NextMovie » The Comedy Awards http://www.nextmovie.com The world's most entertaining movie site. Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 5 Comedy Icons As Comic Book Superheroes http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/comedy-stars-comic-book-covers/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/comedy-stars-comic-book-covers/#comments Sun, 06 May 2012 16:00:05 +0000 NextMovie Staff http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=43916
Beverly Hills Cop
Paramount

Comedic stars come and go. Some prove a flash in the pan, while others ride a good streak before their schtick eventually fizzles out. Only a select few reach legendary status in Hollywood.

In celebration of tonight's airing of the 2012 Comedy Awards on Comedy Central, our mate Old Red Jalopy designed these five faux comic book covers illustrating how we view five of these such icons: as heroes.

Eddie Murphy Comic Book Cover

Tina Fey Comic Book

Steve Martin Comic Book

Originally published April 7, 2011.

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]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/comedy-stars-comic-book-covers/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Eddie-Comic-250.jpg Here are a few "What-If?" concoctions that imagine a world where every series is as "Die Hard" as the one with Bruce Willis. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> We've once again reinvented 10 summer blockbusters as smaller, less explosion-heavy films. After all, it's not such a huge leap to see "Fast & Furious 6" as a twee road trip movie about a non-traditional family or "Man of Steel" as the ultimate tale of an outsider wandering the Earth in search of identity and purpose. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> It's hard to picture beanpoles like Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Angelina Jolie and Will Smith, scrawny fellas like Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Michael Cera and an endearingly overweight dude like Zach Galifianakis suddenly becoming bodybuilder-big, isn't it? So let us do the picturing for you. Get beefcake!

Credit: NextMovie]]> You know what? Aubrey Plaza, star of "Safety Not Guaranteed" and "The To Do List," should take over of Hollywood by remaking every movie ever made. Well, at least five, anyway. You've got to start somewhere. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Ultimately, just think about how much money these productions would save on catering. Baby food's a lot less expensive than a three-course spread (with an alternate option for the vegetarians), after all. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> With a filmography as eclectic as his, it may be hard to figure out what Steven Soderbergh movie is right for you. We've conjured a handy-dandy flowchart that may help you find that perfect Soderbergh fit. Get a closer look.

Credit: NextMovie]]> "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" had us nostalgic for our younger years, which had us thinking about our old "G.I. Joe" action figure collection, which had us imagining ... well, what if our old toys came to life, "Indian in the Cupboard" style, and starred in the movie? It'd be the first movie with swivel-arm battle grip, that's what.

Credit: NextMovie ]]> We've come up with five films that, for one reason or another, we can 99.99% rest assured that we'll never see in 3-D. And thank goodness for that. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> "The Wizard of Oz" isn't the only classic film that's ever begged for an origin story. Here's how "Gone With the Wind," "Casablanca" and more might have looked in earlier incarnations. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> You knew this was coming, right? So get on with it!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> In honor of Alien's (James Franco) trading of boring ol' pearly whites for a tricked-out metal grin, we reimagined a few other movie characters that might benefit from a set of grillz as well. We actually wouldn't have been surprised to see any of these people in any of the many "Spring Breakers" party scenes. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie ]]> Over the course of his nearly 40 years in movies, Tom Cruise has taken on a wide variety of formidable enemies, whether they be made of flesh and blood or something else. We've created an infographic that illustrates just how much fightin' Tom has done over the years — and who (or what) has been on the receiving end of his furious wrath. Get a closer look.

Credit: NextMovie]]> It's fun to imagine what a movie might have been like if it had starred the actors who were originally supposed to ... well, star in it. Final casting usually ends up working out for the best, but there's nothing wrong with a little cinematic game of "What If?" Here are some visual aids in picturing what would've made for a very, very different Oscar season from 2012-2013. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> The Sundance Kid may not be a kid any more, but he shows no signs of slowing down as he prepares to make his Marvel debut in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Here's a look at Robert Redford throughout the ages, from his young and handsome years to his, well, old and handsome years. Get a closer look.

Credit: NextMovie ]]> We guess it's swell and all that Johnny Knoxville is starring in "The Last Stand" but we can't help but wonder what it would be like if someone else had been chosen to "Stand" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger for his big comeback movie. A few other someone elses, actually. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> For "Warm Bodies," the undead spin on "Romeo and Juliet," the official taglines are "He's still dead but he's getting warmer" and "Cold body. Warm heart." Those are swell and all, but allow us to offer a few alternate choices that might really bring in an audience. See below and consider the movie sold. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> After 1983's "Return of the Jedi," the fans wanted more, but it was not for another decade and a half that Lucas would think of giving the people another taste. Or was it? NextMovie has exclusively "uncovered" these five long-lost posters for "Star Wars" spin-offs that never saw the light of day. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We're here to make two worlds - "Twilight" and the Garbage Pail Kids - collide ... into a sticky, gooey mess. See them all.

Credit: NextMovie]]> Cruise's height has always been a hot topic of conversation. Which is particularly amusing because we don't recall anyone mentioning anything about Robert Downey Jr. or Javier Bardem's stature. Yet, they too stand 5-foot-7. You're floored? You had no idea? We know. So we've created a Hollywood Height Chart to help you out.

Credit: NextMovie]]> After watching "Wreck-It Ralph," we'd love to walk in the pixelated footsteps of Donnie Darko, get stuck in a loop on "Groundhog Day" and rule the blocky beaches of Miami with Tony Montana. See them all.

Credit: NextMovie]]> Hey, don't blame us. We're just embracing the eventual inevitable. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> Let's face it, inside every loud, attention-grabbing, big-budget action movie, there's also a sensitive indie just wanting to get out. Right? That's how we like to think of it, anyway. We've put a spin on 10 summer blockbusters to picture them as smaller, less explosion-heavy films instead. See them all!

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]]> Sequels tend to be awful more than they tend to be good, and Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy could've easily gone down that dark path if the wrong movie executives had been sitting in the wrong desks. Don't believe us? Look at some of the disasters we may have just narrowly avoided. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> When "Here Comes the Boom" and "3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom" both came out the same weekend, we realized something rather critical: more movies should have boom in their titles. So, with that in mind, we decided to prove it and came up with nine movies made better with boom. See them all.

Credit: NextMovie]]> "The Hunger Games" is a beloved book and movie featuring an ensemble cast fighting to survive a post-apocalyptic world. "The Simpsons" is a beloved TV show featuring an ensemble cast fighting to survive ... err, Springfield. "The Hunger Games" and "The Simpsons"? They're great together! We decided to depict various "Hunger Games" characters as part of the "Simpsons" cast, because, well, why not? See them all!

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]]> As a beauty with some brawn in "Snow White and the Huntsman," Kristen Stewart's got the "damsel not in distress" thing in the bag. What other fairy tale characters could she turn into kickass heroines? Goldilocks fighting off werebears? Jacqueline climbing the beanstalk? We had some ideas for 8 more dusty fairy tales that could use a good Kristen Stewart reboot to the head. See them all!

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]]> We're not sure who's going to win the 2012 presidential election, but you know who we would definitely vote for? Yoda. And The Dude. And after "The Avengers," Hulk would most definitely get our endorsement. So we decided to mock up campaign posters for some of movie favorites. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> The movie "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," gives us a Lincoln we've never read about in history books. All those other presidents must be kind of jealous of Honest Abe right about now, don't you think? So we're casting even more of our nation's leaders as action hero-types, striking down more than just bad legislation. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Dolph Lundgren + Dolphins = Maybe the most adorable poster ever. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> With Disney purchasing LucasFilm and announcing plans to release an additional trilogy to the "Star Wars" franchise, we decided to get a little speculative. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> Is there anything the Oscar winner can't do? Clearly the answer is "no." Here are the next few biopics we think she should tackle. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Forget the all-female riff on "The Expendables" that's apparently now in development — it's the porn star version we really want to see! Well, maybe "see" is too strong a word ... it would be amusing to know that it at least exists, right? Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> The real star of "Skyfall" is Javier Bardem's bleached blond hair. Behold: So vanilla-colored. So unfashionably-styled. So makes us want to see Bardem in a variety of other amazing hairstyles. See them all.

Credit: NextMovie / MGM]]> Who needs an animated Santa, Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy when you have Tim Allen, Anna Faris and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> We couldn't help but imagine what a more true-to-life (yet still star-studded) version of "Seven Psychopaths" would look like. One with a lot more, you know, crazy. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> "South Park"'s cutout animation may be simple, but Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny have become some of the most indelible characters in cartoon history. So, naturally, we've always wondered how "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker would have applied their signature style to some of our favorite movie icons. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Really, what differences are there between the Avengers and the classic monsters of yore? Special powers — check. Fancy costumes — double check. Read more about it.

Credit: NextMovie]]> Cats: They're such divas. Adorable, adorable little divas. They rule our world, why not the cinematic one? We obliged our feline friends by reimagining seven movies -- with the aid and inspiration of our Twitter followers -- starring cats instead of humans. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> After declaring the Oscars "total bulls**t," we found photographic evidence that Joaquin Phoenix hates, like, everything. See them all.

Credit: NextMovie]]> It's our pleasure to introduce you to Kitty Purry, a multi-talented feline whose fandom knows no bounds. You might say that Kitty Purry's road to superstardom was a bit less rocky than that of her human counterpart, Katy Perry. Sure, Kitty didn't have a hit single that received as much airplay as, say, "I Kissed a Girl," but at least there was no short-lived marriage to Russell Brand (or is that Russell Terrier Brand?). Check out the full post here.

Credit: NextMovie]]> When you're heading to a vacation retreat featured in the movies, there's one thing you just absolutely must pack: a body bag. Inspired by "The Cabin in the Woods," we've got listings for some of Hollywood's favorite -- and deadliest -- vacation destinations. See them all!

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]]> As fans of the "What XYZ thinks I do" meme rockin' the interwebs, we wondered why no one had yet tackled various types of movie fans. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Mmmm, themed ice cream. It's even more delicious than regular ice cream. But where are all the movie flavors, Ben and Jerry? Here are 10 flavors from 2011 movies we could see flying off freezer shelves. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> why not just put these three love-torn characters in ... every romantic movie ever made? See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Texting. It's everywhere and our favorite movie characters are no exception, obviously. It's 2012, how did you think they were getting s**t done? They're texting each other, and we have the proof. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We've recast all nine 2012 Academy Awards Best Picture nominees with dogs in the starring roles. We dare say, some of them look even more interesting than the originals. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> The Muppets can do more than just get laughs -- in their latest movie, they do inspirational drama (the story is set against their comeback attempt), they do heists (they plot to kidnap Jack Black), they do romance (um, hello, Kermit and Piggy). What's to stop them from moving into even edgier fare? See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Admit it. You've had relationships that turned into horror shows. The screaming, the crying, the panic, the knife-wielding ... In honor of Halloween, we reimagined six romantic comedies as outright horror movies. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We proudly present our own line of movie baseball cards, highlighting some of the baddest batters and hurlers from the big screen. Bubble gum not included.See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We imagined the sorts of ads some of our favorite movie babysitters might have posted if they were looking for work through the internet. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We've imagined an alternate universe in which Jar Jar Binks is not the most maligned CGI character in the history of cinema, but, as Lucas always intended, a true star. His very presence transforms these eight historic biopics into ... well, movies starring Jar Jar Binks. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> In honor of producer Joss Whedon's phenomenal new horror/fantasy/whatever movie "Cabin in the Woods" and our ridiculous sense of humor, please enjoy this exclusive poster for the smash hit... "Kevins in the Woods." Check out the full post here.

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]]> We imagine what seven other big movie franchises would like if they created by the Mouse House. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Harry, Ron, Hermione and the gang take a turn for the musical and star in their very own, classic rock album covers. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Sharks really can give a bad movie some bite.See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Superheroes need loving, too, you know. Of course, not every super-love story pans out, so what happens when these guys don't sync perfectly with their first ladies (or guys)? They go online like the rest of us... See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Feast your eyes on our re-imagining of "Conan the Barbarian" starring the true Conan, one who might slay his enemies not with a sword, but with his quick tongue and ruthless coffee mug,See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Our favorite part of Easter has always been painting Easter eggs (well, and eating Peeps until we throw up). But this year, maybe it's time to get a little more ... interesting with your artwork. We present eight movie-inspired Easter eggs that have just a little bit more edge than your standard variety stripes and polka dots. See them all!

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]]> During our exclusive interview for "Piranha 3DD," David Hasselhoff kept dropping hints about a yet-to-be-announced remake he's hoping to star in: the 1939 classic, "Gone With the Wind." Perhaps The Hoff is on to something. It's been 73 years – maybe it is time for a "Gone With the Wind" remake. Inspired, we took a shot at what such a film, starring Hasselhoff and his dream Scarlett O'Hara Rachel Weisz, might look like. Check out the full post here.

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]]> These five faux comic book covers illustrate how we view these comedy icons: as heroes. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Robert Pattinson and more re-imagined as animated characters. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Everyone knows "The Lorax" as a funny, furry little mustachioed fellow (he speaks for the trees!). Well, we got it into our heads that some actors might look better -- okay, well, different -- with the Lorax's trademark eyebrows and mustache. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson officially were not meant to have each others' faces. See them all!

And check out 7 more from "Breaking Dawn - Part 2."

Credit: NextMovie]]> As gridiron groupies everywhere spend (company?) hours studying the stats, fretting over keepers and ranking players by position, we decided to draft our own dream team of football studs from flicks. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> You know what Charlie Sheen hasn't done in a long, long time? Entertain us in movies. So while we continue to wait patiently for "Hot Shots! Part Trois" (or even the fraternal reunion "Men at Work 2: Still Working"), here are some movies that really could've used some Sheen. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> What would the Landspeeder from "Star Wars" look like in a Pixar movie? How about "Transformers" scallywag Bumblebee? See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> With the help of our friend Old Red Jalopy, we've unearthed nine, shall we say, "unorthodox" Oscar campaign posters you might have missed. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Since Johnny Depp's transformation to Captain Jack just made a great man greater, we wondered what a little piracy could do for our other favorites. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We imagine what other literary adaptations the "Water for Elephants" and "Twilight" heartthrob could pull off, from "Catcher in the Rye" to Dante's "Inferno." See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> You've probably heard of RateMyProfessors.com, the site that lets college students evaluate teachers in a variety of categories, including hotness (because, let's face it, we all had/have that one professor we crushed on). We wondered what it would be like if some of our favorite movie profs were rated by their students... See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> Supposing hairy primates could take over the world a la "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," we wondered what our favorite movies would look like with a simian twist. As it turns out, they look pretty awesome. Our pal Old Red Jalopy helps us illustrate the future... when the apes take Hollywood. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> At the rate Hollywood is cranking out remakes, you know it's only a matter of time before our holiday favorites get fresh takes. Just so you're prepared, we've gone ahead and given visual representation to what these inevitable remakes might look like – and we're not gonna lie, we'd pay to see a few of these. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> The Biebs deserves more big screen time than just a concert film, don't you think? See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> We commissioned some exclusive, unofficial battle posters in honor of the beginning of the end of the "Potter" franchise. See them all!

Credit: NextMovie]]> 2012 Comedy Awards Nominations: And the Punchline Goes To ... http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/2012-comedy-awards-nominees/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/2012-comedy-awards-nominees/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:28:44 +0000 Scott Harris http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=115409

Universal

Comedy Central announced the nominees for the second annual Comedy Awards earlier today and it was no laughing matter.

"Bridesmaids" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love." are about to face off in a two-way race for the most lauded flick, as each landed five nominations in the film categories.

"Midnight in Paris" followed with four nods, while "The Artist" and "Horrible Bosses" were close behind with three nominations each.

Considering its massive box office and award season success, the nominations for "Bridesmaids" — which include Comedy Film, Comedy Director - Film (Paul Feig), Comedy Screenplay and two nods in the Performance By an Actress - Film category (Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy) — are no surprise. At least, not as big a surprise as someone pooping in a sink.

Despite critical acclaim, however, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." failed to gain much traction, making its haul of five nominations, including one in every non-animation category, even more impressive. Those nominations include Comedy Film, Comedy Director - Film (Glenn Ficarra and John Requa), Performance By an Actor - Film (Steve Carell), Performance By an Actress - Film (Emma Stone) and Comedy Screenplay. Hurray, Emma Stone!

"Midnight in Paris," meanwhile, followed up its Best Picture and Best Director nominations at the Oscars with Comedy Film, Comedy Screenplay and Comedy Director - Film nods for auteur Woody Allen; the movie's third nomination went for Owen Wilson in the Performance By an Actor - Film category. Likewise, "The Artist" duplicated its Oscar success with nominations for Comedy Film, Comedy Director - Film (Michel Hazanavicius) and Performance By an Actor - Film (Jean Dujardin).

Sadly, Uggie the dog was not nominated.

Other notable nominations include Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston for "Horrible Bosses," as well as "Cars 2," which landed an Animated Comedy Film nod despite being shut out at the Oscars.

The Comedy Awards, which voted on by a board of comedy veterans, are presented annually by Comedy Central. This year's ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 28 before airing on Comedy Central on Sunday, May 6 at 9 p.m. ET. Here's a full list of nominees, including those for the television categories, courtesy of the official Comedy Awards website:

COMEDY FILM
"The Artist"
"Bridesmaids"
"Crazy, Stupid, Love."
"Horrible Bosses"
"Midnight in Paris"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR-FILM
Jason Bateman, "Horrible Bosses"
Steve Carell, "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Zach Galifianakis, "The Hangover Part II"
Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris"

COMEDY DIRECTOR-FILM
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
James Bobin, "The Muppets"
Paul Feig, "Bridesmaids"
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

COMEDY SERIES
"30 Rock"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"
"Happy Endings"
"Modern Family"
"Parks and Recreation"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR-TV
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

COMEDY DIRECTING-TV
"30 Rock"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"
"Louie"
"Modern Family"
"The Office"

ANIMATED COMEDY FILM
"Cars 2"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss In Boots"
"Rango"
"Rio"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS-FILM
Jennifer Aniston, "Horrible Bosses"
Cameron Diaz, "Bad Teacher"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"

COMEDY SCREENPLAY
"50/50"
"Bridesmaids"
"Crazy, Stupid, Love."
"Horrible Bosses"
"Midnight in Paris"

ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES
"Archer"
"Family Guy"
"The Life & Times of Tim"
"The Simpsons"
"South Park"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS-TV
Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"
Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"

COMEDY WRITING-TV
"30 Rock"
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"
"Louie"
"Modern Family"
"Parks and Recreation"
"Saturday Night Live"

LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES
"The Colbert Report"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
"Late Show with David Letterman"
"Real Time with Bill Maher"

BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Zooey Deschanel
Josh Gad
Donald Glover
Melissa McCarthy
Jason Sudeikis

CLUB COMIC
Ted Alexandro
Hannibal Buress
Pete Holmes
Anthony Jeselnik
Moshe Kasher
John Mulaney
Kumail Nanjiani
Chelsea Peretti
Amy Schumer
Rory Scovel

SKETCH / ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SERIES
"Childrens Hospital"
"Louie"
"Portlandia"
"Saturday Night Live"
"Tosh.0"

COMEDY SPECIAL OF THE YEAR
"Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater"
"Norm Macdonald: Me Doing Standup"
"Patton Oswalt Finest Hour"
"Colin Quinn Long Story Short"
"Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts"

STAND-UP TOUR
Dave Attell
Lewis Black
Louis C.K.
Kevin Hart
Jerry Seinfeld

]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/2012-comedy-awards-nominees/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MelissaMcCarthyBridesmaids_250.jpg 18 Stars Share Their Favorite Comedy Movies http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/stars-favorite-comedy-movies/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/stars-favorite-comedy-movies/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:37:39 +0000 NextMovie Staff http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=44453 Just for laughs, we asked some of your favorite stars to share their favorite funny movies...

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]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/stars-favorite-comedy-movies/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/SaoirseRonan250.jpg
"I've grown up with certain movies that mean an awful lot that I love to watch over and over again. I love 'School of Rock,' I think that’s a fantastic film... And I think 'Johnny Dangerously' is a brilliant comedy and 'The Hangover' is a modern classic, but I couldn't pick one to be honest.

Saoirse Ronan stars in "Hanna," currently in theaters.

Credit: Getty Images / Paramount]]>

"'The Jerk!' That's definitely my favorite comedy of all time.

"I love Steve Martin and that kind of silly nonsense comedy. I'm a huge Steve Martin fan and I think that's one of his best.

"And you know a movie's good when there are so many great quotable lines in it. I'm always quoting that movie, though I can't think of a line now because I'm on the spot! I just love that movie. Seriously, I can watch it over and over again and never get bored."

Katrina Bowden currently stars in the hit show "30 Rock" and will next be seen in the feature film, "The Last Film Festival."

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"My favorite comedy of all time? That's easy: 'Being There.' It's not just a comedy. It's a deeply touching drama. It really crosses genres in an amazing way. When I first saw it, I was totally amazed. In that movie, Peter Sellers isn't just an actor, he is like... a savant. That role required someone with a special talent and he nailed it. And Shirley MacLaine? Also amazing! I just really, really love that movie."

Penn Badgley currently stars as Dan Humphrey in the hit TV show "Gossip Girl," and will next be seen on the big screen in the Sundance thriller "Margin Call."

Credit: Getty Images / United Artists]]>

"I just saw 'No Strings Attached' and I loved it. Ashton and Natalie were great in it, but Greta Gerwig really took that film to a whole new level of humor. She was just so funny in that! I really loved that comedy and I think that had a lot to do with her role in it.

"She was brilliant in 'Greenberg' too. That's another one of my favorite comedies of all time.

"I actually had a fitting with Greta yesterday at Chris Benz and while we were talking it just reminded me how great she is, so I think Greta's comedies are my favorites right now. They're kind of my obsession at the moment!"

Sophia Bush currently stars in "One Tree Hill" and will next be seen in the feature film "Chalet Girl" with Ed Westwick.

Credit: Getty Images / Paramount]]>

"My favorite comedy is literally anything with Gene Wilder in it. 'Blazing Saddles' is one of his best. I love, love, love 'Blazing Saddles.'

"Gene Wilder can make you laugh and break your heart in an instant. I think he's one of the few people ever who have been able to rival Charlie Chaplin in that regard. And 'Blazing Saddles' really is hilarious.

"Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little are a perfect comedy team. I've watched it so many times and it always makes me laugh. When a movie touches you like that time and time again, it becomes a true classic."

Evan Rachel Wood is currently starring in the HBO mini-series "Mildred Pierce" and will next be seen on the big screen in "The Ides of March" with George Clooney and Ryan Gosling.

Credit: Getty Images / Warner Bros.]]>

"I really love 'Harlem Nights.' It has Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Redd Foxx and even Arsenio Hall. It's legendary! Sugar Ray has got to be one of the greatest characters of all time, and then when you team him up with the rest of the cast? It's just, genius.

"I love that the premise sounds serious -- about gangsters and casinos and corrupt police in the '20s-- but then it just totally turns everything on its head and ends up being this hilarious movie. Plus, seeing Richard and Eddie dressed up in those suits with those mustaches -- it's pretty much worth watching just for that!

"I could watch it a hundred times and I still laugh every time. To me, that's what makes a comedy really great."

Selita Ebanks is a Victoria's Secret Angel who recently tried her luck on "The Apprentice."

Credit: Getty Images / Paramount]]>

"I have to say my all-time favorite is 'Fletch.' It's a classic one-liner comedy, brilliantly delivered by Chevy Chase. I mean, there's drugs, scandal and Chevy! What else could you want in a comedy?

"And, more recently, I also like 'Old School.' That's a good one. I knew it was good about five minutes in, but then it just keeps getting better. I like it when Will Ferrell gets the tranquilizer dart in his neck. Oh my God, that is so funny. I rewound it so many times when I first saw that, I was literally crying I was laughing so hard."

Michael Fassbender currently stars in "Jane Eyre" and will next appear in "X-Men: First Class," which hits theaters June 3.

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"What can you not love about 'Coming to America?!'

"I love the scene when he opens the door, screams and shuts the door again. It's just full of those great moments that have you laughing out loud... I can watch the movie again and again and again. It always makes me feel happy.

"It always comes on TV, so it's easy to find. It's one of the movies that comes on and you don't mean to actually watch it, but then you can't change the channel and then it's ninety minutes later and your sides hurt from laughing so much."

Reshma Shetty currently stars in "Royal Pains" and will be seen next in the film "Not for Nothing."

Credit: Getty Images / Paramount]]>

"My favorite comedy is 'Sixteen Candles.' Since the first time I saw it, it has always been my favorite.

"I don't know what makes it so special exactly, but I think it's a mixture of things. For starters, it's hilarious. Second, it's one of those movies that you quote your whole life. And third, the characters! What a great group of characters that movie has.

"It's a movie you really remember and it's just such a classic."

Mia Wasikowska currently stars in "Jane Eyre," and recently co-starred in the Oscar-nominated drama "The Kids Are All Right."

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"My favorite comedy is definitely 'Wet Hot American Summer.' It's the funniest.

"My favorite scene is when Paul Rudd is really annoyed, but he's trying to look cool still, but he's picking up trash so he can't really look that cool. I'm not doing the scene justice with my description, but it's amazing.

"The whole cast is hilarious. When you've got people like Janeane Garofalo and David Hyde Pierce and Molly Shannon and Paul Rudd, how can it not be funny? Even the title is great. Don't you just want to run out and see that movie the minute you say it?!

Melanie Lynskey has been starring in the hit show "Two and a Half Men," and can currently be seen in the comedy "Win Win."

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"My favorite comedy of all time is 'Spies Like Us.' I love the corny lines. I love Chevy Chase in that movie, though Dan Aykroyd is pretty good too.

"The whole concept of two poor guys who think they're spies but are actually decoys for a nuclear war is just sick and hilarious. A story like that takes someone like Chevy Chase to pull it off though. He really made it work. He's great in that movie.

"I also love 'History of the World: Part 1' with Mel Brooks. I can watch those movies over and over, and I have been watching them my whole life. When I watch them I just sit down with a snack -- I like to eat peanut butter straight out of the jar with a spoon. That's all I need to be happy."

Bryan Greenberg currently stars on the HBO series "How to Make It in America," and will next appear in "Friends with Benefits," which hits theaters in July.

Credit: Getty Images / Warner Bros.]]>

"'Tootsie' is a classic. It's just fantastic.

"I'd never seen anything like 'Tootsie' before. It was sort of the first of its kind. It's so heartwarming and so funny as well and the setting in the soap world. There's something about the character that Dustin Hoffman brings that's so convincing and so hilarious and dark.

"It is both drama and comedy. Drama teachers will say it's the same mask or something pretentious like that but it is really true: from great drama comes great comedy."

Rose Byrne stars in "Insidious" in theaters now and has "Bridesmaids" and "X-Men: First Class" arriving in theaters in the next few months.

Credit: Getty Images / Sony]]>

"My favorite comedy has to be 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.' I mean, Spicoli! What do you even say about Spicoli?! There's really nothing to say there. He's awesome.

"I can't even tell you how many times I've watched it, and it still makes me laugh. And isn't that what a great comedy's all about? Making you laugh. It's as simple as that. I love that movie!"

Gabrielle Union has recently appeared on hit TV shows "Army Wives" and "FlashForward." She will next be seen in the feature film, "Miss Dial" with Robinne Lee.

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"My favorite comedy is 'As Good As It Gets.' I love that movie!

Jack Nicholson is absolutely perfect in that. He's Melvin! He's perfect! And he and Helen Hunt together, they both nailed it. Not every movie finds that kind of energy. But this one does, and it's so fun to watch.

"I love the scene when Jack Nicholson puts the dog in the trash compactor. I just feel so bad for that dog, but I can't help but laugh!

"That comedy is seriously as good as it gets."

Emmy Rossum currently stars in the hit Showtime series "Shameless."

Credit: Getty Images / Sony]]>

"One of my favorite comedy movies is 'Lady Eve.' It's a Preston Sturges movie with Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck from the '40s.

"It's just really funny. I mean: A) Who knew Henry Fonda was that funny first off? and B) Barbara Stanwyck is probably one of the most talented comedic actresses of that century and this is one of her funniest performances. And besides those two, there are a million other reasons.

"Henry is this guy coming back from Amazon on a ship and, of course Barbara, a con artist, just latches right to him. And there's the standard parts where they fall in love and then they fight, but it's just so fresh the way they deliver the story. Even today it's fresh! And it's from the '40s!

"It's just a great movie. There are a million reasons it's a great comedy. I couldn't possibly name them all."

John Slattery currently stars in the hit show "Mad Men" and was recently seen opposite Matt Damon in "The Adjustment Bureau."

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"My favorite comedy is probably 'Young Frankenstein,' because it's always the one that I watch over and over again. It's a classic.

"I love how serious Gene Wilder is in it — he's really that way in all his comedies — which is why I love Gene Wilder! But in 'Frankenstein' in particular, it's like life or death to him and that passion magnifies the humor. Dr. Frankenstein is a serious guy, so it's not every actor who could find the humor in that part. The fact that Wilder could get there, that's what makes the comedy as a whole shine for me.

"Sometimes one actor can carry a whole comedy. That's Gene Wilder in this one... It's always funny. That's a movie that will be funny forever."

Amy Ryan currently stars in the hit show "The Office" and can be seen in theaters in "Win Win."

Credit: Getty Images / Fox]]>

"I love 'My Man Godfrey' with Carole Lombard. It's kind of an older one, but I love it.

"First and foremost, I just love the clothes! That era of fashion is so polished and sophisticated. Somehow it makes the comedy stand out that much more when everyone looks like they should be acting so sophisticated because of how they're dressed! But more importantly, it's a film that just has great humor. I mean, it's from the '30s and the humor still works today. The banter between the characters, the way they needle each other, we do it just the same way today! Some things never change!

"When a film can survive that many decades and still be funny, that's really something special. That's the mark of a truly great comedy. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Kelly Rutherford currently stars as the very sophisticated Lily van der Woodsen on the hit show "Gossip Girl."

Credit: Getty Images / Universal]]>

"I like that movie — it's an old movie, but it's a good one — 'The In-Laws.'

"Alan Arkin and Peter Falk just make that movie, but Alan Arkin especially. Alan Arkin is very good. I mean, he plays a dentist! A dentist named Sheldon! Can you imagine anything funnier than that? Just the idea of it is funny. The way he and Peter Falk play off each other, it's just pure comedic genius. Their timing is, well, it's perfect.

"It's an old film now, but the humor holds up today. I watch it every now and then and it always makes me laugh — sometimes before the punchline — and that's something special."

Paul Giamatti can currently be seen in "Win Win." He will next be working alongside Robert Pattinson in "Cosmopolis."

Credit: Getty Images / Warner Bros.]]> The 25 Funniest Movies Ever... This Millennium http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/best-comedies-2000s/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/best-comedies-2000s/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:00:16 +0000 Jason Newman http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=41218

Anchorman
DreamWorks

Everyone has their own personal favorite genre, but comedy is arguably the most universal. Have you ever met someone who's said, "I don't like to laugh"? Neither have we.

The past decade has seen filmmakers like Adam McKay and Judd Apatow rise from obscurity onto the A-list, while actors like Seth Rogen and Zach Galifianakis have gone from esoteric television shows to big-budget movies.

But enough talk. Read. Argue. Yell at us. You can debate the order of these films all you want, but you can't deny the humor of any of them.

25. 'Meet the Parents' (2000)

Meet the Parents
Universal

If one of the benchmarks of good comedy is making the personal universal and the universal personal, it's easy to see why Jay Roach's "Meet the Parents" was so successful upon its release. What couple hasn't dreaded the initial meeting between the boyfriend and his girl's parents? Think back to that awkward attempt to be on your best behavior; that terrifying internal fear of saying something stupid or, worse, accidentally offensive. Now double it if the steely gaze of Robert De Niro, in his best comedic performance since 1988's "Midnight Run," is the guy you’re trying to impress.

24. 'Napoleon Dynamite' (2004)

Napoleon Dynamite
Fox Searchlight

Every year or two, a small comedy breaks through the indie ceiling and into quasi-mainstream acceptance. The plot for this one couldn't be simpler: frustrated nerd growing up in small-town Idaho hates high school and virtually everyone in town. But screenwriter and director Jared Hess imbued every character – the cloying older brother Kip Chip, the adventurous grandma, the naïve, but good-natured friend Pedro, the pathetic Al Bundy arrogance of Uncle Rico – with innate warmth that celebrated rather than mocked the group’s small-town demeanor. And we'll make you an editor here if you can find us a better dance scene. (Ed. Note: We won’t really.)

23. 'Easy A' (2010)

Easy A
Sony

The "high school angst" comedy has been done to death, most notably in the iconic films of John Hughes ("The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles.") So why does Will Gluck's modern retelling of "The Scarlet Letter" make the list? Thank Emma Stone's mature-beyond-her-years performance and Bert Royal's script, which, unlike "Juno," actually sounded realistic when spoken by high schoolers. Add Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as the coolest parents ever and it's a done deal.

22. 'Black Dynamite' (2009)

Black Dynamite
Sony Classics

Fans of 1970s blaxploitation films will appreciate this one the most, but even if you don't know your Truck Turner from your Cleopatra Jones, Scott Sanders and Michael Jai White's dead-on spoof of the genre accomplished a rare feat for a satire: nailing the intended targets while functioning as a fun, well-made movie in its own right. White perfectly walks the line between earnest adherence to the genre and tongue-in-cheek playfulness.

21. 'Pineapple Express' (2008)

Pineapple Express
Sony

Billed as the first "stoner action comedy," the lead roles were originally cast with Seth Rogen as the laid back drug dealer and James Franco as the user who accidentally witnesses a murder by a rogue cop and drug kingpin. Sure, that makes more sense, but flipping the roles ended up a jarringly good idea, combining the good-natured, what-planet-are-we-on humor of Cheech and Chong with grenades, guns and explosions. The cast, which included "Your Highness" star Danny McBride, improvised some of the film's funniest lines, proof that off-screen camaraderie breeds the best on-screen humor.

20. 'Step Brothers' (2008)

Step Brothers
Sony

Director Adam McKay and stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reunite after the success of 2006's "Talladega Nights" in this slapstick film about two unemployed, emotionally stunted, middle-aged men whose single parents marry and force them to live with each other. More than a little friction, as expected, occurs. "Step Brothers" isn't the smartest comedy on the list, but when you tell Ferrell and Reilly to just act like children, it's hard to argue with the results.

19. 'Bad Santa' (2003)

Bad Santa
Miramax

The surliest, most foul-mouthed character on our list, Willie T. Stokes is an alcoholic, boorish, misanthropic, misogynistic lout, a.k.a. the type of person you would actually expect to play Santa at your local department store in real life. It didn't hurt that Billy Bob Thornton's demeanor comes off a bit gruff and dismissive in real life, but the sheer number and creativity of screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's one-liners – "I loved a woman who wasn't clean," says Stokes to a child asking about his hair loss – justifies repeated viewings.

18. 'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle' (2004)

Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
New Line

We'll let the blatant product placement slide if a comedy is as funny as this stoner film about two twentysomethings on a simple, drug-fueled quest to find the titular fast-food franchise. The journey from A to B naturally has about 438 roadblocks – as often happens when drugs are involved – but Kal Penn and John Cho keep things light with hysterical, pseudo-philosophical musings. If you haven't seen it, expect some surprising cameos as well.

17. 'Super Troopers' (2001)

Super Troopers
Fox Searchlight

Two years before "Reno 911!" began spoofing "COPS" and its progeny, comedy troupe Broken Lizard was sending up state troopers in this high-energy comedy. Somewhere in Vermont – where the biggest crime is killing time – four state troopers are in danger of losing their jobs thanks to state budget cuts. Eager to please their superiors, the group embarks on an investigation of high-profile marijuana dealers, but have to stave off a rival police force first. Lazy, stoned cops always make for good comedy.

16. 'The Other Guys' (2010)

The Other Guys
Sony

Will Ferrell practically owns this list, and for this 2010 film, teamed up with Mr. Comedy himself Mark Wahlberg to star as two cops – well, one cop and one forensic accountant – in their take on the not-so-buddy cop movie. Ferrell, of course, has his nerd role down perfectly, yet Wahlberg, best known for dramas such as "Boogie Nights," "The Departed" and "The Fighter," uses his rough demeanor as the perfect comedic foil to Ferrell's sheepish detective.

15. 'Road Trip' (2000)

Road Trip
Dreamworks

Like the teen comedy genre, we've seen the road trip movie handled by everyone from Dennis Hopper to Vincent Gallo. But Todd Phillips ratcheted up the gross-out factor to create one of the decade’s most indelible and, in its own way, heartfelt looks at college and being away from home. Ostensibly a story about a guy who travels from New York to Texas to prevent his long-distance girlfriend from seeing an incriminating videotape, the plot is merely a backdrop for raucous frat parties, exploding cars, stoned canines and mice eating. Ah, college.

14. 'Mean Girls' (2004)

Mean Girls
Paramount

It's funny how "Saturday Night Live" projects are always funnier when they're not based on one of the show's characters ("Wayne's World" nothwithstanding). Tina Fey's script about a social outcast (Lindsay Lohan, in her best role) who befriends and eventually detracts from the "rich clique" both memorializes and sends up the typical female high school experience. Produced by "SNL" honcho Lorne Michaels, the film features "SNL" alum Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer and Tim Meadows in supporting roles, and Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried in their first high-profile roles.

13. 'Superbad' (2007)

Superbad
Sony

If the central criticism surrounding the Judd Apatow universe is a penchant for maudlin sentimentality following hilarious bouts of immaturity and arrested development, Greg Mottola’s "Superbad" focuses strictly on the latter. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg started writing the film's script when they were 13; precocious for screenwriters, but the perfect age to document the angst and awkwardness of two teenage boys. And as McLovin, the hopelessly misdirected friend, Christopher Mintz-Plasse set the new bar for brilliant sidekicks.

12. 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Universal

Before Russell Brand was a household name in the US, he was Aldous Snow, a drugged-out rock and roller – big stretch, Russ – who steals the titular character (Kristen Bell) from Jason Segel. While the cast, including Mila Kunis, Jonah Hill and Bill Hader, clearly relish the Hawaiian setting, in retrospect, this is Brand's film, as the mercurial actor swallows the scenery and owns every scene he's in. Oh, and you get to see Jason Segel's penis if you’re into that sort of thing. (The film's spin-off, "Get Him to the Greek," has to be considered a runnerup on this list.)

11. 'Wedding Crashers' (2005)

Wedding Crashers
New Line

In real life, repeatedly sneaking into weddings to meet women will probably get your ass handed to you, but you're not as slick as Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. As divorce mediators, the pair is understandably a bit cynical about marriage, so, ironically, they hit up weddings on the weekends for the free food, booze and, hopefully, women. When Wilson falls for the sister of one of the brides, well, you can see where this one's going. As the violent sociopath and boyfriend of Wilson's love, Bradley Cooper's breakthrough performance as Sack may be the most underrated of the decade.

10. 'Knocked Up' (2007)

Knocked Up
Universal

Okay, so maybe it's not 100 percent plausible that after having an one-night stand, Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl would decide to stay friendly and work their way through Heigl's pregnancy together. But Judd Apatow's sophomore effort blended the emotional resonance of a relationship comedy with the immaturity of a group of wise-cracking friends in a film that balanced juvenile idiocy with adult levels of schmaltz (in a good way).

9. 'The Hangover' (2009)

The Hangover
Warner Bros.

There's a reason why Todd Phillips' Las Vegas road trip movie became the highest grossing R-rated comedy in history. Recounting one long – okay, very long – night in Vegas between a fiancé and his three friends, the film starts with a missing tooth, impaled mattress, anonymous baby, wandering chicken, police cruiser and hospital bracelet. And that’s one of the normal scenes. We've seen Las Vegas in movies countless times, but never has a film conjured up such fantastical scenarios.

8. 'Best in Show' (2000)

Best in Show
Warner Bros.

No one has mastered awkward, improvisational comedy more than "This is Spinal Tap" and "Waiting For Guffman" director Christopher Guest. With the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show as the milieu, Guest skewers neurotic, overprotective dog lovers ranging from the ultra-preppy to hickish. With Guest's movies, character trumps all and the cast, including Guest vets Eugene Levy, Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara, clearly put their vast improv skills to use. It’s not your typical big-budget comedy, but still makes us laugh every time we see it.

7. 'Zoolander' (2001)

Zoolander
Paramount

On paper, the idea of Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as competing male models sounds like a straight-to-DVD release. In practice, the film is not only a incendiary satire on our culture's obsession with beauty and the superficial, but an absurdist masterpiece, filled with random one-liners that are simultaneously brilliant and idiotic. No opportunity for humor is missed. Why is Mark Ronson DJing a funeral? Why does Hansel roll to an awards show on a child's scooter? Why the gasoline fight interlude? Don't think. Just laugh.

6. 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004)

Shaun of the Dead
Focus

The phrase "romantic zombie comedy" could admittedly be tantamount to "disaster," but director Edgar Wright, along with longtime collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, deftly found the sweet spot between horror and humor. Wright flips the age-old zombie movie into a tale of a 29-year-old directionless salesman named Shaun whose girlfriend dumps him and whose every night is spent drinking at a nearby pub. When the zombies attack, Shaun is revitalized, finding a new sense of purpose amid the oncoming apocalypse. Zombie attacks have never been funnier.

5. 'Tropic Thunder' (2008)

Tropic Thunder
Paramount

Following on "Zoolander's" absurdity, Ben Stiller's jungle adventure spoofs scumbag agents and deceitful producers, war movies like "Apocalypse Now" and "Platoon" and method actors that take their roles a little too seriously. For the latter, Robert Downey Jr.'s transformation into a black actor sparked a little controversy, but most accepted the performance as a parody of the lengths actor will go to nail the role. And he's definitely right about one thing: You never go full retard.

4. 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' (2004)

Anchorman
DreamWorks

Arguably the pinnacle of Will Ferrell's career so far, Anchorman plays up the two qualities Ferrell does best: clueless and arrogant. Ferrell and director Adam McKay put together a perfect supporting cast in Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Steve Carell and Christina Applegate, but it's to Ferrell's credit that narcissistic misogyny can be played to such laughs. As Ron Burgundy, the scotch-drinking, jazz flute-playing protagonist, Ferrell may have the best deadpan delivery in comedy. And like the best absurdist comedies on this list, it's random scenes like the giant newscaster riot that make no sense and perfect sense at the same time.

3. 'Borat' (2006)

Borat
Fox

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen was already well known in his home country for his portrayal of multiple characters, most notably the white, hip-hop loving Ali G and gay Austrian fashion reporter Bruno. But when Borat, the Kazakhstan journalist, traveled to the United States to interview Americans in this largely improvised film, a phenomenon was born. Set aside the catchphrases and recognize Cohen as one of the world's foremost satirists, as the comedian repeatedly exposes the prejudices and ignorance of people through his own feigned naïveté. It’s the perfect mix of high and low art.

2. 'Old School' (2003)

Old School
DreamWorks

In 1998, director Todd Phillips went undercover to expose the darker side of fraternities in "Frat House." Five years later, he revisited the subject from a different angle, corralling perpetual man-boys Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn as thirtysomething guys who became Big Men on Campus at fictional Harrison University. Phillips excels at the debaucherous and lecherous, and the central conceit of grown men starting a fraternity allows the cast, and viewer, to indulge in the types of activities you either remember doing or wish you did.

1. 'The 40-Year Old Virgin' (2005)

The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Universal

You knew it'd be either Apatow or McKay that takes the crown, right? Apatow's debut about Andy Stitzer, a middle-aged virgin on a quest to finally get laid, remains his best film. Steve Carell, as our titular hero, goes against type, never going over the top and playing Andy as the friendly, geeky guy you'd see alone at the movie theater on the weekend. The cheap laughs are plentiful – "You know how I know you're gay?" became a catchphrase for years and good luck seeing the chest-waxing scene without wincing – but underneath, the film empathizes when it could easily mock. This mix of crude humor and quaint sentimentality would become Apatow's trademark, but never was it better than here.

We're giving away two copies of 'Scene It: Comedy Movies' for each of our big comedy-themed features! Click here to enter.

]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/best-comedies-2000s/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/anchorman-250.jpg Big Stars Are Hilarz at the First Comedy Awards http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/the-comedy-awards/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/the-comedy-awards/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:24:40 +0000 Scott Harris http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=41743
Zach Galifianakis
Getty Images

You know what the world needs? Another Hollywood award show. We just don't have enough of those things. Luckily, the folks over at Comedy Central still have their wicked sense of humor, because that's exactly what they gave us on Saturday night, as the first annual Comedy Awards were given out in New York City.

The big winners? Tina Fey, Zach Galifianakis -- and your funny bone.

Looks like that new award show was a pretty good idea after all.

Fey, of course, is pretty much on top of the comedy world, so her win in the Best Comedy Actress in Film for her role in "Date Night" is no surprise. Nor in the victory by Galifianakis, who could have earned the Best Comedy Actor in Film trophy for any number of different roles last year, but actually won for "Dinner for Schmucks." Both winners, it should be noted, co-starred opposite Steve Carell, the Hamburger Helper of comedians.

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell was also a big winner, as "The Other Guys" took home the award for Best Comedy Film. And "Toy Story 3" earned its latest accolade, winning the Best Animated Comedy Film category, while Eddie Murphy was honored with a special Comedy Icon award.

Winners in the non-movie categories included "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," "Modern Family," "South Park," Daniel Tosh,Alec Baldwin, Kristen Wiig, "Children's Hospital," "Louis C.K.: Hilarious", "The Bed Intruder Song" and David Letterman.

The Comedy Awards is scheduled to air on Comedy Central and the Viacom family of networks on Sunday, April 10 at 9 p.m.

]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/the-comedy-awards/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/zach-galifianakis-300x220.jpg Eddie Murphy to Be Honored with the First Comedy Icon Award http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/eddie-murphy-comedy-icon-award-comedy-awards/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/eddie-murphy-comedy-icon-award-comedy-awards/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:41:04 +0000 Matt Patches http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=40769
Eddie Murphy
Getty Images

Forget recent flops like "Norbit" and "Meet Dave" and remember for a moment why Eddie Murphy is a comedy legend.

From his first appearances on "Saturday Night Live" to "48 Hrs.," "Trading Places," "Beverly Hills Cop," "Coming to America" and a lifetime of stand up, the comedian has secured his place on the top.

Comedy Central knows this well, as the the network has decided to grant the funnyman with the first-ever Comedy Icon Award, to be handed out at the inaugural Comedy Awards. MTV and Comedy Central teamed up for the new awards show to spotlight emerging talents and classic acts in the world of comedy. What better way to kick it off then by nodding to one of the greats?

MTV also announced that the show will also feature plenty of familiar faces both presenting and attending, including Jon Stewart, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Louis C.K., Bill Hader, Jimmy Fallon and Fallon's house band The Roots, who'll provide music for the ceremony. "SNL"'s Andy Samberg will also attend to perform the Lonely Island song "I Just Had Sex" live with R&B star Akon.

The Comedy Awards air April 10 at 9 p.m. on Comedy Central and various MTV-owned stations.

]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/eddie-murphy-comedy-icon-award-comedy-awards/feed/ 0 http://www.nextmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/EddieMurphy250.jpg