By Robert Gagnon
There were two movies from 2014 that clearly stood out to me amongst all the rest and were my absolute favorite films of the year. The films that I'm referring to are Whiplash and the Academy Award winner for Best Picture…Birdman. Both films include jazz scores are very much in the jazz spirit.
Whiplash is about a promising young drummer named Andrew, played by Miles Teller, who is motivated to be the best, dedicated to learn, and willing to pursue his goals. The only thing holding him back or (helping to push him along) is his intimidating, ruthless, convincingly terrifying instructor Terence Fletcher played by J.K. Simmons in his Academy Award winning performance. The movie takes you into the competitive world of music school and shows you the patience, practice, and discipline it takes to play an instrument.
"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job". --- Terence Fletcher
Director Damien Chazelle put his own musical experiences into the script that focused on the actually process of making music that many other musical films lack. There were many hints of other great films within it such as the verbal abuse reminded me of Glengarry Glen Ross. Scenes of the blood dripping from the drums and drumsticks reminded me of the blood dripping off the ropes in Raging Bull.
Birdman has a terrific ensemble cast, a clever yet funny script, and fast paced direction. The movie is about a washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero. Michael Keaton plays the character Riggan Thomson, who is trying to establish himself as a true actor while battling his ego and trying to maintain a career and family while starring in, directing, and producing a Broadway play.
"Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige". --- Mike Shiner
There are plenty of memorable scenes including Ed Norton's character Mike having an erection on stage to the star of the movie flying in the air around the streets of New York. My favorite scenes are the ones with Riggan talking to his daughter Sam played by Emma Stone, to me those scenes displayed so much realism and emotion. Birdman also explains perfectly how the film industry is currently just dishing out super hero films and sequels left and right and are slowly losing their artistic expression.
Both movies are now currently available to rent and/or buy.
Whiplash is about a promising young drummer named Andrew, played by Miles Teller, who is motivated to be the best, dedicated to learn, and willing to pursue his goals. The only thing holding him back or (helping to push him along) is his intimidating, ruthless, convincingly terrifying instructor Terence Fletcher played by J.K. Simmons in his Academy Award winning performance. The movie takes you into the competitive world of music school and shows you the patience, practice, and discipline it takes to play an instrument.
"There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job". --- Terence Fletcher
Director Damien Chazelle put his own musical experiences into the script that focused on the actually process of making music that many other musical films lack. There were many hints of other great films within it such as the verbal abuse reminded me of Glengarry Glen Ross. Scenes of the blood dripping from the drums and drumsticks reminded me of the blood dripping off the ropes in Raging Bull.
Birdman has a terrific ensemble cast, a clever yet funny script, and fast paced direction. The movie is about a washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero. Michael Keaton plays the character Riggan Thomson, who is trying to establish himself as a true actor while battling his ego and trying to maintain a career and family while starring in, directing, and producing a Broadway play.
"Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige". --- Mike Shiner
There are plenty of memorable scenes including Ed Norton's character Mike having an erection on stage to the star of the movie flying in the air around the streets of New York. My favorite scenes are the ones with Riggan talking to his daughter Sam played by Emma Stone, to me those scenes displayed so much realism and emotion. Birdman also explains perfectly how the film industry is currently just dishing out super hero films and sequels left and right and are slowly losing their artistic expression.
Both movies are now currently available to rent and/or buy.