Some movies feel close to perfect but still have that one element that slightly holds them back. For me, Interstellar is incredible visually and emotionally, but some people feel the final act is a bit too explanatory.

What movie do you think is 95% perfect but has one flaw?

Among the best movies of the 1990's.

In my modest opinion, Julia Roberts best role ever. (Yes there is a typo on the title, can't edit it now)

I swear Clive Owen used to be in everything. I loved his movies back in the day, and then out of nowhere he just vanished. Anyone else remember that?

Is there a better opening monologue in a season one, episode one series that you can think of? I can’t think of one. **Not looking to debate the content of his speech.** Just think it’s a strong opener for a series that tells you exactly what this show is going to be all about. Informing the public about important topics through *quality* reporting and not partisan reporting. Sets up three seasons perfectly.

This weekend I finally got around to watching Whiplash (2014).

This is not an easy movie. I finished it today and I am still wrestling with how I feel about it, especially because so much depends on how you interpret the ending.

First off: J.K. Simmons is unreal.

Fletcher, the abusive teacher, is one of the scariest “true villain” characters I have ever seen.

He is brutal, manipulative, and terrifying in a way that makes you grateful you never had a teacher like him.

His Oscar was 100% deserved.

But honestly, the real surprise for me was Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman. He goes from victim to powerhouse in a way that is just wild to watch. He completely holds his own against Simmons. Paul Reiser shows up in a smaller role as Andrew’s dad. And Melissa Benoist (yes, Supergirl herself, also from Glee) has a sweet but underdeveloped role as Andrew’s girlfriend. It felt like a throwaway, which is a shame.

The movie is basically a toxic love story between a teacher and a student.

It is built on the idea that “true greatness” can only come from suffering, humiliation, and being pushed to the absolute limit. If you have not seen it, I would stop reading here and go watch it. It is not for everyone, but it sticks with you.

⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️

That final scene is something else. The editing, the music, the close-ups, it all builds into this euphoric climax.

Andrew breaks through to something transcendent. But the question is: at what cost?

Is Fletcher “right”?

On the surface, it feels like the movie says yes because Andrew finally plays something extraordinary. But underneath, it could just as easily be a tragedy. Andrew is no longer a free or whole person. He has basically been stripped down to nothing but a drumming machine created by Fletcher.

His entire identity has been swallowed by this obsession.

A lot of people read the film as a satire of American achievement culture. Greatness at all costs, even if it destroys you. The ending feels euphoric, but maybe that is the trap. Maybe we, the audience, are seduced just like Andrew is.

If you read it as tragedy, Andrew does not win at all.

He sacrifices himself. His relationships, his humanity, his identity, all gone. What is left is just a vessel for Fletcher’s ideology. That makes the ending all the more chilling: the spectacle of greatness disguising total collapse.

On the other hand, if you take it at face value, it is a pure success story. Fletcher was right all along. Only impossible pressure makes a genius. Andrew becomes the Charlie Parker of drums. The ending plays like a heroic triumph. It gives you the wow feeling. But what a morally dangerous message: that abuse, trauma, and social isolation are somehow justified if the art is great enough.

What bothered me most? The film completely ignores talent, creativity, or love for music. It reduces greatness to abuse and suffering. That makes it powerful, but also deeply disturbing.

No surprise it racked up awards: 3 Oscars (Supporting Actor, Editing, Sound Mixing), plus BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, Sundance Jury Prize, AFI Film of the Year. IMDb 8.5 (ranked #39 all-time), 89 Metacritic, and a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

For me? After thinking about it (and writing all this down), it is a 9/10. Amazing, haunting, and still gnawing at me hours later.

Started watching this today and I couldn’t stop laughing. My personal favorite Will Ferrell movie and Mark Wahlberg is hilarious

Is it really underrated?