I couldn't find a thread about this film, has anyone here seen it? I did last night, and it's far and away my favorite film of the year. Miles Teller, and especially J.K. Simmons absolutely knock it out of the park. What are your thoughts?
I've heard Oscar buzz for Simmons! I watched the trailer and thought it looked... compelling, but also with the possibility of being a little hokey. I guess you didn't find it hokey? All of these teacher/student against-all-odds dramas seem to find hokiness somewhere along the way.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
I was actually going to post about this. I caught this last night and it will wind up probably being one of my favorite films of the year. As the son of two band directors (and someone who was in band up until college), it is probably the best film about being part of a band ever made.
JK Simmons is absolutely incredible and I hope is remembered come Oscar time. I found him unbearable in The Spectacular Now, but Miles Teller is fantastic here. He gives a very physical and committed performance.
I kept thinking of Black Swan the entire time. The themes of obsession and wanting to be perfect at your craft definitely carry over. Although there are a few parts of the third act I didn't like (And found very unbelievable), the screenplay is very strong, as is the direction. The way the musical performances are filmed in particular is brilliant. Definitely worth seeking out.
Saw this today. I loved it. Simmons should definitely be on the shortlist for Supporting Actor.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Bumping because I saw this tonight. I thought the performances were good, but I'm really not sure how I felt about the movie. The parallel to Black Swan (another movie I didn't really care for) is a good one, because it felt increasingly unbelievable and off as it went on. I guess maybe it's a a parable or something, but I was mostly vexed by it.
Whiplash was my favorite film of the year. Although the story was farfetched, the performances more than made up for that. I'm only disappointed that Miles Teller didn't get nominated.
Whiplash was my favorite film to watch this Oscar Season. Really happy this little film has gained such so much love in the film industry. It's a pretty ambitious film and it probably has one of the most thrilling endings I have ever seen. I've never been much of a fan of Miles Teller, but he completely stood his ground up against soon to be Oscar winner JK Simmons.
Countdown til Jordan comes on raging about how much loves me! 3..2..1...
I agree about Miles Teller. After seeing Whiplash, I saw some of his previous work and wasn't impressed. However, I think his performance in Whiplash is nomination-worthy.
Yes, and I hope JK Simmons takes the triple crown!
Just watched this last night and loved it, though it did cause flashbacks to a specific college music instructor who was EXACTLY like the Simmons character (if not a little worse). Yeah, the car crash scenario was a bit extreme, but otherwise, the film depicted a situation that was quite realistic compared to my experience. I dropped out of the music program because of him (and other similar instructors in the program) realizing it was not at all what I wanted or expected. Some students simply expect it or even thrive from that sort of environment. I was not one of them.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian