Category: video

28. DINOSAURUS (1960)

Bad acting, worse writing, brain-dead plotting, mediocre stop motion dinosaurs, and schlocky caveman antics all in one movie!  It’s Dinosaurus!  What more can you ask for?  Well, how about a climactic duel between a T-Rex and an excavator.  How about a character named Dumpy?  Tempted now?  You should be!  
Verdict: I love movies like this. I don’t care who knows it.
See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxsX1iT6260

29. SPACE MUTINY (1988)

A fun bad movie catapulted to immortality by the greatest of all MST3K episodes. That’s it. That’s my review. Put your faith in Blast Hardcheese and watch it.
Verdict: The Mystery Science Theatre 3000 version is an Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame. There, I said it. You know what movie will never be in my Hall of Fame? Casablanca. I refuse to apologize.
See It Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa42pxJyq64

30. MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD

One of the greatest, most immersive movies ever made.  Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels, which serve as the source material, are probably unfilmable as written, at least in motion picture form, and the differences between books and movie are significant. But it’s so beautifully crafted and acted, and so breathtaking in scale yet intimate and nuanced that it’s just miraculous. I will say it again: this is one of the best movies ever made.
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame

22. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988)

Greatest movie about the joys and trials of childhood, bar none. It’s enchanting, but the real magic is in the animation itself: the scenes that consist of silence and clouds, or an empty room set up for a family meal, the action of water over stones. It’s deeply immersive and a movie unlike any other.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.  
Verdict: Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame

23. THE BIG COUNTRY (1958)

It’s not the best western I’ve ever seen, but it’s decently-written and well-acted by a stellar cast (I’m looking at you, Burl Ives), has spectacular cinematography and an iconic score.  It takes it’s sweet time getting where it’s going, but the all-around display of competence makes it a pleasant enough ride.  
Verdict: A supercut of all of Burl Ives’ scenes would do just as well.

24. JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR (1973)

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I’ll just say it: this is one of the greatest of all movie musicals. The music, the voices, the stunning cinematography, the wonderfully creative direction…it’s just fantastic. The theology? Not so much. But what I wouldn’t give to see it on the big screen.
Verdict: If theological propriety is what you demand, then I’d pass. But if not, give it a shot. Oh yeah, and Inductee, Laurie’s Cinematic Hall of Fame.