Comedy

The 1980s was absolutely instrumental in comedy filmmaking and is the reason we have so many amazing comedy flicks today. In fact, that is why they are re-booting the hell out of them right now. We can thank Ivan Reitman, John Hughes, and Howard Ramis in particular for pioneering sheer greatness in modern American comedies. Apparently “Ghostbusters” is still so popular that people are awaiting the third in the trilogy to come out any day now. Pee-Wee also scored big laughs on the big screen in two separate films, as Woody Allen and Mel Brooks did some of their funniest movies in the 80s. This was an amazing and laugh-out-loud decade for comedy films.

Three Kings (1999)

Three Kings (1999) is a war comedy-drama directed by David O. Russell, following a group of American soldiers—played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze—at the end of the Gulf War as they attempt to steal a hidden cache of gold stolen by Saddam Hussein’s forces. What begins as a selfish heist turns into a moral crisis when they encounter Iraqi civilians suffering under the regime, forcing them to choose between personal gain and doing the right thing. Blending action, satire, and social commentary, the film offers a unique and sharp critique of war and American intervention.

Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986) is a cult horror-comedy set in a high school located near a nuclear power plant, where a radioactive spill turns both teachers and students into grotesque mutants. The ensuing chaos leads to over-the-top, violent mayhem and absurd scenarios that satirize the effects of nuclear contamination and teenage rebellion. Blending outrageous humor, campy special effects, and Troma-style exploitation, the film offers a wild, offbeat critique of modern society’s nuclear anxieties and educational failures.

Slap Shot (1977)

This week on “Shat the Movies,” we’re hitting the rink with Slap Shot (1977), the ultimate hockey comedy! Join us as we dive into this rowdy, irreverent film about a struggling minor league hockey team and their eccentric players, led by the unforgettable Paul Newman. We’ll break down the film’s...

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

  In this special episode of Shat The Movies, hosts Gene Lyons and Big D take a heartfelt dive into the 2008 romantic comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” honoring Hot Sauce Steve’s late father. With Jason Segel’s vulnerable humor, Kristen Bell’s sharp performance, and Mila Kunis’ charm, this Judd Apatow production...

Zoolander (2001)

Zoolander (2001) is a comedy satirizing the fashion industry, starring Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander, a dim-witted but wildly popular male supermodel facing career decline. Manipulated by evil fashion designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell), Derek is brainwashed into becoming an unwitting assassin in a plot to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. With the help of rival model Hansel (Owen Wilson) and journalist Matilda (Christine Taylor), Derek must break free from the brainwashing, save the day, and prove there’s more to life than being “really, really, ridiculously good-looking.”

Just One of The Guys (1985)

When Terry Griffith (Joyce Hyser) loses her high school’s writing competition, she’s convinced that it’s because she’s a girl. So Terry decides to change high schools and pose as a boy to prove her point. Her brother, Buddy (Billy Jacoby), helps her pass as a guy so well that she is soon making friends with the boys at school, including the attractive Rick (Clayton Rohner), who becomes her new best friend. But her gender-swapping makes things difficult when she falls in love with him.

Withnail and I (1987)

Withnail and I (1987) is a British dark comedy following two struggling, eccentric actors—Withnail (Richard E. Grant), a flamboyant alcoholic, and Marwood, or “I” (Paul McGann), his neurotic friend—who escape their grim London lives for a chaotic, booze-soaked retreat in the English countryside. Their plans for relaxation quickly devolve into disaster as they face hostile locals, relentless rain, and Withnail’s lecherous Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths). Filled with biting wit and bleak humor, the film explores themes of friendship, failure, and the search for meaning amid disillusionment.

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

In this uproarious heist comedy, seductive con artist Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her bumbling lover Otto (Kevin Kline) team up with a hapless barrister (John Cleese) to steal a fortune in jewels. But as double-crosses pile up and loyalties shift, the eccentric crew finds themselves in a hilarious tangle of romance, greed, and deception. With razor-sharp wit and memorable performances, A Fish Called Wanda delivers a riotous blend of crime and comedy that will leave audiences laughing out loud.