Whiplash [Blu-ray] [2015] [Region Free]

This was recommended to me by a friend who knows my love of music. I loved every moment.

I have rented a few films based on high 4 and 5 star recommendation and ended the experience by awarding 1 or 2 stars and a scathing review, so it was with this failure in mind that I decided, if it proves the latter experience, this might be the last highly recommended film I rent.I will start by saying this is simply the best film I have seen in years. All pleasure is subjective and films are no exception, so I shall declare my 40-year love of jazz; that it was the Buddy Rich band (1972 line-up) and an interest in drumming that got me started, and that once you have seen the excellence that is Rich's drumming, you can accept no substitute.So, the film instantly met some expectation. I could pick some holes in it: The standard American film industry upbeat ending, for example, because no-one is allowed to fail, not even the most slack-jawed, useless kid,who must attain some success by the final reel as failure is too depressing a cinema-going experience for us real people to contemplate - apparently - but this is not about that, nor is it accurate for it's critics to argue that what they view (incorrectly, in my opinion) as its main message - that a driven teacher, 'Terence Fletcher' (and practice) alone will produce great talent - is faulty; I would agree if it WERE the message, but the film is really about what can happen if you genuinely find that inner- strength, that determination to prove yourself, to actually realise your full potential because to not do so means that living with yourself after the event would be unbearable; the 'Fletchers' of this world are often the catalysts for such things, as is eventually proven in this film.Also, can a - shall we be kind and say extrovert - character such as 'Terence Fletcher ' (brilliantly portrayed by J.K. Simmons) really exist in this modern world, a world where sensitivities and political correctness appear to dominate all institutions in the U.S.A.? I can not say, but, based as it is on the experiences of writer/director Damien Chazelle, some form of 'Fletcher' must stalk the corridors of at least one of the higher U.S.A. musical institutions.I do know that real characters in the Simmons mould did exist in the 1970s when I was learning engineering because my boss was a slightly diluted version of the Simmon's character; you learned, and you learned quickly or, at best, you suffered a tongue lashing and humiliation in front of the other apprentices, at worst, a sacking for continued inability to meet, as 'Terence Fletcher' put it in musical terms, his 'tempo'. This did indeed result in either a collapse of character and leaving the firm, or it brought out a ferocious desire to get it right, to compete, to improve, to show initiative, TO SUCCEED, if only to avoid further humiliation and embarrassment and I thank the gods for the day I was employed by my 'Terence Fletcher'; he brought out qualities in me I did not know I had and set me up for life - but, oh! the fear sometimes when I knew he was around checking our work, demanding to know our progress at technical college, and when he actually spoke to you, in person, and gave a 'look'... I sometimes wished a hole would open up and I could disappear. I knew that look that the music students gave when 'Fletcher' strode in, that rigidity of body - afraid to make eye contact - I have seen it on my former colleagues so many times.I realised not long into the film that I was suffering real tension in my body because I was identifying with 'Andrew Niemann'; I was actually feeling what he was portraying, it was as if I was re-living my late teens and early twenties, so near the truth was it. Simmons' character is so powerful that when you see his moment of apparent vulnerability, you really feel sorry for him that such a towering tour de force has been laid low - all I will say is: 'stay tuned'. Miles Teller's Niemann character is also very good, I saw so much of me in it, it was uncomfortable at times. So, for me, this was much more than just a cinematic experience, it was personal in its nature and all the more enjoyable for it.Everything about this film, the direction, the music - oh, big band music and film were just made for each other - the script, the acting, is first class; it shows the American independent film makers can still make a character and dialogue-driven film of a high quality and entertainment value onwhat is a nothing-budget and knock the latest £200 million dollar, CGI-driven 'star-vehicle' into a cocked hat; I wish there were more like it. Simmons was awarded an Oscar for his performance, one of the few that I believe is truly merited in Hollywood.

This film lost no time in getting into the plot - a driven, manipulative and uncompromising musician/conductor who used cruelty and humiliation as a means of extracting the last drop of excellence from his proteges.Right from the start, we are left in no doubt that Terence Fletcher (brilliantly played by the exceptional JK Simmons, who won an Oscar for his performance) is a hard man, demanding nothing but perfection. Miles Teller, playing the part of Andrew Neiman, a hugely talented and ambitious drummer, inspired by the likes of Buddy Rich, who is studying at the Shafer Academy where Fletcher works, is himself an accomplished drummer and played much of the drumming seen in the film by his character, Andrew.The finale has a bit of a twist, which I won't give away. But it is a great testament to dedication and perseverance, where sheer ability, passion and musical expression triumph over even the most adverse of circumstances and how enemies can reconcile through music.It was one of those films that ends too quickly, in the sense that one wants the story to continue but, by ending as it does, one is left speculating as to the future, in a very positive way. It is a great film.I am looking forward to seeing it again.The acting is second to none.

Good film

Great film with amazing performances.

Brill

I went into Whiplash knowing very little about it other than a few snippets I'd seen/read about online. J.K Simmons is one of my favourite actors and he really shone in this. The dedication, the passion and the overwhelming urgency of Fletcher's character to want to drive his students past their breaking point - to reach that 0.01% of talent is incredible. Fletcher, unlike other similar characters in films over the years seems to take no pleasure in dishing out horrendous amounts of verbal and emotional cruelty - instead he remains at that snarling level for most of the film. When he's not chastising his students with some quite obscene levels of emotional critique, he's pushing them - making them push beyond their limits (both physically and psychologically).Miles Teller is breath-taking and unrelenting in his charge for superstardom. He gives up his newly-found girlfriend Nicole because "you'll only end up holding me back and I'll end up resenting you" and ignores his family's achievements, dismissing them as mediocre when he has such lofty ambitions.Physically, Andrew pushes his hands in particular way beyond the normal hardships of a drummer. Callouses, open wounds, blood on the drum kit - Andrew pushes himself way past what his father and Fletcher believed him initially capable of. Only Andrew knows he can realise his potential and by the climax of the film I was standing and clapping in approval. Much in the way Fletcher nods with that grin of approval at the end, I felt like I was sharing in Andrew's resurgence, his triumphant and defiant stand against Fletcher and his methods. But ultimately, Andrew proved Fletcher's methods work by going seemingly against them at the end.Teller and Simmons deserve all the plaudits they received for Whiplash. It's a brilliant film with some quite stunning moments, a wonderful score and some of the finest acting of a generation.

It was in perfect condition plus the movie was amazing

Ich bestelle schon seit einigen Monaten bei Medimops und ich muss sagen ich war kein einziges Mal enttäuscht!Recht zügige Lieferung, DVD‘s gut verpackt und in sehr gutem Zustand!Ich werde definitiv weiter bei euch bestellen 👍🏻

Thème jusqu`alors pas abordé à ma connaissance , ayant pout théâtre une prestigieuse académie de musique. La préparation d`un concours autour d`un titre de Hank Levy : Whiplash. Je pense que la dimension psychologique des personnages touchera même quelqu`un n`ayant pas de connaissances en jazz .Un duel entre un professeur tyrannique , injuste et perfectionniste à l`extrême ; un élève qui veut tout sacrifier pour devenir le meilleur batteur de sa génération. Rôle endossé par Miles Teller qui déjà batteur , a travaillé son jeu avec ardeur pour se fondre dans son personnage. Il faut dire que Whiplash est un morceau de bravoure rythmiquement ( et harmoniquement bien que quasi entièrement en Do mineur ) , tempo à 200 à la noire , incessants changements de signature rythmique ( 7/4 ;14/8;5/4 ; 2/4; 7/8); dans le film chaque mesure citée par le maestro lors des reprises colle à la partition , mais c`est le maître jamais satisfait qui imprime son tempo. L`on ne peut vraiment pas dire que ce film manque de rythme , et dans la vraie vie il existe de tels tyrans , et pas seulement dans l`univers musical.

a freakingly amazing movie on the world of music and how competitive and tough it is to reach the top....blood, sweat and tears is not enough apparently....in its own way this movie will lock your attention more than any fast paced action thrillers do...the movie revolves around its two lead actors - one an ambitious talented though shy Jazz student Andrew (Miles Teller) and his teacher Fletcher (JK Simmons) at America's best music school who drives his students to deliver perfection whatever be the cost... JK Simmons is the star of this movie and his performance earned him rightly an Academy award...the music, tight direction, editing, performances, dialogues all come together to make this movie one of the best in recent times....A must watch for music lovers and players and even those who don't

DVD is in French but this was not made clear in the item description. We needed the English version

Étant moi même batteur, evidament je ne pouvais passer à coté de ce film , en dehors de ça , c’est vraiment un Excellent Film ! Qui vous tient en haleine et super bien réalisé, le son 5.1 est vraiment excellent ! Dommage que pour le moment il n’y a pas un Format 4K plus Blu-ray en version Française ?!Il faut pour cela passer par un import pour avoir le 4K en VF …mais le Blu-ray n’a pas la VF ??? Chercher l’erreur…C’est vraiment Anticommercial ….Je comprends vraiment pas c’est mon unique regret…. Sinon honnêtement c’est un superbe Film 🎥 👍Merci Amazon