By Andrew Russell
LifeAtStart.com reporter

Birdman surrounds a play made and starred in by Riggan, a once beloved celebrity who played a superhero in the late 80’s and early 90’s, as he struggles to bring together a Broadway play as a last attempt at relevance and what he considers to be true art.

Have you ever watched a movie and realized that the scene you’re watching is being done in one take, with no cutaways? Imagine having that feeling right at the beginning of a movie. And five or ten minutes later you realize it still hasn’t cutaway. And then you realize it still hasn’t cutaway. And then after about an hour with still no cutaways, you decide to take the movie for what it is, which is a two hour single-shot movie.

That’s Birdman.

Let’s start with the most apparent aspect of this film, which is the directing style. While the movie isn’t literally one shot, it’s edited perfectly to look so. It would’ve been impossible to do it as a literal one-shot film since it spans New York city streets over the course of a couple days. The scale of this movie is simply too large to have it be one shot, but that shouldn’t take anything away from Birdman. Many of the scenes were done in one take and lasted about 15 minutes, and when they weren’t the movie earns extra points for making it appear as if they’re done in one take. Only one movie has been done in one shot that I know of, it’s an Italian film that follows a man around a museum. I’d rather watch Birdman.

Since this movie surrounds a play, it’s fitting to have it be one shot. It makes the movie ebb and flow in ways I can’t compare to anything else. The flow makes the character interaction seem natural and random rather than set up. It makes you feel like a stagehand on the set of the play, and you have a front-row seat to these people’s lives.

Riggan, who this movie predominantly follows, is played by Michael Keaton, who played Batman in the 80’s and early 90’s. With this in mind, you have to wonder how much of himself Keaton put into this role, as he and the character both portrayed legendary superheroes making them legendary at the time as well.

Riggan’s internal struggles are much more real with him dealing with his ego, his fears, and his doubts with the work he’s doing, which force him to face the question of whether to sell out and become the loved superhero once again, or strive for what he sees as art in his play and the theater. His external struggles come mostly in the form of other characters around him. His daughter Sam, who is played by Emma Stone, and Mike, who is played by Edward Norton, cause him the most anguish on set.

Sam and Mike are both diverse and bring out two different sides in the main character Riggan. Sam shows the part of Riggan that wants to be relevant again, since Riggan was not there for his daughter when she was younger, and now that he tries to be he is often dismissed as he is in the media. Mike Represents the part of Riggan that wants to keep his dignity and become a true actor on stage rather than sell out and become Birdman again.

The internal struggle of relevance is personified a few times throughout the movie as Riggan hears the voice of Birdman in the back of his head whenever he’s alone. The voice makes you question Riggan’s sanity, as it should.

There are many moments where you’re not sure whether or not this movie is fantasy. It’s all part of the experience, and these moments symbolize many of the themes that this movie fits into it.

All this being said, I’ll say that Birdman is worthy of its Oscar win for best picture and Golden Globe win for best comedy.

Contact Andrew Russell at [email protected]

By Joely Fry

LifeAtStart.com Reporter

We’ve all heard of ‘screamo music’, and all the stereotypes of it. It’s just yelling or screaming, no one can understand what they’re saying, it’s satanic music. That’s not true.

They’re using their voices just like an instrument or singing highs and lows. The fans know what they’re saying, and a lot of these ‘evil’ songs are actually about serious, and emotional things if you look into the lyrics.

Also, saying this music has any relation to the devil, when you listen to rap, is not okay. In the beginning of the song Faded by Tyga, a voice says “be nice to satan,” and the voice in Mercy by Kanye West has a reference to Matthew 13:42 in the bible, about gnashing and weeping when being sent to hell. Bands like Of Mice and Men, and Pierce The Veil have songs about personal things.

Second and Sebring buy OMM is about the vocalist, Austin Carlile’s mother passing away. She died from a connective tissue disorder, Marfan Syndrome, which he also has. In the song he says “This is not what it is, only baby scars. I need your love like a boy needs his mother’s side,” referring to his surgery scar from Marfans.

I’ve personally met people effected by OMM. I’ve seen them in concert and met a reviewer who enjoyed the band. In between sets, he told me their music had been his outlet when he was going through a hard time. “They saved my life, literally. And as another fan, know that I’m always here for you and I love you. Always stay strong, for me and for them,” he said before hurrying to finish his review.

Pierce the Veil has a song called Bulls in the Bronx, about a fan who committed suicide. Her friends contacted the band and Vic Fuentes (vocalist) wrote the sone for her. They often write for her, and to all of their fans. The members always make it clear that they care about their fans and are always there for them. The band is also involved with To Write Love On Her Arms.

This genre may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s some people’s inspiration, way of expression, and even life line. I have been to many concerts for a lot of different genres, but I can say these fans are the best. They’re the most dedicated and moved by the music. The overall environment is more powerful and the artists genuinely appreciate every person in the crown.

These bands are not demonic or evil. Even if you dislike the sound, do a little research before you claim to know what it’s about.

Contact me at: [email protected]

Hallie Landis

LifeAtStart.com Reporter

I consider myself an avid reader. Reading has made an impact on my life in so many ways. This hobby has helped open my eyes to another world of possibilities. It has helped me realize my true passion, writing. I aspire to be an author as my career. Words matter, whether spoken or written, that is my motto. I aim to make an impact on somebody’s life using just those.

My all time favorite genre of books has always been fiction. Fiction-based novels, I believe, are what every high school student should get into. I want others to have and share their own experiences with certain books that really choose them in a way. Books have the ability to change people for the better. I want people to feel their own satisfaction after picking up just one book. That’s all it takes.

Reading provides a form of escapism. Books embody perfect barriers from reality. Each and every story I have delved into have their own unique experiences.

I always feel empowered after finishing each book. This feeling has helped inspire me to become a better version of myself, which gives me the utmost satisfaction.

Certain stories can make anyone feel invincible. The books I read have become my ultimate shield. Books should be used as everyone’s shield because one thing that cannot be taken away is your knowledge. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon you can use against anyone.

Reading makes me who I am. My future was always hidden between the lines of every book I got my hands on, now I am just embracing it. Can you?

Feel free to contact me at: [email protected]

A couple weeks ago the groundhog saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter. With the cold weather lingering, there’s nothing better than eating some yummy food to keep you warm inside. Below is a chili recipe that is sure to knock your socks off — figuratively of course.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

4 tablespoons chili powder

1 ½ teaspoons cumin

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons Franks Red Hot

1 large onion

6 Jalapeño peppers

1 can chili beans

2 cans whole tomatoes

Directions:

1. Brown the ground beef, drain grease off, add spices. Fill the pot with water to ¾ of the way full.
2. Bring to a boil, let simmer one hour.
3. Add in the 2 cans whole tomatoes, 1 can chili beans, and 6 minced jalapenos.
4. Bring to a boil, let simmer for one hour.

History:

According to Wikipedia, in Spanish the word chile from the Nahuatl “chīlli” refers to a “chili pepper”, and carne is Spanish for “meat”.

The original recipe consisted of dried beef, suet, dried chili peppers and salt, which were pounded together, formed into bricks and left to dry, which could then be boiled in pots on the trail.

The San Antonio Chili Stand, in operation at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, helped people taste and appreciate chili. San Antonio was a tourist destination and helped Texas-style chili con carne spread throughout the South and West. Chili con carne is the official dish of the U.S. state of Texas as designated by the House Concurrent Resolution Number 18 of the 65th Texas Legislature during its regular session in 1977.

While the name is redundant, it is sure to keep you warm on those chilly days.

Contact Rysa at [email protected]