I'm burnt out on politics for the moment. So let's go with something a little frothy.
I watch a lot of movies, but I rarely watch comedies, especially recent ones, which seem to rely solely upon sex and multiple iterations of obscenities.
But I do have a few all-time favorite comedies:
#3 The Station Agent, a bittersweet film about a misanthropic dwarf and his two dysfunctional friends.
#2 Dr. Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick's dark cold-war farce, featuring Peter Seller's epic performance in multiple roles.
#1 Best in Show, featuring a brilliant ensemble cast, obviously ad-libbing their way through a story about a dog show.
These are films I've watched again and again, guffawing heartily, as though each viewing was my first time.
What are your favorite comedies?
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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Comedy
Charlotte: Maybe Whiskey Sam and tabula rasa aren't awake yet, but I can't believe no one has nominated Fletch after 35 comments. · Oct 20 at 5:11am
Edited on Oct 20 at 05:12 am
I was JUST about to ask how no one had mentioned Fletch! To this day I can't hear Moon River without busting out laughing.
Comedies are interesting because there are all different kinds of funny. I'm big on the Marx Bros, especially their early films. Bob Hope is always worth watching and gets Honorary Ricochet member status for this line. I love most of Peter Sellers' work, and of the Panther films, I'd probably have to give the nod to A Shot in the Dark.
From the more recent stuff, Fletch is in a tight knot with Animal House, Airplane, Blues Bros, and Caddyshack.
Mel Brooks' oeuvre is great with Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein my faves. Peter Boyle kills as the Monster singing Puttin on the Ritz (and notice both movies feature Gene Wilder). Boyle was also hilarious in the Dream Team with Michael Keaton.
Guest's mockumentaries are great, but I like A Mighty Wind best of those.
Aug '10
Re: Comedy
The Blues Brothers, Quest for the Holy Grail, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
A point in favor of the latter: my wife is Chinese and grew up in Hong Kong, and she says agrees it's one of the funniest movies ever. Clearly its humor crosses cultural and geographical boundaries.
Apr '11
Re: Comedy
I have to go with some oldies but goodies by Preston Sturgess.
Hail the conquering Hero, The Lady Eve, Miracle of Morgan Creek
His Gal Friday by Howard Hawks
And two flat out funny ones anytime day or night Airplane and Raising Arizona
Apr '11
Re: Comedy
Whiskey Sam,
I'm big on the Marx Bros, especially their early films. Bob Hope is always worth watching and gets Honorary Ricochet member status forthis line. I love most of Peter Sellers' work, and of the Panther films, I'd probably have to give the nod to A Shot in the Dark.
I'm with you on the Marx Brothers and the Hope and Crosby Road Pictures are classic. I also enjoy Abbot and Costello's Buck Privates and In The Army Now.
If we can count Shorts then how about the best of the best, anything by The Three Stooges.
Jul '10
Re: Comedy
In no particular order:
Desk Set - arguably the best Tracy-Hepburn.
Life of Brian - growing up in DC, the twists and turns with the zany radicals appeals.
Hudson Hawk - a perfect Bruce Willis vehicle, three parts whimsy, one part boom boom.
The Princess Bride - read the book to mama Sisyphus while she was laid up for several weeks. The movie exceeds all reasonable expectation by being almost 1% as good as the book.
Thank You for Smoking - Aaron Eckhart is brilliant in this. The father-son relationship is beautifully conceived and executed.
Maverick - "You both sing the same wrong lyrics to 'Amazing Grace'."
When Harry Met Sally - A paon to the anomy and desolation of modern urban America.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Awesome. Michael Caine and Steve Martin at their absolute best.
Heartbreakers - I can watch Gene Hackman peel a banana. Sigourney Weaver is superb. Another paon to the anomy and desolation of modern urban America.
The Last Action Hero - "Wait! I'm the comic relief!" "There's something rotten in the state of Denmark, and Hamlet is taking out the trash!"
Undercover Blues - "Kill the lamp!"
Mr & Mrs. Smith - The only Angelina Jolie vehicle I actually liked.
Dec '10
Re: Comedy
No. Right there with you.
Apr '11
Re: Comedy
Thanks for remembering that one. What a great comedy!
Humphrey Bogart was very versatile.
Can't remember what the snakes name was though, Adolph maybe?
Apr '11
Re: Comedy
Western Chauvinist
No. Right there with you. · Oct 20 at 6:48am
You two must be kidding about The Big Liebowski. What is not to like about that one.
Oct '11
Re: Comedy
No, four. Nice, sweet movie.Not great, just good.The Valet (French), House Calls and A New Leaf (both starring Walter Matthau) are hilarious; another gem few have seen, though not a comedy: Sweet Land.
Edited on October 20, 2011 at 3:59pmOct '11
Re: Comedy
No, four. Nice, sweet movie. Not great, just good. Another gem, though not a comedy: Sweet Land.
Mar '11
Re: Comedy
Anything with John Cleese in it. Just kidding. I've got to go with Airplane! and Kind Hearts and Coronets.
Mar '11
Re: Comedy
How could I have forgotten? The best of all: It's a Gift.
May '11
Re: Comedy
Office Space
Airplane (Surely you can't be serious. Yes I can and quit calling me Shirely)
Other People's Money. (Great and a movie that every conservative should love.)
Army of Darkness. (Bruce Campbell is brilliant)
The Blues Brothers.
Blazing Saddles
Jan '11
Re: Comedy
At one point, Aldo Ray puts his face barely inches from Basil Rathbone, and says, menacingly, "You scare me." A great line.
Dec '10
Re: Comedy
Ok, ok... one more. This one for the - cough - kids. Megamind. If for nothing other than the "No You Can't!" Fairey posters.
Dec '10
Re: Comedy
Mrs. Prawn recommends adding Roman Holiday and anything from Charlie Chaplin to the list.
Apr '11
Re: Comedy
TCM is doing a tribute to Buster Keaton soon. Is anyone a fan?
Have we forgotten W.C. Fields The Bank Dick, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man. Love his character's name Larson E. Whipsnade.
Were the Groucho Marx the first comedian to do an aside to the audience? I know Hope and Crosby did.
May '10
Re: Comedy
Some of my favorites have already been mentioned (Blazing Saddles and Airplane). Harlem Nights and Get Shorty are two of my most underrated comedies.
Dec '10
Re: Comedy
A couple of people have mentioned that they found The Big Lebowski unwatchable. I have to admit I feel the same way about Office Space. I've been working in the IT world for 16 years now, but honestly think they could have found much funnier scenes.
Oct '11
Re: Comedy
Some other favorites of mine: The Jerk, Slap Shot, The Great Race and Ghostbusters.