Whiplash
Sony Pictures Classics
Rated R for profanity and some sexual references
Prodigy And Perfectionist Professor Square-Off In Mesmerizing Jazz Drama
19-year-old Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) got more than he bargained for when he entered the hallowed halls of mythical Shaffer Conservatory. The promising prodigy had reasonably expected what was arguably the best music school in the entire country to be the ideal place to pursue his ambition of a glorious career as a jazz drummer.
But, from the first day of class, he ends up under the thumb of Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an impatient perfectionist with a twisted teaching method. This Machiavellian professor’s approach involves not only belittling his students but pitting them against one another by making them compete for spots in the school’s elite performance band.
In Andrew’s case, he has to contend for the coveted drummer’s chair with both an upperclassman (Nate Lang) and a fellow newcomer (Austin Stowell). Meanwhile, he finds himself having to duck chairs being thrown at his head while simultaneously being called everything from a “retard” to a “pansy ass” to a “tonal catastrophe” by a taskmaster who rationalizes the abuse on the tough love theory that his job is “to push people beyond what was expected of them.”
A perverse relationship evolves in which Andrew willingly breaks up with his patient girlfriend (Melissa Benoist) and surrenders any semblance of a social life in order to “Practice! Practice! Practice!” for the sake of his Svengali-like coach. However, such a narrow, self-negating path gradually takes a toll on his body and soul, as evidenced by bloody, calloused hands and ensuing bouts of depression.
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle (Guy And Madeline On A Park Bench), Whiplash is a wonderfully-electrifying drama very much akin to an overcoming-the-odds sports saga. Yet, it might be better thought of as a novel variation on the protégé-mentor theme typified by such relatively benign offerings as The Emperor’s Club, Dead Poets Society and Mr. Holland’s Opus.
The groundbreaking adventure has already generated considerable Academy Award buzz, thanks to universal critical and popular acclaim. Look for veteran thespian J.K. Simmons to land a well-deserved nomination at the very least, but don’t be surprised if his co-star Teller and up-and-coming director to be reckoned with Chazelle are invited to Oscar night, too.
A compelling, coming-of-age tale about a lifelong dream-turned-never-ending nightmare all because of a sadistic studio bandleader from Hell!
Excellent (4 stars)
Running time: 107 minutes
Beyond The Lights
Relativity Media
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, suggestive gestures, partial nudity and matures themes
Screen Chemistry Abounds In Superstar-Bodyguard Romantic Romp
Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) has it all, or so it seems. After years of trying to make it, the emerging pop singer is finally on the brink of superstardom, thanks to several hit singles she recently released, duets with her famous rapper boyfriend, Kid Culprit (Machine Gun Kelly).
Nevertheless, when we meet Noni in the midst of a whirlwind tour of appearances on award shows, she’s secretly miserable and seriously considering suicide. That’s because every step of her assault on showbiz has been dictated by her abusive mother, Macy (Minnie Driver), the proverbial stage-mom from Hell.
Noni no longer recognizes her real self in the mirror underneath the purple hair extensions, the provocative wardrobe, and the phony smile that masks the hard cold truth about a vulnerable soul at the end of her rope. Then, just as she’s set to launch herself from the balcony of a penthouse suite at the posh Beverly Hills Hotel, fate intervenes in the person of Kaz (Nate Parker), the quick-thinking LAPD officer assigned to protect her from the paparazzi and overzealous fans.
Springing into action, he grabs an arm and pulls Noni back over the rail. Now that she has been afforded a second chance at life, one can’t help but wonder whether she’ll wise up and declare her independence from her miserable misanthrope of a mother? Or, will she notice that the right man for her might be the handsome hunk with bulging biceps who saved the day, even if he’s not a rich celebrity like the unreliable bad-boy she’s currently dating?
These are the foremost questions subsequently explored by Beyond The Lights, a steamy romantic romp written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life Of Bees and Love & Basketball). Don’t be duped into thinking that you’ve seen this same story somewhere before, given how the plot is vaguely reminiscent of Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s The Bodyguard (1992).
Beyond The Lights unfolds in unique fashion. This amorous tale of female empowerment might be better thought of as an engaging blend of hip-hop performances and soap opera drama that’s at its best when leads Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker generate beaucoup chemistry while sharing the screen.
Love in the time of hip-hopera!
Very Good (3 stars)
Running time: 116 minutes
OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam’s Kapsules:
For movies opening November 14, 2014
Dumb And Dumber To (PG-13 for crude humor, profanity, sexuality, partial nudity and drug references) Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their iconic roles as dimwitted BFFs to embark on another eventful road trip rife with lowbrow hijinks. Featuring Kathleen Turner, Rob Riggle and Laurie Holden.
Foxcatcher (R for brief violence and drug use) Crime blotter biopic recounting the real-life murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schulz (Mark Ruffalo) by John du Pont (Steve Carell), his paranoid-schizophrenic coach and multimillionaire benefactor. Co-starring Channing Tatum, Vanessa Redgrave and Sienna Miller.
Drug Lord: The Legend Of Shorty (Unrated) Ten Most Wanted documentary recounting the international manhunt for the ruthless, Mexican cartel kingpin known as El Chapo.
The Homesman (R for violence, sexuality, nudity and disturbing behavior) Tommy Lee Jones wrote, directed and stars in this adaptation of the Glendon Swarthout novel of the same name, set in the Wild West, about a convicted claim jumper who teams up with a spinster (Hilary Swank) to escort a trio of insane women (Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto and Sonja Richter) from Nebraska to a mental home in Iowa. With Meryl Streep, Hailee Steinfeld, John Lithgow, James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson and William Fichtner.
Levitated Mass (Unrated) “How did they do that?” documentary detailing the installation of a dangling 340-ton granite boulder wedged over a walkway in the L.A. County Museum by Michael Heizer as a work of art.
A Merry Friggin’ Christmas (PG-13 for profanity and violence) Dark comedy about an estranged father (Robin Williams) and son (Joel McHale) who grudgingly share an eight-hour road trip to retrieve forgotten Christmas presents. Support cast includes Candice Bergen, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Clark Duke, Oliver Platt and Lauren Graham.
Miss Meadows (Unrated) Katie Holmes stars as the title character in this crime drama as a syrupy sweet schoolmarm who moonlights afterhours as a gun-toting vigilante. Featuring James Badge Dale, Callan Mulvey, Stephen Bishop and Tyler Corbet.
Occupy The Farm (Unrated) Eco-friendly documentary about a California Bay Area community’s effort to preserve parcels of public land for urban agriculture.
Red Army (PG for mild epithets and mature themes) Cold War documentary highlighting the exploits of the Soviet Army’s hockey team, the most successful sports dynasty in history.
Rosewater (Unrated) The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart makes his directorial debut with this adaptation of journalist Maziar Bahari’s (Gael Garcia Bernal) memoir about being imprisoned and tortured in Iran for months for merely reporting the truth about the country’s rigged presidential election. With Claire Foy, Golshifteh Farahani and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
Saving Christmas (PG for mature themes) Faith-based film chronicling the efforts of a frustrated family man (Kirk Cameron) determined to put Jesus back at the center of his family’s holiday celebration. Co-starring Bridgette Cameron, Darren Doane, Raphi Henly and Ben Kientz.
Starry Eyes (Unrated)Hollywood horror flick about an aspiring actress (Alex Essoe) who strikes a deal with the devil in exchange for fame and fortune. With Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan and Fabianne Therese.
The Toy Soldiers (Unrated) Ensemble drama revolving around a quintet of coming-of-age tales set during an era marked by sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll and unfolding over the course of one evening. Cast includes Najarra Townsend, Constance Brenneman, Chandler Rylko, Jeanette May Steiner and Samuel Nolan.
