BIRDMAN (or THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) is one of the best movies of 2015 with a great visual sense to it to tell a fantastic script performed by actors giving some of the best performances of their career as director Alejandro G. Inarritu pulls off his best film with complex and beautiful cinematography that flows seamlessly.  Michael Keaton plays washed up actor Riggan Thomson who stages a Broadway play which he adapted from a Raymond Carver short story, directs, and stars in.  He has his estranged daughter Sam (Emma Stone) as his assistant while he has to deal with last minute replacement actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) who is many levels difficult method actor/ acclaimed Broadway actor.    Also he is going through a breakdown where he is hearing the voice of Birdman (which he played for three popular movies about two decades ago) as he tries to make sure the play doesn’t fall apart and it doesn’t get a bad review.  

 

BIRDMAN is a very-meta movie as Michael Keaton is playing a fictional version of himself in a way because he was Batman over twenty years ago for two movies (and didn’t return for a third movie like the character he plays did three superhero movies).  The movie is also a technical masterpiece since they had to film many takes in 20 minute segments and they had to be on their toes to not screw the take up (because they would have to start it all over again).  I do think it is a better movie than BOYHOOD (which takes almost 40 minutes to find its footing) and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (which is genius fun on its own, but BIRDMAN is a greater movie).   Alejandro G. Inarritu has created his masterpiece which stands way above his previous films. 

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

BIRDMAN: ALL ACCESS-   a behind-the-scenes look at making the movie which has interviews with cast and crew

 

A CONVERSATION BETWEEN MICHAEL KEATON AND ALEJANDRO G. INARRITU as they talk about making the movie

 

Photo Gallery of Chivo’s On-Set Photography which is a combination of behind-the-scenes stills (many of Michael Keaton in his Birdman costume) and stills from the movie.  Chivo is the nickname for Director of photography Emmanuel Lubezki (who was also the DP for GRAVITY).

 

Digital HD Ultraviolet copy of the movie to stream and download for computer, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and TV

 

The theatrical trailer isn’t included on the disc which is odd since many Fox blu-rays include the trailer (or trailers) for the movie.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  BIRDMAN is the better picture than BOYHOOD when it comes to the Best Picture races.   This meta-character drama is a one of the best movies of 2014 with great acting, fantastic direction, and flawless cinematography.

 

This review is ©2-22-2014 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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