Hit the break to view the full list, and check back for the rest of our mid-year top tens.
Two of these films have not been released yet, but I wanted them on here anyway, as I thought they were fantastic and need to be mentioned.
#10 – SIDE EFFECTS directed by Steven Soderbergh
Soderbergh does Hitchcock in this very twisty thriller. It was a complete surprise to see where this film went, and it proved to be a great way to start off the year.
#9 – 12 O’CLOCK BOYS directed by Lotfy Nathan
A beautifully shot documentary about a dirt bike gang in Baltimore. Great use of slow motion and an insanely charismatic main subject make this one of the most entertaining docs of the year.
#8 – THIS IS THE END directed by Seth Rogan & Evan Goldberg
Uproariously funny and surprisingly heartfelt, if I wasn’t laughing hysterically, I was still smiling throughout the entire runtime. Good comedies are a rarity, and this is by far the best of the year.
#7 – THE DIRTIES directed by Matthew Johnson
This mockumentary/found footage style film is not only very funny and clever, but it’s also the most technically sound use of found footage I’ve ever seen. The meta elements of the film make it all the more interesting as well.
#6 – THE HUNT directed by Thomas Vinterberg
Mads Mikkelsen knocks it out of the park as a school teacher falsely accused of sexual abuse. This is a very powerful, sad film, but it has Oscar written all over it. It’s fantastic.
#5 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT directed by Richard Linklater
Linklater’s final entry in this trilogy spanning 18 years ends off on an extremely high note. Hawke and Delpy give their most natural performances to date, and seem to immediately and easily fall into these characters that they previously played a decade prior.
#4 – MUD directed by Jeff Nicols
Fantastic performances all around, and some great cinematography. Should be on everyone’s top ten lists for the year.
#3 – UPSTREAM COLOR directed by Shane Carruth
A perfect film is almost all regards, Shane Carruth has proven himself as one of the most talented and unique filmmakers working today.
#2 – THE KINGS OF SUMMER directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Hilarious, touching, nostalgic, everything I could want from a film and more.
#1 – SPRING BREAKERS directed by Harmony Korine
Disturbing and amazing all at once, with some of the best visuals I’ve seen all year. If you haven’t seen this, stop what you’re doing and watch it. Now.
The Best Documentary of the First Half of 2013: 12 O’CLOCK BOYS
The Best Horror Film of the First Half of 2013: V/H/S/2 (Berberian Sound Studio was included in last year’s list or else it would be on here)
Worst Movie of the First Half of 2013: MOVIE 43
