Episode 4: Rated T for Turkey With Lukemia (Birdman)

In this week’s episode, Britney and Katie take a departure from the scary and walk in the ways of magical realism with the Oscar winning 2014’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) .

Director  Alejandro G. Iñárritu takes us on a journey of discovery and depression as we follow washed up but beloved actor Riggan (Michael Keaton, Batman, Spotlight, Much Ado About Nothing) try to be a “real actor” and make people forget his superhero stint as the title character with his new play on Broadway.

Along the way, his rivalry with brilliant but difficult “method” actor Mike (Edward Norton, American History X) tests not only the success of the production, but his relationship with his daughter and assistant, Sam (Emma Stone, LaLa Land, Superbad), his castmates Laura (Andrea Risenborough, Mandy) and Lesley (Naomi Watts, Mulhullond Drive, The Ring), his best friend and manager Jake (Zach Galifinakis, Between Two Ferns, The Hangover), and his supportive ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan, The Office).

FInancial security, carreer stability, and mental health are all at stake for Riggan and with the cracks starting to show, his alter-ego haunts him in the shadows of his mind.

Birdman was nominated for several Oscars and won for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Michael Keaton also won his first Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Shot in several long takes, the filming process was about as exhaustingly difficult as the play in the movie itself. The whole cast is filled with brilliant performances from the leads to cameos by real NYC theater actors.