I have always loved movies, especially funny ones. This weekend, after the game and before the parties get going good, you’ll probably be in need of something to do. Everybody likes to laugh, so I’m giving you all a list of my favorite funny movies presented in no particular order. Major League. This movie combines my love of comedy with my love of baseball. The story is a little generic, but the characters are great. You have a prima donna third baseman, an-over-the-hill catcher, an ex-convict pitcher and a voodoo-practicing outfielder who starts a fight when he suggests that Jesus Christ can’t hit a curve ball.
Animal House. Simply put: a classic. We all have our favorite moments as well. To some, it’s D-Day riding the motorcycle up the stairs. Others feel that John Belushi stole the show when he smashed the hippie’s guitar. My personal favorite is when Flounder shot the horse in the dean’s office.
History of the World, Part One. The Spanish Inquisition is explained with a catchy Broadway song and dance routine complete with synchronized swimmers and Jackie Mason. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The Blues Brothers. I still want to go into a soul food restaurant one day and order, “four fried chickens and a Coke,” with a side of “dry, white, toast.” I would also like to find myself 106 miles outside of Chicago with a full tank of gas and half a pack of cigarettes while wearing sunglasses in the dark just so I can say, “Hit it.” Not only is this movie hilarious, but you get to see great performances from James Brown and Aretha Franklin, and you get to see the late, great Cab Calloway sing his classic hit “Minnie the Moocher.”
Monty Python and the Holy Grail. My wife hates this movie, but I love it. I warn you that if you don’t like Monty Python, then “Run away, run away!”
Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This movie made the list because of Sean Penn’s soliloquy about Thomas Jefferson. “So, like, what Jefferson was saying, was ‘Dudes, we left this England place, cause it was bogus. And if we don’t get some cool rules of our own, why, then we’ll just be bogus, too.”
O Brother, Where Art Thou? This movie was one of the best to come out in recent years. I still get tickled whenever I think about “them Sy-reens” turning Pete into a toad, or George Clooney’s daughters informing him that he’d been run over by a train.
Blazing Saddles. Another classic. In my opinion, this is quite possibly the funniest movie of all time.
Now there are a few omissions I’m sure, but this is a good starter list for you. It ought to at least keep you busy for a while.
Tony Odom is a graduate student in the history department.