So, I just saw Birdman, and it was pretty fucking fantastic. Now, I've been excited to see this movie for a while because it's from one of my favourite directors, Alejandro González Iñárritu. I've seen every single one of his feature-length films and I don't think there's a single one that wouldn't make it on my best of the year list. He's a master at what he does, and in this movie he's really outdone himself. Despite being excited for this movie for a while, there was one detail I didn't know until about a week ago - and that's that almost the entire movie is cheated to look like one continuous shot. And it's pulled off amazingly well. If you understand film-making and editing then there will be some moments where you can tell that would probably be the point where it would make the most sense to make a cut. But that's about as close as it gets, and it's cheated so well that you can never actually see any cuts being made. There was so much careful planning and coordination that went into this movie, and it really shows in the final product. If you've seen the trailer then you should expect that parts of it are a little surrealist, to say the least. This is very true, and those scenes play a prominent role in the film, so although this is a movie I think that most everyone will enjoy, don't be thinking that it's a real superhero movie. This is a movie about a washed up actor that used to play a superhero trying to revive his career in broadway. It's interesting that the lead is being played by Michael Keaton, who used to play Batman. Not only that, but Edward Norton, who used to play The Incredible Hulk, and Emma Stone, who was in the last two Spider-Man movies, are also in the film, and they both do a great job. There was not a single weak performance in this film and everything felt incredibly natural. There was also so much purpose towards every single decision that was made. Like, the fact that the movie's about a theatrical production goes really well with it being all in one shot. If you think about it, that's kind of how theater works. Many of the theatrical techniques to change scenes, like actors changing costumes, were likely used in this film as well. And remember, I say "likely", because I'm not a hundred per cent sure where the cuts actually are. The story was absolutely fantastic, and it's shocking to see a screenplay with four collaborative writers working together that flows so well; they challenged each other creatively and were able to get the very best ideas out of it. The way that this movie is written is kind of like one giant statement on the entertainment industry. And it criticizes a lot......including snobby critics. It also heavily criticizes the superhero genre. But it does it right. And what better movie to criticize a lack of art in mainstream cinema than one that's as masterful as this. Because the way that this was shot was absolutely mind-blowing, and this is probably the best directing I've seen all year. If you couldn't tell from the trailer, this movie mostly functions as a comedy,but as expected from this director it was much more than that. Watching our characters perform their lines in a theatrical play wasn't just time spent not learning anything: we got to see our characters' relationships develop each time they were performed, and the selective lines that we were shown for this play really bring us into the mind of the main character and why he chose to tackle this particular play. Before watching this film, I was a little skeptical knowing that Alejandro's main-man composer Gustavo "Santao-la-la-la-lalla" wouldn't be working on it. But even without him the score was pretty great. But what was greater than the score was the way that it was used: I don't want to be too specific about it and spoil a particular moment, but let's just say that it adds loads of personality to the film.This has all the markings of an amazing film - the decisions that were made were intelligent and had purpose; the film-making went above and beyond impressive. I was absolutely transfixed into this movie.
"I'm nothing. I'm not even here."
'Birdman' was my most anticipated film of 2014. But just like every time I really wanted to see a film so baldy I have to wait for a while until I finally get a chance to watch it. Story of my life really. But anywhere, I finally saw the film and I can safely say that Birdman is one of the best movie of 2014.
I always knew that Micheal Keaton was the kind of movie star that will pick any random movie role just because... well he what's to be important and still show to everyone that he still got it, I guess. Early last year, he was in two movies that were pretty blah, and that was The Robocop (remake) and Need for Speed, and those films just made Keaton look like he was just cashing it in just for the sake of it. Until I watched this movie and seeing Micheal Keaton's performance and thinking to myself "Wait is Keaton giving probably his best performance I've ever seen in my life? I think he is", because Keaton in this movie pretty much pulls of the best performance I've seen him in his all career. His character in this movie is like a washed up actor who had everything like: the love from the critics and fans. Yeah he still dose have that Keaton thing that he always dose in his previous movies, but the scenes where he plays his character (which is himself if you really look at his character in this movie), but anywhere he still gives a strong and believable performance that at times give me flashbacks of the good old days when he still had roots and felt like he isn't just cashing it in. Excellent work Keaton.
Edward Norton is also in this movie and played a familiar character to himself has the hard to work with actor that at times doesn't follow the lines that he was given or even the direction he was told. We already know that Norton is a fantastic actor in his previous work, but in this movie his performance could be descried has stellar and insanely good.
Emma Stone is in this movie and of course like most of the actors I named off so far who were outstanding in this movie, and well you can already guess what I'm going to say next. Emma Stone acting in this movie was just terrific and marvelous to watch. It's good to see a real break out performance from her more than the lay back ones in her other movies. Nice one Emma. The other cast in the movie like Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis both did good as well.
The whole movie is shot to look like it's all in one shot and my mind was just blown away by that fact. There were scenes in way I said to myself "Oh my god is it one shot?", well I can already imagine the stress, hard work, and how many takes they had to do to get it, and boy did it pay off nicely, because I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I dared myself to look away from the beautiful cinematography and the impressive editing used in the film.
The movie has a brilliant message about film critics today that doesn't feel like it's in your face message that you normally get in movies. There's a scene in this movie and by the way it's not a spoiler, but I really need to get this out the way first. Micheal Keaton character starts having a rant over this theater critic who is going to give a bad review to he's play when she hasn't even seen it or any of the premieres. He talks about how she only users big words that nobody will say in person and shes to lazy to come up what she really thinks about it so she users big words just to fill in the sentence. This movie probably has the best rant in movie history and Keaton in that scene shows how good of a actor that he is.
For problems in the movie: I really don't have any to be honest.
I loved this movie and yes I'm coming out be saying that. This isn't just the best movie of the year and such, no this is just flawless film making right here. Birdman and Whiplash are the two films I will highly recommend to people, because those two films are my favorite films of 2014.
"I'm nothing. I'm not even here."
The story to Birdman is about an wash up actor (Michael Keaton) - famous for portraying an iconic superhero - as he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself.
Okay in my review of Whiplash I bought this movie up mid way through the review just to give a heads up of when I'm going to watch it, because Birdman was my most anticipated film of 2014. But just like every time I really wanted to see a film so baldy I have to wait for a while until I finally get a chance to watch it, story of my life really. But anywhere, I was really looking forward to this movie ever since September, and now finally seeing the film I can safely say that Birdman is one of the best movie of 2014.
I always know that Micheal Keaton was the kind of movie star that will pick any random movie role just because... well he what's to be important and still show to everyone that he still got it, I guess. Early last year he was in two movies that were pretty blah, and that was The Robocop (remake) and Need for Speed, and those films just made Keaton look like he was just cashing it in just for the sake of it. Until I watched this movie and seeing Micheal Keaton's performance and thinking to myself "Wait is Keaton giving probably his best performance I've ever seen in my life? I think he is", because Keaton in this movie pretty much pulls of the best performance I've seen him in his all career. His character in this movie is like a washed up actor who had everything like: the love from the critics and he's fans. Yeah he still dose have that Keaton thing that he always dose in his previous movies, but the scenes where he plays his character (Which is himself if you really look at his character in this movie) but anywhere he still gives a strong and believable performance that at times give me flashbacks of the good old days when he still had roots and felt like he isn't just cashing it in. I hear a lot of Oscar buzz about his performance in this movie, and I wouldn't be surprise if he wins because he totally deserves it. Excellent work Keaton.
Edward Norton is also in this movie and played a familiar character to himself has the hard to work with actor that at times doesn't follow the lines that he was given or even the direction he was told. We already know that Norton is a fantastic actor in his previous work, but in this movie his performance could be descried has stellar and insanely good.
Emma Stone is this movie and of course like most of the actors I named off so far who were outstanding in this movie and well you can already guess what I'm going to say next. Emma Stone acting in this movie was just terrific and marvellous to watch. It's good to see a real break out performance from her more than the lay back ones in her other movies. Nice one Emma. The other cast in the movie like Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis both did good as well.
The whole movie is shot to look like it's all in one shot and my mind was just blown away by that fact. There were scenes in way I said to myself "Oh my god is it one shot?", well I can already imagine the stress, hard work and how many takes they had to do to get it, and boy did it pay off nicely, because I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I dared myself to look away from the beautiful cinematography and the impressive editing used in the film.
The movie has a brilliant message about film critics today that doesn't feel like it's in your face message that you normally get in movies. There's a scene in this movie and by the way it's not a spoiler, but I really need to get this out the way first. Micheal Keaton character starts having a rant over this theater critic who is going to give a bad review to he's play when she hasn't even seen it or any of the premieres. He talks about how she only users big words that nobody will say in person and shes to lazy to come up what she really thinks about it so she users big words just to fill in the sentence. This movie probably has the best rant in movie history and Keaton in that scene shows how good of a actor that he is.
For problems in the movie: I really don't have any to be honest.
I loved this movie and yes I'm coming out be saying that. This isn't just the best movie of the year and such, no this is just flawless film making right here. Birdman and Whiplash are the two films I will highly recommend to people, because those two films are my favorite films of 2014.
Michael Keaton leads the charge as a teetering schizophrenic actor, struggling to find validation on Broadway after a long, expired run as a glossy Hollywood blockbuster-dweller.
On a purely technical level, it's astounding. Precisely edited to appear as though the whole thing were executed in one extremely long take, it's a mesmerizing experience, profoundly different and expertly crafty when the timeline needs to leap forward. It's dazzlingly acted, too, with Keaton delivering a masterful performance alongside noteworthy supporting work from Ed Norton, Emma Stone and (to my surprise) a very versatile Zach Galifianakis.
The moral lessons are laid on thick, though, and too often it feels like we're being lectured for daring to indulge in the kind of loathsome fun that drove our lead to this strange brand of mania. One scene in particular, Keaton's confrontation with a stuffy critic before opening night (who glares right into the camera before storming off in a cloud of self-righteousness) plays like a direct scolding of the audience.
Maybe theatre purists will take this as a firm voice of reason, the rare call of someone who finally gets it, but to me it came off as tremendously stuck-up and pretentious. I can't deny there's a lot to enjoy here, and it's a clear arrival for auteur Alejandro González Iñárritu, but I also can't help wondering how much better it would be without that permeating air of superiority.
Needless to say, “Birdman” is an elegant film blessed by undeniable visual artistry and superb cast performances. However, it somehow falls short of its own ambitions due to its snobbish attitude and half-baked script. The illusion of watching one continuous shot for two hours straight is impressive indeed, and despite the leaps in time and space, the transitions are all handled elegantly. Other than that, it’s yet one more self-referential film about the relationship between character and man, stage and life, theater and cinema, fame and genius, art and entertainment, and so on. The first half is actually pretty convincing, as it takes its time to introduce different artists who are all linked by their desperate seek for love and approval, as well as their tendency to sabotage their own happiness. Too bad that all these characters just appear and disappear without adding anything to the film, their portraits left incomplete and their purposes unknown. The only one to get full exposure is obviously Michael Keaton’s, but he just keeps repeating himself with no character development or change of perspective whatsoever. There are fun dialogues and interesting scenes along the way, but the film as a whole felt like it could have been organized better.
The Five Emojis of Birdman
:heart_eyes:
The wonderful cinematography gives us unusual perspectives and follows the characters like the film would be a documentary. The camera is alive and moving all the time, often circling around the actors.
The comic timing is incredible, and the dialogue makes fun of a huge bunch of real world people and phenomena. This makes the film feel contemporary and fresh.
The drum-heavy score is uniqely wonderful and together with scenes consisting of natural background sounds (such as the ticking of a clock) it presents a memorable score.
Emma Stone shines bright like a diamond and proves once again she is a perfect fot for dramas. This film contains some of her greatest scenes ever.
Edward Norton makes another crazy good and lunatic role, being true to his real self.
There are some spurs of supernatural madness thrown in for good measure, and they are actually superb.
Birdman feels like a film shot in a single take. The cuts have been cleverly hidden, creating a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
This is probably the finest performance of Michael Keaton's career; both sad and funny, powerful and sympathetic.
The final moments is total madness, transcending the boundaries of madness and imagination and giving us one hell of an ending.
:smiley:
The delivery of the dialogue is spot on with most of the actors.
Zach Galifinakis is surprisingly natural as the somewhat lost producer, giving a convincing performance.
The unusual tempo of the film allows the script to throw in new turns all the time, which keeps the film interesting, despite very little actually happening. The things that do happen, though, are thrown straight in your face.
So many small and subtle moments in the things the actors say and do make the film feel realistic.
From its more finetuned moments the film shifts regularly to more intense moments of chaos, tension and great comedy. This is where most of the film's strength lies.
Birdman has been made to resemble a dark comedy on stage, mixing theater life with the complicated personal relations of the characters.
I love the allusions and parallels to Keaton's own film career.
:neutral_face:
Birdman is a true slow-burner, with many slower moments feeling like filler.
It takes a good while to present us with its main points and the bigger picture.
I miss the fact that the script doesn't open up on Birdman and the past more.
Due to its unique tempo the film rarely shifts enough to stay interesting all the way to the end, and it could be a tad bit shorter.
:frowning2:
:face_vomiting:
Final Emoji: :heart_eyes:
Birdman tells us the story of a frustrated Hollywood actor who decides to create a Broadway show; that’s a simple plot. But movies are way more than a plot.
Birdman is a brilliant dark comedy amazingly directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu that takes the viewer inside the perturbed mind of Riggan Thomson (incredibly played by Michael Keaton) in his commitment to be more than an actor who once played an iconical role.
I also wanted to say I loved the other actors as well. I think Edward Norton is superb on this film, as well as Emma Stone and Jack Galifianakis.
Technically speaking, I think the long takes without visible cuts were one of those touches that make you think you're watching a masterpiece.
I'd qualify the direction as outstanding, as well as edition and cast choice.
If the is something to regret about this film it has to be the end. I didn't like the acting of Emma Stone on it, and I found it too open in such a crazy film yet closed plot.
And last but not least, a big shout out to Antonio Sanchez as his interpretation of the movie with ONLY his drums is perfect; because besides the technique you need to play so damn good he translates the feelings from the movie into an outstanding OST.
Review by JordyVIP 8BlockedParent2022-12-25T00:12:46Z— updated 2023-03-26T22:53:04Z
A movie about the midlife crisis of an aging actor (or should I say celebrity) who’s seeking for validation might seem like a bunch of self-indulgent crap coming from a place like Hollywood, but it actually turned out amazing. I love what it says about fading relevancy, authenticity and how that’s linked to this idea of the real artist vs the sellout moviestar. Performances are phenomenal, characters are very well developed, music’s interesting and you can’t forget about the cinematography. We’ve seen this technique develop since the release of this film, but Birdman has managed to maintain something special. If you look at 1917 , a lot of that film plays out in real time, but this has a different rhythm. It does actually have scene transitions, it just doesn’t have cuts (well, it does, but you know), so it’s more like watching an elaborate play. Some scenes are downright iconic at this point (Keaton walking through Times Square; the scene where a new Birdman is envisioned), but I will say that the scene where the film starts taking shots at critics felt a bit undercooked, lacking the same nuance that’s given to the rest of the material. Maybe it’s meant to be just a plot point and not actual subtext, but it was an odd choice. All in all, I think it has aged very well, and in some ways it’s only become more relevant since its release, with blockbuster films becoming more and more dominant culturally and financially. In fact, 2014 was a highlight for the quality of comicbook movies, so I can understand if this was perceived as snobby at the time, however it kinda feels prophetic now.
9/10