Best Comedy Tournament: Round 1 - Group H

[mae]

For the Round 1 polls, please vote for up to six titles to move on to the next round. You can vote for less, but please make sure you are not voting for more before clicking that Vote button. The top six titles will be moving on to Round 2.


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3b/Ed_Wood_film_poster.jpg/220px-Ed_Wood_film_poster.jpg
Ed Wood (1994) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Wood_%28film%29)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CawVaHxWvnA

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8b/Graduateposter67.jpg/220px-Graduateposter67.jpg
The Graduate (1967) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graduate)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxJDOkr_UhE

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Swimming_with_Sharks_poster.jpg
Swimming with Sharks (1994) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_with_Sharks)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH9OLQh46FY

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/Sullivanstravelsposter.jpg/225px-Sullivanstravelsposter.jpg
Sullivan's Travels (1941) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan%27s_Travels)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUNHxGDLfIE

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/27/Fridayposter1995.jpg/215px-Fridayposter1995.jpg
Friday (1995) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_%281995_film%29)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH1Ulp4PBtA

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5f/Harold_and_Maude_%281971_film%29_poster.jpg/220px-Harold_and_Maude_%281971_film%29_poster.jpg
Harold and Maude (1971) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_and_Maude)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-cOukYeGVM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/Thecourtjesterposter.jpg/220px-Thecourtjesterposter.jpg
The Court Jester (1955) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Court_Jester)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mu_aHBFuVY

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8b/Biloxi_Blues.jpg/220px-Biloxi_Blues.jpg
Biloxi Blues (1988) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biloxi_Blues_%28film%29)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcy-X4GI-y8

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3b/The_Producers_%281968%29.jpg/220px-The_Producers_%281968%29.jpg
The Producers (1967) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_%281968_film%29)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTW2ZSjG5N0

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Love_Actually_movie.jpg/220px-Love_Actually_movie.jpg
Love Actually (2003) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Actually)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peiRtkXMYQ8

[webstar1000]

There is only one winner here for me. Friday. I have seen it a 100 times and still use the lines from it. CLASSIC. My only vote will be for that.

[mae]

The full six for me here: Ed Wood, The Graduate (one of the best films ever made, Top Five for sure), Swimming with Sharks (one of Kevin Spacey's all-time best performances) Sullivan's Travels, Harold and Maude, and The Court Jester.

[pathoftheturtle]

The Graduate (one of the best films ever made, Top Five for sure)Definitely. Top five as a comedy? Probably not.


Sullivan's TravelsWhat do you think was the funniest part?

[Tommy]

The Springtime for Hitler number from The Producers by itself is funnier than anything in Harold and Maude

[mae]

The Graduate (one of the best films ever made, Top Five for sure)Definitely. Top five as a comedy? Probably not.

You don't think the whole hotel room sequence is utterly hilarious? Hoffman's entire performance is brilliantly funny in this movie throughout. Love it, one of my absolute favorites.

[mae]

Sullivan's TravelsWhat do you think was the funniest part?

It's a true classic. One of the best comedies where it's pretty much funny non-stop, as with Bringing Up Baby or It Happened One Night:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7WmhkO_GWI

[fernandito]

There is only one winner here for me. Friday. I have seen it a 100 times and still use the lines from it. CLASSIC. My only vote will be for that.
I quote Friday pretty regularly too. Love that movie.

You better put some water on that damn shit!

[fernandito]

And of course, when you see a girl with dat nice round boot you'll be like

http://i.imgur.com/P847t3S.jpg

[mae]

There is only one winner here for me. Friday. I have seen it a 100 times and still use the lines from it. CLASSIC. My only vote will be for that.
I quote Friday pretty regularly too. Love that movie.

You better put some water on that damn shit!

For my money, the funniest movie starring a rapper is Gridlock'd, which I nominated but nobody seconded :cry:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz12rUg_15c

[fernandito]

I would have, but I've never seen it before...

:(

[Iwritecode]

Voted for Friday because it's the only one in the group I've actually seen.

[mae]

My mind is being blown right now.

[Iwritecode]

Sullivan's TravelsWhat do you think was the funniest part?

It's a true classic. One of the best comedies where it's pretty much funny non-stop, as with Bringing Up Baby or It Happened One Night:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7WmhkO_GWI


I'm giving it an honest effort but I'm just not seeing anything funny in these old movie clips.

[mae]

Hoping for lots more love for Swimming with Sharks!

[needfulthings]

Hoping for lots more love for Swimming with Sharks!
There is... You just have to look under...http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6966/H0Tyz5.jpg

[RUBE]

Glad to see Friday doing so well. I wasn't sure it would get that much support here. Maybe if it knocks something decent out later I can quote my favorite line from the movie.

[skyofcrack]

For my money, the funniest movie starring a rapper is Gridlock'd, which I nominated but nobody seconded :cry:

How about CB4 (1993).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNle_t7YL2c

[pathoftheturtle]

Sullivan's TravelsWhat do you think was the funniest part?

It's a true classic. One of the best comedies where it's pretty much funny non-stop, as with Bringing Up Baby or It Happened One Night:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7WmhkO_GWI


I'm giving it an honest effort but I'm just not seeing anything funny in these old movie clips.

I see plenty in old movie clips, but in the case of this movie, that's the funniest scene. It is a true classic with a point about how comedy movies are supposed to be good for you even if they're not about anything except for getting laughs. Meaning other movies, because Sullivan's Travels is about something else (making that point) and not about getting laughs itself.

[Mattrick]

The Graduate
Love Actually

[Still Servant]

The Graduate
Love Actually

Have you ever seen Ed Wood? I think you might like that.

[divemaster]

None of these really stand out for a vote, either b/c I haven't seen it or b/c I liked the movie but just doesn't claim a spot as "great comedy." Ed Wood falls in this category.

I have The Producers on my DVD shelf and I really do like Mel Brooks, so maybe I'll watch it this weekend and then vote for it. Not sure why I've never gotten around to watching it. Lord knows I think I've seen all of Brooks' other films.

[Tommy]

None of these really stand out for a vote, either b/c I haven't seen it or b/c I liked the movie but just doesn't claim a spot as "great comedy." Ed Wood falls in this category.

I have The Producers on my DVD shelf and I really do like Mel Brooks, so maybe I'll watch it this weekend and then vote for it. Not sure why I've never gotten around to watching it. Lord knows I think I've seen all of Brooks' other films.

Might be my favorite Brooks, so hard to pick...

[mae]

How can people not vote for Swimming with Sharks?

[skyofcrack]

Scene comparison for Ed Wood.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-bgPKjasdA

[Mattrick]

The Graduate
Love Actually

Have you ever seen Ed Wood? I think you might like that.

No, I really want to. Even though it's old, it takes a tremendous amount of motivation for me to watch to watch Johnny Depp now haha.


How can people not vote for Swimming with Sharks?

Can't vote for what we haven't seen. It's Spacey so I'll watch it one day.

[mae]

You have six days, get to it!

[mae]

Sullivan's TravelsWhat do you think was the funniest part?

It's a true classic. One of the best comedies where it's pretty much funny non-stop, as with Bringing Up Baby or It Happened One Night:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7WmhkO_GWI


I'm giving it an honest effort but I'm just not seeing anything funny in these old movie clips.

I see plenty in old movie clips, but in the case of this movie, that's the funniest scene. It is a true classic with a point about how comedy movies are supposed to be good for you even if they're not about anything except for getting laughs. Meaning other movies, because Sullivan's Travels is about something else (making that point) and not about getting laughs itself.

I agree, movies back then had a different type of humor. But I enjoy both the modern comedies as well as the old. The old movies didn't have to be vulgar or gross to be funny, they did it with words, writing, acting, etc. I'm honestly very surprised anyone can find giant comedy classics boring or unfunny. Of course, like anything, humor is subjective but some films are just universally great.

[pathoftheturtle]

It has a little wit, but mostly it qualifies as comedy philosophically; possessing the point of view that life is basically good and the romantic notion that the basic purpose of life is happiness. It's a great film because that's universally important to consider, even if it might not be an objective truth.

[mae]

And we are technically voting for the best film, not necessarily the funniest.

[pathoftheturtle]

Interesting.

Maybe I'll have to change votes. I'm not even sure that "best" and "greatest" have the same meaning when it comes to film, though. And there's still the issue of dark comedy. Coincidentally, The Graduate is great for reasons opposite from ST. Its themes are rather antisocial.

[mae]

I'm not saying you should change votes or vote any differently, I was merely posing a notion. Like any such tournament, this is still a popularity contest. If we want what we believe to be objectivity in a list of best whatever and which includes our every favorite, then we can simply post our own lists and that will be it. But where's the fun in that? There would be nothing to gripe about :)

[Heather19]

I'm not saying you should change votes or vote any differently, I was merely posing a notion. Like any such tournament, this is still a popularity contest. If we want what we believe to be objectivity in a list of best whatever and which includes our every favorite, then we can simply post our own lists and that will be it. But where's the fun in that? There would be nothing to gripe about :)

I gave up on that way back when we did our first competition. I was voting for not necessarily my favorite film in the bunch, but the one that I thought was the "best", until I realized that these amazing well made films were being eliminated because people were just voting for their favorites out of the bunch. So now I kinda do the same.

And Matt you really need to watch Ed Wood!

[Iwritecode]

In my mind, the "best" is what my favorite is. If someone says something is the best and I don't care for it, then it's not the best to me.

Unless there is a way to objectively measure "best". Most awards? Best reviews? Highest box office totals? Best rotten tomatoes score?

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Friday was the only standout for me. I also voted for Biloxi Blues though. Christopher Walken is always funny to me whether he is trying to be or not.

[pathoftheturtle]

I'm not saying you should change votes or vote any differently, I was merely posing a notion. Like any such tournament, this is still a popularity contest. If we want what we believe to be objectivity in a list of best whatever and which includes our every favorite, then we can simply post our own lists and that will be it. But where's the fun in that? There would be nothing to gripe about :)Well, that's defeatist! You're saying the community won't ever become more enlightened, so the comments are just for venting personal frustration.
Oh wait... no, you're just saying that you're not trying to micromanage, to force specific people to make specific choices. Yeah, but, we don't have to do it that way to have an influence.

What if we DON'T believe that what we want can't be wrong? There's room for discussion that could lead to better results... even if that result is not that our picks more closely match the list devised by American Film Institute or whoever. Putting those people up on a pedestal would not be very enlightened, either.

There is no bottom line like in business or science when dealing in the humanities and arts; no single fact that can be isolated and repeated in another context, because this area of inquiry is about context, and subject, and observers themselves. What matters is each person's ability to do their own thinking. Different people still can recognize a classic film that works not just today but in many settings, yet one particular film that has such timelessness might not have so much of it that it outweighs how much impact one particular film of the sort that tries to have an instant impact has. We can recognize a great film that has depth and balance that against a shallow film that's funny if we think in terms of best overall. Which movie best meets all criteria.

In theory, I should be able to add two more votes in this poll if I decided to shift my standards; I only voted for four. Doesn't seem like it would make much difference strategically. But, anyway, I'm really just here to look at those standards. And then give longwinded speeches, obviously.

[mae]

Oookay.

Now, folks, please do give Swimming with Sharks a watch before voting, I'm sure you'll love it. It's streaming on Netflix. It must move on! It's one of Kevin Spacey's best.

[Theli]

Not a great list for me, of the ones I've seen Friday was the only one that got some laughs out of me.

[pathoftheturtle]

It's not bad. Nice little story, and I laughed some at Chris Tucker. The original Producers is hilarious throughout. The Court Jester deserves more votes. It probably is the starring vehicle which best stands for Danny Kaye, who was a such a great entertainer, and you get at least a few lol's watching it.

[mae]

Now, folks, please do give Swimming with Sharks a watch before voting, I'm sure you'll love it. It's streaming on Netflix. It must move on! It's one of Kevin Spacey's best.

I mean, check this doozy out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6IPj5zl9oQ

[mae]

This poll is closing in two days, so please get your votes in. The first group of polls managed between 30 and 32 votes per poll, so keep voting, please! The more people vote, the more fair the process is!

[mae]

Only two votes for Swimming with Sharks is just criminal.

[fernandito]

one of the weaker groups...

[divemaster]

one of the weaker groups...

Yeah, as much as I have been involved with this whole contest, I cannot vote for any of these.

[Still Servant]

There are more solid films in here than pure comedies for me.

Although everybody should see Ed Wood if they haven't already.

[mae]

We've got a three-way tie for sixth here. Any more votes for Sullivan's Travels if Swimming with Sharks is not moving on (which is a disaster, I say!).

[Tommy]

one of the weaker groups...

Yeah, as much as I have been involved with this whole contest, I cannot vote for any of these.

So I guess you didn't like The Producers? :frown2:

[mae]

Or even The Graduate??

[pathoftheturtle]

I still want The Court Jester. Tie-breaker sounds good.

[divemaster]

one of the weaker groups...

Yeah, as much as I have been involved with this whole contest, I cannot vote for any of these.

So I guess you didn't like The Producers? :frown2:

It was okay. I watched it this weekend just for this tournament. I just found it more "mildly amusing" than laugh-out-loud funny. I think Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles are inspired comedy genius, and Spaceballs hits almost as high. Even some of the "lesser" Brooks movies tickle me, so it's not a Brooks thing. The Producers just didn't have enough oomph to prompt a vote. Peter Sellers considered it one of the funniest films he had ever seen, and Sellers knows comedy. Maybe you had to be there.


Or even The Graduate??

I like The Graduate. It's a great film. But somehow I don't see it as a "comedy." More of a coming of age social commentary. Sort of the same approach to Ed Wood. It was clever and fun but my recollection was being "amused" not really "oh, man, what a great comedy!"

[T-Dogz_AK47]

Vote for Biloxi Blues!!! :excited:

Christopher Walken was absolutely fantastic in that film!!! :clap::clap:

[pathoftheturtle]

So I guess you didn't like The Producers? :frown2:

It was okay. I watched it this weekend just for this tournament. I just found it more "mildly amusing" than laugh-out-loud funny. I think Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles are inspired comedy genius, and Spaceballs hits almost as high. Even some of the "lesser" Brooks movies tickle me, so it's not a Brooks thing. The Producers just didn't have enough oomph to prompt a vote. Peter Sellers considered it one of the funniest films he had ever seen, and Sellers knows comedy. Maybe you had to be there.Maybe not Blazing Saddles/Young Frankenstein writing throughout, (although "Springtime for Hitler" is certainly inspired) but strong on concept and constantly engaging-- the extra oomph for me is in the acting, especially Zero Mostel.

[mae]

Or even The Graduate??

I like The Graduate. It's a great film. But somehow I don't see it as a "comedy." More of a coming of age social commentary. Sort of the same approach to Ed Wood. It was clever and fun but my recollection was being "amused" not really "oh, man, what a great comedy!"

Pretty much every film source would disagree. It's a dark comedy or a dramedy or something but it's definitely a comedy. And it's funny. IMDB, RT, and Wikipedia, all list it as a comedy. And see the film's award nominations and later recognition here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graduate#Reception For the Golden Globes it was nominated in the "Motion Picture Musical or Comedy" categories and comes in at number 9 on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years...100_Laughs

[Heather19]

Or even The Graduate??

I like The Graduate. It's a great film. But somehow I don't see it as a "comedy." More of a coming of age social commentary. Sort of the same approach to Ed Wood. It was clever and fun but my recollection was being "amused" not really "oh, man, what a great comedy!"

Same here, I never even knew The Graduate was considered a comedy.

[pathoftheturtle]

Even if we do choose to count it as part comedy doesn't mean we have to vote it best comedy for that part.

[mae]

This is one of the funniest scenes ever in any movie: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/206435/Graduate-The-Movie-Clip-Hotel.html

[Ben Staad]

Good film but I don't see the humor in that clip. I suppose we have different funny bones.


This is one of the funniest scenes ever in any movie: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/206435/Graduate-The-Movie-Clip-Hotel.html

[mae]

I've noticed I often find funny things in things others don't find funny. But that whole hotel sequence is just hilarious to me.

[mae]

The poll has closed. The following five titles are moving on to the next round:


Friday (1995) 42.31%
Ed Wood (1994) 26.92%
The Producers (1967) 26.92%
The Graduate (1967) 23.08%
Harold and Maude (1971) 19.23%


The following three titles will face off in a tiebreaker for the last spot:


Biloxi Blues (1988) 15.38%
Sullivan's Travels (1941) 15.38%
The Court Jester (1955) 15.38%


And the following two titles have been eliminated:


Love Actually (2003) 7.69%
Swimming with Sharks (1994) 7.69%

[skyofcrack]

Based on the votes here I decided to see Friday. What a complete piece of shit.

[mae]

You could've just watched the trailer in the first post.

[divemaster]

Re: Friday

I have a Chris Tucker rule. If Chris Tucker is in the movie, it will be too painful to watch. For example, as much as I love Jackie Chan and at one point my life's goal was to watch all of Chan's movies, I've never been able to bring myself around to watching Rush Hour.

The only exception is Jackie Brown. And that's because Tucker gets shot full of holes in the trunk of a car. Oh, if that could only happen in every movie he is in. Preferably before the opening credits finish rolling.

[Still Servant]

Rush Hour 1 & 2 are great buddy cop comedies. Chan and Tucker have very strong chemistry. I can see why he would rub people the wrong way though.

The Fifth Element is also a favorite of mine. Tucker is over-the-top, but it works for the character.

This one is kind of unfair, but Tucker was in Silver Linings Playbook and that movie is fantastic.

[divemaster]

Rush Hour 1 & 2 are great buddy cop comedies. Chan and Tucker have very strong chemistry. I can see why he would rub people the wrong way though.

The Fifth Element is also a favorite of mine. Tucker is over-the-top, but it works for the character.

This one is kind of unfair, but Tucker was in Silver Linings Playbook and that movie is fantastic.

I liked The Fifth Element, until Tucker showed up. All of a sudden it was like JarJar Binks entering Star Wars. Took me right out of the movie and I'll never watch it again. And that's coming from a huge Bruce Willis fan and someone who generally appreciates Luc Besson. At least as a direction. Can't say much for his casting decisions LOL.

And I guess it is a testament to just how good Silver Linings Playbook is (a movie I loved), that I don't remember Tucker being in it. I must of blocked him out of my memory. Selective amnesia has its benefits.

[fernandito]

The Rush Hour films are awesome for the very same reason you'd suspect - the clash of two diametrically opposed cultures. You have the loud mouth, trash talking LAPD Detective Carter; and the reserved, honorable, ruthlessly efficient Detective inspector.

I can't say I'm a BIG Chris Tucker fan, not in the sense that I'll rush out to see a film he's starring in, but his abrasiveness is such a perfect foil for Chan's stoic determination. Add in the tongue in cheek play off of stereotypes, and the Rush Hour films deliver laughs per minute. I love that franchise.

I'm sad to see it not advancing but I can understand why it wouldn't.

[fernandito]

Also, this is one of the fucking funniest things I've ever seen. I saw RH3 in theaters and I LOST.MY.SHIT @0:52


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IixUY9-O4e4

[RUBE]

Based on the votes here I decided to see Friday. What a complete piece of shit.

I guess everyone has different tastes but "piece of shit?" (That was the sequels.) Oh well. It moved on while some "classics" got knocked the fuck out.

As for Chris Tucker, in some movies he annoys the hell out of me and in others he is great. I guess it is just the context of the movie that makes the difference.

[Still Servant]

Feev, you posted a video of the new Hitman film not Rush Hour 3. I do love the line at 52 seconds though.