3. Seven Psychopaths
Martin McDonagh's follow-up to In Bruges skewers the action genre while also introducing us to a delightfully insane group of memorable characters.
2. Argo
Through three films Ben Affleck has established himself as a director capable of some truly exciting thrillers, but he's also proven to be a true actor's filmmaker. With Argo he gets a number of superb supporting performances from John Goodman, Alan Arkin, and Scoot McNairy.
1. Smashed
Capturing much of the same strength Gena Rowlands brought to A Woman Under the Influence, Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes her case for Best Actress as a woman whose marriage begins to crumble as she attempts to sober up.
DVD Pick of the Week: Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's best film in years, Moonrise Kingdom combines the director's many idiosyncratic tendencies and wraps them in a beautiful and whimsical coming-of-age story. Despite a number of fine performances by his adult cast including Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand, it's the two young leads Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward who are the heart and soul.
