It’s funny because it’s true.
The past Sunday’s NYT magazine is all about humor—in film, mostly, but also just in general. They asked a bunch of ostensibly funny people what makes something funny. I know that, a lot of the time, explaining why something is funny is the surest way to neutralize its humorous impact, but I’ve always been interested in the philosophy of humor, and since I’m teaching a humor-writing course this summer, I guess I should probably make it seem like I’ve done my homework.
The magazine also asks several people to list their five favorite comedy films. My favorite response is, of course, David Cross’ list:
1. Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975)
2. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
3. Jackass Number 2 (2006)
4. Homer & Eddie (1989)
5. Rent (2005)
I’m going to go ahead and assume the first two items are sincere, but the last three are almost certainly DC doing what he does best: being a smartass. I mean, Jackass seems too lowest-common-denominator for his taste; Homer & Eddie is a road-trip movie featuring Jim Belushi as a mentally retarded person; and Rent is Rent.
Anyway, it got me thinking about what my favorite comedies are. I don’t think I could narrow it down to five, so I’ve permitted myself ten. For the purposes of the exercise, I’m going to go ahead and define a film comedy as “a film whose predominant goal is to be funny” which is why I haven’t included movies that are not comedies but still make me pee my pants with mirth (e.g. American Psycho, Donnie Darko) and movies that are so dumb they’re unintentionally funny (any Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle). So here they are, in no particular order:
1. Ghostbusters
2. The Big Lebowski
3. Annie Hall
4. Borat
5. Kicking & Screaming
6. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
7. Rushmore
8. Waiting For Guffman
9. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
10. Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy
So that’s my two cents. Debate/concur as needed.
Posted: November 15th, 2006 under Film.
Comments: 14
Comments
Comment from Dan
Time: 16 November 2006, 09:32
I didn’t know you were a Ghostbusters fan! It’s in my top 3 as well. I know that movie line by line. When I was a kid, I had all the toys including the proton pack and ghost trap.
And Big Lebowski may be my #1.
Comment from ae
Time: 16 November 2006, 10:38
Jeeez Louise….this is my list almost exactly. Ghostbusters is probably the best film ever….if it wasn’t for Lebowski.
Comment from BP
Time: 16 November 2006, 11:05
What about Caddyshack! I love a couple of your other picks though.
Comment from Josh
Time: 16 November 2006, 11:36
I like most of your choices, but I’m going to have to throw in Old School and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (maybe it’s just the holidays).
Comment from Jake
Time: 16 November 2006, 13:09
Old School is #11. It got knocked off when I remembered Brain Candy.
Here’s a terrible confession: I’ve never seen Caddyshack. I guess it should go into the queue.
Also, I should probably clarify that #5 is the 1995 Noah Baumbach film, not the 2005 Will Farrell film. Though I’m sure that had its moments too.
Comment from ae
Time: 16 November 2006, 13:47
Whoa whoa whoa. You totally missed South Park, guy.
Comment from Chad
Time: 16 November 2006, 14:11
If you’ve never seen Shakes The Clown, find a copy. I don’t even know if it is on DVD. Bobcat Goldthwait wrote, directed and stars in it. It takes place in Palookaville, where the population consists of alcoholic clowns. There is even a hierarchy of clown. Rodeo clowns are the toughs, and mimes get beat up all the time. Tom Kenney(sp?) from Mr. Show plays Shakes’ nemesis, Binky. Find a place that stocks it. Chad
Comment from Margaret
Time: 16 November 2006, 17:35
Didn’t you almost pee yourself during Team America? Though that movie kind of strays in the second half or attempts to have a plot or something.
Comment from Jake
Time: 16 November 2006, 17:39
Both Team America and South Park were pants-wettingly funny. Maybe my list should have been twelve items.
Comment from lizz
Time: 17 November 2006, 08:53
you picked 40 year old virgin over anchorman?
btw,
dave eggars is coming to my neighborhood this weekend to talk about infinite jest.
Comment from Anastasia Beaverhausen
Time: 17 November 2006, 16:00
You’re teaching a humor course this summer? That’s awesome. I hope you include the fine points of timing when it comes to delivering a doortrick.
Also, I still say Groundhog Day is a-number-one.
Comment from lizz
Time: 18 November 2006, 18:46
dude,
we all forgot airplane!
the exclamation is in both the title and my disappointment.
and i don’t find ferris bueller’s day off especially funny. good, yes. inspiring, duh. funny, eh.
Comment from ae
Time: 19 November 2006, 13:13
“Ha Ha Funny”
Possible band name?
Comment from Anastasia Beaverhausen
Time: 19 November 2006, 15:00
How come no one has mentioned any of Mel Brooks’ ouevre? I’m ashamed of myself. I nominate Young Frankenstein and the non-musical The Producers. Zero Mostel lives!
Write a comment