Picks Of The Week

Obsession of the week: “The Amazing Spider-Man” in theaters

Amazing he is. And when I say he, I mean Andrew Garfield. The man brings a loveable, personal quality to the Peter Parker character, something Tobey Maguire never quite mastered. It also helps that the screenplay allowed the emotional moments to not just exist, but move forward the story.

Emma Stone impresses as usual as Gwen Stacy. Both Stone, 23, and Garfield, 28, pass as high schoolers thanks to some great one-liners that take me back to the years of teenage angst. Their on-screen love story is so real it’s no wonder their relationship blossomed off-screen.

The film was worth seeing in 3-D because of some cool technology used at Oscorp Labs, as well as the high-flying, web-slinging scenes atop New York City’s skyscrapers. The very last shot before the credits was obviously meant just for the goofy glasses-wearing viewers. But friends who saw the 2-D version left the theater feeling just as satisfied, for 3-D does not a good movie make.

Music stream of the week: fun. At The 9:30 Club, NPR concert

This band is one of my new favorites. They are quirky and, well, fun! I can hear the ’80s pop and rock influences, which as anyone can tell you, I love.

I’ll admit I was a bit tired of “We Are Young,” their explosive hit off their second album, “Some Nights.” But as soon as the New York City band released the disc’s title track, I was back to chanting the crowd-ready, anthemic choruses of both songs.

Enjoy this 80-minute performance from May 3, which NPR kindly streamed live and continues to provide access for those who missed it. You don’t need to be at Club 9:30 in D.C. to participate in the dancing Nate Ruess commands near the close of the concert.

Sounds like … of the week: Conor Maynard’s “Can’t Say No” sounds like Jesse McCartney

Remember Jesse McCartney? My middle sister saw him open up for Jordin Sparks once and she bought me a poster, which I still have.

Well usher in the latest teen to sing songs about girls, Conor Maynard, who is 19 and not related to our bachelorette, Emily, at least I don’t think he is. I expect Conor will ride the One Direction train and become quite popular because of his Britishness. Oh yeah, and the fact he can sing pretty.

Compare Maynard’s “Can’t Say No” with McCartney’s “It’s Over” and tell me you don’t hear the similarities.

And to try to prove Maynard is actually talented and not just another cutie with floppy hair from across the pond, here he is covering Katy Perry’s “E.T.” His album drops July 30.

Filed under: Entertainment, Hollywood, Internet, Movies, Music, Tech, 3-D, 9:30 Club, Andrew Garfield, Bachelorette, Can't Say No, Conor Maynard, E.T., Emma Stone, fun., Gwen Stacy, It's Over, Jesse McCartney, Jordin Sparks, Katy Perry, Nate Ruess, New York City, NPR, One Direction, Oscorp, Peter Parker, Some Nights, Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire, We Are Young