16. THE QUIET MAN (1952)
One of my favorite movies, and my favorite female character in any movie, ever. Pure, joyful blarney.
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame
17. RISEN (2016)
This has become an Easter tradition at my house. Joseph Fiennes is sensational as a Roman centurion tasked with solving the mystery of the disappearance of Jesus’ body. Starts out as a kind of Biblical police procedural and evolves into something far deeper and more meaningful.
Verdict: Excellent and recommended.
18. LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1945)
It’s far from perfect, but when you’ve got the divine Gene Tierney pulling out all the stops as one of cinema’s great sociopaths, Ellen Berent, it’s easy to forgive its flaws. Miraculously, in addition to being a monster, she’s almost unbearably vulnerable. She is sensational, and makes this an absolute must-see.
Verdict: It’s Gene Tierney’s show. The rest is just window dressing.