Grand Piano (2013)

Before there was Whiplash, Damien Chazelle wrote this musical thriller starring Elijah Wood. Wood plays a world-renowned pianist looking to make a comeback following a performance in which he choked, but with the added difficulty of a sniper in the crowd threatening his life. The film is in essence a musical version of Joel Schumacher’s Phone Booth and as silly as it sounds, is just as compelling with one of Wood’s best performances to date. John Cusack’s distinctive voice is perfect for the threatening menace in Wood’s ear and the tension built up in the first two acts is some of the best of the decade.