Thank you Entertainment Weekly for validating what I’ve been saying for more than twenty years… Ghostbusters is the funniest movie of all time. In the current issue, on stands now, EW lists the 25 best comedies from the past 25 years and that’s right… Ghostbusters is #1! I know I get way too excited about things like this, but I can’t help it. I’ve been defending Ghostbusters as the funniest movie ever for as long as I can remember. It is a very rare occasion indeed that someone agrees with me on this. In light of EW’s list, I’ve been inspired to list my Top 10 funniest comedies of all time. Here’s the list…
1- Ghostbusters – No surprise to anyone who knows me or read the opening paragraph to this blog, but this is the funniest movie of all time. I’ve seen this movie more times than I can remember and can recite every line if I needed to (why I would ever need to, I don’t know… maybe a strange hostage situation or something). The thing about this movie that truly amazes me is that no matter how many times I watch it, each time a different character cracks me up. Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis’ script is flawless. There is not one line in this movie that is not funny. Not one. An amazing cast led by probably my favorite comedic actor of all time, Bill Murray, makes Ghostbusters a true classic.
2- The 40 Year Old Virgin – The film that launched both Steve Carell and Judd Apatow to the big time. Not to mention the birth of current comedy God, Seth Rogen. This film is a perfect mix of raunchy comedy and sweet romance.
3- Tropic Thunder – The funniest movie I’ve seen since… well… The 40 Year Old Virgin. Ben Stiller has crafted a comedy that works on so many levels. It works as a parody of both Hollywood and War movies, and even though it is a parody, the action scenes are still very intense and exciting. Tropic Thunder also boasts one of the finest comedic casts of all time including Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and of course Tom Cruise.
4- Quick Change – Bill Murray makes the list again. This underappreciated bank heist comedy is a true classic with Murray at his sarcastic best, but it is Randy Quaid who steals the movie. If you haven’t seen this movie, make the time. I promise you will laugh until you hurt.
5- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - Jim Carrey is unhinged as the pet detective in what could be the best, stupid movie ever. Whether he is talking out of his ass or impersonating a dolphin, it is impossible not to laugh. Spank you very much.
6- DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - Vince Vaughn has been in some really funny movies (Wedding Crashers, Old School), but this is the one that makes me laugh the most. Any line uttered by Rip Torn in this movie is a comedic gem. It’s hard not to laugh at lines such as “You look like a bunch of retards trying to hump a doorknob.” True comedy gold.
7- Kingpin – The Farrelly brothers excel at the art of marrying raunchy gross out humor with genuine, emotional characters. The story of Roy Munson (a terrific Woody Harrelson) trying to regain his glory days as a pro bowler resonates with true emotion, while at the same time the Farrelly’s throw everything in their repertoire at us to make us laugh and squirm in our seats. Oh yeah… this is yet another one featuring Bill Murray.
8- Borat – Sorry, but I’m not typing the whole title. Borat works on so many levels. It is funny because of the things Sacha Baron Cohen gets ordinary people to do and say, it is funny because he never, ever breaks character, and it is funny just because Borat himself is.
9- Galaxy Quest - Tim Allen is at his very best in this send up of the Star Trek franchise. It is not very often that a sci-fi comedy actually works, but thanks to a great script and an incredible ensemble cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman and Tony Shaloub, to name a few, this movie is funny and exciting at the same time.
10- The Princess Bride – A timeless classic. Cary Elwes has impeccable comic timing as the dashing farm boy turned pirate and leads a great cast in this comedic, fantasy, adventure movie. Whether it Wallace Shawn pontificating about Sicilians or Andre the Giant making rhymes, you will laugh. Billy Crystal’s cameo as Miracle Max is worth the price of admission alone.