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Expert: - 9/25/2001


Question
Could you recommend one or two recent comedies that you found super-hilarious?  Thanks in advance :)

Answer
Dear Preethi:  Wow, I'm not sure how to answer.  Comedy is so personal (what is funny to me might not be to you, etc.).  Generally, I prefer dark, cult comedies that aren't particularly mainstream, although I can enjoy something popular as well.

So here is my response, based on films I've recently seen in a theatre (as opposed to on video).  I will say up front that I haven't been able to see all the films this past summer that I'd like to see, because of my work load, so I'll also include some recent films that others have recommended to me.

Films I saw this summer that I thought were funny/hilarious:

"Shrek"
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch"
"O Brother Where Art Thou?"

As far as comedies go, I also saw "Cats and Dogs," but it is only mildly funny (and mostly because I own cats)

Other recent films recommended to me that my friends thought were funny:

"Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (but only if you like "Clerks" or "Mallrats")
"Legally Blonde"
"The Closet" (a French farce that is supposed to be a scream)

In addition, "Zoolander," coming out this week, looks pretty bizarre, and may be pretty funny (it has Ben Stiller, who was in "There's Something About Mary" and "Meet the Parents").

I hope some of these recommendations work for you. I'll close by saying some of the films I think are the funniest are older movies, but, of course, that isn't what you asked!

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Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

Past/Present Clients
My students

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