Well, for the last few days, I’ve been skittish at best in my moderating/posting replies to comments, let alone really reading people’s blogs, and let alone coming up with any creative material to post. So, in the current tradition of Hollywood, I’ve decided to blast this concept from MCF, who in turn blasted it from Darrell. But, instead of upping the ante to the top 25 films, I’ve rather decided to create a Letterman-ish, concise top ten list.
In choosing my top ten, I would like put in these two cents. They are films that I find funny. Maybe you do and maybe you don’t. Even one film on this list does not naturally classify as a comedy. More importantly, however, is that the humour lasts the test of time. A film like Weekend at Bernies, which rated as funny in the late 80’s, has lost much of it’s zing in this day and age.
Now to my top 10:
10. Mambo Italiano (2003) dir. Émile Gaudreault
Nothing is as timeless as a story of pent up Italian family hostility over their son coming out. Nor as funny.
9. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb (1964) dir. Stanley Kubrick
Simply put, the absolute best of the dark comedies. Kubrick always was a genius. Sometimes I look at scenes in the film, most notably the riding the bomb shot, and wonder what part of our morbid selves finds this continuously funny. Kubrick looked deep within our souls and found humour in our own darkness.
8. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) dir. Harold Ramis
The first, and best of all the Vacation films with the Griswolds. Though our own vacations do not turn out so badly, and through all the jokes around possible vacation tragedies and the instances of Murphy’s Law that occur, the deeper story is the satire of what assholes people can become on vacation.
7. Best in Show (2000) dir. Christopher Guest
I do love the mockumentary style of filmmaking, and when combined with such a strong improvisational cast (Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara of SCTV fame), you get a brilliantly funny look at people whose lives revolve around their dogs in hopes of fame. Didn’t some text say somewhere not to place any idols in front of “Him”?
6. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) dir. John Landis
What do you do when your grades are shocking and you’re already risking expulsion? TOGA! TOGA! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour? Hell No! Regardless of the historical inaccuracies given by Bluto (John Belushi), this film was the framework for my after class existence at this fine post secondary institute.
5. Bowling for Columbine (2002) dir. Michael Moore
Whether you agree or disagree with the political statements made in the film, two things make me keel over laughing each time I watch the film. First, the opening sequence when Moore gets a gun given to him at a bank as a free gift for opening an account. The punchline of the scene is Moore commenting “don’t you think it’s a little dangerous giving away guns at a bank”, as armed bank robberies require a gun usually? The second thing that keels me over is the animated history of America, which is a comedic look at the history of fear in America. And yes, I do realize the tone of the film is far more serious, but Moore does have quite the humourous wit.
4. The Big Lebowski (1998) dir. Joel Coen
Just as the rug really tied the room together, the Dude (or Duder, His Dudeness, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole berevity thing) ties all the characters in this trippy film together. This film just oozes with story, snappy dialogue, chemistry, and a trippiness I haven’t seen in a film in ages.
3. Clerks (1994) dir. Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith’s debut feature is a brilliant look into the hellish world of a store clerk, to which Smith himself was no stranger. The hell is so well referenced that the lead, Dante Hicks, is an obvious refernce to The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Besides, what more hell could ensue AFTER you realize your girlfriend sucked 37 dicks (though not necessarily in a row).
2. Family Guy Presents: Stewie Griffin - The Untold Story (2005) dir. Pete Michels/Peter Shin
Stewart Gilligan Griffin, arguably the best character devised in the last 50 years, finally in a story devoted almost entirely to himself. Yes, this was a direct to DVD release, but meh. It was so funny I feel like having a sexy party.
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) dir. Terry Gilliam/Terry Jones
I know I have a problem now when in retrospective, I see that I could understand the depth of the humour of Monty Python at age 10. Though any Python film could fit the number one spot, I chose the best, the Holy Grail. No matter how many times I see squires banging coconuts to simulate the sound of steeds, the evil killier bunny, or Sir Galahad being “rescued” from oral sex, Monty Python ALWAYS hits the mark.
Well, that is it. Though, for those who feel their films may be smited, I have included a list of honourable mentions which do fit my criteria, which are as follows (without links, as it’s getting late. Deal with it).
The Blues Brothers
Strange Brew
Slap Shot
Airplane
Blazing Saddles
The Odd Couple (1968)
Ghostbusters
This Is Spinal Tap
American Pie
Mrs. Doubtfire
Fast Times at Ridgemount High
Easy Rider
That is all.
