BIRDMAN (2015)

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Running Length: 2:00
Cast: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan, Zach Galifianakis, Lindsay Duncan
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Screenplay: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Nicolas Giacobone and Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo

BIRDMAN (subtitled Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a ballsy movie. It will probably go down as one of the greatest satires of our times. The director brings a knife to a gunfight and successfully manages to stab everyone in the room. Nobody gets out alive as this razor sharp dark dramedy skewers everything in Hollywood and New York's Broadway; actors, producers, directors, critics, comic book franchises, 15 mins of fame on social media, pretentious rich and famous old farts etc. But it's not all mockery as the film also examines the crumbling and brokenness of its actors as they desperately search for significance and relevance in brutal Tinseltown. "Relevance" ahhh...Emma Stone's character delivers one of the best (and honest) monologues ever on this topic. That scene alone was worth the price of the ticket. Birdman has a lot to pack into its 2 hours but thankfully, it moves along swiftly. And speaking of that, one of the most talked-about aspect of the film is its single unbroken take (with the aid of meticulous digital editing to erase the seams). The camera never stops - tracking its actors in the premise of a Broadway theatre; through the narrow staircases, corridors, on the stage, on the roof etc. There is something happening every frame, thus making it too busy for my liking. It doesn't stop to breathe and allow moments of silence for the audience to soak in. Nevertheless, the heartbeat of the movie is its excellent performances from its ensemble of cast. Michael Keaton and Edward Norton are particularly good.

Rating: 7.5/10

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014)

Genre: Comedy/Adventure
Running Length: 1:39
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Edward Norton, Jeff Goldblum, Saoirse Ronan, F. Murray Abraham
Director: Wes Anderson

If only Stephen Chow continued the trajectory of making his brand of "nonsensical" movies, he would have created something like THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL as he matures in his profession; a much richer and denser experience but still possesses all his trademarks - a relatively easy to follow storyline set in a surreal world littered with exaggerated characters caught in quirky situations (and blood bleeding from their nose). But I digressed. Wes Anderson's Budapest Hotel is an engaging 90+ minutes of unconventional adventure and idiosyncratic humour all framed up in obsessively carefully composed and symmetrical shots (with beautiful bright striking colours). There are sudden burst of unexpectedness throughout the movie. My favourite was a particularly lengthy chase scene where the action becomes increasingly elaborated. Ralph Fiennes is our main protagonist, the concierge of the The Grand Budapest Hotel and he plays a caricature of himself - the impeccable gentleman (some of the film's most amusing moments occur when he gets angry, slips out of character and goes on a profanity laced rant). I could never imagined Ralph Fiennes being attached to a film like this but he owned it. A big shout out to Tony Revolori (the lobby boy, Fiennes' protege) for his debut as Fiennes supporting actor. I must say he held himself up very well among all the A-list supporting cast and cameos. Not everyone will enjoy this movie but if you're looking for a "matured Stephen Chow" fix, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 8.5/10