Birdman

Somewhere along the way, this year became a very good year for movies. I've been thinking for months that it's been a disappointing year, but that isn't the case. The fact that this is a very good year snuck up on me. But here we are, almost in December, and Birdman is damn near a masterpiece, and it's not even my number 1 movie of the year. It might actually be number 3 (I can't decide if I liked it slightly more or slightly less than Gone Girl). And so that's where we stand in 2014 - an almost masterpiece barely breaking into the top 3.

Birdman is the story of Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton), a one time movie star who got his money and fame by starring as an action hero in a series of Birdman movies. But that was the mid-90s. Now he is washed up and trying to prove his merit by adapting a pretentious Raymond Carver story for Broadway. He also may or may not be crazy, as he keeps hearing the voice of Birdman talking him up and sometimes tearing him down. On the day before the play is set to go into previews, the co-lead gets injured, forcing Riggan to hire Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), a hot tempered method stage actor. Rounding out the story are Naomi Watts as Leslie, a co-star in the play as well as Mike's girlfriend,  Emma Stone as Riggan's fresh out of rehab daughter, Amy Ryan as Riggan's ex-wife, Zach Galifianakis as his long suffering lawyer and Andrea Riseborough as Riggan's possibly pregnant co-star girlfriend.

Let's get the little bit of bad news out of the way first - Riseborough's character is terribly underwritten and feels like she isn't three dimensional enough to even belong in this film. Also, there is a particular occurrence that I won't spoil but feels completely out of place and unnecessary.  Also, there is a point about three quarters of the way through where you are either going to give up completely or just decide to go with it. And I went with it, man. I would follow this movie anywhere it took me because it's damn brilliant.

First of all, the way Birdman is filmed is brilliant. It looks as though it is one long continuous tracking shot without any cuts. I have never seen anything like it and if Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu doesn't win Best Director at the Oscars then I give up on films. This movie looks amazing and, sure, the one take tracking shot thing could feel like a gimmick but it never does. It never feels anything less than a stunning, dizzying effect. This is a smart, artistic, philosophical film that deals with big questions about growing older and love and family and what it's like to feel like you are nothing in this crazy world. It's also a biting satire about actors and filmmaking and the instant celebrity, social media obsessed world we live in. This isn't a comedy by any means, but it is darkly funny and highly enjoyable.

All the hype about Michael Keaton in his big comeback role is totally on point. He is amazing as the washed up has been struggling with his own mortality. But why is no one talking about Edward Norton? He absolutely kills it, stealing scenes and creating a complex and nuanced character. Just when you start to forget about how awesome he is, he shows up and gives a hell of a performance to remind you. (Sidenote: Remember how much he killed it in Primal Fear??). The biggest problem with the movie, in fact, is that Norton's Shiner disappears three quarters of the way through. Another stand out is Stone, whose facial expressions alone are perfection, how she can so easily go from angry to regretful or worried to amazed.

Overall,  I can't say enough positive things about Birdman. It's not perfect, but it is one of the most wholly enjoyable, awe inspiring films I have seen in a very, very long time. Bravo.

Grade: A

Nightcrawler

Stories and movies about unscrupulous, underhanded TV news are nothing new. But the most exciting thing about Nightcrawler is Jake Gyllenhaal's ballsy, gutsy performance, and the way he has quickly become the most exciting actor of his generation. I have always liked Gyllenhaal, but it seemed like for a while there, he was content to be the cute guy in the mediocre movies. But something happened a few years ago with End of Watch (it was there in bits and pieces before) and Gyllenhaal was suddenly this gritty, surprising, exciting actor.

In Nightcrawler, Gyllenhaal is Lou Bloom, a young guy from Los Angeles with questionable morals who is struggling to find a career path for himself. One night, he happens upon a car accident and the freelance camera crew who films footage of the blood and fire and mayhem and sells it to the highest bidding news station. Lou Bloom is a fast learner and what he lacks in ethics, he more than makes up for with initiative. He thinks this might be something he's good at and so he sets out to become the best at it. I don't want to say much more about the plot, but needless to say, Lou goes a bit over the edge.

One part Anthony Perkins from Psycho, one part Robert DeNiro from Taxi Driver and all creepy grins and unblinking baby blue eyes, Gyllenhaal is intense, icy and darkly funny. His performance is so mind bendingly good that you can't help but become utterly transfixed by his morally ambiguous anti-hero.  Gyllenhaal is an actor who has given a lot of solid leaning toward great performances, but this is so far and away his best. Not only his best, but also this is quite possibly the best performance of the year. This isn't the kind of movie that will likely be recognized by the Oscars, but his performance surely should be.

And Gyllenhaal isn't the only good thing about Nightcrawler.  This is a thrilling, smart, dark, sensational film, the kind of film that burrows under your skin and stays with you for a long, long time. This isn't the sort of movie you will likely forget easily. Supporting turns from Rene Russo (as an aging news director) and Bill Paxton (as a cocky rival) are impressive, and the direction by Dan Gilroy (who also wrote the script) is exciting and edgy and intoxicating. But make no mistake - this is a showcase for Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie would be good without him, but with him, it becomes great.

Grade: A