Mrebo said:
Had an evening at the charming AFI theater and I recommend both movies:
Birdman - Michael Keating looks like he's having fun. Not a very grounded movie which makes it feel light for a movie that seems like it is trying to be deep. I like that. I'm not wild about the ending, which isn't bad but didn't really do anything.
The Imitation Game - Engaging as DominicCobb says. Keira Knightley doesn't serve much of a purpose which is only aggravated by how absent she is from the movie. I'd rather watch Cumberbatch anyway... [awkward segue]... The spotlight is swiveled to political messaging a bit heavy-handedly in a way that detracts from the focus of the movie, particularly at the end in a postscript, but I don't think many viewers will notice or care. Some creative liberties are easily forgiven, like the name of his machine which serves to highlight his personal struggle.
'Birdman' was a lot of fun but as you say the ending was a bit "Shrug?". Ending on the stage or at the window would have had more impact IMO. Just as I decided to see 'The Imitation Game' my local cinema stopped showing it, sigh.
FYI: For anybody thinking of seeing the new Hawking movie and also wanting to see another superb Cumberbatch performance then check out 2004's BBC drama 'Hawking', to see Benedict school Eddie Redmayne in how to play the part. It's on youtube...