tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post8967270684960536994..comments2024-03-27T00:27:04.726-04:00Comments on Net-flixation: Birdman Review - What the F--- Was That?!Thaddeushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17414047155226211676noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post-42450517108304563072015-05-28T09:13:49.933-04:002015-05-28T09:13:49.933-04:00Awesome, thanks so much. I was reading this at wor...Awesome, thanks so much. I was reading this at work and while it looks ok on my normal computer it looked pretty rough on laptop :)<br /><br />I think that whatever happens the crucial thing is Riggan's smile in the end of the movie - he is happy with how things are and decides to take a leap, whether it's literal or figurative. He looks so peaceful too, for the first time in the movie. <br /><br />There is a whole bunch of theories over at the imdb board for the movie which are fun to read. I usually get pissed off when there is no definitive answer to what the hell happened in the film but the entirety of Bridman was so abstract and surreal that I didn't mind it this time.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post-47534626345480311172015-05-27T13:38:12.736-04:002015-05-27T13:38:12.736-04:00Sorry about that! It comes out clearly for me, but...Sorry about that! It comes out clearly for me, but I understand that it can be rough on other people's eyes. I'll change the highlighting in 4-5 hours and just put a large spoiler warning.<br /><br />Yes, it's nice that the movie has room for interpretation... However, I really do want to try to pull something solid out of this, because that ending kind of undermines so much of the story that we've seen up to that point. If the movie were a pure comedy, then all that we witnessed would have a "it's all just a frolic" vibe that e.g., all Shakespearean comedies have (save Merchant of Venice) when they come to a close.<br /><br />And if not, then risks being a tale with no narrative, a character study that only develops its lead and then calls all of that development into question. Did I just watch 2 hours which largely consisted of people being a---oles to each other?<br /><br />And throughout all this, the most abstract moment that we get (before the ending) is Norton and Stone kissing on the catwalk above a rehearsal that Norton's role must be participating in simultaneously. Anyway, it's not necessary for this all to make sense, but given the profile and the audience's split over whether Birdman sucked or was great, I wanted to push forward at least one alternative theory.<br /><br />As to Norton-Simmons: honestly, I might be grasping at straws with the distinction I tried to make. But I was simply more impressed with the *nuances* of J.K.'s *performance*, whereas with Norton, the writing may play a bigger part in how impressed people are with Shiner. Also, as I sort of realized while writing it all out, Simmons had a part that was more of a lead, whereas Norton's role is pure support - and maybe Simmons should've been up for the Best Lead award. Which still may not have been for the best, as I really did want Keaton to win...<br /><br />Thank you, Sati! You rock!Thaddeushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17414047155226211676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post-55781580670684764612015-05-27T08:09:26.353-04:002015-05-27T08:09:26.353-04:00Nice review but the parts that are necessary to hi...Nice review but the parts that are necessary to highlight are almost impossible to read - white background and blue letters, I only managed to read half. I don't agree that it was Sam's perspective nor that Riggan has magical powers. But I guess the beauty of the movie is in that that everyone can see something else in it.<br /><br />"Whiplash would fall apart without J.K., whereas Birdman without Norton would be really, really good – just not as good." - I don't know why Norton's work is worse than Simmons, just because Whiplash needed to be carried by someone and he did?s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post-49378471463941896882015-05-23T16:16:49.159-04:002015-05-23T16:16:49.159-04:00Yeah, between the ending making a mess of the narr...Yeah, between the ending making a mess of the narrative and how actor-friendly it was, it was small surprise that the Academy chose this picture. It makes a lot more sense than nominating Avatar for an Oscar, that's certain.<br /><br />=) I know it's a crazy theory, but it's the closest I could come to actually reconciling what goes on here. Your point is, similarly, very apt. I don't need there to be a solid resolution, because I enjoy challenging cinema, but it makes me feel better when I try, y'know? You're definitely right about its fluidity.<br /><br />I hadn't thought of All About Eve, but now I should reanalyze the movie in that context. Keaton was glorious here, and I only hope that his presence is felt all the more strongly in coming years.<br /><br />And I totally agree that it merits a second viewing, whether one liked it initially or not. Many naysayers may soon find themselves rethinking their initial reactions...Thaddeushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17414047155226211676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776031415427663302.post-67836167763359896002015-05-23T15:52:29.354-04:002015-05-23T15:52:29.354-04:00I'm not surprised that Birdman won Best Pictur...I'm not surprised that Birdman won Best Picture, as movies about actors are catnip to that crowd. It's a good movie but it wouldn't be my personal choice for that honor.<br /><br />Your theory is interesting yet I don't think there's any right or wrong interpretation of the film*Spoiler Alert*(I did find it odd that someone who had attempted suicide would get a hospital room with such wide and easy to open windows). The fluid openness of the story is both it's strength and weakness.<br /><br />It's kind of a surreal take on All About Eve, with it's cynical look at the insular world of backstage drama. Keaton was excellent here, one of his best performances on film. Not a movie for everyone but one worth seeing at least once(and without taking any breaks!).lady thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287907577241697874noreply@blogger.com