If laughter is the best medicine, a comedy movie is a very effective remedy. In case you’re in need of some stress relief, check out this list of five amazing movies and catch some much needed LOLs!
1. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, Rated R)
You see, there are still faint glimmers of civilization left in this barbaric slaughterhouse that was once known as humanity. Indeed that’s what we provide in our own modest, humble, insignificant… oh, f*** it.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is an adventure comedy that is inspired by the writings of Austrian novelist, Stefan Zweig. The plot revolves around M. Gustave, a concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel, who is accused of murder. Together with Zero, a sincere teenaged lobby boy, Gustave must prove his innocence.
This movie is so charming, kooky and enjoyable. The visuals of Zubrowka, the country where this movie takes place, are stunning; you won’t want to take your eyes off the screen for a second. Young Zero (Tony Revolori) and Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) are a fantastic duo. The plot is exciting, the dialogues are hilarious, and the acting is incredible. The Grand Budapest Hotel deserves every one of the 126 awards it has won.
Trivia: The Republic of Zubrowka is not a real place. It’s a fictional European country that was created by writer and director Wes Anderson.
2. Freaky Friday (2003, Rated PG)
Darling. Could you, like, chill for a sec?
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis star in this family comedy as the mother-daughter duo, Anna and Tess Coleman. This hilarious movie isn’t just a must-watch for teenagers: it’s for everyone. The premise of a mother and daughter suddenly switching bodies one Friday night may sound childish, but the acting is so good and the feeling of not being understood is a very relatable one for viewers of all ages.
The combination of Curtis and Lohan is freakishly good. Mark Harmon, Chad Murray and Ryan Malgarini put in some memorable performances, too. Don’t miss Freaky Friday for it’s a movie that will have you laughing out loud but also tearing up at the heartwarming conclusion.
Trivia: Michelle Trachtenberg was first cast as Anna Coleman, but she had to back out as she had to fulfill contractual obligations to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997).
3. Turner & Hooch (1989, Rated PG)
Don’t eat the car! Not the car! Oh, what am I yelling at you for? You’re a dog!
Turner & Hooch is another one of my personal favourites starring Tom Hanks in the lead. If he isn’t reason enough to watch this comedy/crime drama, maybe Hooch, the giant, perpetually hungry dog will persuade you. Scott Turner (Hanks) is a smart, ambitious detective who’s also a bit of a clean-freak. But all his principles go out the window when circumstances force him to adopt an old friend’s uncontrollable dog, Hooch. Turner’s life goes for a spin when he has to team up with Hooch to solve Hooch’s owner’s murder.
Tom Hanks — coupled with his canine costar — will thoroughly entertain you. This movie has everything from romance to mystery to action to tons of comedy.
Trivia: Hooch is a Dogue de Bordeaux, an ancient French breed that was once raised to guard European castles.
4. Housebound (2014, Not Rated)
You cannot punch ectoplasm.
This lesser known New Zealand horror comedy is unexpectedly great. It tells the story of Kylie (Morgana O’Reilly), a troubled young woman who has been dabbling with meth and petty crime for a long time. An ATM robbery gone wrong leads her to return to her childhood home on a house-arrest sentence. When Kylie unwillingly returns home, she is forced to confront the fact that her house might be haunted.
The combination of horror and comedy is one that is hardly ever done right, but Housebound pulls it off with ease. Kylie’s mother (Rima Te Wiata) and Amos (Glen-Paul Waru), the security guard incharge of Kylie while she’s filling out her sentence, really strengthen the comedy element in this film. But be warned, Housebound does have its share of gory “jumpscares” and an intriguing plot that brings everything together.
Trivia: This movie won the “Fresh Blood Audience Award 2014” at Germany’s Fantasy Film Festival.
5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, Rated PG-13)
Is there some reason that my coffee isn’t here? Has she died or something?
This box-office hit stars Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, a fresh college graduate, and Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, the cool and demanding editor of a popular fashion magazine. Andy, who doesn’t have much of a fashion sense, manages to land the coveted job at Runway magazine, where she is told repeatedly that most girls would kill for her job. Her boss, Priestly, is frighteningly cold and quick to humiliate her employees. But Andy must tolerate Priestly for one year at Runway if she wants to get the kind of job she really covets elsewhere.
The Devil Wears Prada is an exciting and funny movie about the whirlwind world of fashion, and it also deals with the issue of getting so caught up in our ambition that we lose our identity. And needless to say, Streep is incredible as Miranda Priestly, one of her most popular roles. This movie isn’t just a must-watch for anyone that loves fashion, it’s for anyone that loves a good movie.
In the famous words of Miranda Priestly: “That’s all.”
Trivia: The Devil Wears Prada became one of the most expensively costumed films as the cast actually dressed up in luxurious, high-end fashion.
(Click here if you’re in the mood for a list of intense drama movies.)
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Also published on Medium.
