Top Ten Comedies [Archive]

Lemur

05-22-2009, 19:14

Hooahguy

05-22-2009, 19:26

you forgot "Take the money and run"

LittleGrizzly

05-22-2009, 20:23

You put Borat in there ?

That film was crap!

Im pretty sure most people I know thought so too...

Anyway that isn't my main complaint... you found space for Borat but didn't find space for the hilarious Idiocracy or the side splitting Tropic Thunder!!

WTF!

Lemur

05-22-2009, 20:39

Hey, I was only allowed thirty options. I would have much rather done a top fifty. But isn't that what the thread is for? Here you can yell at me for leaving out good films.

Sasaki Kojiro

05-22-2009, 20:55

It's always hard to remember comedies...

undercover blues
dave
I love you to death
love and death
The man who knew too little
the ref
harold and kumar

Evil_Maniac From Mars

05-22-2009, 21:21

Blazing Saddles but no History of the World: Part One? Heresy.

Guildenstern

05-22-2009, 21:42

My personal list (in no order):

Gran Torino
Some Like It Hot
The Sting
Groundhog Day
The Big Lebowski
What About Bob?
The Graduate
Father of the Bride
Bull Durham
Meet the Parents

Hooahguy

05-22-2009, 22:23

Gran torino? a comedy? :huh:

Lemur

05-22-2009, 23:01

You put Borat in there ?

That film was crap!
Hey, three people have already voted for it. It's not a question of what's crap, 'cause comedy is notoriously subjective. It's a question of what Orgahs dig.

I feel kinda bad for His Girl Friday and Safety Last!, both of which are classics that nobody (including me) cared to vote for.

GeneralHankerchief

05-22-2009, 23:02

You put Election up there. You are officially the man. :yes:

-edit- Anyway, I kind of think Holy Grail has lost its charm with me. It's been over-promoted, over-quoted, and just has been getting far too much exposure. I watched it about a year and maybe got one laugh out of the entire thing. I think this xkcd strip (http://xkcd.com/16/) says it best.

InsaneApache

05-22-2009, 23:06

Life is beautiful a comedy? :inquisitive:

A great movie with some very dark humour, a comedy, no. :no:

Something about Mary had me in stiches when I saw it at the flicks. The dog scene in particular. :thumbsup:

Lemur

05-22-2009, 23:26

Holy Grail has lost its charm with me. It's been over-promoted, over-quoted, and just has been getting far too much exposure.
It's the same problem with Silence of the Lambs; as groundbreaking as it was a the time, 1,500 serial killer films later, it's hard to see the original without being aware of how its themes have been pounded into dust by the Hollywood grist mill.

You're right, of course, that Holy Grail has been over-quoted and over-referenced for thirty-odd years. But that doesn't negate the fact that the film was a landmark in surreal humor.

pevergreen

05-22-2009, 23:28

No Anchorman?

The comedies I like are few and far between. Naked Gun trilogy anyone? :grin2:

GeneralHankerchief

05-22-2009, 23:29

But that doesn't negate the fact that the film was a landmark in surreal humor.

Oh no, I completely agree. The first time I saw it, when I was still young and innocent, I didn't stop laughing throughout the entire thing. But now, when I want my dose of that kind of humor, I stick to Flying Circus instead of the movies.

-edit- I second Naked Gun, especially the first movie. The scene where he sang the National Anthem had me in stitches. :laugh4:

Reverend Joe

05-22-2009, 23:29

I figure it's time for us to figure out what the top ten film comedies of all time are. And this is just the place to sort it out.

I've posted a long list of some potential winners up top.

My list (in no meaningful order):

The Big Lebowski
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Young Frankenstein
Duck Soup
Animal House
Raising Arizona
Airplane!
This Is Spinal Tap
Napoleon Dynamite
Election

I think you nailed it, up until the last 3; I've never seen Spinal Tap, though, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. The 3 different ones I chose were Blazing Saddles, Dr. Strangelove and The Blues Brothers (kinda stupid, I know, but I love it -- plus it's the best musical ever.)

Also, I meant to vote for Life of Brian but chose Spinal Tap instead. Yeah, I know, it's Monty Python's sellout supposedly, but it's still a marvelously-made film, and frankly it works better than the anarchism of Holy Grail. I just don't feel like the anarcho-comedy really translated to the big screen very well.

Lemur

05-23-2009, 00:02

Also, I meant to vote for Life of Brian but chose Spinal Tap instead. Yeah, I know, it's Monty Python's sellout supposedly, but it's still a marvelously-made film, and frankly it works better than the anarchism of Holy Grail.
I forget how young I was, must have been around twelve or so, but I bullied and whined until I convinced my mom to drive me across the state line to see Life of Brian in the theaters. It was banned in Kentucky due to blasphemy.

I was really bummed out that it ended without Brian getting rescued. But then again, I was twelve.

Justiciar

05-23-2009, 00:18

No Anchorman?

The comedies I like are few and far between. Naked Gun trilogy anyone? :grin2:Both good choices. I still use the phrase, "like a midget in a urinal" when concentration is required.

The fight scene in Anchorman is fantastic;
"Rick, where'd you get a hand grenade?"
"I don't know."

AggonyDuck

05-23-2009, 00:30

Gran torino? a comedy? :huh:

It's actually a very funny film due to the fact that Clint's one-liners are so hilariously absurd coming from an 78-year old. I found myself laughing more during it than most film's classified as comedies. :2thumbsup:

miotas

05-23-2009, 01:15

Anyway, I kind of think Holy Grail has lost its charm with me. It's been over-promoted, over-quoted, and just has been getting far too much exposure. I watched it about a year and maybe got one laugh out of the entire thing. I think this xkcd strip (http://xkcd.com/16/) says it best.

Hmmm, perhaps I'm not as nerdy as I had previously thought, I have only seen the movie twice and found it bloody hilarious both times, and whilst I was in the "nerdy" group(or at least the closest thing our school had to one(aussie schools are less "group" oriented than US schools seem to be)) it was hardly ever mentioned.

The top comedies I can think of right now are:
Death at a Funeral
Holy grail
The Castle (stick in the pool room)
Anchorman (I LIKE LOUD NOISES!)
I love all the movies where steve carrel plays a secondary role, He seems to make any movie that he is secondary in about 10 times better, but his starring roles don't seem as good to me.
Johnny English
Bean Disaster Movie
(anything Rowan Atkinson is in really)
The Pink Panther
Man of the Year
Good Morning Vietnam
(any thing robin williams is in)
I meant to vote for Groundhog day, but i forgot.

There are more but thats all I've got off the top of my head

rasoforos

05-23-2009, 06:59

The Acharnians
The Knights
The Clouds
The Wasps
Peace
The Birds
Lysistrata
Thesmophoriazusae
The Frogs
Ecclesiazusae
Wealth
Life of Brian

I am weird

Raz

05-23-2009, 07:52

Haha, the Holy Grail was absolutely hilarious. It wins hands down. :grin:

Monk

05-23-2009, 09:36

Blazing Saddles but no History of the World: Part One? Heresy.

It definitely deserves a mention, afterall it's the movie that taught us it's good to be the king. Though when it comes to Mel brooks comedies, HotW: Part One is tied with Spaceballs: The Movie for my all time favorite. The entire scene when they break the fourth wall by getting out a copy of the movie to see what will happen next gets me every time without fail.

Fragony

05-23-2009, 09:50

I am totally immature. Saw 'There's something about Mary' yesterday and I am still laughing.

Banquo's Ghost

05-23-2009, 11:30

I would add a couple more to the list for consideration.

The only film I can watch time after time and still cry with laughter is "Les Visiteurs". Those of a pythonesque persuasion should really look it up.

For pure farce I am very fond of "The Money Pit". It has some great scenes of perfect timing, which rather appeals to me.

The Star Trek geek in me adores the gentle character based comedy of "The Voyage Home" but it's not really a top ten, just a personal favourite.

Perhaps more in the romantic-comedy genre (and thus outside the scope of this poll, but you have included "When Harry Met Sally" and "Groundhog Day") I like "Joe versus the Volcano" and "LA Story" too.

Hosakawa Tito

05-23-2009, 12:33

Tough to pick just 10. Some honorable mentions that aren't listed.

National Lampoon's Vacation
The Jerk
Up in Smoke
My Cousin Vinny
Home Alone
City Slickers

One of my favorite comedians of all time, and probably more for his stand up routines than his movie work, has to be the late Rodney "I can't get no respect" Dangerfield. His self-deprecating humor, delivery, & timing always had me in stitches.
When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them:laugh4:

Beefy187

05-23-2009, 13:33

Would hitch hikers guide to the galaxy be counted as a comedy?

Top 5

Monty Python the holy grail
Hitch Hikers guide to the galaxy
Ground Hogs day
Johnny English
Borat (just because I forgot what I was going to put it here..)

Gregoshi

05-23-2009, 15:22

Tough to pick just 10. Some honorable mentions that aren't listed.

National Lampoon's Vacation
The Jerk
Home Alone

:yes: I'd forgotten about these. I'd add Christmas Vacation to the list too. Another movie that cracks me up is Galaxy Quest. It captured the whole Star Trek phenomena so well.

InsaneApache

05-23-2009, 15:25

The wifes just reminded me. Throw Momma from the train. Hilarious.

Reverend Joe

05-23-2009, 18:18

Man, lots of good ones I forgot about here...

I would also add "Repo Man." Some may be turned off by the presence of Emilio Estevez, but he seems to be a natural as a loser Punk, and plus Harry Dean Stanton's presence more than makes up for Estevez's shortcomings as an actor. The movie itself is hysterical -- a wonderful combination of surrealism and slapstick. For those who haven't seen it, Miller's bizzare hippie-rappin' explanation of the world (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4QKiYar9pI) pretty much sums up the whole movie.

I love watching this movie after about 6 beers.

Sasaki Kojiro

05-23-2009, 19:57

Night at the museum 2 was great.

Kurando

05-23-2009, 20:01

Outstanding list Lemurington. And a very spirited discussion as well.

The only one that I would add might be It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057193/) but most because the scene where Jonathan Winters goes wild and destroys the gas station.

Other all time great scenes would be Uncle Buck (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098554/) where John Candy flips the giant pancakes, and Shakes the Clown (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102898/) where Bobcat Goldthwait goes berserk at the kids birthday party.

But probably the alltime greatest moment I have seen in a comedy was this clip from Tommy Chong's otherwise forgetable Far Out Man (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099546/). Here's the 2 minute clip (caution a couple of minor swear words): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWWCnOx5D4&feature=related

Gregoshi

05-23-2009, 21:05

Uncle Buck! I love that movie. Hysterical. John Candy was one of those that could make you laugh with a look or a mannerism.

Which reminds me of Trains, Planes and Automobiles. When I saw the trailer for TP&A it looked like the dumbest movie ever made. However, it turned out to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

Kurando, that clip from Farout Man was great. :laugh4:

Looking at some more - some of it off the wall:

Dark Star by John Carpenter was quite funny. My favourite scene is feeding the pet.
How could Ghostbusters not be on the list? (I know, limited to 30...)
I have to admit, I thought Howard the Duck was quite funny too. Please don't stone me.
Oh, they keep coming - Big Trouble in Little China!!! You know what Jack Burton always says...

Sarmatian

05-23-2009, 21:33

I think one more comedy should be mentioned (my favourite, btw) - Without a Clue. It's a Sherlock Holmes parody. The basic idea is simple and the script is decent, but what sets this comedy apart from many other is the chemistry between two leads, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley... They're both great in their role of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson...

Beirut

05-23-2009, 23:03

Superbad was great. Tenacious D was great, too. (Actually, Tenacious D should have won an Oscar!)

I saw The Big Lebowski, I thought it was good, but I didn't get the same WOW! reaction from it that a lot of other people seem to have.

Office Space is our official company movie. (Beck's Loser is our official company song.)

Proletariat

05-23-2009, 23:09

I'd throw Tommy Boy in the poll too. Chris Farley's best outside of his classic SNL skits.

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqHYGzQDe2w
Love this scene. So stupid it's brilliant, Chris Farley encapsulated American style physical comedy at it's best, imho

Lemur

05-24-2009, 05:20

I do feel bad about not putting The Jerk on the list. It's a classic of American comedy. Frankly, I could have done a Top 50 and still been missing stuff.

Amazed that anybody mentioned Repo Man; I think that film is hi-freakin-larious, but figured it was just me. Likewise, I figured Dark Star was another obscure, guilty Lemur pleasure. (Fight Club, Trainspotting and Starship Troopers are also non-stop funny if you're in the right frame of mind.)

HopAlongBunny

05-24-2009, 05:57

Voted Dr. Strangelove; I am (or was) a bit of a political junky and just loved the perspective it offered.

Dark Star!? The first time I saw the movie there was 2 of us in the theatre; I've always thought my friend and I were the only ppl who even knew the movie existed. A worthy addition in any case :)

Trains, Planes and Automobiles my favourite "travel movie"; Bing and Bob just don't measure up :p

ajaxfetish

05-24-2009, 09:02

The one favorite I can think of at the moment that hasn't been mentioned yet is Galaxy Quest, though I'm sure I've got several others that just aren't coming to me.

Ajax

Kralizec

05-24-2009, 23:39

I haven't seen most of those listed, so I just picked those wich I had - and most of them wouldn't be in my top 10. Dr. Strangelove would be, Austin Powers probably too.

In Bruges was hilarious but hardly noticed, sadly.

Louis VI the Fat

05-25-2009, 17:11

Comedies are for laffin', not for high-brow intellectual enrichment. No comedy is in too bad taste for me.

'Something about Mary' and 'Spinal Tap' had me laughing hysterically. The Coen Brothers have a great sense of humour too, a bit more understated, just like Groundhog Day, which is one of the greatest movies ever made.

I picked 'When Harry met Sally' just for that one scene in the restaurant.

Off the list:
Lost in Translation is strangely funny.
Les Visiteurs is great amusement indeed.
Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis is funny too.