AFI's 100 Funniest American Movies of All Time

[The Movie Mark]

It's a daunting task, but I'm up to it. Feel free to use this space to add your own comments on the movies that appear on my list. Do you disagree with my opinions? Or have you seen some of these movies recently and can confirm how truly unfunny they are?

[MsCali]

100: Good Morning Vietnam - oh, how I loathe Robin Williams (except, ironically, when he is not doing comedic roles...One Hour Photo - genius). This is on my list of "Never want to see" movies.

99: The Absent Minded Professor - Johnny, how could you NOT love this movie (or at least like it)? I watched it several times when I was a kid...the one you should avoid is Flubber (probably due to the presence of one Robin Williams). Not that I saw Flubber - I just know it should be avoided.

You should post the rest of the list here so I can start working on my comments (or, you know, I could go to AFI's website).

[The Movie Mark]

MsCali said:

99: The Absent Minded Professor - Johnny, how could you NOT love this movie (or at least like it)? I watched it several times when I was a kid...

That's a different movie than The Nutty Professor. It didn't have Jerry Lewis in it, so it could actually be decent.

And I agree about Robin Williams - he was also good as a bad guy in Insomnia. Have you ever tried to watch him on a late night talk show? About 20 seconds of him trying to be funny on Letterman was all it took for me to start jabbing spikes under my fingernails just to get my mind on something else.

Here's the AFI list if you wanna get started early:

www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/laughs.aspx

[MsCali]

Ahhhh...okay, so perhaps I've never seen The Nutty Professor (although, now that I think about it, I think I was forced to suffer through part of the remake - that was the one with Eddie Murphy right? Ugh....shudder...)

I just checked out the list - there are some funny ones on there, but my two favorites are way too far down on the list (Arsnic & Old Lace & Harvey should be in the top 5...they are both really funny...The Road to Morocco should be in the top 10 or 15 too I think, even though I always sing the song as "We're Off on the Road to Rhode Island" now, thank you very much Family Guy. But all the Bob & Bing "Road to" movies are great).

I'm a sucker for lists - I love all the list shows on E! or VH1, and the AFI lists are a favorite, even if I don't agree with them...I just need everything to be packaged neatly for me, I guess:)

Oh, and I hated Insomnia, but I guess RW was good in it...I just couldn't get into the movie. I do want to see The Final Cut though. I can't stand watching him on talk shows or anything (with the exception of the first time he guest starred on Whose Line Is It Anyway?), but Jimmy Fallon does a great impression of him on his cd.

[Laslo Hollyfeld]

I hate to say it, but Robin Williams was funnier when he was on coke in the 70's. The problem is that we've gotten tired of his manic, disjointed routine.

That having been said, I acutally liked "Good Morning Vietnam", at least more than it seems like most people here.

I am in agreement, though, about Jerry Lewis. I think the only acceptable incarnation of Jerry Lewis is Professor Frink on "The Simpsons."

[MsCali]

It's like Jerry Lewis is everywhere these days - this morning I watched the E! True Hollywood Story of Jerry Lewis (at least, until Gilmore Girls came on).

It was really interesting (the 25 minutes I watched anyway). He had a very unique rise to the top, but I still don't like his movies.

[The Movie Mark]

Today was 98. The Court Jester and 97. Bull Durham. I'm sure plenty of you have seen Bull Durham, but what about The Court Jester? Are my reservations valid?

[MsCali]

I would watch The Court Jester (but then again, I'm not the moderator of the Classic Movies thread for nothing). I have never, ever, ever seen Bull Durham, and I never, ever, ever intend to. I hate Kevin Costner. I hate Susan Surrandon. I especially hate Tim Robbins. (as actors only, of course. I don't know them as people...they could be very nice people for all I know). Why would I want to watch this movie? Oh, look, a movie where Kevin Costner plays a baseball player! We'll never see that again!

I decided yesterday that I need to pick one of the AFI lists and watch every movie on it from 100 to 1, in that order, no matter if its one I want to see or not, or one I've seen before. I'm leaning toward the 100 greatest films of all time, but if that goes well, maybe I'll do this list too. Don't hold your breath.

[The Movie Mark]

MsCali said:

I decided yesterday that I need to pick one of the AFI lists and watch every movie on it from 100 to 1, in that order, no matter if its one I want to see or not, or one I've seen before. I'm leaning toward the 100 greatest films of all time, but if that goes well, maybe I'll do this list too. Don't hold your breath.

That would be WAY more ambitious than I could ever try to be. It's gonna be hard enough for me to make short comments on every single movie, so there's no way I'd be able to watch every movie on the list.

And you sure are filled with hate when it comes to the world of movies, Ms. Cali! You're prime to turn to the Dark Side. I dub thee Darth Hateous

[MsCali]

And you sure are filled with hate when it comes to the world of movies, Ms. Cali! You're prime to turn to the Dark Side. I dub thee Darth Hateous

I'm already there:) Seriously, why be a Jedi when you can be a Sith - have more power and ensure the world is ruled by the wise and not the stupid. *brushes the dust off plot to take over the world from the college, political science major days.*

I don't know why some actors irk me the way they do, but there are several of them - although, they do have the ability to redeem themselves by making a movie where they don't irk me or try to play something they can't handle (like Nick Cage in National Treasure or Keanu in Constantine).

[ntm7885]

Cage in National Treasure kindof got on my nerves to. Especially at the beggining. The movie was still good though.

[Laslo Hollyfeld]

Here's some useless trivia about Silver Streak:

The scene where Gene Wilder gets knocked off the top of the train by the signal arm was used in the opening credits to "The Fall Guy."

And here I always thought it was Lee Majors in a red afro wig.

Oh well...

"I might jump and open drawbridge, or tarzan from a vine, 'cause I'm the unknown stuntman that made Eastwood looks so fine..."

[lisa]

Some movies on that list I wouldn't even class as comedies! Just a drama/musical/thriller that happened to have a couple of funny moments.
Love Victor/Victoria, Blazing Saddles, Singin' in the Rain, This is Spinal Tap.

Agree with Johnny on the home page about Liar liar. That was one of the funniest films ever.

[Laslo Hollyfeld]

lisa said:

Some movies on that list I wouldn't even class as comedies! Just a drama/musical/thriller that happened to have a couple of funny moments.
Love Victor/Victoria, Blazing Saddles, Singin' in the Rain, This is Spinal Tap.

Whoa, there! are you suggesting that Spinal Tap isn't a comedy, or am I misreading this? 'Cause if that is the insinuation... well, them's fightin' words!

[MsCali]

I think Singing in the Rain is a comedy:) It's a romantic comedy musical true to the romantic comedy musical formula of that day.