Revisiting Birdman: A Critical Look Back at the 2014 Film by Alejandro Inarritu - a podcast by Erik Thureson & Zak Abitz

Introduction:

Briefly introduce the film and its accolades

4 Oscars wins, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best

Cinematography

Noms for Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone, and Sound

editing and sound mixing

Keaton won Best Actor GG

Highlight the main themes of the film

Father / Daughter themes - challenging and difficult

mental health themes reality vs surrealism

what is art, theater vs film dichotomy

“on stage everything is real, off stage is all fake”

social media vs traditional media marketing

super powers vs what is in his head

Part 1: Plot Summary

Provide a brief overview of the plot

Riggan Thomson is a faded actor famous for playing a superhero named

Birdman in a film trilogy from 1989 to 1992. He is tormented by the

mocking and critical internal voice of Birdman and frequently visualizes

himself performing feats of levitation and telekinesis. Riggan is trying to

regain recognition by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway

adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story, "What We Talk About When

We Talk About Love." However, the Birdman voice wants Riggan to return

to blockbuster cinema and insists that he is essential to Riggan's identity.

Discuss the main characters and their roles

Michael Keaton / Birdman / Riggan Thomson

Edward Norton / Mike Shinner

Emma Stone / Sam Thomson

Analyze the use of long takes and one-shot sequences

Part 2: Acting

Evaluate Michael Keaton's performance as Riggan Thompson/Birdman

Analyze Ed Norton's portrayal of Mike Shiner

Discuss the supporting cast's performances

Part 3: Cinematography and Sound Design

Discuss the use of close-ups and tracking shots

Analyze the film's use of sound and music

the drums / jazz and how it creatively added and supported the story

Part 4: Themes and Messages

Discuss the film's commentary on celebrity culture and social media

Analyze the film's portrayal of mental illness and the creative process

Highlight the film's use of magical realism

Part 5: Reception and Legacy

Discuss the film's critical reception and box office success

Analyze the film's impact on contemporary cinema

Highlight the film's lasting legacy and cultural significance

Conclusion:

Summarize the main points of the podcast

Discuss the lasting impact of the film on contemporary cinema

Encourage listeners to revisit the film or watch it for the first time.

Spider-man Home coming 2017 / Vulture connection / Birdman was made in 2014

Parallels in Babylon / Hollywood vs Broadway / Celebrity vs Actor / Super hero film

vs “real” acting

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