Post Delay

I have not had a computer at home for the last few weeks and, therefore, have not been able to post. Stay tuned (hopefully soon) for posts on:

Albert Nobbs
Jeeves & Wooster Seasons 1 and 2
Miss Marple Seasons 1 and 2
Submarine
The Trip
The Secret World of Arrietty

SPECIAL: 100 Laughs

A little over 10 years ago, the American Film Institute came out with a list of the 100 greatest comedy films of the 20th Century. I remember watching, eyes glued to the screen and ears captivated by the sharp dialogue and wit. After that evening, I had printed the list and was checking off those movies I'd already seen and preparing my plans to see the rest. Eventually, I saw them all.


I feel strongly about comedy, perhaps more so than any other genre of film. Why? Because a truly inspirational and captivating drama takes a fresh and believable story, emotional acting, artistic vision, and hundreds of other essential qualities. But a really good comedy has to have all of this plus it must be funny. It has to be funny and somehow also address the seriousness of life. The humor cannot be a shadow of the narrative, nor can it become the narrative. Balancing this out is critical for success and usually is found in those few, expert jugglers: the comedic geniuses of Cary Grant, Danny Kaye, Peter Sellers, Gene Wilder, Woody Allen, Barbara Stanwyck, Buster Keaton, Michael Palin, Lily Tomlin, Red Skelton, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and on and on...

Comedy is really hard to get right and has so many levels and angles. To explain what I mean, just think about how some people love slapstick and hate witty banter. Others might laugh at stand up routines and cringe at dark or dead pan humor. It is so complex.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the 100 Laughs list and highlight those films I especially love.

My Top Ten (rated P=8) = Yellow

My 11-25 (rated at least P=6) = Green

My 26-40 (rated at least P=5) =Blue 

*Note: All other films, that are not highlighted, are still well worth watching

The Top Ten

Some Like it Hot (1959)     

Tootsie (1982)

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Annie Hall (1977)

Duck Soup (1933)

Blazing Saddles (1974)

M*A*S*H (1970)

It Happened One Night (1934)

The Graduate (1967)   

Airplane! (1980)

11-25

The Producers (1968)

A Night at the Opera (1935)

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Singin' In The Rain (1952)

The Odd Couple (1968)

The General (1927)

His Girl Friday (1940)

The Apartment (1960)

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Adam's Rib (1949)

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

Born Yesterday (1950)

The Gold Rush (1925)

26-40

Being There (1979)

There's Something About Mary (1998)

Ghostbusters (1984)

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Raising Arizona (1987)

The Thin Man (1934)

Modern Times (1936)

Groundhog Day (1993)

Harvey (1950)

National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

The Great Dictator (1940)

City Lights (1931)

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)

41-55

Moonstruck (1987)

BIG (1988)

American Graffiti (1973)

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Harold and Maude (1972)

Manhattan (1979)

Shampoo (1975)

A Shot in the Dark (1964)

To Be Or Not To Be (1942)

Cat Ballou (1965)

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

Ninotchka (1939)

Arthur (1981)

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)

The Lady Eve (1941)

56-70

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Diner (1982)

It's a Gift (1934)

A Day at the Races (1937)

Topper (1937)

What's Up, Doc? (1972)

Sherlock, Jr. (1924)

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Broadcast News (1987)

Horse Feathers (1932)

Take the Money and Run (1969)

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

The Awful Truth (1937)

Bananas (1971)

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

71-85

Caddyshack (1980)

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

Monkey Business (1931)

9 To 5 (1980)

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

Victor/Victoria (1982)

The Palm Beach Story (1942)

Road to Morocco (1942)

The Freshman (1925)

Sleeper (1973)

The Navigator (1924)

Private Benjamin (1980)

Father of the Bride (1950)

Lost in America (1985)

Dinner at Eight (1933)

86-100

City Slickers (1991)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Beetlejuice (1988)

The Jerk (1979)

Woman of the Year (1942)

The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Ball of Fire (1941)

Fargo (1996)

Auntie Mame (1958)

Silver Streak (1976)

Sons of the Desert (1933)

Bull Durham (1988)

The Court Jester (1956)

The Nutty Professor (1963)

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Thomas Alfredson, 2011)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Espionage, Cold War, Mystery, Based on Novel

Usually, I prefer to watch a film adaptation before I read the book. The disappointment of "things left out" and "not what I imagined" doesn't occur. But in the case of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I wish I had. This film was so marvelous to look at and become absorbed in...but the plot and the language was utterly confusing. To really appreciate the investigation, the spy jargon, and the characters I believe you have to have read the novel. I found myself struggling to remember who was who, what was what, and why everything was happening. But I was devoted to my struggle- and that counts for quite a lot.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here