay attention to the film and realize what is heartfelt about it. I have seen it twice now, and have was compelled both times by it. Four stars.

Mike Birbiglia is not only a phenomenal comedian, but is also a comedian who sure can direct an entertaining movie towards the subject of stand-up comedy. Sleepwalk With Me is a vivid sitcom that captured my attention so much I wanted to just watch it three times a day. Birbiglia is at his best. It stars many other brilliant actors such as Lauren Ambrose (as Abby), James Rebhorn (as Frank), and Carol Kane (as Linda). It is a such a spectacle film and surprisingly, it is able to be amazing in a time length of only eighty minutes.

Sleepwalk with Me follows the story of lonely Matt Pandamiglio (Birbiglia): a man who is lonely, slow, a bartender, an amateur comedian, and main character. He is someone who feels he has found the love of his life to his loved one named Abby (Ambrose). She is a girl who is actually doing well with a  job that is teaching yoga classes and has a steady income. Matt on the other hand is into stand-up comedy and is a bartender.  Above all, he is a nice fellow, but he has one major issue…he is a man who sleepwalks. He sleepwalks so much to the point where he hurts himself severely.

Matt’s parents Frank (Rebhorn) and Linda (Kane) are worried about Matt but at the same time are aggravated. Matt can never decide how to make a living. He wants to become a comedian but most of the time is a bartender. Also with his medical issues with sleepwalking disorder he is not organized with going to see the doctors that his father recommends. Therefore, Matt takes the chance and devotes so much time to any comedy gig he can get. Open-mics, showcases, school-functions, you name it.

I love this movie. I am a big follower of stand-up comedians and have seen many live including Birbiglia. His style of comedy in real-life is just brilliant storytelling with colorful lighting that makes you feel you are part of his story. Sleepwalk with Me is a big focus of the areas of his life, and when I watch it I always focus on the scenes where he does stand-up. When I watch that it gives me really good ideas of how I can relate to the audience and tell a story. Sleepwalk with Me really defines the challenge of doing stand-up comedy.

Birbiglia worked with many different screenplay writers for Sleepwalk with Me. He hired his brother Joe Birbiglia (who does most of his writing for his productions), Ira  Glass (who produced the series This American Life), and Seth Barrish (who worked on an independent film that I enjoyed called Margot at the Wedding and is also the co-director of Sleepwalk with Me). Together all of the filmmakers work together to put together a film that is hysterical, yet touching. Birbiglia is himself being so nerdy and quirky and it is a masterpiece. Ambrose is also great at being the loving girlfriend to him but also does well at being concerned about him. Also both Rebhorn and Kane are funny at being the quirky parents. Kane’s character always mentions something over ordering a cake on the internet a bunch of times in this film. The funny part is when you watch the film there is generally a few party scenes. Then during the party scenes your like “Of course, she ordered a cake from the internet.” It is so sappy and inspirational you will want to cry at the end.

Sleepwalk with Me is great. Especially for any fans of stand-up comedy out there. This a film you do not want to miss. I also highly encourage seeing Birbiglia live. His style of stand-up comedy will change your life. I would not miss it for the world. Four stars.