This list makes me laugh, but not in a good way

August 28th, 2008 at 08:59am Will Pfeifer

Have nothing better to do than put the wrong movie on the cover of the Fall Movie Preview issue, the culture vultures over at Entertainment Weekly have compiled another list, this one of the “Funniest Movies of the Past 25 Years.” Here are their picks, with my inevitable comments:

1. GHOSTBUSTERS — Lots of great moments, but the funniest movie of the past 25 years? Really? It’s not even the best Bill Murray comedy of the last 25 years. (That would be GROUNDHOG DAY, in case you were wondering.)

2. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION — Definitely the best of the VACATION films, though it definitely peaks too early and the ending — despite the best efforts of John Candy — drags. Watching people ride a rollercoaster isn’t much fun.

3. BEVERLY HILLS COP — Not as good as Eddie Murphy’s best movie, which is sitting down there in the No. 15 spot. It has its laughs, but boy is it dated.

4. THIS IS SPINAL TAP — Now this I could see in the top spot. Brilliant, groundbreaking and endlessly rewatchable.

5. OFFICE SPACE — Or this one. A true classic. Lots of funny characters, biting humor and a drop-dead perfect portrait of modern office life.

6. SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER AND UNCUT — Or, frankly, this one. Very funny, shockingly profane and actually about something. And, don’t forget, it was nominated for an Oscar (for the song “Blame Canada.”)

7. THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY — It has its moments (most of them involving Matt Dillon), but the Farelly Brothers best movie remains KINGPIN. Now there’s a comedy classic!

8. THE BIG LEBOWSKI — It’s very good. As a die-hard Coen fan, I don’t dispute that. But I’ve never loved it enough to become part of the whole Lebowski cult. Me? I’m a member of the HUDSUCKER PROXY cult. The only member, probably.

9. A FISH CALLED WANDA — I’d almost forgotten about this movie, but yes, it’s pretty damn funny. Especially Kevin Kline (who won an Oscar for his performance).

10. DAZED AND CONFUSED — Good pick. Very funny and a great portrait of the mid 1970s.

11. THE 40-YEAR-VIRGIN — Another good pick. The funniest parts involve the guys acting like, well, like guys, but the whole movie has laughs, and the “Age of Aquarius” ending fits perfectly.

12. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY — What? Really? Only if all the Woody Allen movies have been rented at your local video store. Not funny. Painful, in fact — except for the scene where they’re playing Pictionary and (the late) Bruno Kirby guesses “Baby fish mouth!” Now that’s funny.

13. WAITING FOR GUFFMAN — Very funny. This and No. 20 should come closely after THIS IS SPINAL TAP, considering they all come from the mind of Christopher Guest (and his talented casts).

14. WEDDING CRASHERS — Disappointing. I’d hoped for a movie with lots of wedding crashing, and I got a movie with a little bit of wedding crashing and a lot of boring romantic comedy (that wasn’t funny).

15. TRADING PLACES — Very good, but like I said in a recent Video Vault column, if you cut the whole train sequence, it’s a much better movie. Also, this is one that shows up on cable all the time, but also one that needs to be seen uncut. The profanity is a big part of the laughs. Seriously.

16. SUPERBAD — Good pick. I laughed constantly through this one.

17. TROPIC THUNDER — This has been out for what? Two weeks? I haven’t seen it yet, and I hear it’s good, but really, can’t we let it stand the test of time for a couple of months at least?

18. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE — Very funny. Slightly overhyped and people are probably sick of it by now, but when I saw it way back when in the theater, I laughed a lot.

19. CLUELESS — Not that funny.  Couple of good lines, and it’s always nice to see Dan Hedaya, but this one’s a bit overrated. It does, however, give you a look at the old-model Brittany Murphy, who’s barely recognizable here.

20. BEST IN SHOW — See entry for WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. When Fred Willard said that line about putting a Sherlock Holmes cap and pipe on the bloodhound, I almost choked to death laughing.

21. CLERKS — Good pick. It’s poorly filmed, poorly (for the most part) acted and nothing much happens, but man is it funny.

22. OLD SCHOOL — It has a few good moments, but anyone who compares this to ANIMAL HOUSE in any way is a complete idiot.

23. AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY — At least they picked the funny one of the three, though that’s not saying much. If we have to include a Mike Myers movie, how about WAYNE’S WORLD? Now that legitimately deserves a spot on this list.

24. THE NAKED GUN — Solid pick. It’s no AIRPLANE! (few movies are), but it’s consistently funny from beginning to end. Plus — OJ!

25. WITHNAIL AND I — Haven’t seen this British cult comedy, though I keep hearing great things about it.

Coming later today (because this post is long enough as is): Movies EW forgot!

Entry Filed under: Lists, Comedy, Classic movies