Mark Morford

Columnist, SFGate/San Francisco Chronicle; Author, 'The Daring Spectacle: Adventures in Deviant Journalism', ERYT yoga instructor

I dive into this venture with an all-consuming fervor, ignoring how I'm no music critic by training and instead opening wide to 30 years of serious music obsessiveness; couple it to a bottle of Casa Nobles while I blithely ignore everyone else's obvious year-end picks.

Thymaya Payne

Director, producer

During the filming of my movie, I met Ishmael Ali, a Somali American pirate negotiator. Ali was dynamic and keen to do press.The only problem in this doc-film-fairytale is that my film wound up playing a part in the U.S. government's decision that Ali was not just a pirate negotiator, but also an actual pirate.

The Everlasting Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin

Producer extraordinaire (Ramone) and acclaimed singer-songwriter (Evin)

This week's playlist includes music by Amy Winehouse, Mumford & Sons, Talking Heads, and more.

Victor Lopez

Future law student and author of the upcoming autobiography 'Victor's Luck'

When asked if any of his popularity has translated into money, the smile comes back.

Lani Renaldo

High school student from Los Angeles, California

For most artists, promotion is a huge deal -- it helps guarantee that people will hear about their album, that it will create buzz and generate sales. Beyoncé completely disregarded the norm. We shouldn't be surprised.

Stacy Schneider

Author and TV legal commentator, former contestant on The Apprentice

There's nothing like a film about a champion. Two surprisingly fascinating documentary films about two extraordinary people were released this year. Both films remind us about the days when people were famous for a reason.

Andy Hoglund

Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications

The final question on "Fashion Killa" becomes: Do the song's sentiments embody true growth for the rapper, or are they temporary expressions from a night of fun?

René Bryce-Laporte

Principal, Bryce-Laporte Information and Consulting

While I disagree with the sentiment that Mr. Robertson shouldn't face negative consequences for his bigotry, my larger concern is that public figures are exploiting the public's thin knowledge of history, the Constitution and the Bible to purposely mislead their followers.

Jesse Damiani

Series Co-Editor, Best American Experimental Writing

Justified's characterization has been one of the primary points of praise for the show, and, while acting shouldn't be disregarded, it is through subtext foremost that these characters become so instantly textured.

Jackie K. Cooper

Film Critic

As movie years go, 2013 was a very good year. As I looked back over my list of movies and their scores I found I could have made a top 20. That is not the usual case as in past years I have had to scramble to come up with ten films worthy of being called a "top 10."

Peter 'Souleo' Wright

Journalist and curator

Leela James hasn't decided on the title of her forthcoming album, but if her current state is anything to go by, then perhaps the word, "good," should be somewhere in the title.

Mike Ragogna

Music biz vet and President of Trafficbeat Entertainment

"To me, that sort of bravery, and harmony with oneself and with the World, is the true legacy of Peter Tosh."

Blake McCammon

HR, recruiting, gay issues, marketing and social media blogger

I'm writing this post at one o'clock in the morning after having one of the greatest epiphanies of my life. It might seem simple to most people, but to those who live my life everyday should be able to relate

Regina Weinreich

Author, 'Kerouac's Spontaneous Poetics'

The French provincial brocade couches in Carmine and Dolly's Camden, New Jersey house in "American Hustle" tell you what you need to know about the characters' domestic life. But the "American Hustle" soundtrack goes far to define the movie's con artists' ethos.

Corinna Clendenen

Writer of novels, film reviews, and essays on contemporary culture

Russell got so much right in this film, from the women who are as smart and savvy as the men to the wide ties and the slit dresses to the right-on sound track. The only thing that seems off is the intermittent, irregular voiceovers.

Ernest Owens

Communication & Public Service scholar, University of Pennsylvania

It's high time we dismantle Hollywood's misguided perceptions of history and our projection of what success looks like.

Marshall Fine

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

It's the time of year when critics release their lists of the year's best films. It feels like a competitive sport -- or a provocation, which all of these lists are, by nature. As in: "This is my list of the best films. If you don't agree, you're wrong."

Sabrina Nelson

High school journalist

There is a lot to be said about her beside the fact that her music is incredibly catchy and remarkably endearing, but one thing is for sure: she is the perfect example of someone who both perpetuates and is victimized by something called the myth of the "other girl."

Carole Montgomery

Comic, director, producer, mom

I have been a standup comedian since the fall of 1980. Back then, it was a novelty to be one. Hell, no one really understood what a standup comic was. And the only women hugely successful at that time were Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers. My how times have changed.

Tara Fass and Lisa Jonsson

Intended to pique your interest without giving away too much of the plot, let's take a look into the cinematic mirror for portrayals of family togetherness for guidance on how to take vulnerable times in stride.