Whiplash

How far would you go to be great?

"I push people beyond what's expected of them, I believe that's an absolute necessity"

Director: Damien Chazelle
Release Date: 2015
Rating: 15
Running Time: 100 mins
Genre: Thriller/Music/Drama
Starring: Miles Teller, JK Simmons

We all had that teacher growing up that we wanted to impress, but never once did we hear the words "Good Job" get spoken to us. Maybe we weren't good enough or maybe they just never took enough notice to realise what we are actually worth. For Shaffer professor and conductor Terrance Fletcher (Simmons), he believes that there are no two words in the English language more harmful. It get's to the point where you have to ask how far can a young talent be pushed to become great? Moreover, how far can a young talent push themselves before they end up falling over the edge? In this case, almost too far.

Set  at Chafer University, one of the top music universities in the world, a young drummer tries everything in his power to prove to his teacher that he can be one of the greats. He pushes himself and pushes himself until his hands bleed but still cannot gain any form of praise from his teacher nor meet with his overly high standards.You could question how good a film about a drummer could really be when presented in the form of a thriller, answer, very good indeed. Something about the directing, quick pace editing and punchy jazz symphonies made for a gripping watch indeed, so much so that the powerful song the young musicians are constantly forced to play, "WHIPLASH", can be heard every time the film gets mentioned.

Probably most famously know for his role as J.Jonah Jameson Jr in Sam Raimi's Spiderman, it's not unfair to say that JK Simmons hasn't really been the front man of any film, but that's all changed now as he's been awrded with not only the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor but an Accademy Award as well. The role of Terrence Fletcher, is not only a tough one to play, but it's also a very controversial one to view. Everyone who see's Whiplash is going to have there own opinion of the man, some may not like him, some will agree with him and others may just think he's an absolute arsehole. Anyway you look at it, one thing's for sure, JK Simmons sure can shout.

As well as Simmons performance being noticed for his talent, Miles Teller, soon to turn Mr Fantastic later in the year, is starting what appears to be a very good run in Hollywood and was completely brilliant in what could also be called a rather controversial role, alongside supporting actor JK. Having come from US teen party films, he's now entering a strong career of acting ahead of him. And having just hosted the "Sci-Tech" film awards along with Margot Robbing (The Wolf of Wall Street, Focus) he's becoming a very recognised face in popular film culture.

I think Whiplash is a film that all adults can enjoy. It's gripping, tense, frightening and in some parts even funny. An all round well made film that will stay with you for a long time. Thoroughly deserved awards, a fantastically made film.

9/10

Chef

Mouth-Wateringly Funny

Director: John Favreau
Release Date: 2014
Rating: 15
Running Time: 110 mins
Genre: Comedy
Starring: John Favreau, Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson

Take a slab of comedy, add a dash of style, a sprinkle of Latin music and finally a big off sandwich van and you've got John Favreau's feel good summer comedy Chef. This film stands out as one of the strongest feel good films of last year being both highly entertaining, heart warming and most of all mouth-wateringly funny.

When Chef Carl quits his job after refusing to work any longer for uptight restaurant owner Dustin Hoffman, he takes it upon himself; with the help of his son, best friend and fellow chef John Leguizamo, and of course twitter, to set up his own mobile sandwich business which might just have turned out to be the best move in his career.

Despite skipping the cinema and going straight to DVD in the UK, if you want a feel good comedy, inspiration of cooking and then this is certainly that fil. Though there's no real complexity to the plot, it's just a good time, simplistic and funny. As Favreau's directorial début it's fair to say he's got talent, with fantastic cinematography making the food look so tempting critics are naming it Food Porn. It was good to see Favreau bring in his Iron Man buddies as well to cameo, with the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr, he did pull together a fantastic cast. The chemistry on set between Favreau and his movie son Emjay Anthony was brilliant and I know most child actors never really go on to pursue an adult career in acting but for me, the young star almost stole the film.

Although in parts the humour can be slightly boystrous and somewhat crude, overall it's a very heart-warming family film that's worth giving a watch if you're in the mood for something light and entertaining. Slightly boystrous humour but overlly touching and inspiring. Just make sure you've eaten a good meal before hand as it'll build you up quite an appetite if watched on an empty stomach.

Fantastically feel good.

8/10