Top 10 Comedies of the Past 10 Years Part Two

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
“You can't be so casual about this! This isn't Europe, okay? There are rules here!”

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is easily one of the most re-watchable movies of 2008. It helps that Jason Segel is incredible at playing the heartbroken man-child (a skill he honed in Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, though he was more a psychopath in the latter). Round out the film with great comic actors playing great characters, and you got yourself a winner. And unlike most of these kinds of comedies, the women are given a chance to be funny (the showdowns between Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell are pretty awesome). Topping it off with a musical, Dracula, puppet finale is pure genius. I can’t wait for Segel and director Nicholas Stoller’s Muppet movie.

4. The Brothers Solomon (2007)
“That-the-fuck is the baby crib.”

I cannot believe that The Brothers Solomon has not caught on as a cult sensation judging by the popularity of Dumb and Dumber (the closest movie in tone and leads I can think of). Just look at the Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic scores (16% and 32, respectively) and it seems to cry out for discovery. Will Forte and Will Arnett are irrepressively cheerful and optimistic which is a joy to watch. Everything about the movie is ridiculous and stupid and that’s what makes it wonderful. It is my mission in life to spread the word of The Brothers Solomon to all. A classic of the lowbrow.

3. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
“Three oinkers wearing pants, plate of hot air, basket of Grandma's breakfast and change the bull to a gill, got it.”

I’ve already covered New Groove in my Top Film series, so I won’t dwell on it. If you didn’t check this out based on my recommendation then, consider this a reminder to watch it. It’s really quite excellent.

2. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
‘You taste like a burger. I don't like you anymore.”

Another David Wain movie and this one is perfection. Every character and every line is memorable, but what makes Wet Hot so great is there is so much care put into getting the details right that it’s not clear that it’s a parody of camp movies until you are well into it. It helps to have many of the best comic actors currently working filling out the entire cast. And Christopher Meloni, who, if you are familiar with his Law and Order work, will shock you here. Wet Hot is all about turning conventions on their heads. I’d say it’s closest in spirit to Monty Python. The point is to be absurd and silly.

1. Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz (2004/2007)
“Haven't you ever taken a short-cut before?"


OK… so I’m cheating a little, but since these are part of the “Cornetto Trilogy,” I can justify my selection. Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost perfected the parody. They are making hilarious movies with both subtle and not-so-subtle references to other films, but you don’t need that knowledge to enjoy their movies. It’s like The Simpsons at their best. I only wish that these three would work solely with each other, but then, if the time between films yields great entertainment like these, then it’s worth the wait. And while you’re watching these films, you may as well check out Spaced. These films are made by fans for fans. You can feel the love pouring off of the screen. Bliss.