'Birdman' vs 'Boyhood' Oscar battle heats up after Spirit Awards

Birdman, a film by Alejandro G. Inarritu, won the best film Spirit Award by holding off fellow best picture Oscar nominees Boyhood, which was directed by indie icon Richard Linklater; Selma, which was directed by Ava 

If predictions hold up for this year's Academy Awards, Hollywood's biggest night could be described by two words that begin with "B": "Birdman" and "Boyhood." Of the eight nominees, those two films are expected to battle for Best Picture. "I would say

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — A day before it may soar at the Oscars, "Birdman" spread its wings at the 30th Independent Film Spirit Awards, winning best picture, best actor for Michael Keaton and best cinematography. The elegantly stitched together 

Emmanuel Lubezki, from left, Emma Stone, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu pose in the press room with the award for best feature for “Birdman” or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) at the 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015

There were many great, important, entertaining movies this year, some that got Best Picture nominations—Selma, Whiplash, and even Birdman—and then some that never stood a chance—Gone Girl, Guardians of the Galaxy, The LEGO Movie. But Boyhood is