Whiplash
First screened in September 2014
Director: Damien Chazelle. Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Jayson Blair, Austin Stowell, April Grace, Damon Gupton. Screenplay: Damien Chazelle.

 Twitter Capsule: Based on the TV Precious' Mom Threw Down the Stairwell. Blunt direction pummels home confused story and characterizations.

VOR: ③  Less an indictment than an example of a punitive, pressure-cooker environment: every shot, story beat, and acting choice makes a blatant point. Still, it's become a cause célèbre; you should weigh in.


Photo © 2014 Sony Pictures Classics/Annapurna Pictures/Likely Story

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
★Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons
Best Adapted Screenplay: Damien Chazelle
★Best Film Editing: Tom Cross
★Best Sound Mixing: Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, and Thomas Curley

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
★Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons

Other Awards:
Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic); Audience Award (Dramatic)
Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons)
Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons); Best Film Editing
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons)
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons)
Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actor (Simmons); Most Promising Filmmaker (Chazelle)
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