Cinema

WHIPLASH (2014)

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What does it take to be the best? 20,000 hours? A single-minded focus? Total commitment? Obsession, a special kind of madness out of which genius is born. The pursuit of excellence becomes a compulsion for Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller). This type of dedication is bound to pay off, especially coupled with an unwavering tenacity.

Damien Chazelle directs this film about a student and his intense teacher. Andrew Neiman (Teller) is a talented drummer at a prestigious music college who has aspirations of being truly great and catches the eye of Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), the school’s top teacher who pushes Andrew to reach his highest potential.

Chazelle had tried to get funding for the film a few years back but wasn’t able to secure any so he made a short film out of his screenplay which won the Short Film Jury Award at Sundance in 2013 and subsequently managed to find the funding to make the feature.

The music is fantastic, hearing the tunes being played by the orchestra is a joy and the use of it, arranged and compiled by Justin Hurwitz is inspired.

Can we talk about the acting for a minute?

J.K. Simmonds (who richly deserved the Oscar win) has always been a sturdy, interesting actor that I have watched with joy since 1997, when HBO’s Oz was first released. His performance as Vern Schillinger, the leader of the Aryan brotherhood was incredible and since then he has had my vote. It’s great that he’s getting the recognition he so richly deserves; this is a career-defining role. As Terence Fletcher he pushes his performance to the limit playing a bully with a selfless goal. Miles Teller is given a great gift playing opposite him. Teller is talented young actor who commits 100% to this role, blood, sweat and tears. It’s also great to see Paul Reiser turn up as Andrew’s father and Melissa Benoist is perfect as Nicole.

The story-telling aspect was unexpected, and it unfolded in a slightly unconventional way and this, added to the acting, the music and editing, made it a very enjoyable film. This film won three Oscars this year, Best Supporting Actor (Simmonds), Best Sound Mixing (Craig Mann) and Best Editing (Tom Cross). Well deserved.

If you’re a jazz or music fan, check it out and if you’re a fan of interesting story-telling, check it out.

3.8/5

PRE-ORDER THE DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE

 

’71 (2014)

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A British soldier is separated from his unit during a riot in Belfast in 1971.

Jack O’Connell plays Gary Hook , the soldier in question, and his survival instincts and training kick in once he is on his own. Set on the front lines between an area that separates the Catholics and the Protestants, this is realized with accuracy and great design.

O’Connell continues to be one of my favorite actors du jour and delivers another brilliant, visceral performance to add to his canon. He was superb in Starred Up, I haven’t seen Unbroken yet but I would put money on another great piece of acting from him.

Support comes from the ever interesting Sean Harris as an undercover soldier Captain Sandy Browning, manoeuvring his way through a very volatile, dangerous situation. Paul Anderson is Sergeant Leslie Lewis, one of Browning’s team. Richard Dormer is Eamon. Australian Sam Reid plays the posh Lt Armitage. Killian Scott is Quinn and Sam Hazeldine is the C.O. David Wilmot plays Boyle, one of the locals and Babou Ceesay is Hook’s Corporal. Everyone is on point, committing 100% to bring the best work they can to this exciting rollercoaster ride.

It takes about 20 minutes for the action to kick in and is very exciting. The tension is ratcheted up and once the ride begins it doesn’t let up.

There are moments of sparse or no dialogue and they are utilized brilliantly, allowing the audience to feel what it must be like to be in such danger. The script is written with skill and economy by Gregory Burke. There are elements of Escape From New York, The Purge and even Homer’s Odyssey here and it works very well.

One of the film’s strengths is the fact that it doesn’t take sides, merely showing you both sides neither leaning to one side or the other. No-one is 100% bad or good, as in life there are contradictions and this elevates it from the usual war fare. Everyone has their reasons whether reasonable or not.

It was a time of unrest, a real war where everybody is affected one way or another. Politics is left out as is an anti or pro stance. War is ugly and makes people do all sorts of messed up things. The rules become different.

Directed with skill and considered pacing by Yann Demange who is making his debut as director, he previously directed the fantastic Dead Set and Top Boy for Channel 4. He is one to look out for.

Special mention must go to David Holmes for creating a soundtrack that perfectly complements the images and helps raise the tension at all the right parts.

A brilliant thriller that stands on its own two feet and arrives with confidence and assurance.

PRE-ORDER THE BLU RAY DVD HERE

PRE-ORDER THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE

3.8/5