20th Annual ARPA Awards Gala. Dead on Arrival was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Feature Film. Thank you for the support @ArpaFilmFest @DOAfilm #Movie #RedCarpet #MondayMotivation #MovieMonday #Actor #Producer #Soundtrack #Armenian #American #Birdman #Westworld #HotelRwanda #ThePromise #KeepThePromise #Film #FilmFestival #Gala #Press #PR #AwardCeremony #Filmmaker #Armenia #Hollywood #Cinema #AFM (at Loews Hollywood Hotel)
I am literally astounded at the technical and storytelling innovation that went into this film.
Riggin Thomson (Keaton) is now just a former shell of himself from his prime during the early to mid-90’s where he reigned supreme as the “it” actor grossing billions of dollars off the “Birdman” franchise. He has since fallen off Hollywood relevancy and is attempting a comeback by writing, directing and starring in his own Broadway play that is loosely based on his life.
From the opening credits, the audience knows that this film marches to the beat of its own drum as the director nods to the rebellious Godard as he uses vibrant reds and blues to portray his opening credits, much like Godard’s work from the 60’s; the similar usage of typography and animation is used to set the tone for the film.
Alejandro González Iñárritu typically focuses on heavier themes and much more depressing narratives, from what I’ve seen (21 Grams & Babel). It was a welcoming surprise for me as this, relatively “dark comedy,” effectively weaves its way through the main characters ego revealing to himself the cruel truth he doesn’t want to hear, and then revealing to the audience (us) what he actually wants; as his ‘id’ is portrayed by his fictional on screen character “Birdman” as his conscience.
The film’s cinematography grabs a hold of your attention and forces you to move with the actors at their pace. I don’t know how they did it, but the movie almost feels like it was done in a single take.
Iñárritu, uses minimal surrealism in the film, which makes the film that much better, but more so he uses reality to show just how Keaton doesn’t really fit into society, anymore, as he’s refused to adapt to the times making his prescence in any scene almost surreal and anachronistic as we the audience are thinking to ourselves, everyone around Keaton’s character must be aware that he’s a washed up actor, thus creating a sense of tension in every scene as Keaton is just a hairline of a fracture away from losing it; and isn’t that just how an actor in real life is? Because a lot of their lives are surreal.
Overall though, I am glad the surrealism was kept to a minimum unlike films like “Synecdoche, New York” where I spent most of the movie trying to interpret Kaufman’s intentions, rather than enjoying it.
Keaton and Norton to Keaton and Stone — we get the most chemistry, as both pairs convincingly play out their roles to the extent where it didn’t even feel like acting; I actually found myself wishing success to Emma Stone’s character and an untimely demise for Edward Norton’s. Norton, also tears this film a new one as an experience obsessed actor that dabbles a little too much in his own methodology as he instigates fear amongst his cohorts, coupled with his compulsive attitude he goes off on his own self-absorbed tirades of being a real stage actor with actual range, rather than some former film superstar that relies on special effects and bloated budgets to gain notoriety.
These type of satirical autobiographical films seem to do wonders, revitilizing and or finding actor’s careers as we saw with Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” and Eminem with “8 Mile.” It even goes to show how much the public is hungry to see something “realistic” while poking fun at a person as long as its not themselves.
Suffering for your art/passion is a time honored tradition amongst creatives and if one feels themselves getting empowered after watching this film, one also gets to walk away with the feeling of acceptance in that, you’re not the only one that is suffering and or things could be worse…
Birdman was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dull climate full of movies that:
1. Thanks to VOD and Redbox — movies are being pumped out left and right, I cannot keep up anymore, and it has to be assumed that most of the drabble being pumped out are not good.
2. Social media, tends to dumb down cinema nowadays, but watching a movie like this restores faith in the art.
3. (not that I am complaining) It’s nice to see a passionate film versus another cgi infused actioner.
Birdman, does not try to be something it is not. It delivers inspiring performances from everyone involved.
This Sunday is the Academy Awards aka my favorite day of the year. Not only is a night to celebrate filmmaking excellence, it’s a night to watch Neil Patrick Harris be the amazing host we all know he is. (I love you, NPH!)
This year seems to be a close race for many of the categories. I know my choices aren’t always the winners, but granted I’m not an old white man which makes up the majority of the Oscar voters. But I do want to go through my personal picks for the major categories and my reasoning behind them.
Best Actor: Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game
Now, my real winner would be David Oyelowo because no performance was as strong as his in Selma. Alas, the Academy didn’t recognize it. Of the nominated performances, I absolutely loved Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing. His performance was a powerful portrayal of a complicated man. Cumberbatch plays the role with such sincerity and subtlety that I was completely enraptured the entire film. It could have been easy for him to play it close to his Sherlock character, but there was a deeper sadness here that made his performance simply stunning.
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon - Wild
To be fair, I haven’t seen all of the performances of the actress nominated. I have a feeling from what I’ve read I would probably lean towards Julianne Moore in Still Alice had I seen it. With that being said, I do think Reese Witherspoon gave a solid showing of her talent in Wild. Known for her sweetness, this was a role that seemed outside of her typical wheelhouse. It was nice to see her stretch herself as an actress and give a heartfelt performance about a woman finding herself through drugs, affairs, and ultimately one very long hike.
Best Supporting Actor: Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
I’m 100% biased when it comes to Boyhood. With it’s incredibly creative premise and gut-wrenching performances, I’m in love with it all. I’ve always been a fan of Ethan Hawke even during his bad movie choices. Luckily, whenever he teams up with Richard Linklater, magic happens. Hawke is particularly engaging as a father trying to figure out how to be a good dad after a divorce. He often fails, but he learns from it and grows as a person. Hawke is wonderful in this role and it will probably be my favorite of his for many years to come.
Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette - Boyhood
Easily her best performance to date, Patricia Arquette really anchors Boyhood. Yes, the son is the main character (and he’s phenomenal), but without the actions of Arquette the movie would not move forward. Whether it’s having bad boyfriends, going back to school, or just trying to deal with the troubles of raising two kids on her own, Arquette brings life and truth to the story. She changes a lot throughout the film and I’m happy to see a role that depicts a real life woman as she changes as she ages.
Best Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu - Birdman
This category is a tough one for me because of my deep love for Boyhood. Despite how unique and compelling Boyhood is, I cannot discredit the amazing directing in Birdman. Filmed to look like one continuous flowing shot, the artistry of the film was stunning. Timing was key and under Iñárritu’s direction, it feels flawless. Yes, it’s chaotic and manic and strange and makes you feel like you’re on drugs, but it’s also moving and funny and important.
Best Animated Feature: Big Hero 6
GUYS. This movie was SO FREAKING GOOD. Full of humor, tragedy, awesome female scientists and nerdy male scientists, a super genius kid, and just about the cutest robot since Wall-E, this movie had me from the start. Visually, it’s absolutely stunning. Animation has gotten so good that it blows my mind. But it doesn’t end with the visuals. With a story that had me tearing up in the theater because I was overcome with emotions, it is a movie that has the ability to convey deep truths. It was perfect.
Best PIcture: Boyhood
Surprise, surprise. Right? Ha. I’m obsessed and I don’t care who knows it. I don’t often use the word masterpiece when describing films, but I’m not afraid to use it now. Boyhood truly is a masterpiece of cinema history. I have no doubt that film schools will be teaching about this film for the rest of time. It is completely unique and so special. Watching a family change and grow as years pass is not an uncommon story. Boyhood takes it to a new level of authenticity, one that leaves you thinking about your own life. I was moved so deeply even though my own personal experiences have virtually nothing in common. Identity is a huge part of the human experience and watching Mason figure out his own identity speaks to the deepest part of ourselves. Each of us must become our own person and the journey is often difficult, beautiful, strange, and completely our own. No film captures this as well as Boyhood.
So…what do you think? What are your favorite movies of the nominations?
Birdman(2014), a film by Alejandro González Iñárritu
You’re doing a play based on a book that was written 60 years ago, for a thousand rich old white people whose only real concern is gonna be where they go to have their cake and coffee when it’s over. And let’s face it, Dad, it’s not for the sake of art. It’s because you want to feel relevant again. Well, there’s a whole world out there where people fight to be relevant every day. And you act like it doesn’t even exist! Things are happening in a place that you willfully ignore, a place that has already forgotten you. I mean, who are you? You hate bloggers. You make fun of Twitter. You don’t even have a Facebook page. You’re the one who doesn’t exist. You’re doing this because you’re scared to death, like the rest of us, that you don’t matter. And you know what? You’re right. You don’t. It’s not important. You’re not important. Get used to it.
