An implosion of the film industry is imminent. So says Oscar-winning director and huge supporter of USC, Steven Spielberg. During the unveiling of a new building for the School of Cinematic Arts, Spielberg addressed future filmmakers, claiming that in the years to come, massive transformations in the way cinema is presented and viewed will be seen. But that isn’t entirely bad news. Given the current state of film, populated by reboots, remakes, sequels, and prequels, one might think that Hollywood should look itself in the mirror and change its ways. 

Last year, movies went out with a bang. Understandably, it was Oscar season, a time populated by the best the the industry has to offer. Seeing "Django Unchained," "Les Miserables," and "Zero Dark Thirty" in the last two weeks of 2012 whet my appetite for another year of film. But like the entrance into last year, 2013 started with more of a screech than an explosion of excitement. 

Before I get into the films that I have enjoyed at the half-point of this year, it is important to note why my opinion should be valued. As a sophomore Theatre Arts BA at USC, minoring in Screenwriting and Cinematic Arts, I’m not any more particularly qualified to write this list than most people at the school. I’m not any older or wiser, I certainly haven’t seen the most movies, and I am not a prodigy of any sorts. But what I can do is look at a movie from a removed perspective, simply to see if it achieves what it wants in a theatre experience. I don’t look for box-office success or critical acclaim, I ask: did I have fun, or learn something, laugh, or cry? The following list makes up the minority of films I have seen this year; the ones that answer my question with “yes.”

1. "Monsters University"

This year so far we saw "Man of Steel" (reboot), "Star Trek Into Darkness" (sequel), "Fast and Furious 6" (sequel), "Iron Man 3" (sequel), "Evil Dead" (remake), "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" (sequel), "Oz: The Great and Powerful" (pseudo-prequel), and "A Good Day to Die Hard" (sequel). As I catch my breath, it dawns on me that there is a lack of originality in Hollywood. I then check the highest grossing films of all time in the US to see that 13 of the top 25 are sequels. With my rant ending, I admit that "Monsters University," despite being a prequel, was an excellent movie. 

The film sees the return of the characters Sully and Mike from "Monsters, Inc" (2001). Instead of continuing where we left off, we find our monsters at college, getting into all sorts of trouble. Mike and Sully both get into the extremely competitive Scarer Program at Monsters University, and before they can become friends, they become enemies, dueling for the affections of students, teachers, and Dean Hardscrabble. While the plot isn’t spectacular, sticking to college movie tropes and cliches like no other, it has so much heart, it is hard not to fall back in love with the monsters. 

The message of the film is perhaps its strongest quality, though more depressing than typical Pixar fare. This movie is idea for the college-age person or above, though children will love the physical humor and cute characters. And while it reaches lower lows than it’s predecessor, "Monsters University" is able to charm its audience, with strong laughs, beautiful animation, and the Pixar finish that we have all come to know and love. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

2. "Much Ado About Nothing"

As a fan of all the works of Joss Whedon, from "The Avengers" to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," coupled with the fact that I am a fan of most of the works of William Shakespeare, a combination of the two is a match made in heaven. "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of Shakespeare’s strongest comedies: it has a story that is still relevant today and jokes that still can make us laugh. Whedon is known for his wit and ability to easily transition from tragedy to comedy, so his black-and-white adaptation of one of the Bard’s finest instantly caught my attention. 

Filmed in little more than a week, Whedon’s "Much Ado" is a delightful film, an amazingly solid product considering the time restraints. It is filled with excellent performances from Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, and many others that have worked with Whedon in the past. The physical humor and mastery of the language from most (not all) of the actors consistently bring laughs, even to an audience unfamiliar with the works of Shakespeare. Don’t be nervous about understanding the actors, their subtext and physicality translates for you. The film also has a short running time, coming in at under two hours, practically unheard of in modern cinema. And though it feels longer, every time that Denisof trips or Clark Gregg cracks a wise one, you are reminded why you came. 

I wouldn’t recommend this film to a younger crowd, as a lot of the material is sexual and dramatic. But those able to handle adult material should definitely seek out one of the few theaters that is playing "Much Ado." Whedon and his friends have crafted a real treat. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

3. "Stoker"

Park Chan-wook is a South Korean film director with incredible talent. His film "Oldboy," is getting the American remake treatment due to its cult success. "Stoker" is his first English film, and with an impressive cast including Mia Wasikowska and Nicole Kidman, the movie shines. 

For fans of Alfred Hitchcock, the film is a must-see. Chan-wook is a clear fan himself; the influences of "Shadow of a Doubt" are evident throughout. The psychological thriller follows a young girl named India (Wasikowska) who begins a troubling relationship with her uncle after her father is killed. The plot seems simple enough, but Chan-wook incorporates beautiful imagery and a magnificent score to really set the mood. The subtle and disturbing performances from all the leads (Kidman is a stand-out) help to alleviate any problems with the script, and its lack of realism. The world that Chan-wook creates is spectacularly  haunting, almost reminiscent of an early Tim Burton. 

If you are at all interested in the thriller or horror genre, this movie is one of the best in recent years. Not at all suitable for a younger audience or those squeamish and easily scared, but for those that love Hitchcock-ian suspense, the film is made for you. 

4 out of 5.  

4. "This is The End"

The idea of seeing actors play exaggerated versions of themselves is not unheard of. Ricky Gervais’ "Extras" featured many Oscar-winners mocking their on-screen and off-screen personalities. But placing the actors in an end of the world scenario, that is something holy original. 

Seth Rogen wrote, directed, and stars in this hilarious film about best friends and the apocalypse. Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and James Franco co-star, along with a long list of celebrities. And though there isn’t much to look at performance-wise, the chemistry between the actors/friends is so endearing, and the dialogue so crass and vulgar, that laughter is the only possible solution. 

This movie had me laughing from nearly start to finish, often times crying because of it. And when I wasn’t laughing, I was moved by the sweet message and friendships of the actors. It’s one of the best comedies in years, and as long as you can stomach gore and more inappropriate jokes than you can count, a sure fire good time at the movies. 

5 out of 5. 

5. "The Place Beyond the Pines"

From director Derek Cianfrance, best known for "Blue Valentine," comes the strongest movie so far this year. Firstly, the cast is phenomenal: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta, and Rose Byrne, among others. Every single person gives a tremendous performance, with Cooper giving perhaps the best of his career. To say anything of the plot would almost be a spoiler, and because I recommend seeing this movie so highly, I will refrain from a synopsis. 

The score is electric and the cinematography staggering. Sean Bobbit creates a work of art with every shot, and Mike Patton matches the mood with a gorgeous intensity that captivates but doesn’t distract. The third act of the film may disappoint some, but it cannot be faulted for its accordance to the themes of the story. The film has so much to say, and although it doesn’t hit the mark every time, its fire-at-all-cylinders approach is admirable and effective. 

The characters, backed by some of the most human and tragic acting in recent memory, and their stories impact the audience to a tremendous extent, leaving you numb at the end. "The Place Beyond the Pines" is not a happy film by any stretch of the imagination, but it is one that you will be thinking about come time for an end-of-the-year best movies list. 

See it. 5 out of 5.

There you have it, the five films that didn’t let me down, some that even surprised me. I’d get into the longer list of movies that broke my heart or were simply utter trash, but it would just hurt me further. There is hope for movies though, as evident by the aforementioned films; there are directors that care about their audience, artists that understand what movie-making is. If you search through the slog for long enough, you will find some gems. Here is hoping that the second half of 2013 doesn’t see an implosion of film, but an explosion, and that this year goes out with a bang. 

Reach Staff Reporter Ty Sheedlo here.