Whiplash / The Rule Of Jenny Pen

**Whiplash **

Andrew Neiman is an ambitious young jazz drummer studying at one of America's top music schools. His teacher is Terence Fletcher, one of the most demanding, tough, and perfectionist jazz conductors. His teaching methods are anything but conventional.

Starting with a general comment, I have to say that, for me, this movie is a masterpiece. I love it no matter how many times I watch it.

J.K. Simmons delivers a phenomenal performance, closely followed by Miles Teller, who also gives a strong, compelling performance. The film explores the limits of discipline, the broader ethics of education, masculine role models, and the raw passion for music — all blending together into a captivating whole that completely draws you in.

Outstanding pacing, exceptional editing, an excellent script, and frenetic direction from then-debut director Chazelle, combined with fantastic chemistry between the leads. The film is full of contrasts, yet it maintains such a perfect balance throughout. Of course, the soundtrack is incredible, as expected. 😅

The third act is particularly intense, wrapping up the story with a strong, satisfying arc. If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss it.

The Rule of Jenny Pen

A respected but authoritarian judge, Stefan Mortensen, suffers a stroke and is admitted to a nursing home, powerless and vulnerable. There, he comes face-to-face with Dave Creeley, a psychopathic resident who secretly terrorizes the others with a sadistic doll. The trailer piqued my curiosity to watch it... but... NO!!

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• The concept with the doll is interesting... but...

• The two main actors (Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow), who are both excellent performers, try to bring some psychological realism, but the script doesn't do them any favors.

• Somewhere in the background, it might be trying to convey messages about the loneliness of old age.

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• Its biggest flaw is the complete lack of narrative coherence and plausibility.

• I got quite bored; the pacing doesn't help at all.

• As I mentioned earlier, the doll concept is interesting, but the execution falls flat, failing to actually use it to create real scares.

• Directorially, it had the potential to do great things... but... NO!!

• Unremarkable ending.

• It feels like it would have worked better as a short film. It just doesn't have enough substance for a full-length feature.

• Repetitive scenes without much purpose.

• Clearly not a horror film, despite what it promises.

• The dark humor doesn't really work in its favor.