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Dad's top
20 Action Comedy Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable
Mention |
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Six Days, Seven Nights
(1998)
After this week
in paradise, they're going to need a vacation.
Director: Ivan Reitman, rated PG-13
  Starring:
Harrison Ford, Anne Heche, David Schwimmer, Jaxqueline Obradors,
Temuera Morrison, Danny Trejo
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"You know how a woman gets
a man excited? She shows up. That's it. We're guys, we're easy.
Of course, for that you can't charge six bucks an issue, now can
you?" – Quinn
Harris
Why watch this?
It's refreshing to watch the reliable Ford and sexy newcomer Anne Heche.
Plot Summary:
On a romantic vacation with her fiancé, a busy New York magazine
editor is called away for an urgent work assignment in Tahiti.
She hires a gruff, laid-back cargo pilot with whom she shares a
mutual dislike to fly her to the neighboring island. A sudden
storm forces them to crash-land on a deserted island, where they
must survive the wilderness and each other's company while
awaiting rescue.
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Dad's Preview:
Ford and Heche are such an unlikely couple both on and off the
screen. However, they're more than convincing, and their chemistry is the
heart of this film. These two people become stranded
on an island fraught with dangers, including modern-day pirates.
He's trying to forget a past relationship, while she's a
fast-moving executive unsure of her current fiancé (portrayed
hilariously by David Schwimmer). This
well-done Action Rom-Com will have you giggling and ooh-ing at the island
scenery. Anne, dear sweet girl, you left us too soon. |
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Touchstone
Pictures, Caravan Pictures,
Northern Lights Ent.,
Roger Birnbaum Prod.;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#20 Top |
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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
the biggest
entertainment ever to rock the screen with laughter!
Director: Stanley Kramer, Rated Approved
Starring:
Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey
Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Edie Adams,
Dorothy Provine, Jim Backus, Peter Falk, Norman Fell, Jimmy Durante
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Listen, anything you
got to say about your mother in-law, you don't have to explain
to me. You know what I mean? Like if she were the star of a real
crummy horror movie, I'd believe it." –
Lennie Pike
Why watch this? It
certainly IS madness... wonderful, calamity-filled comedy
by the industry's comedic heavyweights.
Plot Summary:
At the scene of an auto accident, escaped convict, Smiley Grogan, with his last breath,
reveals to a group of witnesses that there's $350,000 buried
underneath the "big W" in Santa Rosita State Park. This starts a
madcap race to the park (several hundred miles away) by four
desperate packs of money-grubbers, the likes the world has never
seen. By car, plane, truck, these lunatics will do ANYTHING to
get there first and nab the cash. All this attracts the
attention of Police Captain T. G. Culpepper who is literally
days from retiring.
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Dad's Preview:
Why all the insanity in this off-the-rails comedy? That's easy - it's all about money, an
induced green-fever, if you will. This flick marks a pinnacle of
the all-star, stunt-filled
comedies, and it is a joy to behold each veteran comedian scheme to
outwit, out-distance, and out-last the others. Alliances are
formed and broken. It is truly an
adventurous spectacle, but you might want to take a
mild sedative beforehand. |
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Casey Productions;
United Artists
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#19 Top |
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Zombieland
(2009)
Our Land is Their
Land
Director: Ruben Fleischer, rated R for language,
zombie violence and gore
Starring:
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin,
Amber Heard, Bill Murray, Derek Graf, Cesar Aguirre
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"The first rule of
Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the
first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties." -
Columbus
Why watch this? As
advertised, it's Superbad meets Shaun of the Dead.
I'm in.
Plot Summary: A
timid, rule-following survivor named Columbus navigates a
post-apocalyptic America overrun by zombies, attempting to reach
his hometown in Ohio. Along the way, he teams up with a
gun-toting, Twinkie-obsessed survivor named Tallahassee and two
crafty sisters, Wichita and Little Rock. Together, this unlikely
quartet embarks on a dangerous, darkly comedic road trip across
the country.
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Dad's Preview:
This deliciously witty horror comedy takes on the zombie
genre and ends up being one hell of a funny flick. It
never takes itself too serious. With all the carnage
around them, we somehow sense that our four protagonists
will find a way to come out alive and intact. There
is a very unexpected cameo from a certain SNL alumni -
you will laugh out loud in that moment. It flow wells at
a pleasant pace. I also enjoyed the film's budding
relationship between Eisenberg and Stone, lovingly set
among bloody corpses and undead screams. So sweet. |
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Columbia Pictures,
Relativity Media,
Pariah;
Sony Pictures Releasing
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#18 Top |
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Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Something
wicked this way hops.
Director: Nick Park, Steve Box, rated G
Starring:
(the voice talents of:) Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter,
Ralph Fiennes, Peter Kay, Nicholas Smith, Liz Smith, Dicken
Ashworth, Edward Kelsey, Mark Gatiss
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"It's time we tried my
latest invention, the Mind Manipulation-omatic. It extracts
unwanted thoughts and desires. I haven't tested it yet, but it
should be perfectly safe. Just a bit of harmless brain
alteration, that's all" –
Wallace, regarding his cheese obsession
Why watch this? It's
hilarious action and creativity one scene after another!
Plot Summary:
When rabbits threaten the annual town vegetable competition,
inventor Wallace and his silent but resourceful dog Gromit
launch their new pest-control business, "Anti-Pesto," to
humanely catch the culprits. Their efforts become complicated by
the arrival of an enormous, mysterious were-rabbit that ravages
the town's prize-winning gardens. As the competition judge Lady
Tottington enlists Wallace's help, both he and his rival, the
hunter Lord Victor Quartermaine, race to capture the beast.
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Dad's Preview:
In what is obviously an endless abyss of creativity, Nick Park
and his gang of clay-mation maestros do it again. This time our
resourceful, and technology-capable duo, have taken on pest
control to save the town's veggie gardens. This wonderful family
animated film will have you laughing out loud for its duration.
I am fascinated at Wallace's inventions, namely the dependable
BV6000 rabbit retrieval mechanism, with two settings: Suck n
Blow. I also love Gromit's expressions. Being mute, his face
masterfully emotes, often an eye-roll at Wallace's dumb ideas.
It's good clean fun for these two British blokes. So, I hope
you'll give them a watch, and you don't have to be a kid to
partake. |
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Aardman Features;
DreamWorks
Animation SKG;
DreamWorks Pics
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#17 Top |
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Kick-Ass (2010)
I can't fly.
But I can kick your ass.
Director: Matthew Vaughn, Rated R for language and
violence
Starring:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage, Lyndsy
Fonesca, Garrett M. Brown, Clark Duke, Evan Peters, Deborah
Twiss, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, Elizabeth McGovern
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"The world I lived in,
heroes only existed in comic books, and I guess that would have
been okay -- if bad guys were make-believe, too... but they're
not."
- Dave Lizewski
Why watch this? It
sure ain't your daddy's super-hero film.
Plot Summary:
Dave Lizewski, an ordinary, comic-book-obsessed teenager,
decides to become a real-life superhero despite having no
special powers or training. He quickly gains internet fame but
finds himself way over his head when he crosses paths with a
ruthless crime boss and a mysterious father-daughter vigilante
duo. Alongside these deadly, professional heroes, Dave must
learn to survive in a violent world and fight to take down the
local criminal underworld.
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Dad's Preview:
This uber-violent action thriller, based on a comic book
series by Mark Millar, is not about super-heroes (well,
they kind of are heroes). It's vigilantism performed by
teens who still have acne. In a world filled with
bullies and general unfairness, these "heroes" do show a
lot of moxie and take quite a beating doing so. I was
impressed with the performance of Chloë Moretz as Hit-Girl, a twirling dynamo of death by a
thousand cuts, and, man, the mouth on her! Her father
and trainer, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, was a nice
touch, too. The plot moves nicely and is engrossing to
watch. This film will appeal more to fans of Amazon's
The Boys, than those
who loved the original Superman and Batman films. |
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Marv Films, Plan B
Ent.; Lionsgate
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#16 Top |
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
The most
astonishing, innovative, backyard adventure of all time!
Director: Joe Johnston, rated PG
Starring: Rick
Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman, Kristine Sutherland, Amy
O'Neill, Thomas Wilson Brown, Jared Rushton
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Look, my dad's machine
works. When we get home and he fixes us all,
we're gonna be so
rich. You'll regret this." –
Amy Szalinski
Why watch this? Four
teens are minimized to the size of ants. Now, that's a problem.
Plot Summary:
An absent-minded inventor, Wayne Szalinski, accidentally shrinks
his and his neighbor's children to a minuscule size with his new
experimental ray machine. Accidentally swept into the trash, the
four children must brave the now-enormous and dangerous
backyard, filled with towering grass and menacing insects, to
find their way back home. While the miniaturized kids face
perilous challenges, Wayne and his wife search frantically for
their missing children, eventually realizing the incredible
truth and working to reverse the shrinking process.
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Dad's Preview:
The real genius at play in this sci-fi adventure is the creative perils that befall
the miniaturized kids. The yard's grass is now a forest, simple water drops are a flood, a tiny
insect
is a hungry monster, and two yards takes days to traverse. The actors portraying the children did
a fine job, as it mostly felt real. There are many memorable, tender and scary
moments. Rick Moranis and Matt Frewer supply the film's comedic
energy. This was a huge Disney hit, and will grow on you. |
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Walt Disney
Pics, Silver Screen Partners III;
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#15 Top |
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A Knight's Tale
(2001)
WE WILL ROCK
YOU
Director: Ridley Scott, rated PG-13 for language,
medieval violence
Starring: Heath
Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany,
Laura Fraser, Alan Tudyk
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"You have been weighed, you
have been measured, and you have been found wanting.
In what
world could you possibly beat me?" – Adhemar
Why watch this?
This is an olde tale of medieval jousting, infused with modern
music and
personalities.
Plot Summary:
Upon his master's untimely death, a peasant squire with a
passion for jousting seizes the opportunity to pursue his dreams
by posing as a knight in 14th century Europe. Aided by his loyal
friends and a struggling writer, who helps forge his noble
lineage, he embarks on a journey to compete in tournaments
across Europe. Along the way, he encounters romance and faces
challenges that test his courage and the true meaning of honor,
despite his humble origins.
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Dad's Preview:
I will say this for A Knight's Tale, it's unconventional,
and that is one of it's key strengths. The setting is the days of yore and knights
in armor. The
soundtrack is 1980's rock. Of course... this is a marriage made in heaven! The
dangerous, and sometimes deadly, game of jousting blends well
with rock 'n
roll. The hunky Ledger and his band of merry misfits are so
entertaining. The ballroom dance scene, set to David Bowie's Golden
Years, is my favorite moment, yet the entire film is superbly
fun. |
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Columbia Pics,
Escape Artists, Finestkind
Prod.;
Sony Pictures Releasing
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Genres:
Action-Adv,
Action-Comedy,
Action-Romance,
Adv-Swordplay,
Comedy-Adv,
Comedy-Sports,
Drama-Sports,
Historical-Adv,
Musical-Great-Soundtrack,
Romance-Comedy,
Romance-Drama,
War-Medieval
Dad's
Genres:
Game-Day,
Sweet-Revenge |
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#14 Top |
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Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
A Film from
Daniels
Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, rated R for some language,
adult themes, violence
Starring:
Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan,
James Hong, Tallie Medel, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., Biff Wiff,
Sunita Mani, Brian Le
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Every rejection,
every disappointment has led you here to this moment." -
Waymond Wang
Why watch this?
There are mind-trip films - then there is this chaotic eye-candy.
Plot Summary:
This mind-bending story centers on Evelyn Wang, a laundromat
owner who feels her life has been filled with missed
opportunities and regrets. During a stressful IRS audit, she
discovers, with help from her husband, the existence of the
multi-verse. To her amazement, she can access the memories,
skills, and experiences of her alternative selves across
countless universes. Evelyn is tasked with using these newfound
abilities to fight against a powerful being threatening to
destroy the multiverse, while also navigating complex family
relationships, particularly with her daughter, Joy.
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Dad's Preview:
I read about this film, and
purchased the Blu-ray disc before seeing it. I was THAT sure
a) it would be great, and b) I would love it. Both were correct.
It's unlike any film I have ever seen, anywhere, anytime. It was
nominated for 11 Oscars, winning 7 including Best Picture,
Director, Actress (Yeoh), Supporting Actor (Quan), Supporting
Actress (Curtis), Original Screenplay and Editing. It is one
hell of a genre-crossing, reality-bending mind-trip. Wow.
Simply, wow. |
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IAC Films,
Gozie AGBO, Year of
the Rat,
Ley Line Ent.; A24
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Genres:
Action-Comedy,
Adv-Swordplay,
Comedy-Adv,
Animation-CGI,
Comedy-Dark,
Dramedy-Family,
Fantasy-Comedy,
Fantasy-Contemporary,
Fantasy-Drama,
Fantasy-Low,
Sci-fi-Comedy,
Sci-fi-Time-Travel
Dad's
Genres:
Queer-Tier,
Tough-Gals |
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#13 Top |
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Crocodile Dundee
(1986)
He came
from Down Under...to turn the Big Apple upside down!
Director: Peter Faiman, rated PG-13
Starring: Paul
Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon, David Gulpilil, Mark Blum,
Michael Lombard, Reginald VelJohnson, Steve Rackman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I'm always all right
when I'm with you, Dundee. God, that sounds corny.
Why do always
make me feel like Jane in a Tarzan comic?" - Crocodile Dundee
Why watch this?
The lovable Aussie really sweeps you off your feet.
Plot Summary:
American reporter Sue Charlton travels to the Australian Outback
to interview the legendary Mick "Crocodile" Dundee. Intrigued by
his unconventional lifestyle, she invites him to experience life
in New York City. Mick navigates the complexities of modern life
in the bustling urban environment, leading to humorous culture
clashes and unexpected situations.
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Dad's Preview:
On rare occasions, a person emerges who is so unique, so
charismatic, that it only makes sense to give them a movie deal. In
this comical tale, an attractive news reporter travels Down Under to
bring the world the true story of Nick "Crocodile" Dundee.
She's impressed enough to return to New York City with Nick in
tow. That's when the fun
really begins, you know, a hick in the big city. The film is witty, romantic and a whole lot of
fun. G'day, Mate! |
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Rimfire
Films; Paramount Pictures
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#12 Top |
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Big Trouble in Little China
(1986)
Some
people pick the darnedest places to start a fight!
Director: John Carpenter, rated PG-13 for language,
sci-fi violence
Starring:
Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, James Hong, Victor Wong, Kim Cattrall,
Kate Burton, Donald Li, Carter Wong, James Pax
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"... it's all in the
reflexes." - Jack
Burton
Why watch this?
It's packed full of action, sci-fi, martial arts and laughs.
Plot Summary:
Trucker Jack Burton gets pulled into a supernatural conflict
when his friend Wang's fiancée is kidnapped in San Francisco's
Chinatown. They discovers an ancient sorcerer named Lo Pan is
behind the abduction, seeking to break a curse that keeps him in
spirit form. Jack, Wang and their allies must battle mystical
forces and formidable foes to save the girl and stop Lo Pan's
sinister plan.
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Dad's Preview: This was Carpenter's last great film IMHO. It has a little bit of
everything: heroes, damsels, martial arts, Chinese mysticism,
hairy 8-foot monsters, floating zombie heads, you know, the usual.
Kurt Russell is iconic as
Jack T. Burton, an over-confident truck driver who waaayyy
over-estimates his charm. Still, there's a lot to love about
the big lug in a wife-beater t-shirt. Dennis Dun, as Wang, keep's Burton under control, while James Hong is also superb as the evil sorcerer Lo Pan. |
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Larry J. Franco; 20th Century-Fox
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#11 Top |
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Ace
Ventura: Pet Detective
(1994)
To
Serve and Protect... Your Pets!
Director: Tom Shadyac, rated PG-13 for off-color
humor, sexual content
Starring: Jim
Carrey, Courtney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc, Dan Marino, John
Capodice, Troy Evans, Noble Willingham, Troy Evans, Raynor
Scheine
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"It's
all that Dan Marino's fault, everyone knows that. If he had held
the ball, laces out, like he was supposed to, Ray would never
have missed that kick. Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and
rot in hell. Would you like a cookie, son?" – Mrs. Finkle
Why watch this?
...
'cause it is one of the funniest films ever made.
Plot Summary:
Ace Ventura is a flamboyant, eccentric pet detective. He is
hired to find Snowflake, the missing mascot of the Miami
Dolphins. Ace employs his rather unique methods to track down
the aquatic mammal and finds himself entangled in a wider
mystery along the way.
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Dad's Preview:
I heard there was this outrageous young new comic named Jim Carrey
on the cable
show
In Living Color. This low-budget, comedic melee
was his first
feature film. Carrey's style sort of assaults you, and it
takes some getting used to.
This gut-buster is scene after scene of outrageousness. It also
is genius at work. Incidentally, the great
film critic Roger Ebert absolutely HATED this film. Like many
critics and viewers alike, he
just didn't get it. For me, it
never gets old. (Sidenote: the sequel just wasn't as funny.) |
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Morgan
Creek Productions; Warner Bros.
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#10 Top |
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48
Hrs. (1982)
The
boys are back in town.
Director: Walter Hill, rated R for violence,
harsh, racial language
Starring: Nick
Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O'Toole, James Remar, Sonny Landham,
David Patrick Kelly, Brion James, James Keane
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I'm
gonna tell you something about this man! He's got more brains
than you'll ever know! He's got more guts than any partner I
ever had." - Jack
Cates
Why watch this?
It's a pleasure watching the two lead actors slug it out.
Plot Summary:
A tough San Francisco detective hunts a dangerous escaped
criminal responsible for killing his fellow officers. To find
him, the detective enlists the reluctant help of the criminal's
former associate, a charismatic convict, who is granted a
temporary 48-hour release from prison. Now, this unlikely pair
must work together against the clock to track down the killer
before their time runs out.
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Dad's Preview:
Eddie Murphy joined SNL after the show had declined. I watched his stand-up routine,
Raw,
and was not a fan. Then, boom! This film, along with
Trading Places
(1983),
became huge Murphy hits. He impressed me
going
toe-to-toe with veteran tough-guy Nick Nolte. The creative premise
deals with two men, forced to work together:
one is a burnout detective, the other a wise-ass convict. They
have
to hunt down two really nasty bad guys. Nolte, a real racist grump, initially hates
the quick-witted Murphy... but he eventually softens. The honky-tonk bar scene is priceless. |
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Lawrence
Gordon Pics; Paramount Pictures
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#9 Top |
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Romancing the Stone (1984)
She's a girl from
the big city. He's a reckless soldier of fortune. For a fabulous
treasure,
they share an adventure no one could imagine... or survive.
Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated PG
Starring: Michael
Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Alfonso Arau, Manuel
Ojeda, Zack Norman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"What did you do, wake up
this morning and say, 'Today, I'm going to ruin a man's life?'"
- Jack Colton
Why watch this?
It's a fun film that plays like a trashy romance novel.
Plot Summary:
Joan Wilder is a shy romance novelist who must travel to
Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister. The ransom involves a
treasure map sent to Joan by her sister's murdered husband. Lost
in the Colombian jungle, Joan encounters Jack T. Colton, a
rugged American bird smuggler. Jack helps Joan navigate the
perilous jungle as they are pursued by a corrupt Colombian
police colonel and the criminals who kidnapped Joan's sister.
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Dad's Preview:
Hot on the heels of
Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981,
this treasure-seeking adventure film was more light and romantic, but
still quite exciting. Our heroine, Joan Wilder, ends up in the jungles of Central
America looking for her missing sister. There she meets roust-a-bout,
Jack T. Colton, who is always looking for a quick fortune. They
decide to secure a lost jewel to insure her sister's safe
return. It's
a wonderful, enjoyable
film for date night, and the chemistry between Douglas and
Turner heats up the screen. Danny DeVito provides a lot of comic
relief. |
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El Corazon
Producciones S.A.;
20th Century Fox
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#8 Top |
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The General
(1926)
The tale of a
lad, a lass and a locomotive
Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, rated Passed
Starring:
Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick
Vroom, Frank Barnes, Charles Henry Smith, Joe Keaton, Mike
Donlin, Tom Nawn
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Please don't lie - I
don't want you to speak to me again until you are in uniform." -
Annabelle Lee, to Johnnie Gray, regarding his enlistment
rejection
Why watch this?
Before Chaplin, there was Buster Keaton, and he was a comedic
genius.
Plot Summary:
At the start of the American Civil War, Johnnie Gray, a train
engineer aboard The General, is rejected from service.
This brings shame upon him and infuriates his girlfriend,
Annabelle Lee. A year later, when Union spies seize The
General, Annabelle is captured and held captive. Johnnie
rushes to free her, using any means available including a
handcar and bicycle. Eventually Johnnie boards a locomotive
called the Texas, but accidentally leaves the Rebel troop
car behind. This starts an epic adventure where a lone man must
stop the Union army, get back his favorite engine, and win back
Annabelle Lee.
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Dad's Preview:
This film initially flopped
at the box office, however time has been very kind. Keaton
himself was very proud of this work. This chase
movie is a true work of comedic genius. The stunts and effects are
themselves choreographed motion picture art. It also semi-chronicles an actual
event in history, called the
Great Locomotive Chase. Today, many film historians and
societies rank this comedy classic as one of the greatest films
every made.
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Buster Keaton
Prod., Joseph M. Schenck
Productions;
United Artists
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#7 Top |
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
It's the story of
a man, a woman, and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble.
Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated
PG
Starring: Bob
Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer (voice), Joanna
Cassidy, Kathleen Turner (voice)
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I'm not bad. I'm just
drawn that way." – Jessica Rabbit
Why watch this?
... to watch, in awe, the genius it took to intertwine humans and
cartoons into the same celluloid space.
Plot Summary: In
1947 Los Angeles, where cartoons and humans coexist, a private
detective who loathes toons takes a case involving a rabbit toon
star accused of murder. As the detective investigates, he
uncovers a complex conspiracy that threatens the existence of
Toontown, the animated metropolis where toons reside.
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Dad's Preview:
I am always a fan of something new and inventive, even if the
effort sometimes falls short. This film is an example
where expectations were exceeded! Splendid film director, Robert Zemeckis, creates a 1950s-ish,
quasi-noir world
where humans and cartoons co-exist, and it's
business-as-usual. This is an easy film to love. We're
introduced to the spazzy Roget Rabbit. We get cameos
from all
our favorite cartoon characters (Mickey, Donald, Daffy, Porky,
etc.), zany slapstick bits, devious villains, a
wonderful
ending... and let's not forget naughtily-drawn bombshell, Jessica Rabbit.
Va-Va-Voom! |
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Touchstone
Pics, Amblin Ent., Silver Screen
Partners III;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.
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Genres:
Action-Comedy,
Animation-Live-Action,
Animation-RotoScope,
Animation-Traditional,
Comedy-Adv,
Comedy-Buddy,
Comedy-Family,
Comedy-Physical,
Crime-Comedy,
Crime-Cops,
Fantasy-Adv,
Fantasy-Comedy,
Fantasy-Low,
History-Alternative,
Historical-Fantasy
Dad's Genres:
Kiddie-Rides |
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#6 Top |
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The
Blues Brothers
(1980)
They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God.
Director: John Landis, rated R for language
Starring: John
Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles,
Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, James Brown, John
Candy, John Lee Hooker, Twiggy, Charles Napier, Steve Lawrence,
Frank Oz
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Use of unnecessary violence in the
apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved." - Police Dispatcher
Why watch this?
Great blues music, edgy humor and the car crashes are off the charts!
Plot Summary: Newly
released convict brothers, Jake and Elwood Blues, embark on a
"mission from God" to save the Catholic orphanage where they
were raised from foreclosure. To do this, they must reunite
their old band and perform to raise the $5,000 needed to pay the
property taxes. Their efforts lead them on a chaotic adventure
across Illinois, encountering a series of zany characters and
being pursued by various groups, including the police, a
vengeful ex-girlfriend, and a neo-Nazi group.
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Dad's Preview:
How is it possible to take an Saturday Night Live skit and turn it into
a cinematic
spectacle?! On the heels of the raunchy
Animal House
(1978),
John Belushi had more cred with the studio execs, so he brought in John Landis
to direct. Beside being a wonderful homage to Chicago blues, it manages to be a
road/buddy, car-chase-filled action/comedy. Hell, there are even
a few Nazi's. Not
to mention cameo's from Carrie Fisher, James Brown, Twiggy, Ray Charles and the goddess of
soul herself, Aretha Franklin. |
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Robert K. Weiss; Universal
Pictures
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#5 Top |
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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
An epic of
epic epicness.
Director: Edgar Wright, Rated PG-13 for adult themes
Starring: Michael
Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alison Pill, Kieran Culkin, Ellen
Wong, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Um, I guess... if we're gonna date, you may have to defeat my seven evil exes." –
Ramona Flowers
Why watch this?
There is not a second in this film that I don't love.
Plot Summary:
Scott Pilgrim, a slacker musician living in Toronto, finds his
comfortable life disrupted when he falls for the mysterious and
enigmatic Ramona Flowers. To win her heart, however, he must
defeat her seven evil exes, each with their own unique abilities
and personalities. This journey forces Scott to confront his own
flaws, past relationships, and insecurities, ultimately pushing
him toward self-discovery.
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Dad's Preview:
I had sorta lost faith in the next generation of film-making; maybe I
was getting old and out of touch. Then I discovered Scott Pilgrim,
and my faith was restored! Nestled sweetly within this video game of a story
is a
very fresh and interesting romance. And - it's so much fun! The
lovingly odd Michael Cera is an amazing, understated actor. I love the
film's action, its songs (watch a video of all
All Scott Pilgrim musical performances), the premise, its
creativity - EVERYTHING! |
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Marc Platt Prod.,
Big Talk Films, Closed on
Mondays Ent.,
Dentsu;
Universal Pictures
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Genres:
Action-Comedy,
Action-Romance,
Adv-Swordplay,
Animation-Live-Action,
Comedy-Adv,
Comedy-COA,
Comedy-Dark,
Comedy-Fantasy,
Comedy-Physical,
Fantasy-Low,
Musical-Comedy,
Musical-Great-Soundtrack,
Romance-Comedy,
Romance-Fantasy
Dad's Genres:
Likable-Irreverence,
Queer-Tier |
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#4 Top |
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Men in Black (1997)
Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld, rated PG-13 for sci-fi
violence
Starring: Tommy Lee
Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rip Torn,
Tony Shalhoub, Carel Struycken, Siobhan Fallon Hogan
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"This
definitely rates about a 9.0 on my weird-shit-o-meter." - Jay
Why watch this?
Will Smith - man, can he carry a film when he's hot.
Plot Summary:
James Edwards, an NYC cop, joins a secret organization known as
Men in Black, which regulates the activity of aliens living
disguised among humans. Alongside his new partner, the veteran
Agent K, James (now Agent J) must investigate a series of
strange incidents and stop a destructive plot by an
intergalactic villain. They embark on a mission to recover a
powerful energy source before the antagonist can use it to
destroy the Earth.
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Dad's Preview:
I'm a sci-fi guy. I crave well-done science
fiction on screen. Here we meet two agents, Jay and Kay (their real
identities have been permanently removed), who work for a secret
agency that tracks aliens who live on Earth, undetected. Most
of these aliens are benevolent, but not all. This film is packed with slimy
space beings
of all shapes/sizes, lots of action, a count-down to
Earth's destruction, and the sexy Linda Fiorentino.
Additionally, Vincent D'Onofrio's
performance is unforgettable as Edgar/The Bug. This sci-fi goldmine is creative
as heck, with lots
of laughs and creatures from outer space. |
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Columbia Pictures,
Amblin Ent.,
Parkes/MacDonald
Prod.;
Sony Pictures
Releasing
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#3 Top |
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Back
to the Future (1985)
He was
never in time for his classes... He wasn't in time for
dinner...
Then one day he wasn't in his time at all.
Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated PG
Starring: Michael J.
Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Tom
Wilson, Claudia Wells, Marc McClure, James Tolkan
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I guess you guys aren't
ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it."
-
Marty McFly, after lighting up the prom with some guitar licks
by
Eddie Van Halen
Why watch this?
When Marty meets his parents, back in the 1950's, the fun really
begins.
Plot Summary:
Small-town teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent thirty
years into the past when a time-travel experiment by his
eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown, goes awry. Stuck in 1955,
Marty inadvertently disrupts the high school meeting of his
future parents, placing his very existence in severe jeopardy.
He must now find a way to spark a romance between them and
harness enough electrical energy to power the time machine back
to his original timeline.
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Dad's Preview:
This now iconic film's success hinged on properly casting the lead.
Wisely, director Zemeckis replaced Eric Stoltz with quick-witted
Michael J. Fox from TV's
Family Ties. The rest is film
history. It's a time-jumping adventure that keeps the viewers guessing
as altering actions in the past might impact the
future. Think about it - what would you change if you could travel back in time to
meet your parents in high school? There no way that won't get a little weird.
This is a sci-fi classic. |
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Amblin Entertainment;
Universal Pictures
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#2
Top |
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Tremors (1990)
The monster
movie that breaks new ground.
Director: Ron Underwood, rated PG-13 for sci-fi
violence, mild gore
Starring: Kevin
Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire,
Bobby Jacoby, Tony Genaro, Ariana Richards, Richard Marcus
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Run for it? Running is not
a plan. Running is what you do when a plan fails!" - Earl
Why watch this?
Gigantic, underground, man-eating worms! That's a hard YES for me.
Plot Summary: Set in
the remote desert town of Perfection, Nevada, two handymen, Val
and Earl, decide to leave their dull lives. Before they can
depart, strange tremors and a series of mysterious deaths
suggest a dangerous threat lurks beneath the surface. Along with
other residents, including a seismologist and a survivalist
couple, they must fight to survive against unseen, giant
creatures that hunt by sensing vibrations.
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Dad's Preview:
I cannot say enough about Kevin Bacon. In
Animal House
(1978) I hated him as a snobby frat boy. He has since earned
my respect. He
certainly is a hard-working actor. This monster film hits the right blend of horror/gore, action and comedy from start to finish.
Scientifically it's preposterous, so don't waste your time
trying to make it make sense. Just go with it. Fred Ward also
shines as
Bacon's hillbilly sidekick, Earl. The two become unlikely
protectors as giant worms threaten a small, desert hamlet.
Despite the topic, the film is well-done and very fun to watch. |
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No Frills Prod.,
Pacific Western Prod.;
Universal Pictures
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Top 20 Action
Comedy Films
#1 Top |
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Midnight Run
(1988)
A tough bounty
hunter. A sensitive criminal.
Director: Martin Brest, rated R for strong language.
Starring: Robert De
Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina,
Joe Pantoliano
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Well if you don't shut up,
pretty soon you're gonna suffer from fistaphobia." – Jack
Walsh to "The Duke"
Why watch this?
The exchanges between Grodin and De Niro are priceless.
Plot Summary:
Gruff bounty hunter, Jack Walsh, agrees to a seemingly easy job:
retrieve a mob accountant from New York and bring him back to
Los Angeles. However, the accountant, Jonathan "The Duke"
Mardukas, turns out to be a demanding and eccentric individual
with a fear of flying, forcing the two men on an arduous
cross-country journey by various modes of transportation. As
they travel, they are pursued relentlessly by the FBI, who want
The Duke to testify against his former boss, and by the mob, who
want to silence him permanently, all while facing off against a
rival bounty hunter.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a superb buddy and road movie. It
focuses on two
polar opposite characters: one is a tough bail bondsman, Jack; the
other, a meek, soft-spoken mob accountant known as Jonathan "The Duke"
Mardukus.
Suffice it to say this film is packed with FBI agents, the Mob,
chases, and rides in planes, trains and automobiles. That said, I
savored the small
scenes: scamming cash from Red's Bar, Jack's hurried visit to
his estranged wife and daughter, and the film's perfect ending.
What really impressed me was the humor, especially from
non-comedic actors De Niro and Grodin - they play so well off
each other. |
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City Lights Films;
Universal Pictures
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