As end-of-the-year list-making season approaches, I like to send my fellow reviewers a checklist of the films they may want to see for Top 10 consideration. Usually, it’s just a raw list of titles, presented in order of release, but for you, The Dissolve reader, I’ve broken the list down into six categories, which will be spread out over two days: Essentials (i.e. the absolute must-sees), Hollywood: The System Works! (for those occasions when studios accidentally produce something interesting), Auteur Obligations (work by major filmmakers—much of it very good, some below par), Notable Documentaries, Indie Curiosities, and Imported Goods. A few notes:

This is my list, not a collective list, so there will likely be some omissions and miscategorizations based on personal bias. Arguments about which films belong where and which were unforgivably omitted are encouraged in the comments below. Within each of the categories, the films are still offered roughly in order of theatrical release in New York City. So while Leviathan would look great atop anyone’s “Best Of” list, it’s atop this list because it came out in New York on March 1, before the other Essentials. Today we’ll cover films released between January and July. Tomorrow’s piece will cover films released between August and December. If you’re looking to play along at home, I’ve put together a full “Movies To See 2013” checklist on Letterboxd.

Only a little over 100 films total and you can close the book on 2013. So get crackin’! (And if you want to jump directly to one of our categories, use the index below.)