Who doesn't love to laugh? I know I do. I grew up during in a great time, when the television was filled daily with Three Stooges and Laurel & Hardy shorts, and there was always a Marx Brothers or W.C. Fields film playing somewhere. And let's not forget Abbott & Costello, Martin & Lewis, Ma & Pa Kettle and, of course, Francis The Talking Mule. Comedy was king. As a youth, I started collecting silent comedies on Super 8mm and discovered the comic trinity of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd.
The biggest problem with making a list of comedies is deciding what actually is a comedy. How many laughs are needed to turn a drama into a comedy? What about funny musicals? Or funny horror films? It calls for some very subjective judgments.
I am not going to handcuff myself with as many self-imposed restrictions as I did when I made my lists of horror films. My decision concerning what is a comedy will be decided on the basis of the individual film. However, I will try to restrain myself from flooding a decade with the work of a single comic visionary. For example, I am not going to put six Marx Brothers films on my Top 10 Comedies of the 1930s list. I will only pick one of their films as representative of their work during the period.
Also, I am going to try to rate the films in the context of their times. Therefore, expect to see some films on the lists which would be considered politically incorrect today. I will, however, discuss the controversy concerning some of those films when it seems appropriate.
So here we are in the 2000s. Looking back, I must admit that comedy fatigue set in during the decade. I felt a certain sameness after a while. The same configuration of actors appearing in a nonstop series of films about man-children afraid to grow up. This proved to be one of my most difficult lists to assemble because, after the top few, I wasn't passionate about any of the films. Still, there were some gems scattered about.
With no further ado, here's the list:
Two unpopular high school seniors try to reverse their status by providing all of the alcohol for a massive party.
Every generation has their version of a coming of age comedy where high school friends either try to get to that giant party or score with a girl before they separate to go to college. Ladies and gentlemen of 2007, this was your version. With their obsessiveness on either partying or sex, and raunchy humor, these films tend to be very politically incorrect in our more "enlightened" times. Overall, I found this one better than its earlier Porky's and American Pie variants. If you want to check out high school from a female perspective during the decade, watch 2004's Mean Girls, with a script by Tina Fey.
Superbad former CIA agent Black Dynamite decides to clean up the ghetto after his brother is killed, only to discover a conspiracy by The Man at goes all the way to the top.
This homage to blaxploitation films of the seventies is a true gem. Unlike, say, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, the filmmakers so perfectly captures the form that it serves as both an actual blaxploitation film and a loving, and hilarious, homage. Michael Jai White was born to play this role. He has the built and martial arts skills for the action and the necessary comedy chops. The key to the comedy is that everyone plays it completely straight. The film inspired an adult swim animated series, but I'm still waiting for a sequel!
A pothead summons server, Seth Rogen, gets caught up in a gangland war after witnessing a murder. He is forced to go on the run with his clueless dealer, James Franco.
This decade had a number of stoner comedies. Not one to indulge myself, I need something a little more substantial than some subpar Cheech & Chong humor. Fortunately, this film delivers mainly due to the chemistry between Seth Rogen and James Franco. They are an enjoyable duo to watch, and fortunately they would follow this film up with some other comedies.
A television news anchorman from the seventies falls in love and confronts his misogynistic assumptions.
This decade Will Ferrell replaced Adam Sandler as America's favorite boy-man. That was good news, I suppose. He is funnier than Sandler, but, as far as I am concerned, his schtick started getting pretty thin by the end of the decade. That said, I found many of his films pretty funny. For this list I debated between Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Old School and Elf. I think Anchorman was the funniest of the group, if only for the quickly escalating rumble between the rival news teams. Elf might make my list of Christmas films one day.
The owner of a small record store, John Cusack, tries to come to terms with his recent breakup by revisiting his former breakups.
There's something about guys that make them obsessive collectors or fans. That's what I find most amusing about this film: The snobby elitism of the staff of the record store. Granted, I like the whole romcom thing too, but I keep coming back for the record store. This film also represents John Cusack near the pinnacle of his career. I have been enjoying his work since the 1980s and I think he reached his peak here with this film and the previous one Being John Malkovich.
A recently widowed man decides to drive across the country in a motor home to attend his estranged daughter's wedding.
I have a hard time placing Alexander Payne in the cinematic universe. He displays the intelligence and cynicism of the Coen Brothers, but lacks their overall idiosyncratic worldview. Still, Payne makes consistently good films -- Downsizing notwithstanding. The most important tool in Payne's arsenal this time is Jack Nicholson. Much more subdued than usual, Nicholson still gives a masterful performance. It ranks high in his canon. He is also aided and abetted by Kathy Bates, who also gives one of her best performances. Both Nicholson and Bates were nominated for Oscars.
A group of highly-strung actors filming a big budget Hollywood war film don't quite realize it when the shooting becomes real.
This is a fabulous satire of Hollywood ego and studio greed. I have always appreciated Ben Stiller, but I often get the feeling that, with a few exceptions, he isn't the right fit for the roles he chooses. In this film, he finds that role: As an actor trying to find the right role to define himself. Even better is Robert Downey, Jr., who plays a multi-Oscar winner, who is so committed to his role that he has his skin surgically dyed black to play an African-American. The film is loaded with cameos. Tom Cruise, hidden under heavy makeup, provides the best one as a ruthless studio executive. This is the kind of film you watch and wonder who the characters are really based on....
Three escaped prisoners in the depression-era South experience a series of adventures oddly reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey.
Stealing its title from Preston Struges and the structure from Homer, the Coen brothers score yet another intelligent, comic hit. Talk about an idiosyncratic vision! They go places no other filmmakers would even think of going. So far, they have had a film on my comedy Top 10 every decade from the time they arose. They will have one on the next decade, too!
Extra points for briefly popularizing Americana music.
This mockumentary follows a group of people whose pets compete in a prestigious dog show.
This film follows in the vein of This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting For Guffman, but surpasses them both in laughs. Christopher Guest is a genius. He and co-writer Eugene Levy created a structure that allowed their talented comic cast to develop characters that were both hilarious and grounded in reality. I know exactly how grounded these characters were in reality. When this film came out, I was editing a series featuring dog agility competitions for Animal Planet. Every character in this film seemed based on one of our real contestants!
An overzealous London police officer, who makes his colleagues look bad by comparison, is exiled to a small, peaceful village where he soon begins to suspect that a series of accidents might actually be murders.
This film was made by the same team that brought us the horror comedy Shaun of the Dead. I didn't think it would be possible for them to surpass that film, but they did with this gem. The script is simply perfect. Witty and intelligent. Also, it is structured beautifully. They literally pay off everything they set up. There isn't a wasted word. But the success of the film relies on more than the writing. It is directed and acted beautifully. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make a fantastic comedy team. They should only work together. However, the film also features a who's who of British cinema in a supporting and cameo roles. Everyone from Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan, Cate Blanchett and director Peter Jackson. They even have a James Bond: Timothy Dalton. Who could ask for anything more?
I don't think this film got the release or recognition it deserved. If you haven't see it yet, do yourself a favor and take a look.
Honorable Mention:
WAITING...., 2005. Perhaps it was my years as a busboy, but I found this film hilarious. THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, 2005. Funny, but not a classic. Maybe it hit a little too close to home for me. TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, 2004. America, F**k Yeah! THE HANGOVER, 2009. Pretty good. The sequels are shameless money grabs. JACKASS THE MOVIE, 2002. Laughed all the way through it, but felt ashamed afterwards. STEP BROTHERS, 2008. Men refusing to grow up. The theme of the decade. Yawn. SCHOOL OF ROCK, 2003. Liked it, but I think Jack Black began to take his rock star persona too seriously. BORAT, 2006. Sasha Baron Cohen's Candid Camera-style big screen debut. Laughed through it the first time but I didn't feel it sustained repeated viewings. IDIOCRACY, 2006. Very funny. Perhaps I should have put it in the Top 10. LEGALLY BLONDE, 2001. Enjoyed it, but two sequels. Really? NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, 2004. Didn't like it. Sorry. I might have been a nerd in high school, but not that much of a nerd.
Other Lists:
The biggest problem with making a list of comedies is deciding what actually is a comedy. How many laughs are needed to turn a drama into a comedy? What about funny musicals? Or funny horror films? It calls for some very subjective judgments.
I am not going to handcuff myself with as many self-imposed restrictions as I did when I made my lists of horror films. My decision concerning what is a comedy will be decided on the basis of the individual film. However, I will try to restrain myself from flooding a decade with the work of a single comic visionary. For example, I am not going to put six Marx Brothers films on my Top 10 Comedies of the 1930s list. I will only pick one of their films as representative of their work during the period.
Also, I am going to try to rate the films in the context of their times. Therefore, expect to see some films on the lists which would be considered politically incorrect today. I will, however, discuss the controversy concerning some of those films when it seems appropriate.
So here we are in the 2000s. Looking back, I must admit that comedy fatigue set in during the decade. I felt a certain sameness after a while. The same configuration of actors appearing in a nonstop series of films about man-children afraid to grow up. This proved to be one of my most difficult lists to assemble because, after the top few, I wasn't passionate about any of the films. Still, there were some gems scattered about.
With no further ado, here's the list:
10. SUPERBAD, 2007
Directed by Greg Mottola
Screenplay by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg
Two unpopular high school seniors try to reverse their status by providing all of the alcohol for a massive party.
Every generation has their version of a coming of age comedy where high school friends either try to get to that giant party or score with a girl before they separate to go to college. Ladies and gentlemen of 2007, this was your version. With their obsessiveness on either partying or sex, and raunchy humor, these films tend to be very politically incorrect in our more "enlightened" times. Overall, I found this one better than its earlier Porky's and American Pie variants. If you want to check out high school from a female perspective during the decade, watch 2004's Mean Girls, with a script by Tina Fey.
9. BLACK DYNAMITE, 2007
Directed by Scott Sanders
Story by Michael Jai White & Byron Minns
Superbad former CIA agent Black Dynamite decides to clean up the ghetto after his brother is killed, only to discover a conspiracy by The Man at goes all the way to the top.
This homage to blaxploitation films of the seventies is a true gem. Unlike, say, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, the filmmakers so perfectly captures the form that it serves as both an actual blaxploitation film and a loving, and hilarious, homage. Michael Jai White was born to play this role. He has the built and martial arts skills for the action and the necessary comedy chops. The key to the comedy is that everyone plays it completely straight. The film inspired an adult swim animated series, but I'm still waiting for a sequel!
Fortunately, we got to talk to one of the producers of the film in a very special episode of the Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast. You can listen to it here. Or watch it on Youtube below:
8. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, 2008
Directed by David Gordon Green
Screenplay by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg
A pothead summons server, Seth Rogen, gets caught up in a gangland war after witnessing a murder. He is forced to go on the run with his clueless dealer, James Franco.
This decade had a number of stoner comedies. Not one to indulge myself, I need something a little more substantial than some subpar Cheech & Chong humor. Fortunately, this film delivers mainly due to the chemistry between Seth Rogen and James Franco. They are an enjoyable duo to watch, and fortunately they would follow this film up with some other comedies.
Directed by Adam McKay
Screenplay by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay
A television news anchorman from the seventies falls in love and confronts his misogynistic assumptions.
This decade Will Ferrell replaced Adam Sandler as America's favorite boy-man. That was good news, I suppose. He is funnier than Sandler, but, as far as I am concerned, his schtick started getting pretty thin by the end of the decade. That said, I found many of his films pretty funny. For this list I debated between Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Old School and Elf. I think Anchorman was the funniest of the group, if only for the quickly escalating rumble between the rival news teams. Elf might make my list of Christmas films one day.
6. HIGH FIDELITY, 2000
Directed by Stephen Frears
and Scott Rosenberg
Based on the novel by Nick Hornby
The owner of a small record store, John Cusack, tries to come to terms with his recent breakup by revisiting his former breakups.
There's something about guys that make them obsessive collectors or fans. That's what I find most amusing about this film: The snobby elitism of the staff of the record store. Granted, I like the whole romcom thing too, but I keep coming back for the record store. This film also represents John Cusack near the pinnacle of his career. I have been enjoying his work since the 1980s and I think he reached his peak here with this film and the previous one Being John Malkovich.
5. ABOUT SCHMIDT, 2002
Directed by Alexander Payne
Written by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Based on the novel by Louis Begley
A recently widowed man decides to drive across the country in a motor home to attend his estranged daughter's wedding.
I have a hard time placing Alexander Payne in the cinematic universe. He displays the intelligence and cynicism of the Coen Brothers, but lacks their overall idiosyncratic worldview. Still, Payne makes consistently good films -- Downsizing notwithstanding. The most important tool in Payne's arsenal this time is Jack Nicholson. Much more subdued than usual, Nicholson still gives a masterful performance. It ranks high in his canon. He is also aided and abetted by Kathy Bates, who also gives one of her best performances. Both Nicholson and Bates were nominated for Oscars.
4. TROPIC THUNDER, 2006
Directed by Ben Stiller
Story by Justin Theroux & Ben Stiller
This is a fabulous satire of Hollywood ego and studio greed. I have always appreciated Ben Stiller, but I often get the feeling that, with a few exceptions, he isn't the right fit for the roles he chooses. In this film, he finds that role: As an actor trying to find the right role to define himself. Even better is Robert Downey, Jr., who plays a multi-Oscar winner, who is so committed to his role that he has his skin surgically dyed black to play an African-American. The film is loaded with cameos. Tom Cruise, hidden under heavy makeup, provides the best one as a ruthless studio executive. This is the kind of film you watch and wonder who the characters are really based on....
3. O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, 2000
Directed by Joel Coen
Written by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Based on the epic poem by Homer
Stealing its title from Preston Struges and the structure from Homer, the Coen brothers score yet another intelligent, comic hit. Talk about an idiosyncratic vision! They go places no other filmmakers would even think of going. So far, they have had a film on my comedy Top 10 every decade from the time they arose. They will have one on the next decade, too!
Extra points for briefly popularizing Americana music.
2. BEST IN SHOW, 2000
Directed by Christopher Guest
Screenplay by Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy
This mockumentary follows a group of people whose pets compete in a prestigious dog show.
This film follows in the vein of This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting For Guffman, but surpasses them both in laughs. Christopher Guest is a genius. He and co-writer Eugene Levy created a structure that allowed their talented comic cast to develop characters that were both hilarious and grounded in reality. I know exactly how grounded these characters were in reality. When this film came out, I was editing a series featuring dog agility competitions for Animal Planet. Every character in this film seemed based on one of our real contestants!
Shameless plug: Here's star Fred Willard talking about performing in my film Holyman Undercover.
1. HOT FUZZ, 2007
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
An overzealous London police officer, who makes his colleagues look bad by comparison, is exiled to a small, peaceful village where he soon begins to suspect that a series of accidents might actually be murders.
This film was made by the same team that brought us the horror comedy Shaun of the Dead. I didn't think it would be possible for them to surpass that film, but they did with this gem. The script is simply perfect. Witty and intelligent. Also, it is structured beautifully. They literally pay off everything they set up. There isn't a wasted word. But the success of the film relies on more than the writing. It is directed and acted beautifully. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make a fantastic comedy team. They should only work together. However, the film also features a who's who of British cinema in a supporting and cameo roles. Everyone from Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan, Cate Blanchett and director Peter Jackson. They even have a James Bond: Timothy Dalton. Who could ask for anything more?
I don't think this film got the release or recognition it deserved. If you haven't see it yet, do yourself a favor and take a look.
Honorable Mention:
WAITING...., 2005. Perhaps it was my years as a busboy, but I found this film hilarious. THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, 2005. Funny, but not a classic. Maybe it hit a little too close to home for me. TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, 2004. America, F**k Yeah! THE HANGOVER, 2009. Pretty good. The sequels are shameless money grabs. JACKASS THE MOVIE, 2002. Laughed all the way through it, but felt ashamed afterwards. STEP BROTHERS, 2008. Men refusing to grow up. The theme of the decade. Yawn. SCHOOL OF ROCK, 2003. Liked it, but I think Jack Black began to take his rock star persona too seriously. BORAT, 2006. Sasha Baron Cohen's Candid Camera-style big screen debut. Laughed through it the first time but I didn't feel it sustained repeated viewings. IDIOCRACY, 2006. Very funny. Perhaps I should have put it in the Top 10. LEGALLY BLONDE, 2001. Enjoyed it, but two sequels. Really? NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, 2004. Didn't like it. Sorry. I might have been a nerd in high school, but not that much of a nerd.
Other Lists:
Top 10 Comedies of the 2000s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1990s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1980s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1970s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1960s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1950s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1940s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1930s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 2010s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 2000s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1990s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1980s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1970s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1960s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1950s
Top 15 Horror Films of the 1930s and 1940s
My 10 Favorite James Bonds Films
My 10 Favorite Faith Based Films
My 10 Favorite Laurel & Hardy Shorts
Top 10 Comedies of the 1990s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1980s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1970s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1960s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1950s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1940s
Top 10 Comedies of the 1930s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 2010s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 2000s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1990s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1980s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1970s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1960s
Top 10 Horror Films of the 1950s
Top 15 Horror Films of the 1930s and 1940s
My 10 Favorite James Bonds Films
My 10 Favorite Faith Based Films
My 10 Favorite Laurel & Hardy Shorts
The 10 Worst Films I Paid To See!
My 5 Favorite Westerns
7 Guy Films
20 Films, or Confessions of a Misspent Youth
The Marx Brothers Films Ranked
The Chaplin Mutual Shorts Ranked
Beatles Albums Ranked
My 20 Favorite Beatles Songs
My 5 Least Favorite Beatles Songs
My 5 Favorite Rolling Stones Albums
My 5 Favorite Dylan Albums
My 5 Favorite Westerns
7 Guy Films
20 Films, or Confessions of a Misspent Youth
The Marx Brothers Films Ranked
The Chaplin Mutual Shorts Ranked
Beatles Albums Ranked
My 20 Favorite Beatles Songs
My 5 Least Favorite Beatles Songs
My 5 Favorite Rolling Stones Albums
My 5 Favorite Dylan Albums
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.
Listen to me read some chapters here:
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