Okay, first of all: this article is like a few years too late.

Second: "Whiplash" is one of the best movies of all time.

I first watched this movie at a friend's house right before finals started. I had always wanted to see it and she happened to own a copy, so we watched it.

I was absolutely blown away.

For those that haven't seen this movie (and if you have not, you totally need to because OH MY GOD), this movie is about Miles Teller's character Andrew and how he is a new student at a musical conservatory. He's a drummer. He's also really, really good. However, not good enough for the insane jazz band director, Fletcher. This role is portrayed by J.K. Simmons, who won an Oscar for his performance.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about this music instructor: He's a jerk. He yells at his students, makes them cry, pushes them to the breaking point, kicks them out of his band for not knowing they were out of tune, etc. Andrew is no exception to this cruelty. Sometimes, he gets pushed so unbelievably hard that he bleeds on the drums.

He's such a hard instructor that Andrew can't even think about anything else except drumming. He starts sleeping in the practice room, practicing pieces until he exhausts himself, and even breaking up with his girlfriend because he can only think about drumming.

Finally, toward the end of the movie, there is this big concert that Fletcher's band has to perform. Fletcher wants to put in a different drummer, but Andrew refuses to give up the part he feels he deserves. Through a series of struggles to get to the concert hall on time (taking a bus, renting a car, etc.) He's almost on time when he gets in to a horrific car accident. I totally saw the accident coming, to be honest. Despite his injuries and the fact that the rental car is totaled, Andrew crawls out and makes it to the hall just in time (albeit slightly late). However, due to his injuries he can't play. Fletcher tells him he's done. Andrew can't handle this and tackles Fletcher to the ground, beating him up. When he finally gets pulled off, he leaves furious. He also gets expelled from the conservatory for his actions.

After "anonymously" testifying that Fletcher is hard on his students and getting him fired (this is also due to the fact that one of his former students commits suicide because of the pressure to be great), Andrew runs into Fletcher at a small jazz band performance in a bar. Fletcher invites Andrew to be a part of this jazz concert he's conducting with his new band. However, it's a trap. When Andrew gets there, they're playing music he hasn't prepared, which Fletcher did on purpose because he knows Andrew testified against him and got him fired.

In a twist, however, Andrew decides to take matters into his own hands and play whatever the heck he wants, despite Fletcher cursing and threatening him on stage. This results in the best scene in the entire movie, when Andrew furiously plays the drums solo and Fletcher is angry, but then finally nods his approval at the very end of the solo.

I could go on and on about how much I love this movie. The acting is superb (frankly I don't know why Miles Teller didn't get any recognition). The music is great. The story line, while intense, grips you throughout the entire film. I ended this movie feeling more confident than I have ever felt, and feeling like I had just run ten marathons. Despite the hardness of Fletcher, it's a highly motivating film. It's a joy to watch (and very difficult at times), but it's honestly one of the best films I will ever see in my lifetime. J.K. Simmons could not be more deserving of his Oscar for this incredible performance. If you have not seen this movie yet, I highly recommend checking it out.