Oscars Countdown 2015 t-6 Days: Birdman

A washed up actor that once played a big budget superhero tries to takes his talents to Broadway stage. Michael Keaton performs fantastically in the role of Riggan/Birdman with amazing supporting performances by Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Zach Galifianakis (surprisingly good).

Thought to be the most beautifully shot movie of the year, the film is expected to pick up an Oscar for Cinematography. The movie was shot as to make it look like it was one continuous shot, but director Alejandro González Iñárritu did consider making the whole movie one whole shot. This film is truly a marvel and will be considered not only Michael Keaton’s shining moment but will show the possibilities that come with filming a movie. The movie is also tied with the most nominations, with The Grand Budapest Hotel, this film has the potential to be a big winner or on the losing end of upsets.

Reasons it could win:

• It won the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) which are very good predictors at who will win the Oscar
• Has picked up steam after a poor showing at the Golden Globes; their campaign to an Oscar has gotten a lot stronger with the awards, stated above, under their belts.
• One of the front runners in Cinematography, Directing, and Screenplay. If they are able to take home all three of these they are sure to win the Oscar.
• Michael Keaton could carry them to victory. With a three person race for best actor (Bradley Cooper and Eddie Redmayne are the other two) if the voters included in the Academy give Keaton the statue most likely they will be giving it to Birdman.

Reasons it could lose:

• It lost out to The Grand Budapest Hotel at the Golden Globes in an otherwise scarce category.
• Michael Keaton has an Oscar worthy performance but will most likely lose out.
• They lost the BAFTA to Boyhood, their biggest competitor
• Not receiving any help from any of the other nominated actors. Emma Stone and Edward Norton have not won any major awards for their performances.

Possible outcome:

There is a very good chance that Birdman comes from behind Boyhood and takes out the film that was once thought to be a sure thing. If Birdman wins, the directing and screenplay Oscar comes with it. If they don’t win they still take home cinematography and maybe screenplay.