My Top 15 Comedies of All Time [12-10]

Comedy is one of my favorite genres in all of film. I consider myself a bit of a comedian, regardless of what other people will tell you. Comedy is like horror, it is pretty easy to make but very difficult to make well [I'm looking at you, White Chicks]. There are so many types of comedy from fart jokes to sardonic monologues and beyond. I have compiled a list of my favorite 15 comedy movies of all time. Feel free to read and comment to your heart's [or spleen's] content.

Here is numbers 15 through 13 from my previous article:

15. This is Spinal Tap
14. Shaun of the Dead
13. The 40 Year Old Virgin

And here is numbers 12 through 10:

12. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

This movie is just plain fun. I'm sure everyone has sat through a roll call somewhere where someone says "Bueller... Bueller" in a Ben Stein style monotone voice. Every time I see Matthew Broderick I picture Ferris Bueller regardless of the movie. This movie is pure situational comedy. Ferris tricking the whole school into thinking he is deathly ill, his sister Jeanie's bad luck at dealing with authority juxtaposed with Ferris' sensational luck, the principal Mr. Rooney's antics at trying to reveal Bueller's truancy, it is all just classic. It is hard to watch this movie and not want so badly to be friends with Cameron and ride in his dad's Ferrari. Ferris does what we all wanted to do while in school, skip it and have the time of your life. He does it in such an entertaining way that it is really hard not to like this movie.

Why you would like it: Any fan of John Hughes or the 1980s would like this movie [although it is impossible to be a fan of the 1980s and not like John Hughes]. If you like to be entertained and have fun watching a film, then this one is for you. 'Nuff said. Plus you know you would want to experience this:



Why you might not like it: It is really hard to not at least like this movie. I don't really know how you wouldn't like this movie. Maybe if you are an abusive father with a Ferrari? Or a dean with a great disdain for truancy?

11. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

This movie is absolutely ridiculous. Will Ferrell is perfect as a socially awkward , totally oblivious anchorman for a local San Diego news station. This is one of those movies that is almost too quotable. Nevertheless, this movie is just filled with laughs. The characters are so over-the-top and ridiculous that this movie is just awesome. Ferrell's Ron Burgundy [he's kind of a big deal] and Steve Carell's Brick Tamland [he loves lamp] are unforgettable. This movie is completely stupid but you would have to be brilliant to come up with the ridiculous dialogue.

Why you would like it: If you watch this movie, you will not stop laughing. There are just so many lines and characters and situations that this movie is one of the funniest ever made. The only reason it is not higher on my list is that too many people quote it all the time and sometimes Anchorman wears out its welcome. However, it does not stay unwelcome for long with lines such as this:



and scenes such as this:



Why you might not like it: They have done studies, you know. 60% of the time this movie is funny every time. Therefore, it is impossible to not like this movie. It is just logic after all.

10. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Sacha Baron Cohen is truly a genius. This movie is so good for so many reasons. Borat is an amazing character [who is probably utterly offensive if you are from Kazakhstan] to be at the center of this movie. It is more than just a stupid comedy where a guy has poop in a bag at one point; it wonderfully spoofs American society and real Americans. Yes, this movie is racist and sexist and offensive in so many ways but it also is a good dialogue on America's obsession with self-image, fame, and celebrity [as in when Borat falls in love with Pamela Anderson].

Why you would like it: If you like the idea that this movie makes many allusions to parts of American society or if you simply want some slapstick lunacy, this movie is for you. I think this movie is absolutely brilliant and truly, albeit oddly, captures the essence of comedy and have a message at the same time. Borat is a character that transcends just this one film and Da Ali G Show, he even transcends Cohen himself. He is a new, hilarious character and that is why this movie is one of the best comedies of all time. Just look at Borat make an appearance on the Fox News Channel:



Why you might not like it: If you are from Kazakhstan or any other country on the Eurasian steppes, you might find this movie offensive. Also if you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, black, white, Hispanic, racist, gay, straight, Democrat, Republican, or Pamela Anderson, you might not like this movie. HIGH FIVE!