1. Whiplash (2014)

I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34 and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90 and nobody remembered who I was.

#1. Whiplash (2014)

Well, we’ve made it. The plane has landed, the cars been parked, and we’ve reached the top of my 100 favorite films. It’s been a fun mountain to climb, and while it’s sad that it’s over, I’m smiling because it happened. In the number 1 slot on the list of my 100 Favorite Films of All Time is the 2014 independent physcalogical drama, Whiplash. Whiplash was directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons with supporting performances from Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, and Chris Mulkey.

While many will disagree with my sentiment, I think that Whiplash is the most perfect film ever made. Everything about it screams perfection. The runtime is tight, there’s no fat on the film that could be trimmed, and the character development of our three lead characters is magnificent. By not using a massive cast with huge names, you buy into the actors as the characters rather than saying “that’s Brad Pitt” when you watch another Chazelle flick, Babylon.

I could pick many great scenes, but the ending is pure excellence. Seeing Fletcher initially get his revenge and fuck over Andrew was devastating. Then, Andrew gives up. But he returns and gives a big fuck you back to Fletcher by playing. The two then begin to hit a rhythm with one another and Andrew Neiman unlocks his true potential and Fletcher grins in acceptance. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons performances play so well off of one another and I think Paul Reiser in a small side role was entertaining. Overall, Whiplash is a real masterpiece.