Jennifer McDermott's Top Ten Comedies
(In no particular order)
Sgt. Bilko
Every once in a while I have to turn my brain off
and laugh so hard milk comes out my nose. This movie
does it for me. Pure dumb comedy.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
See note above. Is there a theme here?
Noises Off
Carol Burnett is a comedy goddess. Michael Caine
is wonderful as the long-suffering director and
Christoper Reeve is startlingly good as a comic love
interest.
A Midwinter's Tale
Created by the supporting cast of Kenneth
Branagh's Hamlet this movie apparently exists as the
only way Ken's cast could get catharsis and closure to
working on Branagh's Hamlet. (side note: as Ken was
angsting all over as Hamlet, Glenn Close and Hugh
Laurie were next door with 101 Dalmatians. Oy!) Nutty
and very fast paced. Black and white, which was a
very interesting choice. Some new faces whose names I
can't remember but they're all good. Jackie Collins
has a small role as the main character's agent.
The Birdcage
I have never seen Le Cage etc. Robin Williams and
Nathan Lane are tied at the top of my list for best
actors and to have them together in one movie is just
the greatest. Hank Azaria is wonderful in a supporting
role,and even though I don't like her TV show, Calista
Flockheart is pretty good in this movie.
First Wives Club
Even though it started out with a very grim
beginning it lightens up and becomes quite funny, but
retains it's poignant feel the whole way through. This
movie speaks to me very loudly, as I'm a First Wife
myself. Well put together. Directed I think by Penny
Marshall, who is in my top five list of directors.
And speaking of Penny Marshall. . .
A League of Their Own
The locker room scene with the Army telegram
never fails to make me cry. An odd statement for a
comedy but this one is nicely balanced between comedy
and pathos, like all of her films seem to be. There
are some roaringly funny scenes in this movie as well
as more than a few intensely dramatic moments. Tom
Hanks is wonderful as always and Geena Davis is
occasionally very funny. Madonna puts in a very good
performance too, surprisingly.
Grumpy Old Men
Not the sequel, the original. A little like The
Odd Couple but manages to retain its own feel. In
case you don't know by now, the bar called Slippery's
in the movie is actually our near and dear Half-Time
Rec, complete with Xmas lights on the ceiling.
Disney's Hercules
I know, I know. But in and of itself it's a
pretty good flick, assuming you forget everything
you've ever learned about Greek Mythology. It's a
good movie to show kids if you are babysitting too.
Any and all of the Jeeves and Wooster series from
the BBC.
Ok, this is my cheat, but did I say only movies?
No. . . Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry are wonderful as
dim-witted socialite and man about town Bertie Wooster
and his gentleman's gentleman Jeeves. Unfortunately
you can't buy them anywhere in town except for the MPR
store in the MOA and at SunCoast. Both stores make
you pay through the nose too.
Honourable Mentions: Victor/Victoria (the stage
musical, not the mass market movie), City Slickers,
Clue, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
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