Whiplash makes me not wanna work, I just wanna bang on the drum all day

Think a movie about music couldn’t possibly keep you on the edge of your seat, gasping for breath by its final frame? Hoo boy. You have no idea what you're in for. Whiplash is an absolute powerhouse of a film. It’ll keep you riveted from beginning to end. By its masterful conclusion, you’ll feel like you might drop from exhaustion in the best way possible.

Andrew Nieman (Miles Teller) has a major passion for drumming and jazz. He attends Shaffer Conservatory in New York, the finest music school in the entire country, and spends every waking moment dreaming of being 'one of the greats,' like his hero Buddy Rich. His dreams are put to the test when he meets one of the institution's most infamous conductors Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who recruits Andrew as an alternate drummer for his Studio Band. Fletcher is determined to bring out the best in his students, by any means necessary. And I mean by any means necessary. No matter what kind of physical and mental turmoil he inflicts, Fletcher’s convinced he’s working towards achieving a greater good. Andrew is caught directly in his spotlight and the two engage in a psychological battle of the ages that will leave Andrew bruised and battered both physically and emotionally. You’ll feel exactly the same way by the time the end credits roll.

Whiplash’s plot is simple and it hits a lot of familiar beats (did you see what I did there? Beats. Like it’s a…never mind), but presents them in such a fresh and compelling way that you’ll never know exactly what’s going to happen. It's a drama in the guise of a thriller and its levels of intensity rival those of even the most suspenseful films. Writer/Director Damien Chazelle, still in his twenties, already exhibits a mastery of his craft that most seasoned directors can’t even lay claim to. Every frame bursts with energy, some of which boils beneath the surface before unleashing its full fury.

As great as Chazelle’s work is, what carries this film off into the stratosphere is the talent in front of the camera. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons give two of the most enthralling performances of their careers. Teller is one of this generation’s finest young actors and he continues to show his diversity as a performer. I’m amazed he’s been so ignored this awards season; this is one of 2014’s best performances, hands down. Of course, as we’re all well aware, J.K. Simmons is the guy to beat for the Best Supporting Actor category and now that I’ve finally seen Whiplash there’s no question as to why that's the case. Simmons is one of the decade's best on-screen villains thus far. I was so on edge every time he was on screen and I loved every moment of it. It’s a stunning performance and I’m so thrilled Simmons is finally getting his due. (Hey, there's a reason Sony's reluctant to include J. Jonah Jameson in their abysmal Amazing Spider-Man franchise - they know they'll never top Mr. Simmons, and rightfully so)

Whiplash is mesmerizing, hypnotizing, thrilling, funny, painful, and totally exhilarating. Really, I can't come up with enough adjectives to describe how great it is. It deserves every bit of the praise and attention it’s getting this awards season and even more so. It's easily earned its place amongst my favorite films of 2014, which is just about the highest honor any movie can receive, and I can’t wait to see what Chazelle does next. Whiplash is back in select theaters to get a quick Box Office boost from its recent Oscar nominations. Get out there and see it as soon as you can!

FINAL RATING: 5/5

American Sniper Isn't Quite the Sharpshooter We Hoped For

Throughout his four tours in the Iraq War, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle accumulated 160 confirmed kills out of 255 probable kills, making him the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. He received numerous medals and commendations for his bravery and services and in 2013 was murdered by one of the many war veterans he had devoted his post-war career to helping. Many of his accomplishments are referenced in Clint Eastwood’s biopic, which is based on Kyle’s memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. Sadly, a feeling of disingenuousness hangs over the proceedings due to a mediocre screenplay and uninspired direction. Despite an excellent performance from Bradley Cooper, American Sniper is a major disappointment.

The plot unfolds in predictable fashion. We’re treated to a brief glimpse of Kyle’s childhood in Texas where, of course, a parental figure imparts some divine wisdom on him which will inspire his character for the remainder of the movie. We see Kyle’s fledgling career as a bronco rodeo rider and his decision to join the Navy SEALS. He meets his wife at a bar shortly thereafter in an awkwardly portrayed ‘meet-cute’ scenario that feels pulled from the pages of countless other sequences of the same make and model. Before too long, Kyle is swept off to war and it’s here that the movie finds its wobbly stride.

Eastwood’s direction is most impressive during the action sequences, in which we witness the intensity and violence of Kyle’s four tours and his impeccable skill on the battlefield. But for all the bloodshed displayed on screen, American Sniper feels unusually bloodless. It’s a by-the-numbers biopic, jumping from one moment to the next, never bothering to color in any of the details along the way. There are so many scenes where some random character reminds Kyle about all the amazing things he’s done over the course of his career as a SEAL, but we never get to experience any of these moments with him. The cinematic mantra ‘Show, don’t tell,’ is broken far too often and as a result we’re treated to far too many instances of ‘Remember when…’ that would have carried far greater impact if we’d actually seen them.

Maybe the ‘telling’ wouldn’t be so bad if Jason Hall’s screenplay wasn’t filled with such awful dialogue. Hall has plunged into the deepest depths of army biopic clichés and emerged with the motherload. He hits every major biopic bullet point, including a love interest who nags and grates and cries throughout the movie, without ever coming into her own as a fully formed character. It’s hard to get invested in these characters when everything they say carries the gravitas of a play written by a high schooler. Of course, Sienna Miller playing the part of Kyle’s wife is the biggest victim here. Forced into a role as the film’s melodramatic center, she does what little she can to keep things afloat, despite a stunning lack of material to work with. Other supporting characters are just blurred lines in the background with nary a personality to differentiate them from one another.

It may be a decent effort, but American Sniper can’t shake an overall vibe of artificiality. Bradley Cooper tries to pull the rest of the film up to his level – his performance is the only thing that feels genuine in the entire movie - but try as he might, he can’t hide Hall’s second-rate script and Eastwood’s stagnant direction. It’s not that the movie’s horrible; it really isn’t. It just feels so passionless. It never delves beyond a surface level and spends more time telling us how great Kyle was rather than actually showing us why. Clint Eastwood is a living legend and a great filmmaker, but this is definitely one of his weaker efforts.

FINAL RATING: 3/5

Catching Up on 2014's Best and Brightest: Selma

In March of 1965, approximately 600 proponents of the civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. This march was a major landmark in the fight for racial equality and was capped by President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which reinforced Americans’ right to vote, regardless of color or creed. It’s a remarkable story and a significant moment in U.S. history. In her third feature film, director Ava DuVernay depicts in unflinching detail the events leading up to the march from Selma to Montgomery and the struggles faced by the community who fought for equality in a tumultuous time period. Selma is heart-wrenching and unforgettable. That one can say its subject matter feels relevant in our current day and age is disturbing to say the least. In the wake of the events involving Ferguson and Staten Island, Selma’s release doesn’t just feel timely, it feels necessary.

DuVernay effectively captures the tension of these events and the bravery of the men and women who stood up in the face of adversity at great risk to their lives. The performances are strong across the board – Carmen Ejogo is superb as Coretta, Dr. King’s wife; Tim Roth is almost too good as the governor who fights off racial equality at every turn George Wallace. But it's David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Oyelowo expertly captures both Dr. King’s inspiring presence and his vulnerability. Dr. King was not so great as to be above fault, something he was well aware of himself, and Oyelowo’s performance aided by DuVernay’s direction and Paul Webb’s screenplay keeps his humanity in sharp focus. It’s one of 2014’s finest performances.

Selma is not without its faults. DuVernay’s direction is admirable, but feels a tad routine at times, lacking in inspiration. Likewise, Webb’s commendable screenplay can’t fully resist over-reliance on a few storytelling tropes that seem to be synonymous with the ‘based on a true story’ genre. Some embellishments, such as conflicts between characters that feel a bit too contrived, take away from the authenticity and strength of the story. It’s a shame because the story and the events portrayed are powerful enough without these trappings.

Despite these minor squabbles, the overall impact of Selma is undeniable. Ignore the superfluous arguments regarding supposed historical inaccuracies; these do not dim the overall impact of the film in any way, nor do they distract from the overall significance of its message. Selma might not be 2014's best film, but it is arguably one of its most important. A definite must-see.

FINAL RATING: 4/5

Shawn Eastridge's Fantastically Spectacular Favorite Movies of 2014 Part 3: Favorite Films of the Year Vol. 2

And here we are, ladies and gentlemen! I'd like to personally congratulate each and every one of you for making it this far. This is the big finale, the moment you've all been waiting for! Starting with #10 and moving our way up, here, at long last, are my…

TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2014

("You don't think it's too subtle, Marty, you don't think people are going to drive down and not see the sign?")

10. SNOWPIERCER

Arguably the most original action film of 2014. Joon-ho Bong is an amazing filmmaker and he continues to prove himself as such with this thrilling and unforgettable experience. Gotta love Tilda Swinton as a total nut.

9. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

The eighth film in the Planet of the Apes franchise is arguably the best of the bunch. It's a stunning achievement on nearly every level, deepening the themes and characters of its predecessor. The effects are extraordinary, but even more impressive is just how affecting the story is. Matt Reeves is quickly becoming one of the best directors of this day and age and Andy Serkis continues to cement himself as one of the greatest actors ever.

8. EDGE OF TOMORROW

One of the most unfairly overlooked movies of the year, Edge of Tomorrow is also one of 2014’s most original, both exciting and consistently entertaining. Think Groundhog’s Day meets sci-fi action super kickass extravaganza and you'll start to get the idea, but even that description doesn't do full justice to how awesome it is. It's nice to see both Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman back on track after a string of disappointments.

7. GONE GIRL

Another hypnotizing thriller from David Fincher. Based on Gillian's Flynn superb novel, Gone Girl functions as both a black comedy of the highest order and a taut, well-spun mystery with amazing performances from Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and the rest of the supporting cast. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross craft another incredible soundtrack and Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography is some of his best work yet.

6. THE LEGO MOVIE

So much energy, so much heart, so much fun. The Lego Movie is hilarious and even finds the time to be incredibly touching. One of the best animated movies I’ve ever seen.

5. CHEF

Simple, hilarious, and immensely charming, Jon Favreau takes a break from big budget filmmaking to deliver one of the finest films of his career and one of 2014’s most endearing. In some ways, it feels like a successor to the great Jimmy Stewart/Frank Capra collaborations, and that's quite an achievement.

4. CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER

Everyone's still going gaga for Guardians of the Galaxy and rightfully so, but I firmly believe the award for best Marvel movie of 2014 belongs to the Captain. Captain America: Winter Soldier takes the Marvel franchise into exciting new territory, deservedly meriting comparisons to Christopher Nolan's masterpiece The Dark Knight. It also stands tall as one of the year’s finest action flicks. Captain America: Winter Soldier continues Marvel Studios' winning streak, upping the stakes for the entire Marvel franchise and further developing its characters.

3. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Nobody makes ‘em like Wes Anderson and he continues to prove this point, following up his 2012 masterpiece Moonrise Kingdom with yet another work of genius. Incredible performances from one of the best casts Anderson has ever assembled (and that's saying a lot) matched with one of his best screenplays and trademark unforgettable imagery. Anderson has an unparalleled imagination (gotta love his use of different aspect ratios to indicate different time periods) and The Grand Budapest Hotel serves as further proof that he is one of the great artistic minds of our time.

2. BIRDMAN

I adore Birdman with all my being. On every level, from Alejandro González Iñárritu's direction and the unparalleled work of cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki to the incredible cast, which features the likes of Michael Keaton (giving a career-defining performance), Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts; from one of the best screenplays of the year to Antonio Sanchez's jazz-infused whirlwind of a soundtrack, Birdman is an indisputable masterpiece and one of the single most remarkable films I have ever seen. Hilarious and heartbreaking.

1. BOYHOOD

And now we come to it, a film that has the power to invoke more hyperboles than every other movie released in 2014 combined (or perhaps the entire century thus far). And yet, there's no other way to put it, because in the entire history of film there is simply nothing quite like Boyhood. Filmed over the course of 12 years, following the life of a young boy and his family, Boyhood is a singular cinematic experience and a celebration of life, rejoicing in the little moments that make us who we are. Richard Linklater has made quite a few remarkable films in his career, but this stands as one of his finest moments and perhaps the crowning achievement of his entire filmography.

And there you have it! Agree? Disagree? Something in-between? I'd love to hear about it! Thanks so much for checking out my favorite films of 2014. We'll see you in Sweden!…er…2015!

Shawn Eastridge's Fantastically Spectacular Favorite Movies of 2014 Part 2: Favorite Films of the Year Vol.1

And we're back! Thanks for dropping by. I believe you already know the drill, so let's push off, shall we? Starting with #20 and working our way up, here are my…

FAVORITE FILMS OF 2014 VOL. 1 

(#20-11)

20. FOXCATCHER

Foxcatcher manages to keep you on the edge of your seat despite its lack of compelling storytelling and an almost glacial pace thanks to some strong direction and incredible performances. It’ll keep you riveted even when it feels like absolutely nothing is happening.

19. INTERSTELLAR

Christopher Nolan bounces back from the disaster that was The Dark Knight Rises with this stunning work of sci-fi splendor. Interstellar falls apart in its third act, but its visual majesty and emotional impact cannot be denied, the latter thanks to another winning performance from Matthew McConaughey.

18. JOHN WICK

Keanu Reeves is back with a vengeance in this blood soaked, action-packed extravaganza. Screenwriter Derek Kolstad keeps this revenge flick simple and to the point and Chad Stahelski’s direction is fast-paced and stylish without resorting to shaky-cam clichés of other less impressive action fare. The fight choreography is some of the best you’ll see from a movie released in 2014.

17. TOP FIVE

Chris Rock is without question one of the most gifted comedians of…well...ever. With Top Five, he proves he’s got the chops to make it as a writer/director too. Channeling the spirit of Woody Allen sans pretentiousness, Rock’s latest effort is charming and hilarious.

16. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

This long-awaited sequel might not be as strong as its predecessor, but that's not really a complaint. After all, the first How to Train Your Dragon set the bar so high, it’s no surprise this one doesn’t quite measure up. Regardless, this excellent sequel manages to satisfy by deepening the themes and characters, and it's not afraid to delve a bit more into the darkness as well. It stands tall amongst its animated brethren. Bring on number 3!

15. THE IMITATION GAME

Benedict Cumberbatch gives a powerful performance in Morten Tyldum’s well-crafted, emotional thriller, which depicts the life of haunted genius Alan Turing. Matthew Goode and Keira Knightley lead a strong supporting cast.

14. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Guardians of the Galaxy suffers from familiar plotting and a dull villain, but it more than makes up for it in charm, sheer entertainment value, and one of the best soundtracks of the year. Marvel is on a roll and Guardians of the Galaxy is yet another successful notch in their championship belt. In a way, they've become the live-action version of 'old-school' PIXAR: you can always count on them to deliver the goods.

13. 22 JUMP STREET

I don't think I laughed harder in a movie theater this past year than I did watching 22 Jump Street. I’ll go so far as to say this is the best comedy sequel I've ever seen. It manages to match its predecessor in nearly every way and in some ways even surpasses it. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are the new Riggs and Murtaugh.

12. X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

Bryan Singer returns to rescue the X-Men franchise once and for all with a spirited, enormously entertaining return to form. Yes, its plot holes are almost mind numbing in number, but Days of Future Past is so much fun and has such excellent performances from its all star cast that all is forgiven. Best of all, it wipes the X-Men 3-stained slate clean, giving much needed hope for the future of the franchise.

11. LOCKE

Tom Hardy drives a car and talks to people on a phone for 90 minutes. Sound boring? Not in the slightest. Locke is great filmmaking and storytelling. Steven Knight’s direction and screenplay are compelling and Tom Hardy gives one of 2014’s best performances. See this one by any means you can.

That's it for this episode, ladies and gentlemen! Stay tuned for my Top Ten Favorite Films of 2014!! Same Bat time, same Bat channel.

Shawn Eastridge's Fantastically Spectacular Favorite Movies of 2014 Part 1: The Honorable Mentions and the Not-Sa-Goods

Greetings, fellow programs! Another year has come and gone and 2014 was full of some really spectacular flicks. As I attempted to make a list of my top ten favorites, I realized I was shoving so many great movies aside and decided to expand to fifteen. But even fifteen wasn't enough to recognize all the great movies I saw this year. So in a historic moment in Oh, How Spiffing's history, I've decided to expand my Favorite Movies of the Year list to TWENTY. Yes, folks, you read that right, TWENTY movies that delighted, excited, and ignited my soul and emotions like no other.

I'll be unveiling that list over the next few days, but for now let's start with the Honorable Mentions. These are films I enjoyed, but not quite enough to include them on my 'Best of' list.

Just a heads up, even though I managed to see nearly all the movies I wanted to see this year, there are still quite a few I missed. Those are as follows:

• American Sniper
• Begin Again
• Citzenfour
• Frank
• Inherent Vice
• The Interview
• Life Itself
• Love is Strange
• A Most Violent Year
• Neighbors
• Nightcrawler
• The Raid 2: Berandal
• Selma
• The Skeleton Twins
• Unbroken
• Under the Skin
• Whiplash
• Wild

As we move into the awards season, you can bet your sweet booty I'll be catching up on all the ones I missed and expect to see a revised list of my favorite films of the year closer to the 2015 Oscar ceremony.

Now, without further delay, let's get started!

HONORABLE MENTIONS, 2014!

BIG HERO 6

Not quite on par with the best animated films of 2014, but an enjoyable addition nonetheless. Big Hero 6 is fun and benefits greatly from the adorable Baymax. It also serves as further proof that the best animators and storytellers have jumped ship at PIXAR and moved to Disney’s primary animation studio.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS 

Seeing as how I'm not quite the target audience for this one, I was pleasantly surprised to find The Fault in Our Stars a consistently funny and moving work. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort are both fantastic.

GODZILLA 

Godzilla suffers from a lack of compelling story or characters, but when has that ever not been the case for this franchise? Director Gareth Edwards manages to pull through thanks to some stunning visuals and superior monster-mashing sequences.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1

This one suffers from weak source material and the unnecessary splitting of said source material into two parts, which only further emphasizes the novel's shortcomings. Still, director Francis Lawrence manages to craft some great sequences and the cast is outstanding, as always.

THE MAZE RUNNER

Even though The Maze Runner was written before The Hunger Games, the film adaptation can't help but feel like a Hunger Games knockoff. Still, it's solid Young Adult fare and manages to be exciting despite its derivative nature.

MUPPETS MOST WANTED

I’m not sure why this was so ignored/panned by critics; in some ways it’s even better than 2011’s The Muppets. It feels more like a classic Muppet movie and it’s very, very funny.

WHAT IF

When Harry Met Sally-lite. What If is mostly forgettable, but still funny and charming. Daniel Radcliffe is the natural standout here as he continues to prove himself as one of our finest young actors.

So, that's that for the Honorable Mentions. Let's transition into something a little less fun (or more fun, depending on your point of view). Here are the worst movies I saw that were released in 2014.

THE WORST MOVIES OF 2014
(That I've seen, at least)

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is the Batman Forever of the Spider-Man franchise. That’s both a good and bad thing, I suppose. Good because it means this trainwreck offers up consistent, unintentional laughs. Bad because, well, no one wants to be compared to Batman Forever. Now that they’ve crashed and burned the Spidey franchise, perhaps Sony can get a creative team that actually cares about the character. Or, you know, go ahead and surrender the franchise to Marvel Studios.

DUMB AND DUMBER TO

One of the most depressing filmgoing experiences I’ve ever had. No one involved in the making of this film seems to care at all about what they’re doing. Cynical, spiteful, and painfully unfunny, Dumb and Dumber To is without question one of the worst movies ever made and totally unworthy of its predecessor’s name.

GOD'S NOT DEAD

Insulting on almost every level, from filmmaking to spiritual. God’s Not Dead assumes that if you don't believe in God you must be a terrible human being. Its arguments for the existence of God are unconvincing and it contains a neverending supply of storytelling clichés. There are so many superfluous subplots and characters that have nothing to do with the main storyline and they are all painfully boring. On the plus side, you've got Kevin Sorbo acting like a James Bond villain and almost non-stop laughs. I've never been so close to converting to atheism.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES 

Can you find Bilbo in the picture above? I’ll give you a second. Did you find him? Where was he? Buried somewhere in the midst of characters we couldn’t care less about? That pretty much describes the entire Hobbit trilogy and The Battle of Five Armies is arguably the worst of the bunch. It proves once and for all that the decision to split Tolkien’s carefree adventure novel into three dull-beyond-all-reason films was made solely in the hopes of making more money. Its one advantage over its predecessors is that it’s so blatantly stupid and, therefore, the easiest to laugh at.

LEFT BEHIND 

I didn’t think it was possible, but this Vic Armstrong-helmed ‘remake’ is even worse than the Left Behind movie starring Kirk Cameron. Next to nothing happens in its entire two-hour (?!) runtime and, worst of all, Nicolas Cage seems to be barely awake through the whole thing. They don’t even let him have a trademark freakout in an attempt to save this travesty and that may be the worst sin of all.

WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL

When the Game Stands Tall isn't quite sure what it's about, so it decides to try and be about multiple things and fails at all of them. The screenplay is riddled with all the same cliches you've seen in a dozen other sports films, but thanks to bland performances and direction, they're even more apparent here. So, so lame.

And that's that for Part 1: The Honorable Mentions and Not-Sa-Goods of 2014! Part 2 is on its way, so keep your eyes peeled. See you soon!