Boom-ska-boom.

Director Damien Chazelle’s 2014 Sundance hit Whiplash follows the trials and tribulations of a talented drumming prodigy, Andrew, played with patented low-key charm by Miles Teller. Of course, any cinematic success story about overcoming the odds must have a charismatic antagonist, in this instance evil incarnate is manifested in the flared nostrils, fiery-eyes and foul mouth of J.K. Simmons, who filets and berates Andrew’s efforts with a colorful and pitiless litany of expletives, put-downs and esteem-crippling diatribes. The film, though slight – and slightly by-the-numbers – hosts a big-bopper of a climax that’s both exhilarating and surprisingly cathartic.