aguywhoplaysthief on 7/9/2007 at 08:11
I'm talking about funny movies. Comedy.
I'm not sure if the problem is that this is one of those "everything was better in my day" sort of things, or the fact that I am completely disconnected from popular culture, and hence don't have any idea what new is coming out, but I just don't know what happened to good comedy movies.
Let me be specific - I'm thinking of comedy that isn't gross sexual humor, or simply demeaning, ex. American Pie, Something about Mary, that Nascar movie, and 40-year-old virgin.
I'm not entertained by some dude's hard on.
Back in the day, sure there were the Porky's of the world, but there was also great stuff that wasn't in that vein. I'm thinking of movies like Stripes, Canadian Bacon, The Blues Brothers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Tommy Boy, Wayne's World, and Uncle Buck. Planes, Tranes, and Automobiles is the best comedy I've ever seen. That Chevy Chase movie about the family road trip to an amusement park that they used to roll out on TV all the time was better than anything I've seen in last 5 years, and I've seen that one about 10,000 times.
These are comedies of the eighties and early nineties. They weren't necessarily family movies, but everyone could be entertained, and they were appropriate for most everyone. These were really funny movies, but with characters that you could relate to. I can't relate to Cameron Diaz with semen in her hair.
I want comedy that's based on fun, sympathetic characters, witty dialogue, physical comedy and familiar, but outrageous, situations. It's doesn't have to be high-brow, just not revolting.
Basically, I want John Candy back, but sadly God is a terrible being and has taken him from us.
Give me some recommendations folks.
D'Juhn Keep on 7/9/2007 at 08:16
Hostel 2
Kuuso on 7/9/2007 at 08:17
I still think there's quality comedy around, Especially british in the vein of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Also many stand-up comedians are absolutely brilliant. I don't watch much tv, but I've always loved Black Books.
aguywhoplaysthief on 7/9/2007 at 08:25
Ah, I had completely forgotten about Hot Fuzz. That was brilliant. Lock, Stock was great too.
Firefreak on 7/9/2007 at 08:28
How 'recent' would be "Galaxy Quest" for you? That one has a series of laughs (at least for me).
You might find some humor in some Bollywood movies though; While I'm on the search for some (good) comedy Bollywood films myself, the recent "Partner" (Hitch ripoff) and "Hey, Baby" (Three men and a baby ripoff) were funny (although I didn't like the slapstick in the latter that much)
Thinking of it, "Hitch" would not be in the line of your preferred styles, right?
Shakey-Lo on 7/9/2007 at 09:09
I know what you mean, most comedies these days seem to be aimed at "tweens". (
http://imdb.com/title/tt0375063/) Sideways is a good one, not an out-and-out 'comedy' but very charming and gives some good laughs.
Galaxy Quest is brilliant. I also liked (
http://imdb.com/title/tt0464913/) OSS 117: Le Caire nid d'espions. That's about all I can think of.
The best and most varied comedy these days is on TV.
Sulphur on 7/9/2007 at 09:25
Quote Posted by aguywhoplaysthief
I can't relate to Cameron Diaz with semen in her hair.
Ah, well. Call me crazy, but I thought that was the funniest part of Something about Mary.
I had stitches in my side from laughing at that scene while a couple of college girls in the row ahead of us were like, 'What the hell is
that?'
I do agree that a lot of today's comedy seems bereft of intelligence and characters that you can relate to. In that regard, I think animated features of late have been showing an upward trend - just saw Surf's Up and that has the benefit of being universally enjoyable and actually quite funny.
Then there's the recent 'Death at a Funeral' which I haven't seen yet, but have heard good things about.
Also, this one isn't very new (at all), but if you haven't seen 'A Fish Called Wanda', you should. It's an amazingly funny movie, which is true for just about any movie with John Cleese in it.
EDIT: Forgot about The Producers - opinion is varied about the newer musical adaptation, but since I haven't had the benefit of seeing the original Mel Brooks movie, I'd say it's a good watch and bloody hilarious at times.
Oskar Cruo on 7/9/2007 at 09:58
This all reminds me of Shreck. All that talk about how funny it is and "anarchic".. It sucked. Nothing funny. But then again, I laugh at blowing heads and such. I guess it's taste issue.
When I saw the Black Sheep trailer, I was confused but very amused. Sheeps get violent and start attacking people? I love movies that make you "what the fuck?". Im definetly going to see this film.
Not made very lately, but I love "Meet the Feebles" a lot (Peter Jackson). That has some really fucked up and twisted humor in it, exactly how I love it. As someone mentioned, it's like "muppets on acid".
Angel Dust on 7/9/2007 at 11:01
What about Pixars stuff? I thought 'The Incredibles' had alot of funny stuff. good character based laughs not tired old pop culture references (ala Shrek). Haven't seen Ratatouille yet but I've heard great things.
Also for old comedies check out some Woody Allen.
Annie Hall, Sleeper, Bullets Over Broadway, The Purple Rose of Cairo are all very funny and in different ways.
I actually though 'Anchorman' was pretty funny though.
rachel on 7/9/2007 at 12:08
I can heartily recommend Ratatouille. And Galaxy Quest too.
One of the funniest comedies I've seen in these last years was "Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre", but it is difficult to recommend to a non-French audience, because of all the country-specific pop references and in-jokes. That said Alain Chabat pretty much made the definite Asterix movie there and it's funny as hell.
Recently, I also liked the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy too, though it may not be everyone's cup of dry leaves in boiled water.
