Movies I'm looking forward to in the fall of 2014: 'Birdman'

I think we can all agree that fall is the finest time of year, and it has little to do with falling leaves or carven pumpkins. Mostly it's because the summer movie season is over and studios get serious about pandering for Oscars, which means they release the most potentially interesting movies of the year.

This year, that doesn't quite apply because, let's face it, it's already been a pretty good year for movies and the first leaf hasn't even hit the ground yet. Personally, I've already seen "Edge of Tomorrow," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "Captain Amercia: The Winter Soldier," "The Lego Movie," "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Snowpiercer," and though none of them would be considered awards bait (except maybe "Budapest,") I have little doubt they'll wind up being among the best movies of this year -- and a few of them would rank as the best movie in most years (including "Budapest).

But that doesn't mean there's nothing promising on the horizon. For instance...
"Birdman"I've written about this movie before, but the buzz has gotten even louder since then. "Birdman" had a press screening in Venice, and the reaction has been pretty damned stellar. Peter Debruge of Variety, for instance, called it “a triumph on every creative level, from casting to execution, that will electrify the industry, captivate arthouse and megaplex crowds alike, send awards pundits into orbit and give fresh wings to Keaton’s career." (Read more reaction here.) Sounds promising, right?  Now check out this trailer...



... and tell me the idea of an actor who played a superhero trying to jump-start his career (and possibly save his life) with a Broadway show doesn't hold plenty of potential. Then figure in the fact that that actor is being played by the great Michael Keaton and step back and consider the potential genius of the entire project. (Imagine, for a moment, watching Keaton walk on the stage to accept his Oscar...) Sure, it could fall on its face (though I doubt it will), but even if it does fail, a movie with this much potential can't help but fail gloriously. Something like this, so out there and yet so potentially powerful, it's the reason I go see movies in the first place.

Next: Another period piece from PTA