BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
Watching Bill & Ted: Bogus Journey right now
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Were the 80s the golden age of comedy films?
- Thread starter bananafactory
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Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Eh I disagree, 90's was the age of fadism and extreme kewl
They push boundaries with sex. But nothing else. Comedies from the 70s and 80s had raunch in em. But there was more of a balance. You had Animal House, but then there was John Hughes stuff. Ace Ventura or City Slickers.
Would a princess bride be made today? I don't think people would understand it.
You can show that movie to someone who's never seen it yet today and have them still enjoy it.
wanderingprostheyltite
Member
Really? That movie seems timeless, one of the best screenplays out there. What do you think about it wouldn't jive with modern audiences today?
UberTag
Member
Hairdos sucked too.
But everything else? Yeah, those were the golden years.
Before the Internet became freely available and diluted the greatness out of everything.
Secret Fawful
Member
The 80s didn't have the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, The Great Gildersleeve, WC Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Cary Grant, Jack Benny, or Harold Lloyd so no. They barely even had Mel Brooks!
The 80s had some great comedies, though. No one can dispute that.
The 80s had some great comedies, though. No one can dispute that.
I only find 3 movies in the op "funny", and 2 of them are more action than funny.
90s- early 00s imo was way funnier.
Stiller and Carey > Murray / Aykroyd school of comedy.
Ace Ventura, something about Mary, the cable guy, zoolander, me myself and Irene, liar liar, the mask are God tier.
Even something like dodgeball I'd rank higher than the 80s stuff
90s- early 00s imo was way funnier.
Stiller and Carey > Murray / Aykroyd school of comedy.
Ace Ventura, something about Mary, the cable guy, zoolander, me myself and Irene, liar liar, the mask are God tier.
Even something like dodgeball I'd rank higher than the 80s stuff
Actually those wild bighair do's weren't even that common, among common folk. Just show biz, musicians, teenage wannabes. Watch some 80's movies and pay attention to the extras, the background people. I'm watching T2 tonight for instance ... most of the people filling in space in the shopping mall, etc., just look normal.
I'll confess I did sport a rat-tailed mullet for about 6 months in '84 though.
Popped collars, Izod, and acid-wash though ... that shit was real.
BigWeather
Member
I dunno, Blazing Saddles alone makes the 70s a contender.
davepoobond
you can't put a price on sparks
80s rules in many ways
YES. Yes yes yes!
Add Mel Brooks' remake of To Be or Not to Be as well.
And Cannonball Run! Dom Deluise's laugh is perhaps my favorite movie laugh of all time. It's downright infectious.
wanderingprostheyltite
Member
Yeah I was thinking of mentioning To Be or Not to Be, caught that one by accident on tv late at night probably about a decade ago and was surprised I didn't catch it on my initial Brooks run. Really solid comedy.
Speaking of Deluise...
It's goofy as all get out but was always was a favorite of mine. Also Gilda <3
I disagree. But I grew up in nj. All the girls had big hair. Hairspray was everywhere - tall bangs.
excelsiorlef
Member
The commentary track is god tier
Yeah I was thinking of mentioning To Be or Not to Be, caught that one by accident on tv late at night probably about a decade ago and was surprised I didn't catch it on my initial Brooks run. Really solid comedy.
Speaking of Deluise...
It's goofy as all get out but was always was a favorite of mine. Also Gilda <3
GILDA RADNER <3.
Yeah I was thinking of mentioning To Be or Not to Be, caught that one by accident on tv late at night probably about a decade ago and was surprised I didn't catch it on my initial Brooks run. Really solid comedy.
Speaking of Deluise...
It's goofy as all get out but was always was a favorite of mine. Also Gilda <3
That movie took me by surprise. I saw it on basic cable a few years back and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it; it didn't take itself too seriously.
God, how I miss Gilda. I get emotional when I see her sometimes. Her, Anne Bancroft, and Madeline Kahn. Amazing women of comedy, they stole whatever scenes they were in.
Clue is required, and I'm a bit shocked it isn't mentioned above.
And since we're talking Gilda Radner, I have to include Gilda Live.
If you only see one bit from the whole special, my favorite song from the whole performance is Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals. My parents and I have the habit where we shout the very last word of the song very loudly whenever we hear it, hehe..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKxjBsO-Bvk
Yeah.. this thread overall is convincing me that I need to do an 80s movie marathon one weekend. Maybe the next time there's a really rainy forecast..
Edit:
More random additions!
Thank you, HBO, to playing these movies incessantly back in the day:
__NightShift(onesheet)1.jpg)
Best comedy of all time right there.
excelsiorlef
Member
Yep. Which is funny because the result was a shit ton of blandness
I would LOVE to see the OP watch Sixteen Candles and laugh their ass off.
Half those movies aren't funny.
The Jerk is the only funny movie.
EDIT: Being serious for a second though… it bums me out that comedy has turned into such a snobby thing that I feel apologetic and embarrassed to say that I think this is still really funny. If it was drama? I could just scream "CHILDREN OF MEN" and walk out. Comedy and you feel vulnerable unless you are talking about a stone cold classic… as though laughing is something that SIXTEEN FUCKING CANDLES can do better than anything made in the last 20 years.
Half those movies aren't funny.
The Jerk is the only funny movie.
EDIT: Being serious for a second though… it bums me out that comedy has turned into such a snobby thing that I feel apologetic and embarrassed to say that I think this is still really funny. If it was drama? I could just scream "CHILDREN OF MEN" and walk out. Comedy and you feel vulnerable unless you are talking about a stone cold classic… as though laughing is something that SIXTEEN FUCKING CANDLES can do better than anything made in the last 20 years.
Strangelove77
Member
No. You can make a similar list out of any decade beginning with the 1950s up until now.
Comedy tends to age "badly". Which is something a lot of comedians and comedy writers will tell you.
Shit, half that list you posted is terrible in my opinion. But I was born in 1985. It's not meant for me.
It's the same thing that happens with SNL. Every decade is worse according to the people who grew up with the previous one. It's a cycle that never ends.
In the end most comedies appeal to teenagers and/or young adults. At least it's been that way since around the 1970s. That's the demographic comedy writers shoot for. Once you grow older and comedy changes as it often does, you think the new stuff sucks. And every once in a while you'll find a "good" comedy that speaks to you. It's not funnier than anything current, it was just made with your sensibilities in mind. It's meant to target someone with your sense of humor. That's just how it works.
Sorry to rant, but ironically I tend to take comedy somewhat seriously. Mostly I'm just tired of older people shitting on new stuff. It gets old.
Comedy tends to age "badly". Which is something a lot of comedians and comedy writers will tell you.
Shit, half that list you posted is terrible in my opinion. But I was born in 1985. It's not meant for me.
It's the same thing that happens with SNL. Every decade is worse according to the people who grew up with the previous one. It's a cycle that never ends.
In the end most comedies appeal to teenagers and/or young adults. At least it's been that way since around the 1970s. That's the demographic comedy writers shoot for. Once you grow older and comedy changes as it often does, you think the new stuff sucks. And every once in a while you'll find a "good" comedy that speaks to you. It's not funnier than anything current, it was just made with your sensibilities in mind. It's meant to target someone with your sense of humor. That's just how it works.
Sorry to rant, but ironically I tend to take comedy somewhat seriously. Mostly I'm just tired of older people shitting on new stuff. It gets old.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
Shit, the 80s had Woody Allen, but he'd moved on from the comedy stuff and into more serious dramatic fare, for the most part - though he did make Radio Days, his best comedy and a truly great work of art, to boot, so there's that. and he made a lot of other good comedies.
Actually, neither Radio Days nor After Hours have been mentioned in this thread. Shameful.
Edit: If comedy ages poorly, it's not truly good comedy. Woody Allen's comedies, several Mel Brooks movies, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Dr. Strangelove, and many, many other great comedians and comedies are just as funny today as they were back in the day, because comedy built on wit and artistry, that appeals to more timeless aspects of human experience, will naturally age better. Shit, I think Shakespeare was wildly overrated as a comic, but some of his lines are still undoubtedly hits today, 400+ years later, because they're well-crafted.
wanderingprostheyltite
Member
Don't know if I agree, some of the more recent comedies like 21 Jump Street had me cracking up quite a bit, even a "dumb" comedy like Ted (haven't seen the sequel) I enjoyed too. I think it can be argued that overall structure script wise was more focused on different themes with more of an adventure feel to them in 80s comedies. It isn't just the joke writing, it's the quality of a film itself. Most comedies these days do seem lazy in regards to structure, it isn't just a generational appeal thing imo.
Also snl has always been garbage, it's the "talent" that makes the show. Case in point, growing up watching reruns of the Sandler, Spade era did nothing for me. The Wiig, Arimisen, Forte, Hader gen was one of the best. People don't suddenly lose their ability to judge quality solely based on what demographic a film or tv show is targeting.
Didn't know about Gilda Live, think I'll have to check that out thanks! Also checked out Night Shift for the first time recently, can't believe I missed that one growing up. Early comedy Keaton>modern day Keaton.
bananafactory
Banned
I wouldn't say half aren't funny but there's probably quite a few there that are as much drama as they are comedy. They still have funny moments but humour isn't the sole intent of the film - I'll grant you that.
I guess it's not necessarily about sheer number as it is the ones I consider the best mostly came from that era.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
If there was something 90's was good at, it's family movies. Yeah sure plenty of cliched stuff, but it also spawned a lot of genuine good stuff.
But yeah, I felt like 80's had better comedy IMO.
But yeah, I felt like 80's had better comedy IMO.
I think there more focused minds working on comedies back then. Nowadays there's a lot of crossover for actors between dramatic and comedic roles, and it seems like a lot less writers and directors pumping out the content (how many is Judd Apatow responsible for, for example?). And I think it showed.
But I enjoy more modern comedies. I guess the material is more relevant to me, considering I was baby through most of the 80's.
But I enjoy more modern comedies. I guess the material is more relevant to me, considering I was baby through most of the 80's.
Woody Invincible
Banned
Yep, he was in beast mode in the 80s.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Young Frankenstein
The Jerk (79?)
Edit:
On topic, Night Shift with Micheal Keaton, Diane Keaton and the Fonz was dope. That was what, 82?
Comedy can be pretty damn subjective but in the last 10 years, among other films, we have had:
They Came Together*
Slither
Tucker and Dale vs Evil*
Hot Fuzz*
Pain & Gain*
The Cabin in the Woods
Rubber*
God Bless America*
Casa de mi Padre*
Guns, Girls and Gambling*
*Available on Netflix streaming in the US.
fluffydelusions
Member
I like Hot Fuzz but it most assuredly isn't the greatest film of all time but I've gotta admire your enthusiasm.
OP kinda in that I think you could start mid-90s and go way back (50s and 60)s he'll probably earlier, and make this argument.
There have been plenty of great comedies in 2000s but few feel as fresh or original and often they're simply the latest version of a classic style already delivered.
There doesn't seem to be as broad a range of comedy either since late 90s which I feel is the main issue.
I assume we're talking US centric here.
uncelestial
Member
Hollywood's conversion into a franchise exploitation business was not yet complete in the 80s so it was pretty good for comedies and other first-run IP.
But comedies being low-budget means some good ones have made it through. Post-2000s I like:
Pineapple Express
Scott Pilgrim
Borat
Team America
Superbad
Jackass
The first Hangover
40 Year Old Virgin
Bridesmaids
Talladega Nights/Step Brothers/Anchorman
Bad Santa
Hot Fuzz/Shaun of the Dead
Wet Hot American Summer
Top Five
Best in Show
Tropic Thunder
Hot Tub Time Machine
Napoleon Dynamite
The Simpsons Movie
Hamlet 2
Synecdoche, New York/Adaptation
Royal Tanenbaums/Life Aquatic
Comedian
Hilarious
The Aristocrats
Now, not all of these set my soul on fire or are destined to become classics, but that's pretty much off the top of my head (head to check the years on a couple of them) and I recall having a pretty awesome time watching all those.
But comedies being low-budget means some good ones have made it through. Post-2000s I like:
Pineapple Express
Scott Pilgrim
Borat
Team America
Superbad
Jackass
The first Hangover
40 Year Old Virgin
Bridesmaids
Talladega Nights/Step Brothers/Anchorman
Bad Santa
Hot Fuzz/Shaun of the Dead
Wet Hot American Summer
Top Five
Best in Show
Tropic Thunder
Hot Tub Time Machine
Napoleon Dynamite
The Simpsons Movie
Hamlet 2
Synecdoche, New York/Adaptation
Royal Tanenbaums/Life Aquatic
Comedian
Hilarious
The Aristocrats
Now, not all of these set my soul on fire or are destined to become classics, but that's pretty much off the top of my head (head to check the years on a couple of them) and I recall having a pretty awesome time watching all those.
Escape Goat
Member
I saw a trailer for tge national lampoons sequel and i wish theyd stop trying to make Ed Helms a thing. You cant do a griswold movie withot chevy. Shameless cash grab is all this is.
drtomoe123
Member
I was really feeling this thread until I saw Anchorman getting brought up as a great post-80s comedy.
PhoncipleBone
Banned
Chevy is in it.
uncelestial
Member
gutter_trash
Banned
the 80s were the golden age of comedy and action movies
Escape Goat
Member
All I saw was Ed Helms being unfunny. That was enough for me.
wanderingprostheyltite
Member
I think Chevy and D'Angelo are in like the first 5 minutes or something as some pass the torch type deal. Ed Helms is kind of boring af at comedy, they could've done a lot better trying to cast a Chevy like persona.
bengraven
Member
Yes.
And they could have kept getting great, but we allowed them to start "pandering".
Stupid puns, physical comedy = things we do with the camera to the person not what the person actually does physically, genital/body function jokes overwhelming the actual clever jokes (I love dirty humor, but it's best when you get one really dirty joke every 10 minutes or even more).
And they could have kept getting great, but we allowed them to start "pandering".
Stupid puns, physical comedy = things we do with the camera to the person not what the person actually does physically, genital/body function jokes overwhelming the actual clever jokes (I love dirty humor, but it's best when you get one really dirty joke every 10 minutes or even more).
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