I’ve seen my share of movies this past year. More often than not, I choose to spend 10 bucks and a couple hours to watch something that aims to make me laugh and forget about my troubles. Most comedies nowadays disappoint but there are some that hit the mark and these movies made it to the list of best comedies released in 2008:
1. Burn After Reading – This dark comedy by the Coens really delivers. It’s about these wacky characters who are connected to one another in strange ways and the hilarity it ensued as one crazy event led to another. The standout performances of the actors in this movie is noteworthy, especially Brad Pitt’s turn as a gym instructor.
2. Step Brothers – The humor in this movie is silly funny. It may not be for everyone, and some labeled it as immature and ridiculous, but for the kids at heart, this movie is a laugh fest. Will Ferrell is a force to behold when it comes to portraying childish insane characters.
3. Tropic Thunder – It is a hilarious parody of other movies with the premise of shooting a movie within a movie. It pokes fun at the movie star lifestyle and the producers and managers as well. Ben Stiller is a genius for directing and starring in this comedic masterpiece. Tom Cruise’s cameo is a must-see.
4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – This is a romantic comedy in the likes of Knocked Up, considering they’re from the same creators. It is mostly sex humor but it also has another side to it that is sweet and endearing.
5. Role Models – A lot of people found this funny, myself included. It’s Big Brother premise, with the characters on probation who were forced to impart wisdom to the young ones, has all the ingredients for hilarious scenarios and non-stop laughter.
6. Zack and Miri Make a Porno – Kevin Smith still hasn’t lost it. He creates characters that are lovable and whom you’ve learned to care for in the course of the movie. It just has the right balance of raunchy jokes and heartwarming romance to make a good movie.
7. Pineapple Express – This action-filled comedy flick had a number of laugh-out-loud scenes. The leads turned in hilarious performances as they were thrown to one strange scenario to another, and James Franco was even nominated for a Golden Globe. The car chase has got to be the funniest thing I’ve seen this year. Even if you’re not into drugs, like myself, you’ll still have an enjoyable time watching this.
8. Get Smart – Steve Carell brings out laughs once again in this action comedy. He made the lead character Maxwell Smart his own. He also had good on-screen chemistry with Anne Hathaway who played Agent 99. This TV adaptation will bring back fond memories of the older viewers and the silliness factor will entertain younger ones.
There you have it: this year’s funny movies. It is interesting to note the emergence of new funny actors that people watch out for, such as Seth Rogen, who has two movies in the list. Then there are the seasoned comedians whose movies are either make or break nowadays, like Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell. Two of my favorite comedy actors didn’t impress me with their movies this year: Adam Sandler’s “Dont Mess with the Zohan” and Jim Carrey’s “The Yes Man. I hope these actors fare better in 2009. Something to look forward for 2009 is the team-up of Sandler and Rogen in “Funny People” with none other than Judd Apatow at the helm. I predict this will be a huge hit. Then there’s also Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Bruno” – his turn as a gay fashionista, Isla Fisher’s “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, Paul Rudd and Jason Segel’s “I Love You, Man”, another Rogen flick “Observe and Report”, Stiller’s “Night at the Museum” sequel, Ferrell’s “Land of the Lost”, Jack Black and Michael Cera’s “Year One”, and veteran actors Robin Williams and John Travolta in a buddy comedy “Old Dogs. So which one are you lining up for?
