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Whiplash (2014)

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:48 pm
by Leisher
Miles Teller and JK Simmons star in this film about a drummer and his teacher.

When this film ended I literally had this thought: "I loved it, yet didn't like it. I would watch it again."

The performances are fucking off the charts. Everyone brings their best efforts.

The story breaks down into two paths and I love how Miles' efforts are shown. I don't want to ruin anything, but damn do they hammer home what it takes to be great at something. The other path is the outside influence (JK's part).

That's where I felt a bit cheated. I wanted more of that relationship. Yes, the film is based on it, but I still felt like they didn't show it enough.

That leads me to my biggest complaint: The story takes a turn around 75% of the way through, and I didn't care for it. I feel like that moment robbed me of seeing more of the JK/Miles relationship. The ending gets us back to that point, but I felt like they made a mistake in the plot at that turning point. They should have stayed the course.

Highly recommended film, but be aware that it's a drama and they play jazz. The acting is worth the price of admission.

I've been a huge JK Simmons fan since his portrayal of J. Jonah Jamison, and then Cave Johnson, but this made me an even bigger fan.

Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 12:01 am
by Leisher
For some reason I can't stop thinking about this movie. I want to see it again.

When's the last time I said that about a character drama?

I don't even give a shit about jazz or drumming, but the acting is that good.

Whiplash

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 9:52 pm
by GORDON
Cave Johnson plays a drill-instructor-level-abuse jazz teacher at a new york music conservatory (college? idk).

This is a jazz movie and I don't like jazz, but i like sports movies so i figured I might like this too since I tend to like music biopics and stuff even if I don't care for the genre.

It was ok.

I knew exactly what the instructor style was, and I generally approve of that type of teaching method, but even then I was wondering if he was crossing that line.

The final "battle" was as intense as a Rocky fight.

It was funny because in one part the kid had to improvise, and I legit didn't know if he did a good job or not even though the audience reaction was clearly "no, that sucked." I just can't hear jazz. No idea what's good.