5 Comedy Movies I love That You Should’ve Seen by Now.
Lockdown is a gift to the avid movie fan. so much free time to catch up on the best movies in any given Genre. Here are 5 comedy movies that if you haven’t seen, you really should.
- Baseketball
This movie is hated by it’s two stars, but adored by fans of Matt and Trey. It’s so damn crass, base and silly. it’s a spoof sport drama about two lacklustre stoners who invent a new sport that sweeps the nation. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a comedy as quotable as this, and it is shorthand amongst me and my buddies for when we want to make a joke, but are too lazy or drunk to think of one of our own. It’s also directed by the guys who did Aeroplane! and has a lot of very similar fast, silly, one liner humour. Matt and Trey shine in this movie, and in my opinion is the best of their live action output. As I said, they would 100% disagree, but if you like broad, silly, sports based nonsense, there really is no better!
2. What we Do in the Shadows
This is one of those ideas so obvious, I’m amazed it’s never been done before. Vampires live forever, but they’re obviously not going to be wealthy forever. So, these immortal geezers have to live in a flat share in New Zealand. It’s a perfect mix of naturalistic ‘Office’ style humour with silly, over the top supernatural shenanigans, and has a strong ‘Flight of the Concords’ vibe. I keep coming back to it, and find more to enjoy every time. Look out for some great guest appearances from the cream of the New Zealand comedy scene too.
3. Tropic Thunder
This is a film that is so in the zeitgeist it hurts. Made just 12 years ago, I am convinced this same script could not be made today. Brave choices, Funny jokes, amazing cinematography and some of the best comedy performances put to film in the last 20 years, it may be the last great big budget comedy ever made. Tom Cruise is surprisingly good in a heavily disguised and underappreciated comedy roll.
4. The Death of Stalin
A truly magnificent historical comedy. Written with a fluidity of prose that’s almost Shakespearian, this film is deep, dense, and hilarious. After the first screening I did some reading about the actual people that were portrayed in the movie, then got even more out of it every subsequent viewing. Armando Iannucci is one of the greatest writers of our time, and can take a topic as controversial as the great terror and find some seriously funny material in it. This is the polar opposite of Basketball in the high class/crass stakes, but I love it just as much.
5. Four Lions
Another film from a ‘Day Today’ alumni, this movie from the writer Chris Morris is the best British comedy since the life of Brian. Like ‘The Death of Starlin’, I think there is real art in finding the humour in something that’s inherently unfunny, in this case home grown terrorists. The performances are so good that you actually end up sympathising with men planning a suicide bombing, and I can’t think of any other film, comedy or not, that manages that feat. The jokes are massively on point, shocking and eye opening as well as funny. the narrative is as strong as any good drama, as well as the humour landing in every instance. A real must see!
That’s 5! Also, watch every other film that Matt Stone and Trey Parker ever made, they are the best comedy writers ever to have lived.
