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10. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009)

Wow, does this film ever pertain to the world we’re living in now, what with the encroaching darkness and seemingly wanton acts of evil. Will Harry and his friends understand what they must do before it’s too late? Will we? Great movie, but really dark. I mean that literally. Sometimes you can barely see what’s going on. It’s my only gripe.
Verdict: Wonderful, like every other film in the series. Just plan on squinting through some of it.

11. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)

There’s so much joyful perfection here, it’s almost embarrassing. Roles like Indiana Jones are hard to get right, and does Harrison Ford unforgettably nail it. Indy is both a send-up and homage on every old adventure serial hero, and is a rich and complicated character in his own right.  There’s absolutely not a frame of this movie that doesn’t fill me with happiness.
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame

12. REPTILICUS (1961)

No one does city-crushing monster movies like the Japanese. They stand alone as the masters of the craft. Unfortunately, Reptilicus comes from Denmark and the result is underwhelming. Not just because the story is crap, the acting worse, and the production values laughable. I mean underwhelming as in they forgot to give their monster legs (it has feet). And its superpower is green puke. Enough said.
Verdict: Just, no.
See it here if you’re some kind of sadist: (1) Reptilicus REMASTERED | Full Sci Fi Movie | Ann Smyrner | Mini Heinrich | Dirch Passer. – YouTube

7.STRANDED IN SPACE (AKA, The Stranger) (1973)

An astronaut finds himself marooned on an alien planet that mysteriously looks *exactly* like earth, because let’s be honest, you can save a lot of money on special effects with a plot like that. As you can see by the poster, a lot of thought and effort went into making it.
Verdict: This was a TV pilot that never became a series. Let us rejoice.
See it here: I watched this version, with my old pals from Mystery Science Theater 3000. They can render anything hilarious. MST3k 305 – Stranded in Space – YouTube

8. O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2000)

Perfection: sublime soundtrack, brilliant performances, jaw-dropping cinematography, outrageously literate and witty writing. It has Everythying. And the dopey/clever way it pays homage to The Odyssey, and its many little nods any nods to that fount of cinematic wit and wisdom — Sullivan’s Travels — (including its title) will delight anyone who loves that film. 
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame

9. ROBOCOP (1987)

How did I miss seeing this until now? I didn’t expect to love it, I didn’t expect it to be funny, and I sure as hell did not expect to be moved by it.  What was I thinking? I’m kind of mad at younger self now.  What an idiot.  
Verdict: If you’re not turned off by great gory globs of outrageous, almost cartoony, violence you’ll probably like it.
Addendum: Who knew in 1987, that the depictions of our cities in this over-the-top satire would be so eerily and depressingly accurate?