3. The Amazing Spider-Man
Ignore the lazy folks who say this film doesn't need to exist. Marc Webb, Andrew Garfield, and Emma Stone have taken the well-worn story of Spider-Man's origin and delivered it from a fresh perspective. New villains, new relationships, and new mysteries make this thrilling reboot one of the best movies of the summer.
2. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
I had Lorene Scafaria's directorial debut as my top film of the year so far, and it's been tops on my list here for the last two weeks. The unlikely romantic combination of Steve Carell and Keira Knightley play two people drifting along as the world closes in on its final days.
1. Beasts of the Southern Wild
It's rare that a film like Beasts of the Southern Wild comes along, but when they do, they are to be celebrated. An imaginative, emotionally resonant masterpiece, full of awe and wonder, yet grounded in real human drama. Two remarkable performances by Dwight Henry and Quvenzhane Wallis bolster Benh Zeitlin's directorial debut with authenticity and an incredible screen chemistry.
DVD Pick of the Week: God Bless America
Bob Goldthwait's primal scream against the country's cultural devolution is also a shocking and hilarious thrillride. Joel Murray plays a lonely guy who takes it upon himself to violently rid the world of the reality TV stars, celelbritards, and political hacks who are preventing America from being all it can be.
