7. Your Sister's Sister
Lynn Shelton's films deal with how sex can complicate a relationship. Her last film, "Humpday," contemplates how far friendship can go and in this film, it deals with the classic question posed by "When Harry Met Sally" - can men and women truly be just friends? Here she lets improvisation invigorate the one room setting especially by casting three talented actors: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie Dewitt and Mark Duplass. Mark Duplass is the perfect embodiment of the modern day common man. He isn't conventionally good looking, is kind of chubby, but is also (most importantly) charming as heck. His chemistry with the two female leads are key, as Shelton is able to create another human comedy that makes her one of the best up-and-coming female filmmakers of today.
6. Killer Joe
The second collaboration between William Friedkin and Tracy Letts after their 2006 film, "Bug," this continues the pulpy, dirty, darkly comic sensibility of that film. To say that this film has never left my mind since I watched it is an understatement. The things that occur in this movie can be considered misogynistic, politically incorrect and immoral, but that's what makes it great. Matthew McConaughey chews up the scenery in his uniquely meaty role and the supporting actors are great, especially Thomas Haden Church, whose performance is the most emasculated performance onscreen since Fred McMurray in "Double Indemnity." This is probably perhaps one of the most controversial films of the year as several people left the theater in the middle of the screening I attended.