Birdman 2014 9+ out of 10

Birdman 2014  9+ out of 10

Every once in awhile there will be a movie that you just overlooked and when you finally stumble across it is a complete and utter delightful surprise.   Birdman was one of those films.  I knew that it was supposed to be great, but the subject matter didn't send me running to the theaters or even to put it at the top of my Netflix queue when it came out on DVD.  I saw that it was starting on a film channel on TV as I was flipping through channels and set the DVR to record and was very glad that I did.   It now sits at  near the top of my 2014 movie list which includes films like John Wick and Guardians of the Galaxy.  

The movie features a washed up actor that once played an iconic superhero known as Birdman trying to regain his career by directing and starring in a Broadway play  The fact that they got Michael Keaton to play the role was brilliant and Keaton absolutely nailed the role. It is likely the best work of his career.   The entire cast that includes Edward Norton, Zach Galifanakis, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts was excellent.

The film seems so fresh and original.  The film basically roles out as if the whole thing was done in one shot.  It follows characters from dressing rooms..... to the hallways backstage....to the stage itself..... and then backstage again.....then out onto the streets of New York and into a bar next door.  The film jumped forward in time from the same shot and yet it felt seemless. The cinematography was brilliant.  The soundtrack was excellent as well.  A drum beat that is both background and then occasionally a part of the actual story as they pass the drummer on the street playing the soundtrack that has been following the characters backstage.   I see why this film got so much attention at the Oscars in 2014 - because it was an incredible work out art.  I graduated with a degree in film and television, but my movie tastes tend to be in popcorn escapism.  This film tapped into my love of the film making process.  It was so well crafted that not only did I enjoy what I was seeing --but I also recognized what went into making this film and admired it on that level.

If you overlooked this film like I did I would recommend correcting that and seeing it.  It is a work of art.

Listen to our Movie Podcast here

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/

Follow our Movie Facebook page here

https://www.facebook.com/SuperFantasticTerrificPodcast/?ref=bookmarks

For All Disney/Pixar/Marvel and Star Wars Reviews 

 go to my Disney Page. 

https://themouseminute.wordpress.com/author/themouseminute/

The Super, Fantastic, Terrific Podcast #16 In this Podcast we discuss Top 5 Movie Dads

Our latest Podcast is now online.  Listen as we discuss our Top 5 Best Movie Dads.     

 

As usual there are some surprising choices by the crew

The Podcast is Here

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/super-fantastic-terrific-show-16-best-movie-dads/

Here is my List:  Tune into the podcast above to hear the other Movie Dad's that made the list.

Number 5

Michael Keaton  as Jack in  "Mr Mom"

While out of a job and with his wife going back to work Jack must step up and try to be a stay at home Dad.  It is a bumpy road at first, but he eventually figures it all out.

Number 4 

Sean Connery as Henry Jones in "The Last Crusade"

He may not have always been the father that Indy wanted him to be,  but he and Indy still love each other.

Besides Indy turned out fine didn't he.

  

Number 3

Steve Martin as George Banks in "Father of the Bride"

Overwhelmed by the fact that his little girl has grown up and is getting married Steve Martin tries to hold it together before her wedding.   Great movie and great Movie DAD.

Number 2

Albert Brooks as Marlin in "Finding Nemo"

Okay so he is a fish, but that doesn't mean he is one of the best movie dads of all time.  This dad will do anything for his son conquering his fears in the process.

Number 1

Chevy Chase as Clark W Griswald in "Vacation"

He may not do everything right, but all this dad wants is to give his family the best family vacation ever.   Even if that means strapping a dead aunt to the roof of the car and dropping her off at the cousin's house in the rain, so his family won't miss Wally World.

Follow the Movie Facebook page here

https://www.facebook.com/The-Super-Fantastic-Terrific-Page-of-Movies-TV-and-Entertainment-178708865473822/?ref=bookmarks

For all of our Podcasts go here.

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/

The Sequels that Never Were, But we wish they had made: Top 5 countdown #3 Beetlejuice

Coming in at Number 3 on my list of the Sequels that never were list, but we wish they had made.

I've wanted a sequel to Beetlejuice ever since I left the theater after watching the original.  It was funny, quirky and original.  Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas perfectly capture Tim Burton's demented mind on the screen.  With a soundtrack by Danny Elfman (of course)  this movie explores a married couple dealing with the fact that they are now ghosts.  They make the mistake of summoning Beetlejuice instead of following their  guide to the dead handbook on how to haunt their own house.   Like many of Tim Burton's movies the look of the film and especially the afterlife sections were inspired by German Expressionism.  

The movie as great as it is just scratches the surface of its potential.  We just get a glimpse of an amazing afterlife in the waiting room scene that shows us a bunch of dead people waiting for help.  That is the world a sequel needs to explore and with the special effects of today the mythology behind the movie could be a fertile playground for numerous films.

Well fortunately this sequel that never was .... looks like it may finally be happening now.  Fresh off of his role in Birdman, Michael Keaton is now hot again and Tim Burton has annouced that a sequel is finally in the works.  I just hope that it can live up to my imagination and explore the world where Beetlejuice lives.

Here is our recent podcast where we discuss wanting a sequel to this and many other films.      Find out what else made my list as well as what made my co-hosts lists in a fun discussion.

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/super-fantastic-terrific-show-4-sequels-never/

Follow our Facebook page below

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Super-Fantastic-Terrific-Page-of-Movies-TV-and-Entertainment/178708865473822