Staff Picks: The Best Movies Of 2013 (So Far...)
With reaching the year's midpoint, we look back at the films that have piqued our interest in the first half of 2013.
OJ's Pick: Doin' It in the Park
Bobbito Garcia has been telling amazing stories about music, sneaker culture and basketball for over 20 years. In grand fashion, this documentary personalizes the phrase, "Ball above all." — Orlando Lima
Mark's Pick: Before Midnight
Rare is the threequel that wasn't greenlit strictly due to the potential revenue impact of fast food tie-ins and licensing potential, but Before Midnight proves that there's still room at the multiplex for intelligent, darkly humorous, character-driven films ($4.6MM at the B.O. and counting). The third film of a trilogy that also includes Before Sunrise And Before Sunset catches us up on the lives of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), a couple that first met during a chance encounter in the mid-90s and now finds themselves in their mid-40s trying to recapture the romantic connection that initially drew them together. It's elegantly directed by Richard Linklater, who has proven himself over the course of his 20+ year directing career to be an American talent to rival the likes of Robert Altman. — Mark Graham
RUNNER-UP: Frances Ha (directed by Noah Baumbach)
Sabrina's Pick: Man Of Steel
Man of Steel was literally the only new movie I’ve seen since having a baby in February (before that, it was all about the Oscar catchup), so by default, it’s also my favorite. Still, I think it a pretty worthy choice — not just for the deliciousness that is Henry Cavill, but also for the super scary scene in which General Zod announces his presence to Earth. If only it had the humor of the Richard Donner films, then it would be my unqualified fave. — Sabrina Rojas Weiss
Stacy's Picks: The Bling Ring / Spring Breakers
This is a tie for me for one reason: Good girls gone bad! (http://on.vh1.com/13GDMEM) Nothing better than watching Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Emma Watson relish in naughty roles that poke fun at their good girl images. Also, there is the added bonus of James Franco as a gun-sucking gangster. — Stacy Lambe
Emily's Pick: Mud
Matthew McConaughey continues to prove he's not only qualified to play handsome, aging stoners in this Southern coming of age/adventure tale. Plus, Michael Shannon makes everything better. — Emily Exton
Meghan's Pick: A Royal Affair
Okay, so technically A Royal Affair was released late last year, but because it wasn't on my radar until recently (gif sets are popping up all over tumblr and it's on Netflix instant), I'm counting it as my favorite film of 2013 so far. Imagine Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette if the young queen was an insanely smart socialist who decided to secretly take a lover and to secretly take over the country. This Danish film is gorgeous, heart wrenching and sexy — and based on a true story. — Meghan O'Keefe
Tia's Pick: Before Midnight
Another vote for Before Midnight! Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke make being very-marrieds seem sexy and blissfully talky. Yeah, they almost broke up…but they looked rumpled-gorgeous while it was happening — Tia Williams
Caitlyn's Pick: This Is The End
This movie had everything you could ever need: TONS of celebrity cameos, epic end of the world explosions, and a bevy of filthy jokes. I was LOL-ing the whole movie. — Caitlyn Driscoll
Rahsheeda's Pick: LUV
Haven't seen a ton of movies yet this year, but this interesting coming-of-age tale about the twists of African-American manhood sends a powerful message. Plus, rapper Common flexes his acting chops once again. — Rahsheeda Ali