The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

[6] An American colonel (Glenn Ford) is tasked with enforcing democracy in a small Okinawan village but slowly begins to embrace the villagers' hedonistic lifestyle in this off-kilter comedy based on the play by John Patrick. It's a sweet and exuberant film,…
Ninotchka (1939)

Ninotchka (1939)

[7]

It’s fun to watch Greta Garbo defrost in Ninotchka.  She plays an oh-so-serious Russian sent to Paris to straighten out the sale of some allegedly stolen jewels. Melvyn Douglas gets in her way. At first, he’s an annoyance, but a curious one. Her no-nonsense attitude toward him makes for a unlikely cinematic romance. The highlight of their courtship is a restaurant scene where Douglas is determined to make Garbo laugh. He tells joke after joke to no affect. Then Douglas leans back too far in his chair and falls on his ass. This results in one of the most joyous reaction shots from the Golden Age of Cinema.

This Is The End (2013)

This Is The End (2013)

[7] Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride play themselves, trapped in Franco's swanky pad during the Apocalypse in this weird little horror comedy written and directed by Rogen and Evan Goldberg (who also collaborated on…
Warm Bodies (2013)

Warm Bodies (2013)

[7] In the great zombie apocalypse, a dead teenager (Nicholas Hoult) falls in love with a human survivalist (Teresa Palmer). Their affection for each other sparks enlightenment among the rest of the freshly dead, while the girl's militaristic father (John Malkovich) and…
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

[10] I love road movies and ensemble pieces, but Little Miss Sunshine goes one step further by saying something we all need to hear from time to time: it's okay to fall short of ambition. The film throws six disparate personalities, all…
Wonder Boys (2000)

Wonder Boys (2000)

[10] Michael Douglas gives a career highlight performance as Grady Tripp, a fifty-year-old college professor worried about following up his sensational debut novel in this warm, character-driven comedy from director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile) and author Michael Chabon. Grady's life…
An Ideal Husband (1999)

An Ideal Husband (1999)

[9] Who said period pieces have to be stuffy? Director Oliver Parker equips a talented and charming ensemble cast with the eviscerating words of Oscar Wilde. Rupert Everett owns the role Arthur Goring, a self-centered playboy who runs from responsibility and commitment,…
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

[9] Julia Roberts stars in this devilish romantic comedy from director P.J. Hogan (Muriel's Wedding) and writer Ronald Bass (Rain Man) about a jealous woman who tries to stop her best friend from marrying another woman. Dermot Mulroney plays the best friend…
Flirting with Disaster (1996)

Flirting with Disaster (1996)

[9] This ensemble road trip comedy of errors is the sophomore effort from writer/director David O. Russell (Joy, Silver Linings Playbook), and stars an impressive troupe of actors who make the whole film feel wondrously improvised. Ben Stiller plays a new father…
Angus (1995)

Angus (1995)

[9] It may look like just another silly high school comedy, but Angus is more than that. It's about a fat kid named Angus (Charlie Talbert) who refuses to let the "normal" kids write him off. After the school's most popular jock…