New Funny Movies

Looking for some new funny movies? You’re in luck, because I recently decided to put together a list of comedy films from the year 2010. While they’re not exactly brand-spanking new, they are still fresh in the minds of moviegoers, and a few have yet to make their debut on DVD and Blu-ray.

Speaking of DVD and Blu-ray, you’ll be delighted to know that Netflix carries all the films listed below. In fact, they carry over 100,000 different titles, and there are never any annoying late fees. To join their growing legion of followers, click here to become a member of Netflix.

Youth in Revolt – Based on the novel by C.D. Payne, Youth in Revolt stars the ubiquitous Michael Cera as Nick Twisp, a 16-year-old who passes his time watching the films of Fellini and listening to Sinatra on vinyl. When his dysfunctional family unit moves to a trailer park to avoid a gang of pissed-off sailors, Nick meets and falls in love with Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday). But the romance can’t last forever, as his mom’s loser boyfriend (the equally ubiquitous Zach Galifinakis) needs to return home for his painkillers. Desperate to be reunited with his true love, Nick conspires with Sheeni to get his father (Steve Buscemi) a job in the area. Now all he has to do is behave so badly that his mother (Jean Smart) will send him to live with dear ‘ol dad. That’s where Francois Dillinger (Cera again) comes in, as he’s Nick’s more outspoken and daring alter-ego (complete with a rebellious moustache). Cera gets to show off his acting abilities a bit more than usual, and the fine supporting cast includes Justin Long and Ray Liotta.

Easy A – The wonderful Emma Stone is Olive Penderghast, a virgin who tells a little white lie and soon gets branded a slut by the students at her school. But instead of crying in the shower (like female movie characters often do), she decides to make a little cash out of the ordeal. For a fee, Olive pretends to have sex with geeks and gay guys, thus giving their school status an immediate boost. But this behavior doesn’t sit well with everyone, especially Olive’s best friend (Alyson Michalka) and the resident Christian goody-goody (Amanda Bynes). Even those who don’t care for the plot will be entertained by Stone’s quality portrayal, and kudos also go out to Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as Olive’s supportive parents.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – Edgar Wright adapts the indie comic into a visual explosive of teenage romance and angst. Michael Cera (again) is Scott Pilgrim, a bassist for a local band who falls for a girl named Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). As it turns out, Ramona has “seven evil exes,” and Scott must defeat them all in combat before he and his latest squeeze can be together. Filled with a battle of the bands, as well as seven visually stunning fights (where defeated opponents often turn into bags of coins), Scott Pilgrim should prove a big hit with the Ritalin generation. Bill Hader narrates, and the evil exes include Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Mae Whitman, and Jason Schwartzman. If you’re a fan of comic books or video games, there’s a strong chance you’ll like this one.

Middle Men – Based on the experiences of Christopher Mallick, this comedy/drama stars Luke Wilson as a straight-arrow individual who creates the first online billing company specializing in the adult entertainment industry. The money comes rolling in, but our hero is soon surrounded by porn stars, terrorists, Russian mobsters, and the FBI. While the porn star thing isn’t so bad, the others really suck. Co-starring James Caan and Giovanni Ribisi, this would make an excellent double feature with The Social Network.

Dinner for Schmucks – A remake of a 1998 French movie, the film centers on Tim Conrad (Paul Rudd), an ambitious mid-level executive who impresses his boss and gets invited to a bizarre dinner where guests are expected to bring the biggest idiot they can find. When Tim runs across IRS employee Barry Speck (Steve Carell), he knows he’s found a winner. Carell is goofy beyond belief in his role as a grown man who places stuffed mice in elaborate dioramas, but his charm still manages to shine through. Zach Galifianakis is also outstanding as Barry’s boss who wears a cape and claims to have mind control powers over him.

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Hot Tub Time Machine – If you grew up in the 1980s, this film is essential viewing. After their pal (Rob Corddry) tries to kill himself, a group of high school friends (including Craig Robinson and John Cusack) reunite and head to a once-popular ski resort to blow off some steam. But thanks to a faulty hot tub and an illegal Russian energy drink, the guys are transported back to their glory days in 1986. Filled with non-stop references to the decade of Generation X, Hot Tub Time Machine also features welcome appearances from Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover. Is it childish and gross? Yes. Is it one of the best new funny movies you’ll see in a long time? Hell, yes.

Cyrus – John C. Reilly plays a likable guy who’s been divorced for seven years and is struggling to adapt to single life. When he meets Molly (Marisa Tomei) at a party, he thinks he’s finally found the right person. But there’s only one problem: her grown son named Cyrus (Jonah Hill). Unwilling to let his mother go, Cyrus does everything in his power to sabotage the relationship, eventually building to a hilarious showdown between the two men in Molly’s life. All the film’s lines were reportedly improvised, and the supporting cast includes Catherine Keener and Matt Walsh. Directed by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, the minds behind 2008’s Baghead.

Get Him to the Greek – Aldous Snow, the character played by Russell Brand and formerly seen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, has hit rock bottom after his latest song flopped and his girlfriend bolted (taking their love child with them). But thanks to Aaron Green, a low-level talent scout (Jonah Hill) at his record label, Snow will have a chance to climb back on top by performing at L.A.’s Greek Theatre. But first Green has to get the drugged-out rocker to the show, a task that involves navigating groupies, illegal substances, and even an adrenaline shot to the chest. A riotous comedy featuring Brand at his most outrageous, Get Him to the Greek co-stars Sean Combs, Rose Byrne, and Colm Meaney.

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MacGruber – Will Forte brings his Saturday Night Live character, an easily-distracted bomb expert named MacGruber, to the big screen. Coming out of retirement to stop his old nemesis Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) from using a nuclear warhead, MacGruber assembles a crack team of elite agents (all played by WWE wrestlers). Unfortunately, they’re quickly blown up by some improperly-stored explosives, and MacGruber is instead forced to work with his dead wife’s best friend (Kristen Wiig) and a dedicated young soldier (Ryan Phillippe). The humor is bizarre to say the least, with MacGruber frequently groveling and offering to perform oral sex to get what he wants (not to mention the “upper-decker“). But it remains an effective parody of the action genre, which is impressive considering the original skits only ran about a minute in length.

The Other Guys – Detectives Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson) are the top cops in New York City. But when they die suddenly, the city is left without a pair of ass-kickers to keep it safe. That’s where Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) comes in, as he’s been longing for a chance at the majors ever since being busted to a desk job for accidentally shooting Derek Jeter. Now all he has to do is convince mild-mannered partner Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) to get with the program. Sexy Eva Mendes co-stars as Gamble’s “ball and chain,” and it’s nice to see Michael Keaton getting to show off his comedic chops as their superior officer who moonlights as a manager at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Fans of Will Ferrell shouldn’t be disappointed, and Wahlberg takes more comic chances than he has to (including demonstrating a series of ballet moves).

While these are my picks for the best in new funny movies, a new wave of comedy washes into theaters on a weekly basis. Check back with Only Good Movies for more updates, or become a member of Netflix and have them delivered right to your door on DVD and Blu-ray. We do get a small commission when you sign up, but it doesn’t affect your final price one bit.

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