Many of these films are also available in DVD format.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding(2002).Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett. The very accessible tale of Greek-American Toula, who falls for a WASPy guy named Ian and then has to endure the outrage, doubt, and ultimate acceptance of her deeply ethnically centered family. The actors invest their wildly stereotypical portrayals with sincerity and compassion, giving the movie an honest warmth instead of Hollywood schmaltz. DVD Version
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Airplane(1980) A frankly silly, yet uproarously funny parody of the disaster movies of the 1970's. A black comedy that makes fun of everyone and everything imaginable. Starring Robert Hays, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack. DVD Version
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Animal House(1978) Another of the self-indulgent comedies of the era, this John Belushi flick captures the silliness and grossness of the era. Also starring Tim Matheson. DVD Version
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Analyze This
(1999)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal.
Cast Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal together in a film and it should be a sucker's bet as to who's going to be funnier and who's going to give the more nuanced performance. Somehow, though, De Niro walks away with most of the laughs in Analyze This, a buddy action-comedy about a mob boss (De Niro, natch) suffering from panic attacks who makes a nebbishy shrink (Crystal, natch) an offer he can't refuse-- DVD Version
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Back to the Future
(1985) A wacky sci-fi comedy about a nutty professor who sends a teenager back in time far enough that he meets his own parents as teenagers. Starring Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd. DVD Version
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Beverly Hills Cop
(1984) Starring: Eddie Murphy.
Smart-mouthed Detroit cop, who never plays by the rules, goes to L. A. to track down an old friend's killers. Sassy, tough, and very funny vehicle for Murphy, who's in peak form as a guy who's never caught off guard. DVD Version
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The Birdcage (1996) Widely appealing, upbeat Hollywood rendering of French sex farce
focuses more on political satire than sexuality. A hit with fans of mainstream social
comedies who enjoy witty dialogue, broad slapstick.Stars: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Director: Mike Nichols
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The Blues Brothers
(1980) An off-the-wall comedy classic. The Blues Brothers are on a mission for God. Starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. DVD Version
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Broadcast News
(1987) A slick sophisticated comedy that takes great pot-shots at the TV news business. Starring William Hurt, Holly Hunter and Albert Brooks. DVD Version
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Bull Durham
(1988) Starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon. A romantic comedy about love and life on the semi-pro baseball circuit. DVD Version
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Cocoon
(1985) A delightful, warm-hearted comedy about what happens when folks in a retirement home discover the secret to eternal youth. Starring Don Ameche, Wilfred Brimley.
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The Commitments
(1991) An off-beat sleeper, this is the story of a group of blue-collar Irish kids who form a soul band, and almost make it. Heartwarming; great music. Starring Andrew Strong, Broonagh Gallagher.
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Dave (1993)
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver.Director: Ivan Reitman
A heartwarming story of mistaken identity and idealism, director Ivan Reitman takes on the political establishment in this fresh, funny comedy. Kevin Kline plays Dave Kovic, a sweet man with a big heart running an employment agency. Dave happens to be a dead ringer for the current president of the United States, and he hires himself out as an impersonator for parties and mall openings. DVD Version
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Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
(1964).Peter Sellers, George C. Scott,
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Arguably the greatest black comedy ever made, Stanley Kubrick's cold war classic is the ultimate satire of the nuclear age. Dr. Strangelove is a perfect spoof of political and military insanity, beginning when General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden), a maniacal warrior obsessed with "the purity of precious bodily fluids," mounts his singular campaign against Communism by ordering a squadron of B-52 bombers to attack the Soviet Union. The Soviets counter the threat with a so-called "Doomsday Device," and the world hangs in the balance while the U.S. president (Peter Sellers) engages in hilarious hot-line negotiations with his Soviet counterpart.
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Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) Starring: John Cusack, Minnie Driver,Dan Aykroyd Hit man Martin Q. Blank is in an awkward situation. Several of them, actually. He's attending his high school reunion on an assignment; he's got a rival hit man on his tail; and he's going to have to explain to his old girlfriend why he stood her up on prom night. DVD Version
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Ground Hog Day(1993) A silly, fun comedy based on deja vu, as a TV newsman gets stuck on February 2, and has to relive the day over and over and over. Starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell. DVD Version
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Jerry Maguire
(1996) A high-energy romantic comedy about a sports agent who discovers that money and power aren't everything. Starring Tom Cruise, Renee' Zellweger. DVD Version
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LA Story
(1991) Warmhearted, life-affirming romantic comedy about world-weary TV
weatherman who suddenly sees life anew after meeting British journalist. Appreciated
by fans of upbeat, humor-filled romances, those seeking a satire about L.A.
Stars: Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant. DVD Version
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Midnight Run
(1988) Starring: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin.
Director Martin Brest rocketed to the top of Hollywood's A list with the blockbuster success of Beverly Hills Cop, and this 1988 follow-up is even better. Midnight Run is a genuine rarity--an action comedy that's dramatically satisfying--thanks to a sharp script by George Gallo,and the superb teaming of Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. DVD Version
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Pretty Woman(1990)
Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts
Wealthy, cold-blooded business tycoon Gere chances to meet Hollywood Boulevard hooker Roberts. He hires her to be his companion for a week, spruces her up, and--well, you can figure out the rest. Light, charming, and thoroughly entertaining, with Roberts a delight in a star-making role. DVD Version
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Raising Arizona(1987)
Offbeat, quirky black comedy about an infertile couple kidnapping a
baby. Colorful characters, uproarious slapstick, wild chases.
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman . DVD Version
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Splash
(1984) Whimsical, appealing romantic comedy/fantasy about love between a
man and a mermaid. With its intelligent script and vivid performances, this is very
entertaining for both romance and light comedy fans.
Stars: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah. Director: Ron Howard. DVD Version
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Stripes
(1981) The Army will never be quite the same again after two unemployed buddies join. Starring Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. DVD Version
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Waking Ned Devine
(1998) Comic Irish fable about little old man enlisting entire town to
hoodwink a lottery official. Offers plenty to fans of gentle, character-driven comedy with
low-key screwball humor, warmly appealing eccentric characters.
Stars: Ian Bannen, David Kelly. Director: Kirk Jones. |
You've Got Mail (1998)
Starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan,
By now, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have amassed such a fund of goodwill with moviegoers that any new onscreen pairing brings nearly reflexive smiles. In You've Got Mail, the quintessential boy and girl next door repeat the tentative romantic crescendo that made Sleepless in Seattle, writer-director Nora Ephron's previous excursion with the duo, a massive hit.
DVD Version
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| More Comedies | |
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Ace Ventura - Pet Detective
(1994) Beetlejuice(1988) Blazing Saddles (1974) Father of the Bride (1991) Ghostbusters (1984) |
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(1975) Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation(1989) National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) Parenthood (1989) Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Three Amigos! (1986) |