The best movies of the year so far

Most of the likely Oscar contenders haven't even been released yet, but there have already been several amazing films this year that should continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike as the year goes on. Here's a look at five of the best movies of the year so far. (A few honorable mentions are "Adventureland," "The Hangover," "Watchmen" and "I Love You, Man.")

5. Up
It comes as no surprise that Pixar has done it again. Part of the reason the Academy decided to honor 10 best picture nominees this year instead of the traditional five is probably because of all the backlash they received last year for not giving "WALL-E" a best picture nomination. While not quite the masterpiece "WALL-E" was, "Up" comes very close to that level of excellence.

Most of the trailers made it look like more of a kids' comedy, but it's so much more. The characters, from distant and heartbroken Carl to wide-eyed Russell to lovable Dug, are all well-developed. Even though "Up" is heavily based in fantasy, every character, even Dug the talking dog, feels real.

The film's opening montage is one of the best I've ever seen, with its ability to tell Carl and Ellie's entire love story in a span of mere minutes with no dialogue. Pixar has always had the ability to weave its storytelling with laughter, tears and an incredible amount of heart, and "Up" is no exception.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The penultimate installment in this successful franchise has received some backlash from fans who were disappointed that some significant scenes from the book were cut. But what makes a great book does not necessarily make a great movie, something director David Yates clearly knows.

No, the battle from the end of the book is not present, with the scene instead focusing on the connection between Harry and Dumbledore at a critical point in the film. No, Dumbledore's funeral is not included, while in its place is a more intimate scene in which the trio sever their ties as Hogwarts students and face the dangerous task at hand.

The book "Half-Blood Prince" serves mostly as a bridge between Voldemort's return at the end of the fifth book and Harry's battle to defeat him in the seventh. Yates makes a bold choice in downplaying the action in the film, but what results is an intimate character drama in which we get to know these characters who we've watched for six films on a much deeper level at this crucial turning point in their lives.

The acting, the storytelling, the directing and the visual effects are all a step up from the previous films. Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, of "Amelie" and "Across the Universe," creates some truly visually stunning shots, particularly the cave sequence toward the end of the film. "Half-Blood Prince" may even best Alfonso Cuaron's masterful "Prisoner of Azkaban." All of the "Potter" movies have been great adaptations. This one is a great film.

3. (500) Days of Summer
In a season of stale blockbusters like "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "GI Joe," what could be more refreshing than this unique Sundance charmer from newcomer director Marc Webb? We are told from the beginning that this is not a love story. Rather than feeling the need to satisfy the Hollywood cliche of the good guy always getting the girl, "(500) Days of Summer" recognizes that even the relationships that don't work out can still be significant relationships that make a lasting impact.

The film takes a number of risks in its storytelling. The story is non-linear, jumping back forth from Tom and Summer's relationship to how Tom deals with their break-up. There are animated sequences and even a musical number that reflect Tom's changing feelings toward Summer, first elation after their first night together and later despair following their break-up. At times a split-screen is even used to show viewers what Tom is fantasizing and what is actually happening. The soundtrack is also expertly crafted, serving as an emotional backdrop to the story.

Indie darlings Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, two of the most underrated actors in the business, turn in brilliant performances. Each character has their own motivations and desires, and nothing about their relationship is black and white. Neither is the good guy or the bad guy. The film's original and offbeat approach to storytelling has a strong element of fantasy, but "(500) Days of Summer" presents a very realistic portrayal of the relationship between a guy and girl who, though they both have the best intentions, just aren't meant to be.

2. Star Trek
Speaking of "Transformers" and "GI Joe," films that are more special effects than plot and care little about anything but action, "Star Trek" does the exact opposite. It takes the action genre and turns it on its head. J.J. Abrams, known mostly as a producer of shows like "Lost" or movies like "Cloverfield," proves his ability as a director with this film.

Rather than making just another action movie, Abrams combines well-rounded characters, a very complex plot, eye-popping visuals and intense action sequences to create a film that serves both as a crowd-pleasing blockbuster and critically acclaimed cinematic wonder.

When the "Star Trek" logo fades onto the screen after the film's action-packed opening sequence, loud, commanding music playing behind it, my heart was pounding. As someone who has never cared for "Star Trek" in the past, I was surprised at how even the opener took my breath away. That's part of what makes "Star Trek" such a great film. It appeals to new fans and hardcore trekkies alike, serving both as an homage to the original while simultaneously creating a new universe full of exciting possibilities.

Abrams also made a good call in casting mostly unknown actors. Rather than going for big names that would guarantee big crowds, Abrams cast actors that best fit the characters and are able to embody their wit, their fear and their bravery. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana should all have huge career boosts thanks to this film, and I can't wait to see what the team behind this film does with the next installment of what is sure to be a powerhouse franchise.

1. The Hurt Locker
If this little movie that could fails to secure a best picture nomination at next year's Oscars, then the Academy's new 10-nominee system clearly doesn't work. This Iraq-war drama started making the film festival circuit last fall and came out of nowhere this summer as a critical juggernaut.

Masterfully directed by Kathryn Bigelow from a script by Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker's" premise is simple yet intricate at the same time. The film isn't plot driven, simply following the last few weeks of a bomb squad's rotation in Iraq. But the whirlwind of emotions the three squad members experience about being in Iraq, the overwhelming pressure that comes from a job that means life or death and the constant fear that no matter what one is doing, one is never safe prove being an American solider in Iraq is infinitely more complex than the film's one-line description.

Relative unknowns Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie absolutely shine as Staff Sergeant James and Sergeant Sanborn, both undoubtedly deserving Oscar nominations for the nuanced performances. And in smaller, almost cameo roles, better-known actors Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse and Evangeline Lilly commit to their characters without stealing the scene from the leads.

Boal's script works so well because it doesn't have a political agenda. It doesn't tell audiences how to think but shows them the many facets of war. Bigelow's direction is at times more understated and almost documentary-like, focusing on the broader picture. Other times, she slows the action down and hones in on the little details that add to that broader picture. Rather than being uneven, these combined approaches make Bigelow's directing very well-balanced. This story is a lot to take in, but it's one audiences should see, need to see. It will resonate with you long after you've left the theater.