This film definitely goes another level!! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema SIN CITY FIRST TIME WATCHING will be uploaded Wednesday! Enjoy the day!
3:46 with stuff like that you give away that you at least already knew something about this movie 😅 (at least checked imdb or so) because that guess or statement doesnt make much sense if not, way to random of a perfect guess.. but why not just be honest about it? I get that often with many other reactors, also when it comes to music.. It is just unlikely that people claiming being interested in a topic just get everything to know for the first time.. there are just things everyone has seen or heard when you are older than 20..😅 And some of those random guesses just are too perfect and you also often can spot the bad acting in their face and voice.. I dont mean it in a mean way, but i dont get it.. is it because they all want to write 'first time' in the title?
Fun Story: They dident block of times square, the crowd is real, like, real real, hes walking thought a real crowd and there just filming it, its real reactions from the crowd
The resurgence of Michael Keaton's career in these past several years has been fantastic. He is also quietly the funniest person in the very hysterical movie, The Other Guys.
@@JamesVSCinema no what he means is, he's known to be very difficult to work with and he always has to interfere with the scriptwriter and gets into heated discussions with the directors. So the character he plays here is very similar to him.
As someone who did theater for years, this film really captures the "living at the theater" mentality in the week leading up to a show. Love the immersion in this film
Edward Norton's character is sort of a parody on how Norton actually acts in real life. A lot of directors have said that Norton constantly changes up/interferes with the script.
Most of the characters are parodies/reflections of their real life counter-parts. Michael Keaton is playing an actor who became a star by playing a superhero in the 90s but his career went downhill afterwards. Edward Norton plays an extremely talented but difficult actor who is constantly clashing with the director because of his diva-like attitude. Naomi Watts plays an actress who finally got her breakout role in a production of a controversial director and she even kisses a dark-haired woman in the film, etcetera.
The scene with bird man walking/flying behind him on the street and the ensuing chaos is probably in my top 10 scenes of all time. I wish bird man was my hype man.
everybody knows ed norton is an incredible actor. he's just too much hassle for most people to deal with when there are lots of incredible actors out there.
Funny thing - 2 years after this he went to play Vulture, a winged villain in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and in 2023 he resumed the role of Batman in Flash 😅 In the former, he made a great and memorable villain, of whom you'd be afraid of despite the smile. In the latter, he was the reason many went to watch that film
When people say that 1917 is the best one take film I kindly remind them of this masterpiece of film making and story telling. Pure chills every time I watch this and the ending shot JEEEEEZ
I think they actually just made Keaton run through Times Square irl while filming. Alot of the reactions of the crowd was just from seeing Keaton, and they added some of the «Hey Birdman!» in post
Like Death to Smoochie, this dark comedy had so many layers that were all worth diving into; grief, depression, admiration of our idols, and the catalyst that sparks the downward spiral. Love this movie
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is one of my favorite directors right now, and this is one of his films that really shows off his talent. The choice to present this film in one take is perfect for the story, as the absence of cuts very much mimics a theatrical play. And the character Micheal Keaton plays an actor looking to regain his fame after once playing a popular superhero. We not only see actors play actors, we see the film’s soundtrack being played within the film. And the cinematography by our one an only Emmanuel Lubezki is absolutely mind blowing. This is an absolutely brilliant film and one of my favorites.
I love Emanuel Lubezski more than Roger Deakins even though I consider Deakins to be the master of DOP but Lubezski is like a mad artist or magician who just do impossible things....The tree of life, children of men, gravity, birdman, the revenant....I don't think anyone can use the lens as he does ❤️
17:15 emanuel lubezki did the cinematography for this film and in the revenant he has some impressive shots where the aputure changes midway trough, sometimes even going from bright sun and snow to a dark cabin in the same shot
18:59 It was very difficult for Iñarritu to get many extras, so what he did was hire the band to distract those who weren't extras and thus film without anyone "damaging the shot." So yeah, a lot of the people in the shot aren't even extras. HAHAHAHAHA
YES. Keaton being Batman is one of the metal elements that makes this movie work on another level!! I saw this in my indy theater when it came out. It was highly enjoyable. I loved the soundtrack, Keaton, and the flow of the movie. It's why I love going to the theater. An engaging movie that is not just corporate studio product to consume, a local theater, and a cute waitress that handed me a cheese burger when I went to eat after words. The little things in life.
I read all the Batman Comics as a kid and I can remember a series of about a month where Batman ended up living homeless on the streets because he had lost favour with his one time backers (I remember he had no cape or mask) and while there he met all the other one time heroes such as Veit Vets WWII Vets who were discarded by society. When I saw this movie that Batman story line came into my head even though I had read it 30 years previously. The feeling is real.
Just a tip: I worked on this film, and it isn't one take...it was shot just like any other film. The one-take trick was done in post. The shots were stitched together in such a way that it appears to be one take...and the FX people who did it were so good that it looks completely seamless. For instance...that long shot where Michael Keaton is walking down all the twists and turns of the long corridor backstage at the theater, and ends up in the wings of the stage? The long walk down the hallways was shot on a set at Kaufman Astoria studios in Queens, and the wings/ stage of the theater was shot two weeks later at the St. James theater in midtown Manhattan. But they're digitally edited together so flawlessly that it looks like one long, uninterrupted shot.
This one is on my list of top 10 films we all should see before we die Seeing it at 37yo (2014) was amazing. Seeing it now at almost 50 is something else entirely. This film is very much like Princess Bride. Watching it at different places along our own personal evolution gives VASTLY different experiences. Cheers for this one
IMO Norton's character arc is the only flaw (if you could call it that) in the movie. Just bc the conflict most of the movie has been based between Riggan and Shiner, but he disappears from the action midway through the movie. I don't think it detracts from the movie at all. But it does distract me each time I watch it. How it affects my appreciation? It's like Birdman is a beautifully made painting, sculpture or fresco with one part that's no worse made, but makes me think, "I wonder why he did that?" and may have been a mistake. I dunno.
Best Oscar winning movie in this century, in my opinion. There was no such a beautiful ode to theater and theatrical acting since Cassavetes' "Opening Night". Your remarks on this movie are true. I would add - the depiction of theatrical life and work is so accurate and true, almost like never before. I am glad you like this movie.
If you notice the movies about the virtue of ignorance. In the beginning he throws a cigarette at the drummer then notices him playing inside the theatre at the end
The reason I think Birdman is superior to 1917 in terms of one take gimmick is because in birdman you can hardly see the cuts most of the time....granted you can guess the cuts between those quick pans and that 1917 was larger in scale and it was more hard to achieve that single take....but there's something about Birdman's photography that takes the cake for me maybe because of the tight spaces or that the long take is integral to the story.
did you notice how everything ‘worked out’ for him after the roof/jump scene? he was honest and reconnected with his ex wife. his play was success. the theather was crowded. and the movie ends with his daughter gazing up the sky in awe by her father flying. he did killed himself in that roof. and after that, in his after life, he got what he wanted from life.
Nah I think if anything he killed himself on stage. After the roof/jump scene, he "flies" to the theater, but there's a cab driver who says "hey! you didn't pay!". This scene wouldn't make sense if he's dead.
@@andrewthornton6043 I mean that's definitely a valid interpretation, but I don't think that's what he was saying since everything in his life "working out" was before the hospital jump scene.
Hello, buddy. If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend you to do a reaction of AMORES PERROS or 21 GRAMS. Both movies were directed by Alejandro Gonsalez Iñarritu. AMORES PERROS Is a master piece, seriously.
Its an old hitchcock device, in the old days you would have to have to zoom in to a point where the screen would be completly black for a cut, then pick up and zoom out after. Now you can do it with all situations colours etc. As the tec got more advanced.
I hope you will do a Terrence Malick soon. I don't know if you are intimate with his work and his style, but I think it would be really interesting for you... and us ;)
Here is my interpretation of the ending: Riggan did actually kill himself in the theater. The final scene is a dream sequence in which he has reinvented himself, reprised his fame, and repaired his relationship with his daughter. I think that the reason Birdman is in the mirror and why Riggan sees birds flying away from his window is because he is now detatched from Birdman. His ego isn't driven by him anymore and he doesn't need him to feel confident. I think that Riggan jumping out the window and seemingly being able to fly is symbolising that although he has changed and no longer subconsciously clings onto Birdman, his ego has not been destroyed; it has just taken a new form. He has become even more egotistical because he feels that he is stronger and more powerful than Birdman. just a theory
Honestly I believe that he did survive shooting himself, but he did jump out the window in the hospital. The main reason is because of how his daughter reacted. She at first looks down in horror but then she starts her delusion that he flew away as Birdman to protect herself from all the guilt at all the ugly stuff she said earlier in the film. That is the great thing about this film. Lots of different ways to interpret the actions of all the characters.
I would actually say that this is a happy ending, though. I think is when he finally let go of his ego, which now has no power, he can achieve his true greatness. So, throughout the film, we have reasons to believe his powers are not real, but at this ending we finally have something to confirm he has this powers. And, in my interpretation, these powers being a "potential" he believes he has cause his ego keeps feeding his greatness, by the end is when he achieve true greatness. Is the "ignorance" part of Birdman. Now that he achieved success and can have the flowers he want, he can't smell them. So it doesn't really matter. But that's my theory, I totally respect yours.
You love reacting to my favorite films of all-time. Alejandro G. Innaritu's masterpiece in my opinion, and I know the film gets called overrated because of how much people hyped up the one-take technique, but the story is really the heart of the film and there's nobody that could've been better casting for this role than Michael Keaton. Watching a man struggle to find his place in a business that's changed, and in turn try to find himself in the midst of that, is one of the best character arcs in film history to me.
Yeah, my memory from reading about it is that they really just went out into Times Square and most people were just the tourists there. It's the old "better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission" approach.
Lol, yeah I don't think they could've made a better sequel to Batman Returns. It's kind of a standalone movie, in the same way Birdman is a standalone movie. It's all about the protagonist's environment and how their experience is similar to the characters around him--LIKE Batman Returns!
James glad you got around to seeing this film. It is just fantastic from the cinematography to the acting. Just great all around. Hope you're doing well man
Ok, you're stepping into my territory here. Birdman is my favourite movie ever and it solely created the passion I have for films. I've seen it at least 6 times now, and I kinda have it as my impossible philosophy of life: To be ignorant. Is almost paradoxal trying to interpret this movie in that sense, but I guess that's why Riggan ascended while I'm still here, on ground. The main point of the film, like many other Inarritu's films, is love. The initial credits even have "amor" spelled through the title, which is spanish for "love". All the characters are in a quest for love, the play is about love. But they're all impeached by the thorns of life, in the case of Riggan is his ego, which is so big that actually manifest his "underseen potential" as super powers. I could discuss this film for hours and it would be pandering, so I'll just stop here. I'm glad you liked it. And you were right, the single shot is emulating theatre, but also real life, which has no cuts.
Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, is one of the best mexican director, along with Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro, los Tres Amigos. You have to watch Amores Perros, I think is the first major movie of Alejandro, in Mexico.
This film is EXTREMELY meta-textual. The role wasn't written specifically for Keaton (to my knowledge, could be wrong), but the resemblance is uncanny.
they didn't block times square, they had a bunch of extras along the path keaton was gonna walk, hired distractions like the marching band and just went for it.
Saw this for the first time at the Philadelphia film festival and it was truly amazing. This is my favorite film of 2014, and certainly in my top 20 of all time. I just love how introspective it is while simultaneously being a high-wire satire of most of these actors’ careers, the ego and the nature of being defined and finding identity. There’s a great signage on Riggan’s mirror that says, “A thing is a thing, not what is said of that thing.” I think that perfectly emphasizes Riggan’s struggle of what or who he is without the labels/validations of Hollywood, his fans, the theater community, Raymond Carver or even his daughter. I just love this film so much and it’s one of the few times where The Oscars and I are in perfectly aligned, where a movie I loved gets recognized.
Emmanuel Lubezki is one of the best cinematographers in the world, and his obsession with of wide angle lenses started onhis work with Terrance Malick. You should definitely check out Malick's movies if you haven't already
Saw this in the theater and LOVED this movie. It gets a lot of crap bc it won best picture and people thought it wasn’t deserved but I was totally immersed in this movie and didn’t blink. I’ll defend it right to the ground.
Michael Keaton actually did walk around Times Square in the tighty whities. I remember publicity from when that scene was shot indicating they shot at night and cornered off a few blocks for a couple hours. Who knows how much that cost or how many strings they had to pull. It was also a terribly cold night if I recall correctly. Keaton is an acting soldier. He has so much heart and so much guts. Fun fact, when they shot that scene, he was approached by a crew member to take a look at some random guy's tattoo, which depicted Beetlejuice. When he was finished looking at it, the guy actually said, "We done here?" Then he walked away. The man had absolutely no idea who Keaton was or that his fucking face was tattooed on this man's arm, because he IS Beetlejuice. So the strangest thing about that shoot wasn't walking in his underpants in Times Square.
What an excellent film this is. Saw it in theaters, had no idea what it was about and I left on such a high! Amazing cinematography and score with top notch performances from everyone.
The “single take” thing really works well for me in this movie and IMO executed flawlessly. The places where they do cut are very well hidden and the average viewer probably wouldn’t be able to point them out. The single take thing in 1917 felt more like a gimmick to me but in this film it really serves the plot and helps to keep that tension and anxiety throughout the film. It is also more impressive to me because Birdman is so much more complex in terms of the themes and the characters feel so authentic. James used the perfect word to describe it - “immersion”. When I walked out of the theater I felt like I was still in it and was still thinking about it for days after. Love this movie. It truly deserved the best picture Oscar that it won, even though there was some stiff competition that year with Whiplash. Also won best director, screenplay, and OF COURSE cinematography. I’m disappointed Keaton didn’t win (thought he had a MUCH better performance than Eddie Redmayne) and it got toootally snubbed for sound editing and mixing which is just flawless in this movie. But again Whiplash...actually just looked it up and Whiplash won for Sound Mixing but American Sniper beat both Birdman and Whiplash for Sound Editing...wtf??
I had forgotten how brilliant this movie was. It is a beautiful example of magical realism, a genre where the story is clearly rooted in our common reality and often deals with very human issues but also contains fantastical elements as if it was normal. But it is not fantasy. Michael Keaton does not have super powers and assuming it is all his imagination goes a long way but his daughters reaction at the end pushes it further, into magical realism. Yes, he could have killed himself and the last bit might be his dying fantasy (if something like that exists) but the difference is that to us, the audience, it is presented as just as real as the rest of the movie.
James, idk if you'll read this because it's an older video but please do because i promise there's a point and I'd really like your take on it. My personal favorite parts of your videos are parts like (for example) 17:05 where you explain why they had to cut there so they can increase the aperture since I'm learning a bit of why filmmakers and everyone involved do what they do. My dream is also to help and/or create film so that's why your channel first caught my eye, since you mention being an independent filmmaker and then I (even my 60 year old father who i showed you to and is now a subscriber) stuck around for your extremely likable personality :). Unfortunately, if I had a criticism/wish of your channel, it'd be that I wish you'd talk more in depth about filmmaking techniques. I'm sure I'm not the only one who came to your channel to watch first-time reactions, hear filming techniques, and their purposeful reasons. I don't think your video titles are misleading at all in case that's what you think I'm saying, it just seems like that'd be something you'd talk about more. I just wish you had more commentary like the bit I mentioned at 17:05 in your other videos so I can learn more from specific movies instead of other RUclips channels that are much more broad. I know that talking too much about techniques could make for less reactions and attentiveness (which I very much appreciate the genuineness of you not overreacting for the sake of views) but maybe there's a nice balance, because even though I still watch almost all your videos, I'd still like to learn more from people like you :). Just an unintentionally and unnecessarily long thought. Still love you, man.
Definitely would have never thought of to recommend this one bc i just assumed you had seen it. One of my favs, so good. Having it look like one take to simulate the feel of a play , even with changing the time of day while watching it change fast, is so dope. And yeah, the drum score by Antonio Sanchez is great. Such a good critique of everything in the art world
This was tied for my movie of the year (Edge of Tomorrow) in a year where I think it was the best for movies in that whole decade. Just a bunch of bangers that year it was ridiculous.
Dear James, I really love your videos and your insights, and in general just your vibe. I wondered if you ever considered doing "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"- my favorite movie and a great one to comment on filmmaking wise. Much love, Natori
There's definitely an underlying theme of real life Keaton being Batman in the movie. Ironically it shows just how egoless Keaton is to do a movie that harshly examines his ego.
You were droppin jewels talking about where the edits are hidden. That stuff is fascinating to me. I always thought this movie had to be some sort of magic, but I am glad to know about some of the technicality supporting its presentation. It's no less magical to me because of it.
I don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but the way they did mirrors like that and not shown the camera is that all mirrors are actually green screen and the reflection is shot separately
Yes! Been waiting for this one. Some of the finest actors of our time giving some of the greatest performances ever in a movie that's essentially about acting. So easy to F this up and everyone KILLED it. It's my understanding that Michael Keaton did walk out on BATMAN to do Shakespeare, so this is kind of about him, but there's a much broader statement about regret and mid-life crises in general. Suicide is more or less a cliche when it comes to one-act plays but I don't think he did it. He really does have powers. He keeps it a secret through most of the movie because he wants to know if he would have what it takes to make it in the world without them. Even in private, he only actually uses them when he's pissed and can't control his emotions, except for the end when he doesn't really care anymore. His fantasies aren't about having powers, they're about him not feeling like he has to hide them. It's kind of a giant joke on his initial decision to ditch Hollywood for "real acting". He scoffed at the money and noteriety because he was too proud and felt that he was above it. Only at the end does he finally realize how ridiculously insecure he's been, when he chickens out at the last second and only shoots his nose off. That's my take, anyway. Maybe I'm reaching. I still love that it's kind of ambiguous. Seriously, what a f*cking script. The director originally wanted to do this entire film in one take. After learning that it would be logistically impossible he finally settled for seventeen cuts. NATURAL BORN KILLERS, then this, and SIN CITY next? You are speaking my language, sir. If you liked this check out MOONRISE KINGDOM. You'll love it.
I might have suggested before.. but there is a movie called "sexy evil genius". The way it's shot reminds me of this film. But it all takes place around one table the entire film. But its captivating.
This film definitely goes another level!!
Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema
SIN CITY FIRST TIME WATCHING will be uploaded Wednesday! Enjoy the day!
Sin City!!!
you watched my favourite movie of all time
Man, you need to see Jackie Brown
I'd like to see you watch a David Cronenberg film like A Dangerous Method, A History of Violence, or Eastern Promises.
3:46 with stuff like that you give away that you at least already knew something about this movie 😅 (at least checked imdb or so) because that guess or statement doesnt make much sense if not, way to random of a perfect guess.. but why not just be honest about it? I get that often with many other reactors, also when it comes to music.. It is just unlikely that people claiming being interested in a topic just get everything to know for the first time.. there are just things everyone has seen or heard when you are older than 20..😅
And some of those random guesses just are too perfect and you also often can spot the bad acting in their face and voice..
I dont mean it in a mean way, but i dont get it.. is it because they all want to write 'first time' in the title?
Fun Story: They dident block of times square, the crowd is real, like, real real, hes walking thought a real crowd and there just filming it, its real reactions from the crowd
The Director hired a marching band to help distract the crowd so Keaton wouldn't get swarmed and ruin the shot.
Yeah I’d assume they hired maybe a couple actors to scream bird man at him
@@0xLimas That's sound editing bro. In fact Iñarritu likes to "hide" mexican sounds in post in some of his films
Also, they did that in Elf.
That grammar made me feel physical pain😂
The resurgence of Michael Keaton's career in these past several years has been fantastic. He is also quietly the funniest person in the very hysterical movie, The Other Guys.
Loved his role in the Other Guys hahaha
Ya here for the bathmats??
Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls
I think his comeback has been great! He was phenomenal in Spotlight as well - one of my favorite films of the past decade.
Loved his appearance on 30 Rock
Edward Norton played himself in this movie and it’s amazing
He played a character
He played a character but I would doubt it if it was mostly improved!
@@JamesVSCinema no what he means is, he's known to be very difficult to work with and he always has to interfere with the scriptwriter and gets into heated discussions with the directors. So the character he plays here is very similar to him.
@@Ninaofthe90s Thats why he didnt come back as hulk. He was basically trying to rewrite the whole movie 😂
Being difficult is one thing, but come on, dont compare the man to a drunkard sex offender character, its crossing the line.
As someone who did theater for years, this film really captures the "living at the theater" mentality in the week leading up to a show. Love the immersion in this film
It’s intense for sure! I’ve done it a very finite amount of times!
Jesus that most be so awesome
Edward Norton's character is sort of a parody on how Norton actually acts in real life. A lot of directors have said that Norton constantly changes up/interferes with the script.
So I’ve heard with American History X!
Most of the characters are parodies/reflections of their real life counter-parts. Michael Keaton is playing an actor who became a star by playing a superhero in the 90s but his career went downhill afterwards. Edward Norton plays an extremely talented but difficult actor who is constantly clashing with the director because of his diva-like attitude. Naomi Watts plays an actress who finally got her breakout role in a production of a controversial director and she even kisses a dark-haired woman in the film, etcetera.
James:"He actually brings like a real freakin gun next time."
Me: 😶
Cracking up hahaha
Michael Keaton's performance on this one is.... daaaaaaaamn. He's just sooooo good
He’s legendary!
Yeah, which made me kinda sad when Ed Redmaine won the best actor award, but that's that.
I think Iñarritu did the same to Keaton of what Tarantino did to Travolta
The scene with bird man walking/flying behind him on the street and the ensuing chaos is probably in my top 10 scenes of all time. I wish bird man was my hype man.
Best right wing ever..literally
We wanted Michael Keaton to reprise his Batman role & Birdman comes close enough lol Great movie!
Facts!! I’m not mad at it fam!
Oh, this is even better than a reprisal.
People forget what a true Beast of an actor Ed Norton is
everybody knows ed norton is an incredible actor. he's just too much hassle for most people to deal with when there are lots of incredible actors out there.
@@robgeach8105 agreed
American History x and Fight Club at age 29 and 30
Tough to beat
And Michael Keaton
Emmanuel Lubezki has won the oscar for cinematopgraphy three times in a row. First for Gravity, then Birdman and then The Revenant.
Mexican power
The cinematography is insane in this movie.
Super!
That's our mexican talent bro
That's El Chivo doing his stuff. It's fuckin magical. Pride of México.
I fr only realised that Zach Galifianakis was in this film on my 4th time watching it lol
Yeah I barely noticed!!
Funny thing - 2 years after this he went to play Vulture, a winged villain in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and in 2023 he resumed the role of Batman in Flash 😅
In the former, he made a great and memorable villain, of whom you'd be afraid of despite the smile. In the latter, he was the reason many went to watch that film
When people say that 1917 is the best one take film I kindly remind them of this masterpiece of film making and story telling. Pure chills every time I watch this and the ending shot JEEEEEZ
I got to see Antonio Sanchez (the drummer that did the score) play along live with the film, it was a really cool experience
I think they actually just made Keaton run through Times Square irl while filming. Alot of the reactions of the crowd was just from seeing Keaton, and they added some of the «Hey Birdman!» in post
A few extras had to be planted.
@@DAMIENDMILLS Makes sense✌️👌
Like Death to Smoochie, this dark comedy had so many layers that were all worth diving into; grief, depression, admiration of our idols, and the catalyst that sparks the downward spiral. Love this movie
Love the layers in this film!
@@JamesVSCinema well I love you - so it goes full circle ✌️
Also had Edward Norton
2:56 That Meteor also mysteriously appears in The Revenant, from the same director...
Edward Norton is so good at playing Edward Norton in this movie. Also the soundtrack is dope.
Confident that this movie will go on to be remembered and discussed the same way 2001 or The Shining is today
Such an amazing film, Keaton freaking killed it!
Slayed it!
So glad you checked out this film. One of the greatest from an artistic perspective and the whole cast is so damn good.
Yeah it was an awesome experience!
Birdman is a classic one of my favorite movies of all time.
22:30 Are we seriously going to ignore that giant bird?! I think it's fantastic and well designed.
Birdman is an incredible film! I'm happy you reacted to it. Such a cool concept for a movie! And the casting was perfect.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is one of my favorite directors right now, and this is one of his films that really shows off his talent.
The choice to present this film in one take is perfect for the story, as the absence of cuts very much mimics a theatrical play.
And the character Micheal Keaton plays an actor looking to regain his fame after once playing a popular superhero.
We not only see actors play actors, we see the film’s soundtrack being played within the film.
And the cinematography by our one an only Emmanuel Lubezki is absolutely mind blowing.
This is an absolutely brilliant film and one of my favorites.
That ending is so f*cking good!!! I was waiting on your response to Emma Stone's reaction at the end for so long!!!
I love Emanuel Lubezski more than Roger Deakins even though I consider Deakins to be the master of DOP but Lubezski is like a mad artist or magician who just do impossible things....The tree of life, children of men, gravity, birdman, the revenant....I don't think anyone can use the lens as he does ❤️
Anthony dot Mantle is an honourable mention. A great guy and a fantastic cinematographer.
Gregg Toland have some awesome cinematography in Citizen Kane.
the scene where he destroys the critic is one of my all time favs
17:15 emanuel lubezki did the cinematography for this film and in the revenant he has some impressive shots where the aputure changes midway trough, sometimes even going from bright sun and snow to a dark cabin in the same shot
18:59 It was very difficult for Iñarritu to get many extras, so what he did was hire the band to distract those who weren't extras and thus film without anyone "damaging the shot." So yeah, a lot of the people in the shot aren't even extras. HAHAHAHAHA
Omg this is the first reaction to this movie on RUclips I'm so excited this is my favourite movie of all time!!!
Ayyyy happy to hear!!
8:26 *death stares into camera*
"I kinda dig it"
You legend
YES. Keaton being Batman is one of the metal elements that makes this movie work on another level!!
I saw this in my indy theater when it came out. It was highly enjoyable. I loved the soundtrack, Keaton, and the flow of the movie.
It's why I love going to the theater. An engaging movie that is not just corporate studio product to consume, a local theater, and a cute waitress that handed me a cheese burger when I went to eat after words. The little things in life.
I read all the Batman Comics as a kid and I can remember a series of about a month where Batman ended up living homeless on the streets because he had lost favour with his one time backers (I remember he had no cape or mask) and while there he met all the other one time heroes such as Veit Vets WWII Vets who were discarded by society. When I saw this movie that Batman story line came into my head even though I had read it 30 years previously. The feeling is real.
I love how this film plays with magical realism like a Gabriel García Márquez story.
Just a tip: I worked on this film, and it isn't one take...it was shot just like any other film. The one-take trick was done in post. The shots were stitched together in such a way that it appears to be one take...and the FX people who did it were so good that it looks completely seamless. For instance...that long shot where Michael Keaton is walking down all the twists and turns of the long corridor backstage at the theater, and ends up in the wings of the stage? The long walk down the hallways was shot on a set at Kaufman Astoria studios in Queens, and the wings/ stage of the theater was shot two weeks later at the St. James theater in midtown Manhattan. But they're digitally edited together so flawlessly that it looks like one long, uninterrupted shot.
This one is on my list of top 10 films we all should see before we die
Seeing it at 37yo (2014) was amazing. Seeing it now at almost 50 is something else entirely. This film is very much like Princess Bride. Watching it at different places along our own personal evolution gives VASTLY different experiences.
Cheers for this one
Inconceivable
"Birdman" is one out of a dozen films that will be remembered from the Teens.
Edward Norton just cracks me up in this film 😂😂
IMO Norton's character arc is the only flaw (if you could call it that) in the movie. Just bc the conflict most of the movie has been based between Riggan and Shiner, but he disappears from the action midway through the movie. I don't think it detracts from the movie at all. But it does distract me each time I watch it.
How it affects my appreciation? It's like Birdman is a beautifully made painting, sculpture or fresco with one part that's no worse made, but makes me think, "I wonder why he did that?" and may have been a mistake. I dunno.
You should react to "Manchester by the sea" "nocturnal animals".
🙏🙏
I second both of these
Best Oscar winning movie in this century, in my opinion. There was no such a beautiful ode to theater and theatrical acting since Cassavetes' "Opening Night". Your remarks on this movie are true. I would add - the depiction of theatrical life and work is so accurate and true, almost like never before. I am glad you like this movie.
If you notice the movies about the virtue of ignorance. In the beginning he throws a cigarette at the drummer then notices him playing inside the theatre at the end
One of my favourite American movies of the last ten years.
The reason I think Birdman is superior to 1917 in terms of one take gimmick is because in birdman you can hardly see the cuts most of the time....granted you can guess the cuts between those quick pans and that 1917 was larger in scale and it was more hard to achieve that single take....but there's something about Birdman's photography that takes the cake for me maybe because of the tight spaces or that the long take is integral to the story.
did you notice how everything ‘worked out’ for him after the roof/jump scene?
he was honest and reconnected with his ex wife. his play was success. the theather was crowded. and the movie ends with his daughter gazing up the sky in awe by her father flying.
he did killed himself in that roof. and after that, in his after life, he got what he wanted from life.
Nah I think if anything he killed himself on stage. After the roof/jump scene, he "flies" to the theater, but there's a cab driver who says "hey! you didn't pay!". This scene wouldn't make sense if he's dead.
I would happilly disagree that he actually kills himself at any point, 'cause it doesn't really matter to the overall narrative.
Wow
@@schmuck.on.wheels I think he means the hospital room window. That’s where I always thought he killed himself.
@@andrewthornton6043 I mean that's definitely a valid interpretation, but I don't think that's what he was saying since everything in his life "working out" was before the hospital jump scene.
Hello, buddy.
If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend you to do a reaction of AMORES PERROS or 21 GRAMS.
Both movies were directed by Alejandro Gonsalez Iñarritu.
AMORES PERROS Is a master piece, seriously.
Good recommendation.
Don’t forget the third film to the trilogy: Babel.
I remember being absolutely enthralled watching his in the theater. Rewatched it countless times since then. One of a kind movie.
Its an old hitchcock device, in the old days you would have to have to zoom in to a point where the screen would be completly black for a cut, then pick up and zoom out after. Now you can do it with all situations colours etc. As the tec got more advanced.
Legitimately my favorite film of 2014
I hope you will do a Terrence Malick soon.
I don't know if you are intimate with his work and his style, but I think it would be really interesting for you... and us ;)
Here is my interpretation of the ending:
Riggan did actually kill himself in the theater. The final scene is a dream sequence in which he has reinvented himself, reprised his fame, and repaired his relationship with his daughter. I think that the reason Birdman is in the mirror and why Riggan sees birds flying away from his window is because he is now detatched from Birdman. His ego isn't driven by him anymore and he doesn't need him to feel confident. I think that Riggan jumping out the window and seemingly being able to fly is symbolising that although he has changed and no longer subconsciously clings onto Birdman, his ego has not been destroyed; it has just taken a new form. He has become even more egotistical because he feels that he is stronger and more powerful than Birdman.
just a theory
Beautifully interpreted honestly Mike. Makes a lot of sense!
Honestly I believe that he did survive shooting himself, but he did jump out the window in the hospital. The main reason is because of how his daughter reacted. She at first looks down in horror but then she starts her delusion that he flew away as Birdman to protect herself from all the guilt at all the ugly stuff she said earlier in the film. That is the great thing about this film. Lots of different ways to interpret the actions of all the characters.
@@JamesVSCinema Thanks man ur a real one for reading the comments.
@@DarthTach interesting theory man
I would actually say that this is a happy ending, though. I think is when he finally let go of his ego, which now has no power, he can achieve his true greatness. So, throughout the film, we have reasons to believe his powers are not real, but at this ending we finally have something to confirm he has this powers. And, in my interpretation, these powers being a "potential" he believes he has cause his ego keeps feeding his greatness, by the end is when he achieve true greatness. Is the "ignorance" part of Birdman. Now that he achieved success and can have the flowers he want, he can't smell them. So it doesn't really matter. But that's my theory, I totally respect yours.
You love reacting to my favorite films of all-time. Alejandro G. Innaritu's masterpiece in my opinion, and I know the film gets called overrated because of how much people hyped up the one-take technique, but the story is really the heart of the film and there's nobody that could've been better casting for this role than Michael Keaton. Watching a man struggle to find his place in a business that's changed, and in turn try to find himself in the midst of that, is one of the best character arcs in film history to me.
If I'm not mistaken for the Times Square scene they hired that band to distract people (and there's also paid extras, of course)
That’s awesome hahaha
Yeah, my memory from reading about it is that they really just went out into Times Square and most people were just the tourists there. It's the old "better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission" approach.
This is the real sequel to Batman Returns lol
Lol, yeah I don't think they could've made a better sequel to Batman Returns. It's kind of a standalone movie, in the same way Birdman is a standalone movie. It's all about the protagonist's environment and how their experience is similar to the characters around him--LIKE Batman Returns!
LMFAOOO
James glad you got around to seeing this film. It is just fantastic from the cinematography to the acting. Just great all around. Hope you're doing well man
this is why birdman win best picture on oscar
Omg I'm so happy you react to Birdman, its my favorite movie of all time and I'm glad you loved it.
Director wrote the movie with him in mind exactly cuz of batman
Ok, you're stepping into my territory here. Birdman is my favourite movie ever and it solely created the passion I have for films. I've seen it at least 6 times now, and I kinda have it as my impossible philosophy of life: To be ignorant. Is almost paradoxal trying to interpret this movie in that sense, but I guess that's why Riggan ascended while I'm still here, on ground.
The main point of the film, like many other Inarritu's films, is love. The initial credits even have "amor" spelled through the title, which is spanish for "love".
All the characters are in a quest for love, the play is about love. But they're all impeached by the thorns of life, in the case of Riggan is his ego, which is so big that actually manifest his "underseen potential" as super powers. I could discuss this film for hours and it would be pandering, so I'll just stop here. I'm glad you liked it. And you were right, the single shot is emulating theatre, but also real life, which has no cuts.
Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, is one of the best mexican director, along with Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro, los Tres Amigos. You have to watch Amores Perros, I think is the first major movie of Alejandro, in Mexico.
This film is EXTREMELY meta-textual. The role wasn't written specifically for Keaton (to my knowledge, could be wrong), but the resemblance is uncanny.
they didn't block times square, they had a bunch of extras along the path keaton was gonna walk, hired distractions like the marching band and just went for it.
Saw this for the first time at the Philadelphia film festival and it was truly amazing. This is my favorite film of 2014, and certainly in my top 20 of all time. I just love how introspective it is while simultaneously being a high-wire satire of most of these actors’ careers, the ego and the nature of being defined and finding identity.
There’s a great signage on Riggan’s mirror that says, “A thing is a thing, not what is said of that thing.” I think that perfectly emphasizes Riggan’s struggle of what or who he is without the labels/validations of Hollywood, his fans, the theater community, Raymond Carver or even his daughter. I just love this film so much and it’s one of the few times where The Oscars and I are in perfectly aligned, where a movie I loved gets recognized.
Won 4 well deserved Oscars.
Yo I love this move, defiantly a 10/10 for me. This absolutely deserved that best picture Oscar!
Emmanuel Lubezki was magical in this film. Birdman is a home run of a movie.
funny enough my mom went to college with Iñárritu lmao
the Batman observation is funny, because Michael keaton played the batman in the Tim Burton versions
i’ve been waiting for you to watch this! Emmanuel Lubezki to me is the greatest cinematographer of all time, no doubt, glad you enjoyed this.
Emmanuel Lubezki is one of the best cinematographers in the world, and his obsession with of wide angle lenses started onhis work with Terrance Malick. You should definitely check out Malick's movies if you haven't already
Saw it only once but loved it, especially for how creative it is shot. Thanks for reminding me of this movie
My friend Alex wrote the majority of this. There are three other endings that were almost filmed, fyi.
I love that you never know when you're in a play or a film or what his reality is.
Saw this in the theater and LOVED this movie. It gets a lot of crap bc it won best picture and people thought it wasn’t deserved but I was totally immersed in this movie and didn’t blink. I’ll defend it right to the ground.
Love that ending. Love that it's all down to a look on someone's face.
This film got me into the movie world behind just the Marvel movies...
That’s awesome!!
This movie is so good, just thinking about certain sequences make me tear up in joy.
Michael Keaton actually did walk around Times Square in the tighty whities. I remember publicity from when that scene was shot indicating they shot at night and cornered off a few blocks for a couple hours. Who knows how much that cost or how many strings they had to pull. It was also a terribly cold night if I recall correctly. Keaton is an acting soldier. He has so much heart and so much guts. Fun fact, when they shot that scene, he was approached by a crew member to take a look at some random guy's tattoo, which depicted Beetlejuice. When he was finished looking at it, the guy actually said, "We done here?" Then he walked away. The man had absolutely no idea who Keaton was or that his fucking face was tattooed on this man's arm, because he IS Beetlejuice. So the strangest thing about that shoot wasn't walking in his underpants in Times Square.
What an excellent film this is. Saw it in theaters, had no idea what it was about and I left on such a high! Amazing cinematography and score with top notch performances from everyone.
The “single take” thing really works well for me in this movie and IMO executed flawlessly. The places where they do cut are very well hidden and the average viewer probably wouldn’t be able to point them out. The single take thing in 1917 felt more like a gimmick to me but in this film it really serves the plot and helps to keep that tension and anxiety throughout the film.
It is also more impressive to me because Birdman is so much more complex in terms of the themes and the characters feel so authentic. James used the perfect word to describe it - “immersion”. When I walked out of the theater I felt like I was still in it and was still thinking about it for days after.
Love this movie. It truly deserved the best picture Oscar that it won, even though there was some stiff competition that year with Whiplash. Also won best director, screenplay, and OF COURSE cinematography.
I’m disappointed Keaton didn’t win (thought he had a MUCH better performance than Eddie Redmayne) and it got toootally snubbed for sound editing and mixing which is just flawless in this movie. But again Whiplash...actually just looked it up and Whiplash won for Sound Mixing but American Sniper beat both Birdman and Whiplash for Sound Editing...wtf??
26:55
Music is Rachmaninoff Symphony No.2 if anyone is curious. Movie also contains part of Mahler No.9.
One of the most incredible films i've ever seen. Lucky to have seen it at the cinema when it first came out.
I had forgotten how brilliant this movie was. It is a beautiful example of magical realism, a genre where the story is clearly rooted in our common reality and often deals with very human issues but also contains fantastical elements as if it was normal. But it is not fantasy. Michael Keaton does not have super powers and assuming it is all his imagination goes a long way but his daughters reaction at the end pushes it further, into magical realism. Yes, he could have killed himself and the last bit might be his dying fantasy (if something like that exists) but the difference is that to us, the audience, it is presented as just as real as the rest of the movie.
James, idk if you'll read this because it's an older video but please do because i promise there's a point and I'd really like your take on it.
My personal favorite parts of your videos are parts like (for example) 17:05 where you explain why they had to cut there so they can increase the aperture since I'm learning a bit of why filmmakers and everyone involved do what they do. My dream is also to help and/or create film so that's why your channel first caught my eye, since you mention being an independent filmmaker and then I (even my 60 year old father who i showed you to and is now a subscriber) stuck around for your extremely likable personality :).
Unfortunately, if I had a criticism/wish of your channel, it'd be that I wish you'd talk more in depth about filmmaking techniques. I'm sure I'm not the only one who came to your channel to watch first-time reactions, hear filming techniques, and their purposeful reasons. I don't think your video titles are misleading at all in case that's what you think I'm saying, it just seems like that'd be something you'd talk about more.
I just wish you had more commentary like the bit I mentioned at 17:05 in your other videos so I can learn more from specific movies instead of other RUclips channels that are much more broad. I know that talking too much about techniques could make for less reactions and attentiveness (which I very much appreciate the genuineness of you not overreacting for the sake of views) but maybe there's a nice balance, because even though I still watch almost all your videos, I'd still like to learn more from people like you :). Just an unintentionally and unnecessarily long thought. Still love you, man.
Definitely would have never thought of to recommend this one bc i just assumed you had seen it. One of my favs, so good. Having it look like one take to simulate the feel of a play , even with changing the time of day while watching it change fast, is so dope. And yeah, the drum score by Antonio Sanchez is great. Such a good critique of everything in the art world
This was tied for my movie of the year (Edge of Tomorrow) in a year where I think it was the best for movies in that whole decade. Just a bunch of bangers that year it was ridiculous.
Dear James, I really love your videos and your insights, and in general just your vibe. I wondered if you ever considered doing "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"- my favorite movie and a great one to comment on filmmaking wise. Much love, Natori
I’ve actually done it on the channel but it may have been blocked. I’ll work on getting it reuploaded
@@JamesVSCinema Oh, cool. Thanks!
There's definitely an underlying theme of real life Keaton being Batman in the movie. Ironically it shows just how egoless Keaton is to do a movie that harshly examines his ego.
This is the best kind of film making to me, Ego!
If you like a one shot take, one of the best is the opening scene of The Player.
You should react to a movie called in the mood for love , it’s a foreign film and it’s honestly so beautiful, I’d love to see your reaction to it.
You were droppin jewels talking about where the edits are hidden. That stuff is fascinating to me. I always thought this movie had to be some sort of magic, but I am glad to know about some of the technicality supporting its presentation. It's no less magical to me because of it.
I don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but the way they did mirrors like that and not shown the camera is that all mirrors are actually green screen and the reflection is shot separately
One of my top ten favorite movies of all time
Another great pick, James! Thanks for the insights into the camera work. Reminds me of the opening sequence in Robert Altman's The Player!
Yes! Been waiting for this one. Some of the finest actors of our time giving some of the greatest performances ever in a movie that's essentially about acting. So easy to F this up and everyone KILLED it. It's my understanding that Michael Keaton did walk out on BATMAN to do Shakespeare, so this is kind of about him, but there's a much broader statement about regret and mid-life crises in general. Suicide is more or less a cliche when it comes to one-act plays but I don't think he did it. He really does have powers. He keeps it a secret through most of the movie because he wants to know if he would have what it takes to make it in the world without them. Even in private, he only actually uses them when he's pissed and can't control his emotions, except for the end when he doesn't really care anymore. His fantasies aren't about having powers, they're about him not feeling like he has to hide them. It's kind of a giant joke on his initial decision to ditch Hollywood for "real acting". He scoffed at the money and noteriety because he was too proud and felt that he was above it. Only at the end does he finally realize how ridiculously insecure he's been, when he chickens out at the last second and only shoots his nose off. That's my take, anyway. Maybe I'm reaching. I still love that it's kind of ambiguous. Seriously, what a f*cking script.
The director originally wanted to do this entire film in one take. After learning that it would be logistically impossible he finally settled for seventeen cuts.
NATURAL BORN KILLERS, then this, and SIN CITY next? You are speaking my language, sir.
If you liked this check out MOONRISE KINGDOM. You'll love it.
Thanks for posting not many bird man reactions out there. 👏
I might have suggested before.. but there is a movie called "sexy evil genius". The way it's shot reminds me of this film. But it all takes place around one table the entire film. But its captivating.