AboutBarbara 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 film comedy (especially in the United States) and comic theory. I have a particular interest in satirical comedy, especially of the 1960s and 1970s. 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, 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).
I am less able to answer questions about TV shows and series, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific "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 and TV shows.
Education/Credentials Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric
Question can u send me the list of best 20 comedy movies in the last decade
regards
madhav
Answer Dear Madhav: Unfortunately, this question is too broad for me to answer as it is. First off, there is a huge number of films that can be considered as comedies in the last 20 years. There are multiple types of comedies as well, including slapstick, farce, satire, romantic comedies,etc. The term encompasses a lot, including comedies that might not be considered as comedies (e.g. black comedy, which deals with taboo subjects).
Next, what is "best"? My criteria may be different from yours--comedy depends a lot on personal taste. Is "best" the stupid comedy filled with lots of slapstick and gross humor? Or is it more complex satires of social events? Or something else altogether?
Finally, my expertise is more on comedies of the 60s and 70s than of the 80s and 90s. But even there I'd be hard pressed to come up with a list of the 20 "best" ones to see.
I refer you to the American Film Institute (AFI) website, to see what they call their Top 100 comedy films. Although many are older than 1984, there are some more recent ones included. Also there are some lists on the internet from fans, such as those found at Epinions.com or Listmania! (Amazon.com). Perhaps you can get an answer there.
But keep in mind that any list is limited to what a particular person finds funny (or a particular group, in the case of the AFI). I happen to know that many flms what I think are very funny are not seen that way by many people (but that is because I happen to really like satires and black comedy, as opposed to other types--although I can also appreciate crude slapstick). So even if I were to tell you my favorite comedies of the last twenty years, there is no guarantee you'd enjoy them, or agree with me.
