Good Comedy

Comedy has got to be the toughest genre of film to be in. The main reason for it? A good joke is only funny once. This could be argued of course, but originality is definitely important. Judd Apatow has been, remarkably, at the top of his game for a decade or more...it just took American moviegoers ten years to realize it. Most comedy teams peak and crash in less than five years: Todd Phillips of 'Road Trip', 'Old School', and 'Starsky and Hutch'; David Zucker of 'Police Academy' and 'Naked Gun' (some would argue he is back with all those, 'Date Movie', 'Epic Movie', 'Disaster Movie' things people call comedies. Personally, I find them insulting and believe the world would be a better place without them). Even the Farrely brothers stuck around for longer than I expected. But Mr. Apatow has been making people burst their bellies for awhile now. Most recently with 'Pineapple Express', a stoner, buddy, and surprisingly good action flick about two losers who get caught up in a world of murder, drugs, and corrupt cops. It was, in the words of James Lipton: "A delight!" I'll get back to Judd Apatow in a minute, but let me recognize a few other comedy movie mainstays.

Adam Sandler. Who would have thought the star of 'Billy Madison' and 'Happy Gilmore' would have such longevity? I love his two earlier movies a lot, because I more or less grew up with them, but he continues to adapt to moviegoers needs, and that's why 'You Don't Mess with the Zohan' was really funny, 'Click' had the perfect mix of laughs and emotion (Christopher Walken certainly helps), and 'Mr. Deeds' was a delightful re imagining of an old classic. Even his company, Happy Madison Productions, has put out several hidden gems...most notably 'Benchwarmers' and 'Grandma's Boy'. Unlike Mr. Mike Meyers or Eddie Murphy, Sandler doesn't need to recycle old jokes or play every character to be funny.

Mel Brooks. Sure, he hasn't really done a lot lately, but his work speaks for itself: 'Blazing Saddles', 'Young Frankenstein', 'History of the World Part One', 'Spaceballs', 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights'...and the original movie based on a play based on a movie about a play, 'The Producers'. Mel Brooks is the king of parody, and in his own words: "It's good to be da King!"

Woody Allen. He is an acquired taste, no doubt, but if you like him, you love him. Go see 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' or go rent 'Sleeper' or 'Curse of the Jade Scorpion' and decide for yourself, but 30 years of film making and he can still make me laugh.

Joel and Ethan Coen. Yes, it's violent, but I've never laughed harder. That's what I would say about 'Fargo'. Sure, my hometown is bordered with Fargo, but I know just as many people from the area who disliked it for the same reasons I loved it. 'Raising Arizona', 'O Brother Where Art Thou', and the unforgettable, endlessly quotable 'The Big Lebowski'. The Coen's are true artisan masters in any genre, but dark comedy seems to be their most frequent playing ground. 'Burn After Reading' is one of the best character driven films I've seen in years, you won't laugh all the way through it, but it's absolutely hilarious. The best part about these guys? They did it, and they did it their way.

Judd Apatow is definitely on my list now. 'Anchorman', '40 Year Old Virgin', 'Knocked Up', 'Talladega Nights', 'Step Brothers', 'Superbad', and most recently 'Pineapple Express'. If you haven't familiarized yourself with any of these movies, I suggest you do so immediately. There is something in there for everyone, you just have to find it. Before the weekend is out, get in a good laugh, it might just be what you need!

The Movie Doc