10 Independent Films In 2014 That Could Appeal To Mass Audiences

7. Whiplash

Miles Teller will be the male Jennifer Lawrence - you heard it here first. He's proved himself in comedy, being the funniest thing about 21 & Over, and drama too in The Spectacular Now and his star is set to shine brighter this year. Whiplash falls squarely on the drama spectrum, telling the story of a gifted young drummer and his dictatorial teacher, played by J.K. Simmons. Peter Debruge, writing for Variety, said the film "demolishes the clichés of the musical-prodigy genre," putting Simmons' teacher as a Machiavellian monster who uses fear to manipulate his students. Greatness, Whiplash warns its audience, comes at great cost. Whiplash took top honours at Sundance this year, with people calling it one of the best films ever made about music, and there's a chance it just might be. Why It Has Mass Appeal: This film is a straight shot of intensity, pulling forth the sometimes strictness of teaching and the kinetic energy in the art of drumming. Teller is a young actor who is on the rise, if not now, certainly in the future. Why It Won't Get A Wide Release: See: Boyhood. Hollywood sells fantasies, not reality.