Movie Comedies (2015)

PopGap #08 Re-cap: Comedies Since 1970

By dorrk, August 31st 2015
Discuss

The 20 movies on my PopGap list for the month of August 2015 added up to 35-and-a-half hours of comedy, during which I laughed 448 times, making my Time-Laugh-Content count a decent .21, which is enough to make me legally drunk in just about any country. Yes, I counted my laughs during August, because I was curious to see how my rankings would differ at the end of the month if I sorted the movies by my overall appreciation versus the raw number of successful jokes.

While my three least favorite movies of the month were among the ones in which I laughed the least, The Last Detail was both my fourth favorite overall and my fourth least funny, as it wasn't really a comedy. Spaceballs, on the other hand, had a high laugh count, but a poor good:bad joke ratio, and I didn't appreciate it very much aside from the good jokes.

It turned out that my three favorite movies of the month varied greatly in laugh counts, but they were all made in  the 1970s and two of them were predominately in French, so maybe I need to watch more French comedies from that era.

What is Flickchart?

Flickchart is a movie-ranking website that helps users generate a list of their favorite movies by forcing them to choose their favorite from random pairings of movies. It's free to join, and a fun way for list-obsessed data-junkies to feel like they are doing something while actually accomplishing nothing!

Where I can I see these movies?

You can search for them on CanIStream.it or JustWatch.com, but we like it when you click on our Amazon links:

Day for Night (1973)

Day for Night (1973)

Flickchart Rank: #606
Dir.: François Truffaut
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Showbiz Comedies
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

Flickchart Rank: #363
Dir.: Luis Buñuel
Genres: Black Comedies, Comedies, Satires
Breaking Away (1979)(*)

Breaking Away (1979)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #682
Dir.: Peter Yates
Genres: Comedy Dramas
The Last Detail (1973)(*)

The Last Detail (1973)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #437
Dir.: Hal Ashby
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Military Comedies
The Station Agent (2003)

The Station Agent (2003)

Flickchart Rank: #852
Dir.: Thomas McCarthy
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Tragi-comedies
Austin Powers (1997)(*)

Austin Powers (1997)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #825
Dir.: Jay Roach
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Parody/Spoofs, Spy Comedies
Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Flickchart Rank: #654
Dir.: Robert Zemeckis
Genres: Sci-Fi Comedies
The Tenant (1976)

The Tenant (1976)

Flickchart Rank: #908
Dir.: Roman Polanski
Genres: Black Comedies, Satires
Clue (1985)(*)

Clue (1985)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #656
Dir.: Jonathan Lynn
Genres: Comedy Thrillers, Parody/Spoofs, Screwball Comedies
Withnail & I (1987)

Withnail & I (1987)

Flickchart Rank: #582
Dir.: Bruce Robinson
Genres: Black Comedies
Sleeper (1973)(*)

Sleeper (1973)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #591
Dir.: Woody Allen
Genres: Comedies of Errors, Sci-Fi Comedies, Slapstick
Slap Shot (1977)(*)

Slap Shot (1977)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #459
Dir.: George Roy Hill
Genres: Comedies, Sports Comedies
Snatch. (2000)(*)

Snatch. (2000)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #232
Dir.: Guy Ritchie
Genres: Black Comedies, Crime Comedies
The Sandlot (1993)

The Sandlot (1993)

Flickchart Rank: #771
Dir.: David M. Evans
Genres: Family-Oriented Comedies, Sports Comedies
Men in Black (1997)(*)

Men in Black (1997)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #429
Dir.: Barry Sonnenfeld
Genres: Action Comedies, Comedies, Sci-Fi Comedies
Naked (1993)

Naked (1993)

Flickchart Rank: #779
Dir.: Mike Leigh
Genres: Black Comedies
Spaceballs (1987)(*)

Spaceballs (1987)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #430
Dir.: Mel Brooks
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Comedies, Parody/Spoofs, Sci-Fi Comedies
Amarcord (1973)

Amarcord (1973)

Flickchart Rank: #477
Dir.: Federico Fellini
Genres: Comedy Dramas
Delicatessen (1991)(*)

Delicatessen (1991)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #558
Dir.: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Black Comedies, Fantasy Comedies
Big Fish (2003)

Big Fish (2003)

Flickchart Rank: #690
Dir.: Tim Burton
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Fantasy Comedies

What if I don't like those movies?

Geez, try our recommendations, instead.

  • Day for Night (1973)

    If you liked Day for Night, we recommend:

    Broadcast News (1987)

    Broadcast News (1987)

    Claires Knee (1971)

    Claires Knee (1971)

    The Player (1992)

    The Player (1992)

    State And Main (2001)

    State And Main (2001)

  • The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

    If you liked The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, we recommend:

    Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)

    Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)

    Dogville (2003)

    Dogville (2003)

    House (1977)

    House (1977)

    Wild Tales (2014)

    Wild Tales (2014)

  • Breaking Away (1979)

    If you liked Breaking Away, we recommend:

    Eagle Vs Shark (2007)

    Eagle Vs Shark (2007)

    Flirting (1991)

    Flirting (1991)

    Gregorys Girl (1982)

    Gregorys Girl (1982)

    Risky Business (1983)

    Risky Business (1983)

  • The Last Detail (1973)

    If you liked The Last Detail, we recommend:

    Carnal Knowledge (1971)

    Carnal Knowledge (1971)

    Going In Style (1979)

    Going In Style (1979)

    Shampoo (1975)

    Shampoo (1975)

    The Graduate (1967)

    The Graduate (1967)

  • The Station Agent (2003)

    If you liked The Station Agent, we recommend:

    10 Items Or Less (2006)

    10 Items Or Less (2006)

    Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

    Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

    The Visitor (2007)

    The Visitor (2007)

    You Can Count On Me (2000)

    You Can Count On Me (2000)

  • Austin Powers (1997)

    If you liked Austin Powers, we recommend:

    Airplane! (1980)

    Airplane! (1980)

    Anchorman (2004)

    Anchorman (2004)

    Team America: World Police (2004)

    Team America: World Police (2004)

  • Back to the Future Part III (1990)

    If you liked Back to the Future Part III, we recommend:

    Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

    Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

    Multiplicity (1996)

    Multiplicity (1996)

    Slaughterhouse Five (1972)

    Slaughterhouse Five (1972)

    Little Big Man (1970)

    Little Big Man (1970)

  • The Tenant (1976)

    If you liked The Tenant, we recommend:

    Barton Fink (1991)

    Barton Fink (1991)

    Force Majeure (2014)

    Force Majeure (2014)

    Housebound (2014)

    Housebound (2014)

    Super (2010)

    Super (2010)

  • Clue (1985)

    If you liked Clue, we recommend:

    Foul Play (1978)

    Foul Play (1978)

    Raising Arizona (1987)

    Raising Arizona (1987)

    Silver Streak (1976)

    Silver Streak (1976)

    Throw Momma From The Train (1987)

    Throw Momma From The Train (1987)

  • Withnail & I (1987)

    If you liked Withnail & I, we recommend:

    After Hours (1985)

    After Hours (1985)

    Cedar Rapids (2011)

    Cedar Rapids (2011)

    Into The Night (1985)

    Into The Night (1985)

    Swimming To Cambodia (1987)

    Swimming To Cambodia (1987)

  • Sleeper (1973)

    If you liked Sleeper, we recommend:

    2001 A Space Odyssey 1968

    2001 A Space Odyssey 1968

    Annie Hall 1977

    Annie Hall 1977

    Bananas 1971

    Bananas 1971

    Crimes And Misdemeanors 1989

    Crimes And Misdemeanors 1989

    Hannah And Her Sisters 1986

    Hannah And Her Sisters 1986

    Husbands And Wives 1992

    Husbands And Wives 1992

    Love And Death 1975

    Love And Death 1975

    Manhattan 1979

    Manhattan 1979

    Stardust Memories 1980

    Stardust Memories 1980

    Take The Money And Run 1969

    Take The Money And Run 1969

    Woody Allen By Eric Lax

    Woody Allen By Eric Lax

    Woody Allen On Woody Allen

    Woody Allen On Woody Allen

  • Slap Shot (1977)

    If you liked Slap Shot, we recommend:

    Goon (2011)

    Goon (2011)

    Whip It (2009)

    Whip It (2009)

    White Men Cant Jump (1996)

    White Men Cant Jump (1996)

    Big Fan (2009)

    Big Fan (2009)

  • Snatch. (2000)

    If you liked Snatch, we recommend:

    Out Of Sight (1998)

    Out Of Sight (1998)

    Three Kings (1999)

    Three Kings (1999)

    Heist (2001)

    Heist (2001)

    Pulp Fiction (1994)

    Pulp Fiction (1994)

  • The Sandlot (1993)

    If you liked The Sandlot, we recommend:

    Flipped (2010)

    Flipped (2010)

    Lucas (1986)

    Lucas (1986)

    Son Of Rambow (2008)

    Son Of Rambow (2008)

    Way Way Back (2013)

    Way Way Back (2013)

  • Men in Black (1997)

    If you liked Men in Black, we recommend:

    Destroy All Monsters (1968)

    Destroy All Monsters (1968)

    Night Of The Creeps (1986)

    Night Of The Creeps (1986)

    Repo Man (1982)

    Repo Man (1982)

    Romancing The Stone (1984)

    Romancing The Stone (1984)

  • Naked (1993)

    If you liked Naked, we recommend:

    Another Year (2010)

    Another Year (2010)

    In The Company Of Men (1997)

    In The Company Of Men (1997)

    Secrets And Lies (1996)

    Secrets And Lies (1996)

    Your Friends And Neighbors (1998)

    Your Friends And Neighbors (1998)

  • Spaceballs (1987)

    If you liked Spaceballs, we recommend:

    Duck Soup (1933)

    Duck Soup (1933)

    Life of Brian (1979)

    Life of Brian (1979)

    The Man With Two Brains (1983)

    The Man With Two Brains (1983)

    UHF (1989)

    UHF (1989)

  • Amarcord (1973)

    If you liked Amarcord , we recommend:

    Belle Epoque (1992)

    Belle Epoque (1992)

    Mediterraneo (1991)

    Mediterraneo (1991)

    My Fathers Glory (1990)

    My Fathers Glory (1990)

    My Mothers Castle (1990)

    My Mothers Castle (1990)

  • Delicatessen (1991)

    If you liked Delicatessen, we recommend:

    Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)

    Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)

    Little Otik (2001)

    Little Otik (2001)

    Motel Hell (1980)

    Motel Hell (1980)

    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)

    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)

    Read more

  • Big Fish (2003)

    If you liked Big Fish, we recommend:

    Moonstruck (1987)

    Moonstruck (1987)

    Once Around (1991)

    Once Around (1991)

    Our Idiot Brother (2011)

    Our Idiot Brother (2011)

    Please Give (2010)

    Please Give (2010)

Links

I have reviews posted for all the movies on this blog, and live-tweeted most viewings here:
https://twitter.com/popgap

This list is posted to Letterboxd, here:
https://letterboxd.com/dorrk/list/popgap-2015-08-top-20-comedies-since-1970//

You can keep track of my Flickchart here:
http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=dorrk

Day for Night (1973)

Day for Night (1973)

Flickchart Rank: #606
Dir.: François Truffaut
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Showbiz Comedies
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

Flickchart Rank: #363
Dir.: Luis Buñuel
Genres: Black Comedies, Comedies, Satires
Breaking Away (1979)(*)

Breaking Away (1979)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #682
Dir.: Peter Yates
Genres: Comedy Dramas
The Last Detail (1973)(*)

The Last Detail (1973)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #437
Dir.: Hal Ashby
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Military Comedies
The Station Agent (2003)

The Station Agent (2003)

Flickchart Rank: #852
Dir.: Thomas McCarthy
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Tragi-comedies
Austin Powers (1997)(*)

Austin Powers (1997)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #825
Dir.: Jay Roach
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Parody/Spoofs, Spy Comedies
Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Flickchart Rank: #654
Dir.: Robert Zemeckis
Genres: Sci-Fi Comedies
The Tenant (1976)

The Tenant (1976)

Flickchart Rank: #908
Dir.: Roman Polanski
Genres: Black Comedies, Satires
Clue (1985)(*)

Clue (1985)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #656
Dir.: Jonathan Lynn
Genres: Comedy Thrillers, Parody/Spoofs, Screwball Comedies
Withnail & I (1987)

Withnail & I (1987)

Flickchart Rank: #582
Dir.: Bruce Robinson
Genres: Black Comedies
Sleeper (1973)(*)

Sleeper (1973)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #591
Dir.: Woody Allen
Genres: Comedies of Errors, Sci-Fi Comedies, Slapstick
Slap Shot (1977)(*)

Slap Shot (1977)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #459
Dir.: George Roy Hill
Genres: Comedies, Sports Comedies
Snatch. (2000)(*)

Snatch. (2000)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #232
Dir.: Guy Ritchie
Genres: Black Comedies, Crime Comedies
The Sandlot (1993)

The Sandlot (1993)

Flickchart Rank: #771
Dir.: David M. Evans
Genres: Family-Oriented Comedies, Sports Comedies
Men in Black (1997)(*)

Men in Black (1997)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #429
Dir.: Barry Sonnenfeld
Genres: Action Comedies, Comedies, Sci-Fi Comedies
Naked (1993)

Naked (1993)

Flickchart Rank: #779
Dir.: Mike Leigh
Genres: Black Comedies
Spaceballs (1987)(*)

Spaceballs (1987)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #430
Dir.: Mel Brooks
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Comedies, Parody/Spoofs, Sci-Fi Comedies
Amarcord (1973)

Amarcord (1973)

Flickchart Rank: #477
Dir.: Federico Fellini
Genres: Comedy Dramas
Delicatessen (1991)(*)

Delicatessen (1991)(*)

Flickchart Rank: #558
Dir.: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Genres: Absurd Comedies, Black Comedies, Fantasy Comedies
Big Fish (2003)

Big Fish (2003)

Flickchart Rank: #690
Dir.: Tim Burton
Genres: Comedy Dramas, Fantasy Comedies

My Top Comedies, 1970-present

Media Life Crisis recommendations!

  • Day for Night (1973)

    If you liked Day for Night, we recommend:

    Broadcast News (1987)

    Broadcast News (1987)

    Claires Knee (1971)

    Claires Knee (1971)

    The Player (1992)

    The Player (1992)

    State And Main (2001)

    State And Main (2001)

  • The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

    If you liked The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, we recommend:

    Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)

    Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)

    Dogville (2003)

    Dogville (2003)

    House (1977)

    House (1977)

    Wild Tales (2014)

    Wild Tales (2014)

  • Breaking Away (1979)

    If you liked Breaking Away, we recommend:

    Eagle Vs Shark (2007)

    Eagle Vs Shark (2007)

    Flirting (1991)

    Flirting (1991)

    Gregorys Girl (1982)

    Gregorys Girl (1982)

    Risky Business (1983)

    Risky Business (1983)

  • The Last Detail (1973)

    If you liked The Last Detail, we recommend:

    Carnal Knowledge (1971)

    Carnal Knowledge (1971)

    Going In Style (1979)

    Going In Style (1979)

    Shampoo (1975)

    Shampoo (1975)

    The Graduate (1967)

    The Graduate (1967)

  • The Station Agent (2003)

    If you liked The Station Agent, we recommend:

    10 Items Or Less (2006)

    10 Items Or Less (2006)

    Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

    Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

    The Visitor (2007)

    The Visitor (2007)

    You Can Count On Me (2000)

    You Can Count On Me (2000)

  • Austin Powers (1997)

    If you liked Austin Powers, we recommend:

    Airplane! (1980)

    Airplane! (1980)

    Anchorman (2004)

    Anchorman (2004)

    Team America: World Police (2004)

    Team America: World Police (2004)

  • Back to the Future Part III (1990)

    If you liked Back to the Future Part III, we recommend:

    Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

    Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

    Multiplicity (1996)

    Multiplicity (1996)

    Slaughterhouse Five (1972)

    Slaughterhouse Five (1972)

    Little Big Man (1970)

    Little Big Man (1970)

  • The Tenant (1976)

    If you liked The Tenant, we recommend:

    Barton Fink (1991)

    Barton Fink (1991)

    Force Majeure (2014)

    Force Majeure (2014)

    Housebound (2014)

    Housebound (2014)

    Super (2010)

    Super (2010)

  • Clue (1985)

    If you liked Clue, we recommend:

    Foul Play (1978)

    Foul Play (1978)

    Raising Arizona (1987)

    Raising Arizona (1987)

    Silver Streak (1976)

    Silver Streak (1976)

    Throw Momma From The Train (1987)

    Throw Momma From The Train (1987)

  • Withnail & I (1987)

    If you liked Withnail & I, we recommend:

    After Hours (1985)

    After Hours (1985)

    Cedar Rapids (2011)

    Cedar Rapids (2011)

    Into The Night (1985)

    Into The Night (1985)

    Swimming To Cambodia (1987)

    Swimming To Cambodia (1987)

  • Sleeper (1973)

    If you liked Sleeper, we recommend:

    2001 A Space Odyssey 1968

    2001 A Space Odyssey 1968

    Annie Hall 1977

    Annie Hall 1977

    Bananas 1971

    Bananas 1971

    Crimes And Misdemeanors 1989

    Crimes And Misdemeanors 1989

    Hannah And Her Sisters 1986

    Hannah And Her Sisters 1986

    Husbands And Wives 1992

    Husbands And Wives 1992

    Love And Death 1975

    Love And Death 1975

    Manhattan 1979

    Manhattan 1979

    Stardust Memories 1980

    Stardust Memories 1980

    Take The Money And Run 1969

    Take The Money And Run 1969

    Woody Allen By Eric Lax

    Woody Allen By Eric Lax

    Woody Allen On Woody Allen

    Woody Allen On Woody Allen

  • Slap Shot (1977)

    If you liked Slap Shot, we recommend:

    Goon (2011)

    Goon (2011)

    Whip It (2009)

    Whip It (2009)

    White Men Cant Jump (1996)

    White Men Cant Jump (1996)

    Big Fan (2009)

    Big Fan (2009)

  • Snatch. (2000)

    If you liked Snatch, we recommend:

    Out Of Sight (1998)

    Out Of Sight (1998)

    Three Kings (1999)

    Three Kings (1999)

    Heist (2001)

    Heist (2001)

    Pulp Fiction (1994)

    Pulp Fiction (1994)

  • The Sandlot (1993)

    If you liked The Sandlot, we recommend:

    Flipped (2010)

    Flipped (2010)

    Lucas (1986)

    Lucas (1986)

    Son Of Rambow (2008)

    Son Of Rambow (2008)

    Way Way Back (2013)

    Way Way Back (2013)

  • Men in Black (1997)

    If you liked Men in Black, we recommend:

    Destroy All Monsters (1968)

    Destroy All Monsters (1968)

    Night Of The Creeps (1986)

    Night Of The Creeps (1986)

    Repo Man (1982)

    Repo Man (1982)

    Romancing The Stone (1984)

    Romancing The Stone (1984)

  • Naked (1993)

    If you liked Naked, we recommend:

    Another Year (2010)

    Another Year (2010)

    In The Company Of Men (1997)

    In The Company Of Men (1997)

    Secrets And Lies (1996)

    Secrets And Lies (1996)

    Your Friends And Neighbors (1998)

    Your Friends And Neighbors (1998)

  • Spaceballs (1987)

    If you liked Spaceballs, we recommend:

    Duck Soup (1933)

    Duck Soup (1933)

    Life of Brian (1979)

    Life of Brian (1979)

    The Man With Two Brains (1983)

    The Man With Two Brains (1983)

    UHF (1989)

    UHF (1989)

  • Amarcord (1973)

    If you liked Amarcord , we recommend:

    Belle Epoque (1992)

    Belle Epoque (1992)

    Mediterraneo (1991)

    Mediterraneo (1991)

    My Fathers Glory (1990)

    My Fathers Glory (1990)

    My Mothers Castle (1990)

    My Mothers Castle (1990)

  • Delicatessen (1991)

    If you liked Delicatessen, we recommend:

    Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)

    Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)

    Little Otik (2001)

    Little Otik (2001)

    Motel Hell (1980)

    Motel Hell (1980)

    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)

    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)

    Read more

  • Big Fish (2003)

    If you liked Big Fish, we recommend:

    Moonstruck (1987)

    Moonstruck (1987)

    Once Around (1991)

    Once Around (1991)

    Our Idiot Brother (2011)

    Our Idiot Brother (2011)

    Please Give (2010)

    Please Give (2010)

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More Info:

I have reviews posted for all the movies on this blog, and live-tweeted most viewings here:
https://twitter.com/popgap

This list is posted to Letterboxd, here:
https://letterboxd.com/dorrk/list/popgap-2015-08-top-20-comedies-since-1970//

You can keep track of my Flickchart here:
http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=dorrk

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