Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Fly Like an Eagle

There is so much to love about Alejandro González Iñárritu's "Birdman", that is impossible for me to remember all of them after only one viewing. In fact, I'm sure after repeated viewings, I could find more things to love. The most obvious things might be the best start with. With the help of the man who can only be described as the best living cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, the camera glides scene to scene almost effortlessly in one seemingly long take, with great thanks to Douglas Crise and Stephen Mirrione's perfect editing. The drum heavy score by Antonio Sanchez is driving, sparse, and beautifully effective.

Iñárritu has allowed Michael Keaton to explore, with great fervor, what can possibly be explained as the most interesting character of his career. Riggan Thompson just happens to have a lot in common with Keaton (much like Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"). Watching him spiral into madness is tragically wonderful, and the understated performance is elegant and madcap in one fell swoop. The rest of this near-perfect ensemble, including Naomi Watts as an insecure actress on Broadway for the first time, Edward Norton playing a method actor with social behavior issues, and Emma Stone as Riggan's daughter/personal assistant who has just finished a stint in rehab, get so much to play with. Watching them have fun with this script makes everything about this film feel genuine from the ground up. This is certainly not a film to miss. It is awesome.

Grade: A-
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Writer(s): Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo
RT: 119 min
Rating: R for language throughout, some sexual content and brief violence

Two Sentences:

The Babadook (2014): This was the freakiest horror film that has been released all year, without exception. Writer/director Jennifer Kent hasn't made the most original piece, but she fills it with enough dread, menace, and Babadook to keep the audiences scooting further to the edge of their seat until the very last frame.

Grade: A-

What If (2013): Daniel Radcliffe is beginning to have a very good post-Potter phase of off-beat films that are, in different ways, very quirky and eccentric. "What If" is a romantic comedy that is refreshingly charming, and filled with great performances from the central cast that compliment the string of jokes that make up the script, instead of hindering it.

Grade: B+