Springing off from the conversation in the Top 5 Films of Summer thread...
So, Birdman was the opening night film at the Venice Film Festival a couple days ago. Many folks have pointed out that the opening film at Venice last year was Gravity. Well, Birdman is causing similar kind of buzz. The reviews are almost universally great so far with lots of praise for Michael Keaten as well as the cleverness of the entire film appearing to be one continuous take. Looks like this out is going to be really good. Now, it is probably too dark and strange to be a mainstream hit at the boxoffice (I'll be surprised if it makes more than about $30 million), but it certainly looks like a strong awards contender for Alejandro Inarritu (Dir.) and Michael Keaton. Edward Norton is also getting a lot of praise for his supporting work in the film.
Michael Keaton is about to get pretty hot as an actor because this fall he is shooting Spotlight which will almost certainly be an Awards contender a year from now. Spotlight is going to be an All The Presidents Men kind of story about the Boston Globe journalists who uncovered the Catholic Church sex scadal a few years ago. Keaton is playing the lead journalistic investigator and the film also stars Mark Ruffalo, Stanley Tucci, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber and Aaron Eckhart. It is written and directed by Tom McCarthy, who directed The Station Agent, The Vistitor, and Win Win... all three of which were really nice films. But, that's at least 14 months away so we can forget about it for now.
Also worht noting that
a new trailer for Foxcatcher just dropped. It is all Steve Carrell (as John Dupont, wearing a huge nose prosthesis) talking and is more than a little bit creepy. No question this flick is going to be a big Oscar contender.
-Jason "Birdman opens October 17th... can't wait!" Evans