| So, a co-worker of mine recently asked for a movie recommendation. She wanted something funny. I immediately responded with Napoleon Dynamite, which was quickly seconded by the guy sitting next to me. Love that movie - it's the classic story of a nerd trying to get a girl to the dance. What's not to love? Everything, apparently - my co-worker came in the next day and glared at me. "How could you recommend that movie? It was pure crap! Not funny at all." I was mystified. I mean, wow. Napoleon? Not funny? But what about Pedro? The time machine? The casserole-eating llama? Kip? KIP??? To me, Napoleon Dynamite is brilliant (especially the liger, gosh!). My friend absolutely hated it. Comedy has always been like that - one extreme or the other. Ask a few of your co-workers if they liked Borat or The Three Stooges. You'll get mixed responses. People either love it, or detest it. Why? Because a lot of comedy pushes the boundaries of what is comfortable. It likes taking you out of that comfort zone and bringing you to a squicky place, where the nerdy kid gets a wedgie or the bride falls flat on her face walking down the aisle. That's why shows like America's Funniest Home Videos remains on the air after nine bajillion years - people love the horrified laugh. I love Napoleon Dynamite because of the bizarre uncomfortable situations that Napoleon finds himself in, and I laugh while I'm horrified. But, there is a line. A very thin line. Close to it, you're a genius. Unstoppable! Brilliant! One step over the line of comfort, and you're a crass jerk. What happened? Easy - you went too far. You took the person out of the comfort zone. Do that, and you'll kick the reader right out of your story, without meaning to. And once you've gone over that line, baby, there's no going back. I was reading a book recently by a best-selling author, and enjoying myself immensely. It was funny, light, and utterly cute...until the heroine farted in front of everyone else. Farted*. FARTED! In the middle of this charming book. Immediately, the story went over the line from being adorable and cute to being slapstick. The book lost me at that point and I tossed it aside, never to finish. And that's really why I think comedy in urban fantasy will never be mainstream (you knew there was a tie-together in here somewhere). Or comedy in any genre, for that matter. Comedy is the ultimate in subjective opinion, because what might be classically funny to one person (Napoleon feeding a llama a casserole) might come across as offensive or just out-and-out dumb to another person. Comedy has to hit that perfect medium, inch close to the line but never go over it. The line is different for everyone because of who you are, how you were brought up, and your life experiences. Any comedy, especially in publishing, can be difficult - you're starting off with the knowledge that you're going to push someone over the line and they're going to think you're not funny. And we all know that when people don't find you funny, they complain. Loudly. Not everyone will ever get your jokes. That makes it difficult as a novelist, because a good portion of our sales come by word of mouth. One "I bought it and it wasn't funny!" can hurt your career. Comedy might never win you the scores of rabid fans that an intense, serious story will, but that's okay with me. I'll be smiling the entire time (but not farting). ...dang...I was supposed to give away something, right? AARRRGH!!! I have nothing to give but my love...and who the heck wants that crap, right? So, I shall give away an IOU in exchange for the winner of the pimpage. Here's what I ask. You don't have to mention the League on your journal (though I never mind that). What I *do* want from you is your favorite funny movie, and why. Then, include a movie that went 'over the line' for you and why it did so. Feel free to spread the word to get more people to enter. I will randomly pick the best one (ha ha) and will offer them an IOU. I will owe you one signed copy of SEX STARVED when I get my author copies in (or my ARCs, whichever show up on my door faster and in greater quantity). SEX STARVED is bound to offend someone out there with its over-the-top humor and not-so-veiled sexual innuendo, so it's truly appropriate for this post. So, show me where your line is! |
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I pretty much watch only comedies, so it's hard to pick one. "Bubble Boy", though, may be the comedy I'd pick as my favorite. Many people find it just dumb, but...well, it is. But it's goofy dumb fun, and that's what I like.
In the other direction, "Stealing Harvard" comes to mind as high potential that just never went anywhere. Although that might be more poor writing than crossing a line. I guess my pick would be "Freddy Got Fingered", although I suppose the point of the movie is to cross lines with impunity. The lines crossed just weren't ones that amused me much.
Just a few of the movies that make me laugh are So I married an Axe Murderer, Wedding Crashers, The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, Blazing Saddles, and Dodgeball. I could probably name more but these were just off the top of my head.
On the other side, I don't like to feel uncomfortable and squicky when I watch comedies. So over the line ones for me are Napoleon Dynamite, Dumb and Dumber, Borat, and there are probably more I just can't think of them.
Comedy I love: most of Mel Brooks, especially Men in Tights or Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein. And I like them b/c I enjoy a good parody and although they have sexual content, there is implied grotesque humor and not over-the-edge grossness. Most romantic comedies are good. Oo- and some of Adam Sandler like 50 First Dates and Big Daddy, but I hate the golfing one and most of his early stuff. Once he started showing more heart instead of being an immature a**, they got better.
Movies I can't stand: most Will Ferral movies (except Stranger Than Fiction), Napoleon Dynamite (except the dance), I refused to see Borat knowing I'd hate it... I don't like movies that do the gross and stupid just trying to be funny. It seems to desperate. I want wit. I want to think more.
Oh man, this is an awesome post!
Okay, I love Adam Sandler movies. The Wedding Singer is one of my all-time faves. I just love his humour, I can't help but laugh my head off at every comedy he makes. Oh, and I know Seinfeld isn't technically a movie, but it's one of the funniest shows (all seasons) I've EVER seen.
As for my least fave... ah, yeah, I can think of Borat at the top of my head. Honestly, he really went a little too crude in that one. A few tiny clever bits, but mostly it just made me cringe and feel uncomfortable.
:D
http://mela-lyn.livejournal.com/
Much love in the pimping and hoing of your post. :) I feel very deep having mentioned bananas in my philisophical discussion of your article.
These are all great! Keep them coming!
What's really interesting to me is that some of my favorites are listed among the 'offensive' just as movies that I loved are picked as favorites as well. It truly is subjective (though I do admit, I hated 'Freddy Got Fingered' too).
I really can't think of any movie that has been over the top for me, that doesn't mean that there's not any but I just can't think of one. But, I can definitely think of my favorite funny movie! heh, it's Shaun of the Dead! totally love it.
sassyjinx.livejournal.com
What makes me laugh? The darkness, babay!
Heathers
Freeway
Female Trouble
Serial Mom
Polyester
Fight Club
American Psycho
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Harold and Maude
Fargo
Election
Very Bad Things
M*A*S*H
Prizzi's Honor
To Die For
Borat
What I'll sit stone-faced through...
America's Funniest Home Videos
Anything with Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider, but especially Chris Farley, Jesus, I'd rather open a vein.
Anyway, just a look inside my pickled brain.
Oooh. Wait. I did like...
Forty-year Old Virgin
Knocked Up
and
Superbad
Something about the average guy as hero thing I'm digging.
Favorite Comedies ... Life of Brian. Totally offensive to some, but deep in thought. Oh, and The Gods must be Crazy. :D 50 First Dates was good...
Un-funnies? I guess I will have to name a genre here - Humiliation Films. Something about Mary, American Pie... pretty much any supposed comedy that relies solely on someone being horribly humiliated for a laugh.
Napoleon Dynamite was okay... some funny parts and the humiliation was not too bad. I also refused to see Borat and will never watch Jackass. Being stupid is not funny, its pitiful. Oddly, though, I love the Darwin Awards... :D
Lol! I hate fart jokes too, and I've had books turn from good to lousy for that same reason. I hate them in movies too. We almost walked out of Shrek after the first three minutes. (I'm glad we stayed, but I really disliked that opening scene.)
My favorite funny movies? The Ref. Bad Santa. Starsky & Hutch. The 40 Year old Virgin--all the Frat Pack movies, in fact.
Oh, and I love Happy Gilmore, Heathers, and Drop Dead Gorgeous, and I too HATED American Pie. I don't think I laughed once. I might have smirked a couple of times.
American Pie! yeah, didn't like it.
I know what you guys mean about American Pie. The last time my wife caught me pounding away at a pie on our kitchen island, it wasn't funny at all.
Hmm.
I thought 'Sweet Home Alabama' was hilarious; and to me, 'Dumb and Dumber' was like getting a root canal. :)
My favorite comedy at the moment is Chuck and Larry. Adam Sandler and Kevin James are hilarious. A movie that's suck in my head is Who's Your Caddy?, they went a little overboard in the scene where there's three naked guys in the country club bathroom and Faizon Love is in the middle looking at the two old guys next to him and and seeing if they're checking him out,then he starts naked happy dancing.
American Pie was not that great, I would agree. The whole flute thing was very ew. My OCD brain kept picturing what she'd do with the flute now that she'd done THAT to it and I couldn't handle it.
I do confess I did love both Borat and The 40 Year Old Virgin. That makes me a bad influence, I am sure.
I like british humor and sarcastic wit. Hmm.. I love Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail.
Um.. comedy I don't like is mostly where it relies on stretching the comedian's face and over-exaggeration. That incites an ew response from me and it feels like they're trying too hard. Jim Carey movies for example (Me, Myself and Irene).
Ug, now I'm thinking of what happens to Jim Carey's neck in those movies. Shuddderrrrr.
Faves: Galaxy Quest, Evolution, Connie & Carla
Over the line: Very Bad Things, Fargo (watching movies that just go from bad to worse in terms of situations... in a black comedy way make me want to slit my wrists, so I turn them off).
On the other hand, I love other dark comedies like 'Heathers', 'Pump Up The Volume', 'Snatch'... so it must be the style/subject matter in particular of those two above that get to me... perhaps because I know that they are too realistic? I like to be entertained! Not depressed!
Ooh, Sonya, you make a great point. I'm not a big fan of 'black comedy' either. Awful situations that just get worse and darker don't appeal to me. Not at all. I found 'Bad Santa' and 'The Ref' and 'Fargo' rather awful too. My husband loved them. I think because my husband likes that humor, whereas it just makes me uncomfortable in a bad way.
But movies like 'Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion' and the aforementioned 'Bubble Boy' fill me with love because they're awkward funny, and I LOVE awkward funny.
See how subjective it all is? So interesting!
Yeah, "Bubble Boy" love. Outside of my little circle of friends, that's so rare. I'm enjoying it.
I also like classic comedy..."Arsenic and Old Lace" is one of the favorite movies, plus Jimmy Stewart in "Harvey." It's a much softer kind of humor than the low rent comedies we usually rent these days. They came nowhere near any lines, but sometimes that light, inoffensive innocent view can be fun.
Jill, I'm the same way, I like awkward funny, especially "Bubble Boy". Sometimes I like black comedy but not very 'hardcore' black comedy, but lighter. (Black Comedy Lite? heh)
Nacho Libre with Jack Black, even my parents laugh when they watch it when the grandkids (my brother's kids) come over to watch...and they (my parents) are from Mexico and grow up in a small village like that... It's freaking hysterical.
I also love Hot Fuzz...bloody at the end but also very funny.
I didn't get American Pie, maybe I'm too old.. lol
claudia
Okay. Apparently I'm a comedic whore, because I liked American Pie, Fargo, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Hot Fuzz. I even appreciated most of Bad Santa and Knocked Up. I enjoyed both Spinal Tap and Maverick. I've not seen Napolean Dynamite, 40 Year Old Virgin or Superbad, but I suspect I'd like all three. Maybe I'm just easy.
As for scenes that made me uncomfortable, the one that springs to mind is the scene in Knocked Up when the bitchy wife and the pregnant woman are trying to get into the nightclub and the wife goes off on the bouncer. I did not find that scene funny at all.
And the best scene of Bad Santa is when BBT's Santa get capped at the end. The looks on the faces of the three kids who witness the shooting is priceless.
I don't like all Adam Sandler movies. The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, and Mr. Deeds? Yes!! Billy Madison and The Waterboy? Not so much. Whew. Maybe I'm not so easy, after all.
Heathers, MASH and Hot Fuzz, yes, much love. A little twisted humor... probably why I like Ilona's books so much. She is a smart aleck :) (family site, right?) but her bad situations are painful humiliations.
Some of my favorite comedies would have to be Shaun of the Dead, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Princess Bride, Old School, Groundhog Day, and History of the World Part I.
I did laugh at parts of Borat, but there were parts that were just a bit over the top, even for me. One of my favorite movies is Time Bandits, except for the very end, and if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. Terry Gilliam seems to like crossing lines; there was also a scene in The Brother's Grimm that totally put me off the movie, even though the rest of it was pretty good.
I watched History Of the World Part I a million times as a kid growing up - I tried to show it to my husband and he just gave me the "You're kidding, right?" look the entire time.
Sigh.
I will say that Shaun of the Dead IS brilliant.
Good stuff!
Oh man . . . so many to choose from . . . must use self-discipline.
Love:
Evolution
Hudson Hawk
The Princess Bride
Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail
Snatch
Ones I don't like? Gawwd, anything that belabors the point. There are so many SNL skits where they do something funny and then they just drag it on so long that it becomes the opposite of funny, like a little kid who gets a laugh once for a stunt and keeps doing it until you want to smack him.
Also, like Jill said with the fart thing in the book - a lot of it is about continuity. What's funny in one movie is not funny in another. The Whole Ten Yards did that for me - kept swapping between the sort of humor we were supposed to laugh at.
And I'm not a big fan of idiots as main characters -- Wayne's World and Dumb & Dumber sorts are really hard for me to get through.
I like situational comedies, some farces, and some that have a little truth in them. Probably the movies I've laughed most were: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar; Shaun of the Dead; the Shrek movies; Monsters, Inc.; Young Frankenstein; The Whole Ten Yards; Bowfinger. I like some black comedy, Barton Fink is one.
I thought I would like Bad Santa, but most of it crossed over the line for me to unfunny. Along Came Polly was awful, didn't work for me at all. Don't like bathroom humor.
Re: two posts back.
Jill, that's the I got when showing my fiancee "Clerks." Which, btw, didn't have the humor or emotional impact I rememebered from 10 years ago. Clerks II, though...you can't go wrong with donkey show jokes.
edit: "the look I got"
Not really related, but there's a song by comedy duo Lano & Woodley. It's called "Cross the Line". Here's my favourite verse:
A sculptor built a statue with enormous genitals
We all accept that greatly as a fertility symbol
We all call that art, so it doesn't seem quite fair
That a schoolboy gets detention for drawing dick-and-balls on his chair
Oh-oh, don't cross the line...
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Have a lovely day! :-)