Report Card---"Whiplash"

"Whiplash" depicts the passion to make wonderful music.
In this case, jazz, on the highest level.
"Whiplash" displays the passion to make a wonderful movie, on the highest level.
And it succeeds, triumphantly.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Constantly.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A+.

Is it controversial?

To some extent. When does firm teaching cross over the line to badgering?
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Great storytelling. It never lets up.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

J.K. Simmons has the pivotal role. I only knew him as Dr. Skoda, the go-to shrink on "Law and Order", when they didn't have that cutie, Dr. Olivet available. He wasn't nearly as cute, nor did he make that much of an impression.
Then, I noticed him in the "Farmer's Insurance" commercials, which, apparently, he still does.
In those parts, he was and is amusingly benign.
As the music professor in "Whiplash", he displays a side of himself that I had no idea he had.
It's a side that most actors don't have.
He is magnificent.
And he brings everyone else up to his level.
Love the Simmons.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely, and extremely well edited.
It was edited to the pace of the music, in fine fashion.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect length.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely, and extremely.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was surprised at every turn.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I was blown away by it. This necessitates continual thought.
A+.

Is it funny?

When it wants to be, and that's often enough.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

You would have been even more overwhelmed by it.
A+.

Is it impressive?

On every level.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

It and Simmons certainly deserve their nominations.


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My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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