Whiplash (2014)

Excellent drama about a boy (Miles Teller) at a New York musical school wanting to become an all-time great drummer. His tutor, Terence Fletcher (J. K. Simmons), is pushy and sadistic in his methods, pushing Andrew to ever more painful extremes. 

It’s fascinating and often uncomfortable viewing. The music is tremendous, and the drumming sequences are almost unbearably intense. 

Director Damien Chazelle also directed La La Land and there are some similar motifs.

New in Town (2009)

Romantic comedy directed by Jonas Elmer.

Hard-edged Miami-based consultant Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is sent to New Ulm, Minnesota, to oversee changes at a food-manufacturing plant that will mean many redundancies. Against all her expectations, and helped by the handsome Ted (Harry Connick Jr.), Lucy eventually begins to warm to the quirky townsfolk and become sympathetic to their situation. 

For a relatively lightweight comedy it's surprisingly enjoyable. Zellweger is always a joy to watch, such is the multi-dimensional way she inhabits a character. And while there's nothing much that truly surprises in the storyline, it keeps you engaged until the end.