Comedy
Laughter makes us feel good. And what makes us laugh? Comedies. There are many types of comedy in film, ranging from situation comedy to dark comedy to send-up or parodies. I prefer the clever, situational comedy of films like Trading Places or Groundhog Day to the stupidity of something like Dumb and Dumber, which while funny in parts became annoying towards the end. I love a stupidly funny film like Airplane or Hot Shots or Top Secret as much as anyone else, and I laugh myself silly at the Marx Brothers (their quickfire routines are actually quite clever). But it's the comedies that have a good story that remain more memorable.
Groundhog Day
My favourite comedy is this Bill Murray classic that examines what happens when a person relives the same day over and over again. Lots of great one-liners, wonderfully handled edits and direction, and as good when you see it for the eighth time as it is when you see it for the first time.
The Court Jester
Danny Kaye's best film has the most complicated plot ever conceived for a comedy. A carnival performer becomes a jester in order to overthrow a corrupt tyrant king in mediaeval England. Three different story threads, a joust, and memorable wordplay.
Duck Soup
This Marx Bros piece of insanity contains some of their funniest routines. President Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) of Freedonia decides to start a war on a neighbouring country and all hell breaks loose. Great support from Margaret Dumont.
Tootsie
This cross-dressing, gender-bending comedy is a riot, featuring on-spot jabs at acting and daytime soaps. Dustin Hoffman transforms himself into a woman to land an acting job at a General Hospital-like soap. He soon finds himself in trouble when he falls in love with a member of the cast (Jessica Lange) while simultaneously trying to fend off advances from two men. Director Sydney Pollack is very funny as Hoffman's disbelieving agent. Early roles for Bill Murray and Geena Davis. Full review.
Coming to America
Eddie Murphy's most satisfying film finds him as a wealthy prince who heads to Queens, NY to find a bride. A more subdued Murphy this time, with the wild antics provided by Arsenio Hall. Also, see how many characters you can spot that are played by either Murphy or Hall in heavy make-up. Minor support from soon-to-be-famous Eric La Salle and Samuel L Jackson.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
What starts off as a road trip with the passenger from hell ends as an uplifting comedy, examining the meaning of friendship. Steve Martin is on his way home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but due to a storm is stuck in an airport with John Candy. Comedic misadventures ensue as they try various modes of transport including bus, train and even a hire car! The ending is heartwarming.
Trading Places
Intriguing premise turned into a very funny film. Two wealthy old men wager on genetics vs environment; upper class Louis Winthorpe (Dan Aykroyd) is transformed into a poor man who has lost everything while street beggar Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) takes his place as a financial wheeler and dealer. Murphy steals every scene he's in; excellent support from Jamie Lee Curtis and Denholm Elliot.
Crocodile Dundee
This Australian fish-out-of-water comedy became a worldwide blockbuster. Paul Hogan is a legendary outback crocodile wrangler who is taken to the jungles of NY by a beautiful journalist. Genuinely funny clashes of culture, with Hogan's easy-going, laconic charm endearing him to everybody he meets. Beautiful cinematography during the outback sequences, too.