BIRDMAN (Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Review

Riggan Thomson (Keaton) and Mike Thomson (Norton) discussing the play in Birdman (2014).

I’m claiming on the ideals of a filmmaker that if this doesn’t get an Oscar, I will damn well riot!!!

Anyway, hello, once again! It is I. Mr. Allnightcinema back with another responding review to a black comedy-drama that is helped by its smooth transitioning and film capturing operating used throughout the film’s storytelling. This is one for the books in its own right because it draws you in further while you’re viewing the performances. It has this bizarre layout put within its world that…I can’t really explain but I enjoy it rather a good amount to laugh at and without a style of context that fits more into the reality of today (especially with today’s film making) its better than the reboots and remakes I keep seeing everywhere popping up. Seriously. I mean, how can reboot Indian Jones?!?! Never mind…moving on to the plot.

Story’s Introduction

Riggan: Just find me an actor. A good actor. Give me Woody Harrelson.

Jake: He’s doing the next Hunger Games.

Riggan: Michael Fassbender?

Jake: He’s doing the prequel to the X-Men prequel.

Riggan: How about Jeremy Renner?

Jake: Who?

Riggan: Jeremy Renner. He was nominated. He was the Hurt Locker guy.

Jake: Oh, okay. He’s an Avenger.

Riggan: F – k, they put him in a cape too?

The most interesting about the plot line is that it really isn’t a central plot story but more of a man’s ambition to become recognized. The belief system he upholds has cost him everything: marriage, paternal relationship, his career, social encompassing (lack thereof but SPOILER!), and common sense. Michael Keaton stars as Riggan Thomson, a former comic book hero that struggles to become noticed in a new, more blossoming society that is more indulged in the finer works of MARVEL STUDIOS and other superheroes (I’m looking at you D.C.) and his dream to make something great for not only the audiences and masses, but as a comeback for his career to launch back into the acting world. Joining Keaton, we have Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Zach Galifinakis, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, and Lindsey Duncan as the main and supporting cast of this illusion blurred film. I state this because throughout the film, the focus is everyone striving to become something great and recognized for their potential, much like many aspiring actors; both brand new and recovering, alcoholic, addled, serious actors. The dynamic with each character is just as shockingly intense for a drama such as Riggan’s will to rid himself of a terrible actor by causing an accident on set, Mike’s (Norton) attempt to ruin preview night because of his asshole charm and stale view of the acting world, and Sam’s desires to prove to her father that she can be more than a failed actor’s assistant and recovering addict. The drama is powered up by the psychological insanity of being in Riggan’s mind where we hear the former comic book hero making suggestions as Riggan’s conscious slowly (to the audience) is breaking down and he loses himself in becoming the best by ANY. MEANS. NECESSARY. (Spoiler: he shoots his nose off towards the end of the film during the play in front of the audience on opening night). I was highly impressed by Zach Galifinakis’ appearance when viewing the film and was utterly startled he hadn’t made a stupid, idiotic joke that he would eventually would be famous for himself (referring to the Hangover trilogy, in case you didn’t know). The man had a pretentious attitude of his own accord that each cast member appears with.

Riggan: That’s you Mike. You’re Mr. Natural. Mr. “F – k the scene, just stare at my massive hard-on,” right? That’s the truth of the moment.

Mike Shiner: Do you think it was massive?

Some of my favorite scenes were the feature of Norton and Keaton’s characters. They gave this performance of lunacy and sentiment for me to call them “crazy, but emotionally damaged”. I feel their characters were expressions of their other films they may have done but, I digress and I’m getting ahead of myself. It’s better to see it visually. Matter of fact, here’s a clip of Mike and Riggan just “going for coffee” (Sorry, I can’t be less discreet than I tried to be.)

Why am I watching this film?  

In times of today, there’s always that bit of humanity in you that asks “Can I be famous?”. These are dreams our parents imprint on us from birth. All these ambitions, for example, of a young actor/actress can be easily shattered by a single word or maybe the previous generation had pushed and pushed but couldn’t give the shove that directors, producers, and etc. wanted. The film is a representation of passion, dreams, and overcoming tragedy by turning it to something. These are my thoughts on the film, to be honest. I could care less how someone else perceives it. There’s different ideals which is what makes a different actor and what makes them shine cannot only be the drivel we watch on television or films everyday or else that would put us in a cycle. I trust this film, with its underscore of dark comical elements, still is enough to have people believe there’s something inside themselves to become and achieve greatness of their own accord. (Okay, I’m rambling I do want this film just to win a damn OSCAR!)

Does the music keep up with the film?

In clear observation we have these drum and classical snippets throughout the film. Representing the melancholy to the intensified, I applaud Antonio Sanchez (Jazz drummer) for his sets and the feature of this black guy who kept popping up in the scenarios. The drums represented something was about to happen that would shift the tone of the story and keep the audience on their toes. I love the mix of  Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and other classical composers blended into the emotional scenes signifying the deep grasp of the audience. When it comes to asking if the music is upkeep alongside the film, I can say they matched and blended themselves together like PB&J.

WTAF Moments 

I’m just going to leave a quote here and let you process the statement. Is that good? Okay, cool.

Clara: Now, is it true that you’ve been injecting yourself with semen from baby pigs?

Riggan: I’m sorry, what?

Clara: As a method of facial rejuvenation.

Riggan: Where did you read that?

Clara: It was tweeted by @prostatewhispers.

Riggan: No, that’s not true.

Clara: I know, but did you do it?

Riggan: No, I didn’t do it.

Clara: Okay, then I’ll just write that you’re denying it.

Riggan: No, don’t write anything! Why would you write anything? I didn’t… don’t write what she said.

And this quote:

Young Birdman: It’s a beautiful day. Forget about the Times… everyone else has. Come on. Stand up! So you’re not a great actor. Who cares? You’re much more than that. You tower over these other theater douchebags. You’re a movie star, man! You’re a global force! Don’t you get it? You spent your life building a bank account and a reputation… and you blew ’em both. Good for you. Fuck it. We’ll make a comeback. They’re waiting for something huge. Well, give it to them. Shave off that pathetic goatee. Get some surgery! Sixty’s the new thirty, motherfucker. You’re the original. You paved the way for these other clowns. Give the people what they want… old-fashioned apocalyptic porn. Birdman: The Phoenix Rises. Pimple-faced gamers creaming in their pants. A billion worldwide, guaranteed. You are larger than life, man. You save people from their boring, miserable lives. You make them jump, laugh, shit their pants. All you have to do is…

[Riggan snaps fingers, and explosions occur, shooting starts, soldiers get shot, choppers fly and shoot, one gets shot down]

Young Birdman: That’s what I’m talking about. Bones rattling! Big, loud, fast! Look at these people, at their eyes… they’re sparkling. They love this shit. They love blood. They love action. Not this talky, depressing, philosophical bullshit.

[Birdman shoots laser in giant mechanical bird above the building, it screeches]

Young Birdman: Yes. And the next time you screech…

[Riggan screeches]

Young Birdman: … it’ll explode into millions of eardrums. You’ll glimmer on thousands of screens around the globe. Another blockbuster. You are a god.

[Riggan starts flying]

Young Birdman: See? There you go, you motherfucker. Gravity doesn’t even apply to you. Wait till you see the faces of those who thought we were finished. Listen to me. Let’s go back one more time and show them what we’re capable of. We have to end it on our own terms… with a grand gesture. Flames. Sacrifice. Icarus. You can do it. You hear me? You are… Birdman!

Final Words

Birdman is the type of film to have when you’re having doubts. I solely will say that for myself. As for the audience who wishes to watch this, you will get laughs and you’ll sit in a thoughtful conundrum that this film seems to want to seed into your minds and sprout. I give Birdman a 4.8 out of 5 stars for not the camera operation alone (which is magnificent), but for the poetry within the film that delivers itself outwardly to those who want to “keep the art” and make something to BE something. It’s human nature. The one standout element. Nice job, Alejandro González. You actually made me watch an artsy film without letting me fall into the cycle of the indie crowd. *Applauds*

Trailer:

Life After Beth Review

Life After Beth Review.

Life After Beth Review

Life After Beth (2014)

Once again, friends, colleagues, children who have late night ceremonies well into the night. It was Valentine’s Day and I thought it was necessary to invoke on a film that had romance…but not too much if you got what I’m saying because Fuck. That. Shit. Who wants to spend all their times molesting someone with Hallmark cards and tell people about how much they love each other. It’s not a simple cat and mouse game either. Hell, I was supposed to be drinking wine and watching Birdman with Michael Keaton! As far as it goes, I watched this crazy rom-com-zombie film and I have to say: This made me think Aubrey Plaza is one of the sexiest women I’ve seen on television and film. Life After Beth is something I can cherish as a cult classic of its own right into my memories, but let me be frank…(You can be George…sorry had to do it and Harry Potter reference, eh?) this film came together so well with the likes of Dane DeHaan as leading man and a surprising all-star cast of random actors from associated genres and culture. I was oddly enough hungry after watching this film…I’ll explain what that meant later.

Story introduction
The film begins with a nice girl going on a hike. Sounds innocent, right? WRONG! The film then just proceeds to the opening scenes of a funeral of someone who has recently passed away. Now, before the film takes its course I presumed it was the girl because WHY THE FUCK NOT? Let me stop being so vulgar because the good parts haven’t even come up yet. To continue with my phenomenon of amazement, we meet Zach Orfman, a emotionally depressed teenager who loses his girlfriend and cannot seem to get over her. It begins to border on psychological tendencies, in which I say, DeHaan is the idealistic choice for dramatic, tearful and pity roles…yes, even in comedies. We see his life progressing somewhat with his bonding with his girlfriend’s family (who surprisingly aren’t as grief stricken to the core as most parents SHOULD be) and Zach trying to make the most out of his attachment to their daughter, Bethany. Eventually, we get to a point in the film where Zach realizes his girlfriend is not dead, but a zombie…a, and I quote, “fucking zombie!” Now I don’t know what made me laugh harder, the dialogue exchanged between actors John C. Reilly and Molly Shannon, Beth’s parents or Maury and Geenie with Zach on their explanation of not telling Zach or the way everyone reacts to the situation on NOT telling Beth the truth. We see the film escalate carefully where smooth jazz is the instrument to keep a hungry zombie at bay, deterioration of the human flesh from a dead body, constant necrophilia, the dark humor layered among the scenarios, and of course, my favorite piece, the romantic comedy ensuing around the apocalyptic insanity. To sum up a film’s attempt to make necrophilia appropriate (it really is not…), the performances from the cast were pretty decent and you can definitely note the moments of improvisation and a few sight gags to key in.
This is the fan based idea of how I would probably perceive an end of the world scenario…aside from This is the End, Zombieland, and Supernatural. Yes, this is for the geeks indeed. That’s all I can on exploit for the time being on that subject matter.

Why am I watching this film?
The big question I asked myself throughout the film was “How can I not be attracted to Aubrey Plaza?” As we progress into the story, it still shows how, ironically enough, a relationship is important to the girl even if she’s in the afterlife stage of their relationship (see what I did there?). The fact Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Mystery Team) is not only relinquishing her deadpan style into the film (most filmmakers call it a typecast on her front although, she’s mentioned in an interview she doesn’t mind because it means she did her part) but we see a fun side to her similar to her character, April Ludgate-Dwyer in Parks and Rec. When you have the likes of Anna Kendrick, Matthew Grey Gubler, Jim O’Heir (also, on Parks and Recs as the famously punching bag, Jerry), John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, and Paul Reiser, it’s bound to be a gaggle of fun. The tone of the film sets itself across a tangible line between where you can cross boundaries and where an obsession becomes addiction and finalizes a solution. The last sentence threw you, the reader, off I know but watch the film and I think you’ll come to understand where I’m going with this. The film became something of an intrigue to me because I love a good rom-com as much as the next guy. Plus, I can’t deal with ACTUAL romance because let’s face it: I’m a nerd. Only a nerd can understand how I feel when they read something like this post-Valentine’s Day. Laughs. My last point to why I watched this film is because it took place in Los Angeles. I’m not directly from that part of California but I’ll be damned to say the scenes made me miss San Diego and how the possibility that a lot of shit can go up in flames in a matter of minutes to appreciate how well done the production piece of this film was.
Does the music keep up with the film?
I’ll keep this one brief: the film score of this movie was pretty much a cheesy, stylistic music (besides the bed music of smooth jazz that even the protagonist begins to hate) with some indie-rock mixed into the fray. Ironically, I can allude to the fact the music just made the film much funnier, even aside from the crazy zombie eating and existential metaphors presented.

WTAF Moments
My favorite segment of my reviews has to be WTAF moments because I type things like this: WHO THE FUCK LET’S THEIR DAUGHTER MAKE OUT HARD IN THE LIVING ROOM IN FRONT OF THEIR PARENTS?!?! Apparently, Maury and Geenie for the fact at hand their daughter was recently deceased. I have never seen such ridiculousness poured into a zombie film since Dawn of the Dead was released in theatres. Let me tell you, that is some CRRRAAAAAZZZY shit going on in the movie. Sorry, once again, readers who do not condone vulgarity. Another scene I found slightly disturbing was Zach and Beth having sex on a playground. First of all, the girl is dead, so this already didn’t sit well with me like the time I watched Twilight (worst mistake ever). Second, I would love to point out that seriously dude, did you not have sex with her while she was alive? I mean, come on…Third, it is never justifiable to eat one’s own parents after you’ve become a full-fledged zombie. That’s problematic for both your relationship with your significant other and your family. Why am I talking about this like it is a therapy session? It’s the zombie apocalypse. Not Death Valley (RIP to a great show). It’s funny how I was freaking out about the daughter make-out session in your family’s presence then I was the other things…ahem. Shall we move on?

Final Words

Overall, the film was given 3.5 out of 5, in terms of quality, storytelling, comedic effect, and its position on how far some people would go for love. It’s…too…much…However, I will say in this current modern age and the way society lives now. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a Zom-Apoc that goes down where we would witness a few people trying their hardest to feign for a possible dead loved one that they once had surrounding them in their lives. To critique, I think my favorite scene was between Kendrick, DeHaan, and Plaza outside of the breakfast diner discussing who is who. I just cracked up straight out. Thanks cult zombie films. You’ve made another Valentine’s Day worthwhile.

Oh, and from this point on, I think I’ll add the trailers for those who wish to watch these films I review. Go ahead and check it out below.