All Time Best Comedy Movies

DamianLake · Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:16 pm

I have such a low tolerance for stupidity that I am not much of a fan of movies that take stupidity and glorify it. That's why I have never much understood the people who think Dumb & Dumber is the best movie of all time, (and I do know a few). I like comedy that stimulates my brain as much as it draws out the laughs. Most of Mel Brooks' earlier movies manage that, and the new version of The Producers that was made of his stageplay musical version is great.

But let me ask this; am I the only person who was laughing so hard during Ocean's 12 that I nearly passed out?

R. LeBeaux · Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:56 am

I have pretty much given up on comedy films, since most of them nowadays rely on corny sight gags and tired bits of dialogue that no real person would come up with on the spur of the moment. Over the years, my tastes have changed considerably in this genre. For example, at one time I thought Jerry Lewis was the funniest man on the planet, but that was when I was a preteen, and today his movies seem terribly overdone. I do like comedic satire, and the Mel Brooks and Monty Python films were great examples of this, as was the Airplane series. Nowadays, if I watch comedic films at all, they involve subtle comedy, not jokes or slapstick or physical humor. For example, films based on the novels by Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity, etc.).

DWill · Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:02 pm

The musical "The Producers," it was funny, yes, but I'll still go for the 1960s "Producers" by Brooks with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. I don't know of a funnier or more inventive movie than that.

I also think that "School of Rock" with Jack Black was very funny as well as endearing.

I didn't see" Ocean's 12," but I might now based on DamianLake's praise of it.

DamianLake · Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm

As a caveat, I have to first say that you need to watch Ocean's 11 first to understand who most of the characters are in 12. But where else can you see Julia Roberts playing a woman who is in turn pretending to be Julia Roberts? The Ocean's movies are master thief stories, much like The Italian Job, but they include a lot of non-slapstick comedy. Especially in 12.

I have the Oceans Collection because they put out all three of the new Ocean's movie along with the original Ocean's Eleven starring the rat pack. Ten bucks American will get you the whole set at Target or Fry's or Amazon or anywhere dvds are currently being sold.

DamianLake · Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:10 pm

Just as an addendum, I went to see Tower Heist this weekend with some friends. I was curious to see it since it is obviously a sardonic shot at the whole Bernie Madoff matter. I'm not a wild fan of Ben Stiller, and Eddie Murphy has been hit or miss over the years, but I found Tower Heist to be pretty funny and amusing. Perhaps it was Matthew Brodrick's role that put the icing on it for me, or the fact that the previews actually didn't give away the final 20% of the movie for once. It's worth a watch for anyone in the mood for some light fun that is not in the realm of passive, mindless brainwaste.

kelstan · Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:08 pm

No one's mentioned Raising Arizona? Has some of the best lines ever. "Mind you don't cut yourself, Mordecai."

icindy · Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:10 am

Here's a unique comedy brilliantly acted; if you haven't seen "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST"
the british one, with michael redgrave...priceless! Of course, written by Oscar Wilde, such great dialogue
... So very droll and so very english, just so! avail
streaming on netflix...

aaaaand, BLAZING SADDLES! comes to mind...anyone?

Tonya1000 · Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:43 pm

I also have to add braidsmaids and 50 first dates.

lady of shallot · Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:55 pm

Bringing up Baby
Beetlejuice
Young Frankenstein
The Party
Lost in America
Zoolander
Radio Days (not really so funny but my favorite Woody Allen film)
A fish called Wanda
Oh Brother where art thou?
Austin Powers

threak17 · Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:38 am

If you haven't seen Howard Hawks' screwball masterpiece, Twentieth Century, (1934) with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard I urge you to do so. In a nutshell, - A flamboyant Broadway impresario who has fallen on hard times tries to get his former lover, now a Hollywood diva, to return and resurrect his failing career. Nearly all the action takes place on a train, the Twentieth Century and it has to be one of the funniest films ever made. Barrymore and Lombard are pitch perfect. Barrymore's ham-handed acting is wonderfully over the top, reflective of the ham-handed director he's portraying. Definitely, a must see!

youkrst · Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:31 am

don't forget

"Team America - World Police"

comin' again to save the ......day

:lol:

icindy · Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:02 am

threak17, sooo glad you mentioned Twentieth Century...a true comic masterpiece...i saw it for the first time this year and loved every minute!...i think you can watch it instant netflix too...

youkrst · Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:35 pm

oh and "pick of destiny" what a gem.

:lol:

moondarlin21 · Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:03 pm

The link went to an error page, but I love all the movies from the 80's and I had my children watch them all when they were born (in the 80's). We can sit around and quote lines from movies and know exactly which movie it was from and what actor said it. I think this is a good way to have a relationship with your child if you do not know how to talk to them, find one or two things in common. I never had that problem talking to my 6 children because we always talk. Someone mentioned Bill Murray and I love all his movies from Ground Hog Day to What About Bob? and even Stripes. The list goes on and on but I really think comedy took off in the 80's because people were so darn funny!

lisaadams · Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:26 pm

Caddyshack
Annie Hall
Take the Money and Run (Woody Allen)
Zoolander
Oh Brother Where Art Thou
Rum Diary
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Manhattan Murder Mystery (Woody Allen)
Uncle Buck

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