Birdman [Blu-ray]

I want to start off this review by saying that Birdman is not for everyone. I've never seen a movie get such polarizing reviews on Amazon (although it might just be because of how recent it is). This is a very strange film, similar to Being John Malkovich, and not everyone is going to enjoy that. The blending of drama and comedy might come off as awkward while the story might bore you if you're not a big fan of movies. So when I say that Birdman is not only the best movie I've seen all year, but one of my new favorite movies, know that it is entirely my opinion and not everyone will feel the same way. With that out of the way, Birdman is not only the best movie I've seen all year, but one of my new favorite movies.Birdman tells the story of Riggan Thompson, an actor who dreamed of being a respected actor but ended up being known only for playing the superhero Birdman in the early 90's. Now washed up and forgotten, Riggan plans to revive his career by directing, writing, and starring in a play based on a Raymond Carver short story. The film follows the endless problems he faces leading up to opening night including the arrogant method actor Mike Shiner, the theater critic Tabitha Dickinson, and his own ego in the form of superhero Birdman. The story covers several different themes such as theater vs film, prestige vs popularity, the unreliability of critics, and more. The story is very well paced and there was not a single moment where I was bored. The only reason I would check my watch was because I wanted to make sure it wasn't close to ending. The actors are all very natural and believable, most notably Michael Keaton and Edward Norton. I've always liked Norton's ability to effortlessly play real people, but Keaton's performance is what really surprised me. It's that rare performance where the actor completely becomes the character. At no point during the film did I see Michael Keaton, just Riggan Thompson.To compliment the cast is the fantastic cinematography. The entire film is made to look like one continuous shot, save for the opening and a short scene near the end. I've seen a few different theories on how the long-take relates to the film; some say it was done to replicate the feeling of watching a play, others say it was done to add to the rambling fast pace of the film, and others simply say it's a gimmick. Personally, I think it was done to feel more real and make you forget you're watching a movie. Between waking up in the morning and going to sleep at night, we view the world in one continuous shot, and I think the film was trying to replicate that experience. Sometimes when watching a movie seeing the camera cut away reminds me it's not real, but when I watch Birdman I am completely immersed and forget I am watching a film. Even ignoring the long-shot, I love that the camera is always in motion. It's not shaky or nauseating either, the way the camera moves is very fluid.The soundtrack is great, and I'm actually listening to it as I write this review. It consists almost entirely of drums, again adding to the rambling fast pace of the film. There were a few moments where I thought it was a little too loud, such as when Riggan and Mike are walking down the streets after a preview, but it wasn't too bad. I especially loved how the drumming synced up perfectly with what was happening on screen.The movie came in a red blu-ray case, a small detail that I loved, and I was lucky enough to get mine with a cool slipcover. Again, it's a small thing but I really loved it. Unfortunately there aren't too many bonus features, but what is there looks interesting enough. The extra "Birdman: All Access" is a mini-documentary of sorts showing behind the scenes footage like how certain scenes were filmed, some rehearsals, interviews, and more. This was extra I was most looking forward to (given how unorthodox the process of filming Birdman was) and I was not disappointed. I will update this review one I have fully looked through the rest of the bonus features.As I said, Birdman is definitely not a movie for anyone (as the dozens of one star reviews clearly show). If you're a fan of black comedy-dramas like Fargo or Being John Malkovich, you're probably going to love this. If not, you're going to hate it. If you don't like it and plan on writing a review, I do hope you actually put some thought into it as too many of the low reviews here simply say "One star it's bad" without any real reasoning. Personally I loved Birdman, and it's already become one of my new favorite movies.

"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)," a strange and unconventional film about an actor (Michael Keaton) trying to prove himself as a serious artist, was named best picture at this year's Academy Awards.Keaton plays Riggan Thompson, an actor who rose to fame playing a superhero named Birdman. Not dissimilar to Keaton and the "Batman" series, Riggan walked away from Birdman to pursue something more creatively challenging.After 20 years of remaining defined by Birdman, Riggan is staking his career on writing, director and starring in a Broadway adaptation of the Raymond Carver story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love."Riggan's production is plagued with problems including his bitter daughter (Emma Stone), who is out of rehab and working as his assistant, and a last-minute replacement actor (Edward Norton) with a huge ego and an obnoxious commitment to his craft.The larger issue at hand though is that Riggan is having a mental breakdown. He imagines he has telekinetic powers and hears the voice of Birdman criticizing his every action and pushing him to embrace that he is a movie star. This conflict between art and entertainment is one of the central themes of the film.Director Alejandro González Iñárritu and his screenwriters, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, have written characters with a disdain for a Hollywood driven by superhero movies and escapist entertainment. Iñárritu isn't belittling people's taste in movies, so much as voicing frustration that art isn't more valued culturally and making a case that art and commercial films both have worth."Birdman" is also an examination of the pursuit of self-respect as well as the respect of others. Everyone in the film, to varying degrees, is searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. Although we are dealing with actors, whose egos are particularly fragile, these themes are far-reaching and relatable.The play within the movies discusses growing tired of pretending to be someone else to please others. That is a powerful truism. Riggan is weary of being trapped by the movie star label and, yet, he is also afraid to let go of what has defined him for so long. This is represented by the Birdman delusions.Keaton is tremendous as Riggan. It is a raw, exposed performance full of fury, fear and vulnerability. Although Keaton explored similar material in "Game 6," another movie about the insecurities of an artist mounting a theatrical production, he probes deeper here and connects with universal truths.We hate to admit it, but we all have our crippling doubts and a desire to be praised. Everyone has that voice in the back of their head that questions everything. Riggan's psyche has just taken it to the next level.This isn't only Keaton's show though as the acting throughout is stellar. Even Zach Galifianakis, as Riggan's lawyer and producer, gives a restrained performance free of his usual gimmicks.Norton, who has a reputation of being difficult, is satirizing himself here and, to his credit, doesn't shy away from the unflattering portrayal.Stone reveals a previously untapped anger in a rant where she tells Riggan he doesn't matter. It is the silent regret that comes across her face the second after she says it that makes the scene all the more potent.On a technical level, "Birdman" is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking. Iñárritu has edited the film so that it appears as if it is one continuous shot. It is a feat that Alfred Hitchcock attempted in 1948's "Rope" with moderate success.While "Rope" was essentially a well filmed play, technological advances have allowed Iñárritu to not be locked into one location. Much of the action is confined to a New York theater where the camera stalks the actors down narrow corridors, but Iñárritu also escapes into the streets of the city in ways that literally soar.This stylistic choice may be disconcerting for some viewers. As an audience, we have been conditioned to anticipate edits. There is a predictable rhythm to most scenes. For example, if two people are having a conversation, traditionally, we see the first person and then cut to the other and then back again. Most viewers are completely unaware of this editing, but, when it isn't there, something feels amiss.Given that "Birdman" is so much about theater, it makes sense to adopt this style. Because there were so few edits, the actors had to perform their dialogue in single takes while also hitting precisely choreographed marks, much as they would have to on stage."Birdman" is certainly not for all tastes, but, for those up for something a bit more challenging, this is a rewarding experience and a film worthy of the best picture title.