Michael Lee's Top Ten Comedies

I'm deliberately not including films I listed in my top ten movie list of all time -- that would be a simple way out, really. (I'm also leaving out sequels & related films, so no Kevin Smith films or Austin Powers here.) They aren't in order, because that would require me to think too hard. As always, it's also a snap shot in time -- if you ask me in a few weeks, I can't promise the same list!

• Galaxy Quest
  I left this off of the best-of-1999 list, and I'm (over?) compensating by putting it here. It's grown on me more than any other film has recently. What else can be said? It's funny because it takes itself seriously -- compare it with something like Spaceballs, for example.

• Ghostbusters
  Who ya gonna call? With a delightfully talented and funny cast, this manages to be a whole lot of fun. In some ways, a pairing with Galaxy Quest is appropriate, as they both are funny but manage to have a better dramatic plot than many more serious films.

• Monty Python and the Meaning of Life
  Why this one? Well, Holy Grail is the obvious one, and I wanted to pick something completely different. It's also the Python movie I've seen the most, as it was on cable regularly when we first got cable.

• Time Bandits
  Immense fun as Terry Gilliam jumps throughout time. It's surreal, quotable, intelligent, and unique.

• Who Framed Roger Rabbit
  Technically this was unique, and it was sometimes impossible to tell who was the cartoon and who was the actor. Very funny.

• Back to the Future
  As is frequently the case, the original is the best & most refreshing. Christopher Lloyd is mad.

• Heathers
  Dark, disturbing, funny, and sadly ahead of its time. This came out my senior year in high school, so it's immediately recognizable to me. I love it.

• This is Spinal Tap
  This movie goes to 11. It's funny, you believe that it's completely true, the songs are exactly what they should be.

• Real Genius
  I want to be in this movie. When I was in college, I'd *always* check to see if my closet had some sort of secret doorway. It's been a while since I've seen it, and can't wait to see it again.

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off
  My 1980s nostalgia is complete here. We all want to take days like this; where we trick the assistant principals, have fun, escape trouble, get songs named after us, and get the beautiful girl. Shake it up baby.