By Matt Baker
Ok, admittedly there are very few things that are as subjective as comedy, but I think I’m going to try this anyway. The other day I was watching Blazing Saddles and Airplane and I thought to myself “hot damn, these are good – I should make a list”. Then I realized that a list of my favourite comedies would be really hard to write and is kind of pointless because of that whole subjectivity thing. But a few days later I am still thinking about this, so I say fuck it.
Before I get in to this I just want to lay some ground rules. First, this list is by no means comprehensive. I am not going to spend a lot of time doing this, so there are probably things I love that will not occur to me in the next 20 minutes or so, but hey, if I don’t think of them then they probably don’t belong on the list. Second, the fact that a movie is on this list says nothing about its overall quality – there are plenty of movies I think are hilarious, but they are not particularly good. Which brings me to the third rule: it has to have been intended as a comedy. I think Evil Dead is hysterical, but when they made it they thought they were making a horror, so it will not be found here. And finally, these movies are just in the order I think of them, not arranged by quality or any sort of rational categorization.
Before I get in to this I just want to lay some ground rules. First, this list is by no means comprehensive. I am not going to spend a lot of time doing this, so there are probably things I love that will not occur to me in the next 20 minutes or so, but hey, if I don’t think of them then they probably don’t belong on the list. Second, the fact that a movie is on this list says nothing about its overall quality – there are plenty of movies I think are hilarious, but they are not particularly good. Which brings me to the third rule: it has to have been intended as a comedy. I think Evil Dead is hysterical, but when they made it they thought they were making a horror, so it will not be found here. And finally, these movies are just in the order I think of them, not arranged by quality or any sort of rational categorization.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Ok, I lied, the first three are in order of preference. I think this is the best comedy of all time. Period. And I will duel anyone who chooses to dispute me (qualifier – this will be a duel of Futurama trivia knowledge because it is highly unlikely that anyone who could whoop me in that would dispute this claim). If you haven’t seen it your life is bad and you should feel bad. Also, you will not be allowed in to heaven or any of the other good afterlife parties. And you smell.
Blazing Saddles (1974): The movie that inspired this list, Blazing Saddles is just plain awesome. I also don’t think they would be allowed to make this anymore. It is always fun to watch it with people who either haven’t seen it or don’t remember it and to just observe their reactions to the prolific use of the N Word and other extreme political incorrectness. Although it may seem to be an exceedingly racist movie if you pay no attention to the context, it is actually a brilliant satire of the prominent racism in both historical and contemporary US, while being a spot on parody of the Western genre.
Annie Hall (1977): This movie is tied with Dr. Strangelove and The Princess Bride for my all-time favourite movie, all three of which I love for so many more reasons than the comedy alone (which is why the other two are not in the top three comedies). But Annie Hall has me in stitches every time I watch it, and that is frequently (I believe I have seen it 3 times already this year). I love Woody Allen movies and this is by far his best and funniest. Its bittersweet tone gives the relationships a much more realistic feel and makes it the perfect romantic comedy for people who don’t like romantic comedies.
Young Frankenstein (1974): Wow, 1974 was quite the year for Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. A wonderful blend of highbrow and lowbrow, all filmed in gorgeous black and white. Just writing this makes me want to see it again.
Airplane (1980): The other movie that inspired this list, Airplane is surely the greatest example of the Spoof genre that you can find (technically Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein are spoofs as well, but I think this is a purer example of the form). What sets it apart from modern “spoofs” is that it takes the conventions of a genre, not just scenes from recent movies, and exaggerates them to absurdity while keeping a straight face the entire time. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen the specific movie that is being spoofed (and really, how many people have actually seen Zero Hour! or SST: Death Flight?), everyone knows the plot beats and it feels like you’ve seen all the original movies.
Dr. Strangelove (1964): This is the only comedy Kubrick ever made, as far as I can remember, and yet it is pretty universally accepted as one of the best comedies ever. Peter Sellers is great in three roles and all of the supporting cast play their roles perfectly. You will never take your precious bodily fluids for granted again.
The Princess Bride (1987): All I have to say about this movie is that it is wonderful. Having a bad day? Watch The Princess Bride and all will seem better. Having a good day? Watch The Princess Bride to revel in what makes life good. This is another one I’ve seen three or four times this year and it always leaves me warm and fuzzy.
Superbad (2007): I’m guessing that anyone who has ever been a teenage boy and doesn’t mind obscene humour is going to love this one. Although the actual events in the movie may be ridiculous, the tone brought me right back to high school and kept me laughing for the entire run time.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010): I hesitated to include this one because it is so new, but considering it is my favourite movie of the year so far and actually inspired me to pay for it twice in the theatres I think it has a valid place on this list. Since it bombed at the box office I’m guessing there are a lot of people who haven’t seen it. If you are one of them you need to rectify that. Now.
Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007): It is pretty impressive that Edgar Wright has made three movies and all three are on the list (see Scott Pilgrim). I’ve lumped Shaun and Hot Fuzz together because they are similar in style and use the same main actors, making them feel like a matching pair. Parodies of the horror and action genres, respectively, these movies accomplish the surprisingly difficult task of lovingly mocking the genre while being a legitimately excellent example of the genre. Not many movies have accomplished this.
The Big Lebowski (1998): I think this is my favourite Coen Brothers movie, if only because it is the most fun to watch. I don’t really know what to say about it, but it really is great. If you are familiar at all with old detective movies and books it is even better.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984): Probably the most famous and best example of the mockumentary genre (although Woody Allen’s Zelig is earlier and also well worth your time), Spinal Tap is just plain awesome and turns the comedy up to 11.
When Harry Met Sally (1989): The second greatest romantic comedy of all time, When Harry Met Sally is not bittersweet like Annie Hall and sticks much more closely to the familiar beats of a RC, but does so with exceptional wit and charm. Unlike most other RCs, the movie also takes place over a long enough time frame to the relationship to feel realistic and like it has a chance in hell of lasting. Also, this is the 3rd Rob Reiner movie on this list (Princess Bride and Spinal Tap being the other two). Not bad Meathead.
Bottle Rocket (1996): When looking at Wes Anderson’s movies I think most people prefer Rushmore or The Royal Tenenbaums to Bottle Rocket, but I just have to go with this one. Sure it is not as polished as the other two and feels like a first movie. And it may not be as well made or even as witty, but I think the characters are hysterical. I'm guessing this might be the most controversial choice on the list, but it's my list so if you don't like it piss off!
The Naked Gun (1988): Leslie Nielson at his best. I can’t imagine anyone not liking this movie. The two sequels might have been pushing it (although they are still funny), but you can’t deny that this one is a classic.
Hot Shots (1991): The first movie I can remember seeing twice in the theatre, I have loved this one since I was a kid.
Clerks (1994): This one is here mostly out of respectful nostalgia, although I still get a huge kick out of it. I think I have actually seen Mallrats more, but as I got older that one faded and this one stayed funny. Unfortunately Kevin Smith has not really been as funny since.
Honourable mentions (i.e. movies I thought of/were brought to my attention but I don’t want to write about):
Office Space
Half Baked
Baseketball
Robin Hood: Men In Tights
Spaceballs
Ghostbusters
Office Space
Half Baked
Baseketball
Robin Hood: Men In Tights
Spaceballs
Ghostbusters
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