Top 10 Funniest Movies!!!

With comedies becoming a commodity (ha!) in the theater, I decided to try to come up with a list of the top 10 comedies currently around. Below I give my list of top 10 comedies, including justification for why it belongs and particularly classic moments.

10. Team America: World Police:
Meant to be a satire of America's foreign policy during the Bush era, the creators of South Park (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) create an absolutely rib-tickling piece of cinema. As the title implies, the movie is about Team America, a group of counter-terrorists, attempting to thwart a global plot to enact a terrorist attack with the magnitude of "9/11 times 100". To this end, they acquire the services of Gary Johnston, a Broadway actor who is to infiltrate the terrorist organization with nothing but his acting skills. What makes this movie brilliant is the 'South Park' trademark: rather than trying to push a message or what could have easily warped to a politically powered film, they instead go for the lulz, attacking both sides and exaggerating their faults to great effect. Plus who can forget the soundtrack? America, Fuck Yeah indeed!

9. The Big Lebowski:
It's very hard to describe this movie without ruining people's preconceptions of the film. In fact, it's very hard to describe what this movie is about. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, better known as 'The Dude' who goes in search of justice after a case of mistaken identity. What follows is a comedy of farces, inanity and some of the most quotable lines in movie history. The movie has garnered such a cult following that a Lebowski Festival is now held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. Some highlights- 'The Dude' expressing his disdain for the Eagles and any scene involving Walter (John Goodman).

8. Monty Python and The Holy Grail:
Considered the first proper film from the brilliant comedy troupe, it tells a revised version of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I'll admit having partiality to John Cleese (mostly because of Fawlty Towers- the greatest television comedy ever conceived). However, on its own merits, this movie is one of the only films which combines clever, logical wit with the more random styles commonly seen with shows like Aqua Teen and the rest of Adult Swim, and most importantly, does it successfully. Highlights- The entire movie from start to finish. Even now, I still quote lines from this gem.

7. Ferris Bueller's Day Off:
This was a tossup between the Breakfast Club and this film. While Breakfast Club certainly had a more novel scenario, it unfortunately felt more like a drama than an actual comedy, so I decided to go with this one. Broderick fulfills most high-schooler's fantasy- skipping school with two of his best friends to go enjoy a perfect day just before facing the crossroads of college. The narrative quality of the film, combined with the clever writing makes this one of my personal favorites.

6. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou:
When people think of Wes Anderson, they usually cite Rushmore as the pinnacle of his filmmaking resume. One of the requirements for this list, however, is that I had seen the film, so this movie goes on instead. Most people either love it or hate it. I fall under the former. Bill Murray is simply one of my favorite comedians involved in cinema and the dry wit of the entire film doesn't get stale.

5. Office Space:
Mike Judge is known for three things: Beavis & Butthead, King of the Hill and this unabashed comedy for the white collar everyman. Ron Livingstone is someone likable enough who we can cheer for throughout the film and the setting is recognizable for almost anyone who has ever held an internship or been involved in a team project. Not only is the movie absolutely quotable, has a wicked soundtrack (by the Geto Boys) and has the lovely Jennifer Aniston, but it makes references to Superman 3, and is probably the only comedy on this list that I can watch over and over again.

4. Clerks:
If Seinfeld is the show about nothing, then Clerks is the 90 minute expose on nothing. The plot follows two store clerks during the timeframe of a single day, discussing everything from Star Wars to Sex. Yes, a movie about two people conversing under the backdrop of dealing with changes in life is highly likely to become bland after 30 minutes, but Kevin Smith manages to keep viewer interest alive, and more importantly to the inclusion of this list, an absolute laugh riot. This brilliant gem is still something I come back to quite often, and each time, I find something new to laugh at.

3. Airplane!:
Leslie Nielsen is someone I always regard as an underrated actor in comedy. I remember watching this film and feeling that it was made for me. Full of puns, word play, this movie surely belongs on the list...and don't call me Shirley.

2. Monty Python and The Life of Brian:
When a comedy is banned in several countries, you know that there's something in there worth watching. Life of Brian follows Brian (who woulda thunk?), who was born in the same era and location as Jesus, and is constantly mistaken for the Messiah. Hilarity ensues as many of the actions normally attributed to Jesus in the gospels, were actually simple misconceptions and misinterpretations by his followers. With a number of memorable characters (Biggus Dickus, Judith come to mind), impeccable comedic timing and probably one of the greatest endings to a film ever (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!), this was just almost number 1. Almost!

1. Shaun of the Dead:
And we have finally hit number 1 on my list: Shaun of the Dead. I'll outright admit it, and say that I love British comedies. I was already a follower of Simon Pegg well before this movie came out, being a fan of 'Spaced'. But this movie just shot him and my perspective on comedy to a whole new level. Billed as a ZomRomCom (Zombie Romantic Comedy), the movie follows Shaun as his personal, professional and love life falls apart around him. Just as he resolves to turn over a new leaf, a zombie uprising begins and armed with a cricket bat, fights back the horde in a bid to save his friends. What can I say about this movie? The dialogue is perfect, the story is brilliant and the idea novel. I can always sit down to this movie, and expect any of my friends to entertain me and do the same. My Highlights- Pegg's outline of the scenarios that could play out- each of them ending with a trip to the Winchester. Trivia: George Romero, the king of zombie movies, enjoyed this film so much that he offered cameo roles to Pegg and Wright in 'Land of the Dead'. They instead opted to play zombies in the film.

There you have it. My list of 10 greatest comedies. Now it's your turn! Add your list in the comment section, and I'll compile the results into a future entry!