jazz Archives | Straight From a Movie

If there’s a definition of astounding in your head, then La La Land simply surpasses it. It’s literally spellbinding! And we aren’t only going by the story here. The music, the setup, the acting, the metaphor, the screenplay, the editing, the choreography, everything has been given ample thought and scrutiny before the actual execution. And you can expect only a genius like Damien Chazelle to ace everything to perfection.

Theme of La La Land Movie

La La Land carries that quintessential dream every dreamer has. It is about not giving up even when the whole universe seems to be plotting against you. The flick is about following your dreams till the end, about you being willing to take risks and make colossal sacrifices to reach there. It being a musical is often sprinkled with gorgeous songs that are well executed and complemented by Justin Hurwitz‘s stunning compositions. Even whilst you listen to the Jazz play, you can’t help but time travel two years ago when Whiplash had showed up. Amazing exhilarating music!

Fascinating Drama (Spoilers Ahead)

La La Land will rip you apart, tear you down to a million pieces. It is so profound that it touches just the right chords. And it does so by its genteel build-up. There is that thrill of a growing relationship, the perfection that seems to have been made in the stars. It goes on like that, reflecting life, and when you are least prepared, it drops the real bomb on you. Climax becomes havocking all of a sudden. It leaves you grieving, forcing you to feel its pious pain. It ends up talking to your cheeks with those teary beads.

This is the dream! It’s conflict and it’s compromise. It’s very, very exciting!

It is when you listen to Ryan Gosling play his song “City of Stars” on the piano for the first time, that you understand the level of uprooting music La La Land packs in. It is sad, profound, soothing, and in a way really satisfying to listen.

You can check out the music here:

His character Sebastian‘s way of re-imagining a life with Mia played stunningly by Emma Stone is what gives the movie a gloomy punch. It is the most nerve-racking moment of the movie. You feel the sudden gush of emotions burst all dams when you realize Sebastian wished everything undone, unwritten and then rewritten in his memories with Mia in it. I ended up in tears. It’s really that profound.

You can pre-order La La Land movie from here:

The Chemistry

Whilst there are movies that skip the chemistry to feast its plot, we get served a perfect one here. Both Sebastian and Mia create such a beautiful world that you forever stay on their high. There are metaphors galore that Chazelle uses via his songs. Like the time when they start flying in the air, even though they were actually sitting. They dance their way into the stars and cross galaxies together. It leaves things for viewer’s imagination, and it hits just the spot.

Ryan Gosling simply steals the show. There is something about him that captivates you almost instantly. You feel his pang, if he is sad. You feel his vibes when he is happy. Even when there is nothing to show but sarcasm, you feel him there too. He brings that uncontrived flair to his work that is just remarkable! When you watch him go psyched about Jazz, he makes you reflect on things that you have been passionate about all this time too.

You could just write your own rules. You know write something, that’s as interesting as you are.

Emma Stone is an equally great performer. Twice does she go into that full-blown acting mode, whilst giving those powerful auditions. The aura that she retains and the energy that binds her makes you want to give her a standing ovation every time she slithers into that mode. With that you just know the casting for La La Land was done perfectly.

The Final Verdict

La La Land deserves all the accolades! It is a movie that makes you want to retrace your dreams, inspires you to go after them. It’s romance acknowledges that perfect key that awaits your lock. It shatters you to pieces when it tries to showcase unfulfilled possibilities. Musical lover or not, it is a movie that needs to be immediately seen. Grab some tissues before watching this beauty of a movie.

Casting of Whiplash Movie

The casting couldn’t have been more perfect. Both Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons fit the portrait of their characters superbly. Simmons is an exceptional actor who tries to create an abominable Fletcher. He dons an abusive and mean demeanour quite naturally. He carries it successfully throughout the flick, and reeks of perversion, hubris and foul-mouthed barbarism. Going inhumane to create a musical virtuoso was something Fletcher was trying to achieve.

image of J. K. Simmons as Fletcher shouting at Andrew in Whiplash movie

Teller, an equally great actor, plays Andrew who leaves no stones unturned to play the obsessive drummer. He fumes with confidence and rage when he is tipped over the breaking point. You see him burn in conviction whenever he tries to prove himself. All of it gets unequivocally justified in the final climactic session of the Whiplash movie.

Damien Chazelle: The True Directorial Gem

Damien Chazelle directs the movie brilliantly. The way he moves the camera, rotating it throughout the orchestra by capturing the instructor gesture, the protagonist and then every instrument, is commendable. His frames were exciting. Beats in the background subtly wrapping up New York buildings help bring skills of the director into the limelight. The editing of the movie was outstanding as well. There wasn’t an element of ennui present in the entire movie.

You can order Whiplash movie from here:

Outstanding Drama (Spoilers)

Whiplash movie is brimming with dramatic scenes that insinuate how Miles Teller has significantly evolved as an actor. Watch out for the bit when he gets rammed by a truck and then still wakes up from that decimation to play. Also, watch out for the time when he plays so fiercely that he bleeds and ends up jabbing the drum in resentment.

The climax of the movie would literally take your breath away. So brilliant is the energy there that it would be a rare miracle if you somehow survive that nerve wreckage. My hands were moving along with Andrew’s sticks as if I was the one who was drumming it. Hands down one of the best drums you would ever listen to!

Wasn’t a big jazz fan. This movie has transformed the way I looked at it. Highly recommended quality cinema ladies and gentlemen! Go watch this one. Don’t miss it for the world!

You can check out the trailer of Whiplash here: