"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" is brutal.

"Birdman" transcends realism."Birdman" inaugurates a new genre of cinema: Brutalism.In "Birdman," Riggan (Michael Keaton) is a former superhero blockbuster movie star, the Birdman of the movie's title, trying to revive his career with a dose of acting reality.What better way than to direct and star in a stage adaptation of the Raymond Carver short story collection, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" (first published in 1981).The play is set to open in a few days at the St. James Theatre on Broadway when a falling stage spotlight knocks out one of the lead actors.Riggan's attorney for the show, (Zach Galifianakis) finds a replacement for the lead, a highly-regarded actor, Mike (Edward Norton), who soon develops an affinity for Riggan's daughter, Samantha (Emma Stone), fresh out of rehab. Not only Riggan's career is riding on the play's success. Lesley (Naomi Watts) and Laura (Andrea Riseborough) are also hoping for some good press and good reviews.Meanwhile, a voice inside Riggan's head beckons him to return to his Birdman role. A New York Times critic lays in wait to savage the play on opening night. And Riggan's ex-wife, Sylvia (Amy Ryan), shows up to remind him of scenes from their marriage."Birdman" is an astonishing piece of cinema of dizzying and raw emotion. The film is a fully immersive experience."Birdman" is a delicious treat for theater and movie buffs. It's a "fly on the wall" backstage show and sendup of contemporary media. The movie is sharp, devastatingly funny and filled with insights about human behavior and acting behavior, the entertainment business, the nature of celebrity, critics, good writing ("Tomorrow and tomorrow, "Macbeth," Act 5, Scene 5) and bad writing ("Oprah, Hallmark, R. Kelly")."Birdman" proffers an insider's view of show business, not unlike "Short Cuts" (1993) directed by Robert Altman and also based on Raymond Carver short stories. It embodies the existential angst of "Being John Malkovich" (1999) and, at times, the surrealism of Fellini."Birdman" director Alejandro Gonzélez Iñérritu ("Biutiful," 2010; "Babel," 2006) cowrote the "Birdman" screenplay with Nicolés Giacobone and Armando Bo (screenwriters, "Biutiful") and Alexander Dinelaris.Iñérritu, working with Director of Photography Emmanuel Lubezki ("Gravity," 2013), uses extremely long takes and amazing tracking shots, giving the film a real-time feel. "Birdman" is quite a technical achievement, as well as a testament to the actors' skills.The soundtrack of mainly snare and bass drum beats by Antonio Sanchez hastens the pulse of action, dialogue and the audience."Birdman" represents a transformative role for Keaton ("Beetlejuice," 1988; "Batman," 1989; "Batman Returns," 1992) in his first leading role since "The Merry Gentleman" (2008). Keaton mines his cinema persona: darting eyes, tentative mouth, toothy grin and emotional intensity.Stone ("Magic In The Moonlight," "The Amazing Spider-Man 2") hits this year's movie roles trifecta. She's again a revelation. Her big eyes convey an inner light that's transfixing. She seems incapable of a false moment.Norton ("The Grand Budapest Hotel," 2014; "Moonrise Kingdom," 2012) gives another one of his charming and alluring performances. He's flawless in his emotional honestly.Look for several Oscar nominations: actor for Keaton, supporting actress for Stone, supporting actor for Norton and cinematography for Lubezki."Birdman" is the kind of film that's fun to see and discuss afterward. It's so chockfull of trenchant dialogue, keen observations and wild scenes that you may want to see it more than once. I know I do."Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)," MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for language throughout, some sexual content and brief violence); Genre: Comedy, Drama; Run time: 1 hr., 59 min.; Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.Credit Readers Anonymous: In "Birdman" the BB Drum Beats were composed by Brian Blade.Box Office, Nov. 21: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" notched the year's biggest opening, $121.8 million, at No. 1. "Big Hero 6" held at No. 2, with $20.1 million, $135.7 million, three weeks. "Interstellar" held at No. 3, with $15.3 million, $120.9 million, three weeks. "Dumb and Dumber To" dropped from No. 1 to No. 4, with $14 million, $57.7 million, two weeks. "Gone Girl" continued at No. 5, with $2.8 million, $156.8 million, eight weeks;6. "Beyond The Lights," $2.6 million, $10.1 million, two weeks; 7. "St. Vincent," $2.2 million, $36.5 million, seven weeks; 8.. "Fury," $1.9 million, $79.1 million, six weeks; 9. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)," $1.8 million, $14.4 million, six weeks; 10. "The Theory Of Everything," $1.5 million, $2.8 million, three weeksUnreel, Nov. 28:"Horrible Bosses 2," R: Dale, Kurt and Nick decide to start their own business. How horrible can it be? Very horrible, apparently. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz star in the comedy."Penguins Of Madagascar," PG: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights and Benedict Cumberbatch, Annet Mahendru, Peter Stormare and John Malkovich provide the voices for the animation comedy."The Imitation Game," PG-13: Benedict Cumberbatch stars in what should be an Oscar actor nominated role as English mathematician Alan Turing who helps crack the Nazi Enigma code in World War II. Keira Knightley co-stars in the biography drama.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times-News web site, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein:

pwillistein@tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on facebook.Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes