Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I normally like "indie"-type films, so don't confuse me with the mindless rabble who press through turnstiles to be blindsided by special effects or cheap "take-it-in-the-groin" guffaws. Birdman tries hard to be profound and touching, but you know that something is seriously wrong with a film when the most interesting thing about it is that "one continuous shot, no cutaways" gimmick. I found myself focusing almost entirely on the camerawork, with the story bumping and buzzing into my ear like a horsefly at a picnic--never a good sign. By the end of a great movie, one should feel somewhat transformed by the experience as he heads toward the exit, having something substantive to mentally gnaw on during the ride home. This film just felt like indigestion. It exemplifies the worst of show business self-referencing, self-pitying, self-congratulating drivel, and the fact that it won the Oscar for Best Picture is just frosting on the Hollywood-selfie cake. I could have sympathized with the protagonist more easily had he showed one iota of actual artistic talent, but I saw no evidence of it in the story. He whines about not getting his just due and throws temper tantrums. Why should I care about this person? In fact, I couldn't empathize with a single character in the film. They are all self-serving flakes! And even if that's the point, why would I want to spend 2 hours in a dark theater with them? I saw Birdman on the recommendation of Rotten Tomatoes, but wish I had come to this Amazon page first. The extra star is simply for the camerawork--the only star of the show.