6 Comedies That Will Actually Make You Laugh Out Loud
There is nothing more comforting than turning to a comedy show or movie to escape from the harsh realities of everyday life. No matter what horrors are unfolding in the real world, fictional characters and their silly antics are always there for us. Join me in a discussion of some of my favorite laugh-out-loud funny films, all of which will make you feel like everything will be okay, somehow, even as your real life crumbles around you.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
I’m not kidding at all when I say this is the first movie I remember watching as a child. I was even gifted a Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog puppet for my sixth birthday. My dad would ask me on a daily basis for the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow, only to hear little me reply with “African or European?” for the millionth time. It was hilarious then, and it’s still hilarious now. Except for the attack rabbits–those things are terrifying as ever.
This Is Spinal Tap
An all-time best in the comedy department. This Is Spinal Tap is an endlessly quotable and well-acted mockumentary that follows music history's “greatest and loudest” heavy metal band, “Spinal Tap,” as they struggle to get back on the charts. To quote one reviewer on the film’s Rotten Tomatoes page: “Yes Nigel, you did go to 11. Where would cinematic comedy be if you hadn’t?”
Office Space
Corporate drone Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) hates his soul-crushing job at a software company, where, in his own words, he only completes about 15 minutes of “real, actual work” during any given week. After his hypnotherapist dies mid-session, Peter is left in a blissful state, and decides to take his fate at the company into his own hands. This movie is absolute top tier when it comes to workplace comedy. It walked so The Office could run.
National Lampoon’s Animal House
Dean Wormer has plans to rid the campus of the Delta House forever, but the Delta boys have plans of their own. Animal House is widely considered the original College Frat House Film, and it definitely set the standard for movies about frat boys who major in beer and women. It tells the tale of a motley crew who rebels against authority for a good time, and while it’s fun to visit the Animal House, most of us will leave glad we don’t have to stay. While this film might not be quite as smart as This Is Spinal Tap, it’s still a fun trip. In fact, I would argue that the number of films like Animal House is zero point zero.
22 Jump Street
I selected 22 Jump Street because the second film actually has all of my favorite moments in the franchise. At least for me, this may be a rare instance where the sequel tops the original. From Schmidt’s slam poetry performance, to his “octopus-related incident,” to his moment of ‘absolute silence as he falls into character,’ the hilarious moments just keep coming. The writing is clever in that it doesn’t rely on slapstick to elicit laughs, and Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum make for a memorable comedy duo.
Airplane!
This classic 1980 spoof comedy pokes fun at the flight of disaster movies that were released in the 70s. When the passengers and crew of a commercial jet fall ill with food poisoning, a rogue pilot with a drinking problem must cooperate with his ex-girlfriend-turned-stewardess to land the plane safely. Believe it or not, it’s even more chaotic than it sounds, and the dry delivery of Leslie Nielsen is second to none. I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.