Diner

Barry Levinson directed this 1982 comedy/drama about a group of friends coping with responsibilities and adulthood.

Great dialogue and good story...part of Levinson's group of films centered in Baltimore. Outstanding cast includes Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Ellen Barkin, Steve Guttenberg, and Tim Daly.

Has a lot of heart...and humor. Love the scenes in the diner (natch) and the sports test a fiance has to take before she is considered worthy of marriage.

I'll have some gravy on those fries.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083833/

Man of the Century

Very creative and original romantic comedy from 1999 directed by Adam Abraham and starring Gibson Frazier and Cara Buono.

Young man living in the modern world dresses, talks, and acts as if he is in a 1930s movie. He seems totally unaware that he hasn't caught up with the real world, but his sunny disposition, innocence, and earnestness win over his friends, coworkers, and love interest. As a reporter for the city's paper he is involved in a plot by criminals to plant a false news story.

Great mix of sensibilities. Highly creative and much fun.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138537/

O Brother Where Art Thou

Coen Brothers perfection from 2000 starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, and Charles Durning.

Three dim-witted chain gang prisoners escape and go on a quest for treasure and enlightenment in this comedy masterpiece based upon The Odyssey.

Imaginative and hysterical.

Clooney is remarkable as are his co-stars. Too many favorite scenes to mention but look for Holly Hunter's small role as Clooney's estranged wife ("You're not bona fide!") and Durning's take as a Southern politician.

Great soundtrack.

Funny, original, and worth seeing over and over. Not to be missed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190590/

The Man Who Would Be King

Michael Caine and Sean Connery star in this 1975 film directed by John Huston.

Two rogue British soldiers set themselves up as gods in a small country that can't contain their greed and egos. Great comedy/action/adventure story based on the Rudyard Kipling yarn.

Fun, funny, and a showcase for both actors. Has Michael Caine actually been in every movie ever made?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073341/

My Favorite Wife

Garson Kanin directed this 1940 comedy starring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, and Randolph Scott.

Grant's wife Dunne has been missing for seven years. Presuming she is dead, he remarries. But she returns, having been stranded on an island all that time. She is determined to win Grant back but things are complicated when Grant finds out she was not alone on the island.

Very funny romantic comedy. Remade decades later as "Move Over, Darling" but stick to the original.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029284/

Bringing Up Baby

Howard Hawks directed this comedy starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.

One of the best movie comedies ever.

Grant plays a nerdy professor who is drawn into the life of a wacky heiress who changes him forever. A totally screwball comedy if there ever was one.

Grant and Hepburn are wonderful together. Lots of abusrd situations but it all works. The stars shine in this one.

Remade (sort of) as "What's Up Doc?" with Ryan O'Neal and Barbara Streisand.

Don't miss this one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029947/

The Hollywood Knights

1980 comedy starring Tony Danza, Michelle Pfieffer, Fran Drescher, Robert Wuhl.

Largely stupid but funny film about a group of Hollywood delinquents and rabble rousers who set aside a night of mischief to lament the closing of their favorite drive-in restaurant.

Danza's first film also features a decent soundtrack and a very young Michelle Pfieffer.

Off the wall...it has its moments.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080881/

Summer School

Carl Reiner directed this 1987 comedy with Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, and CourtneyThorne-Smith.

Easy going teacher is preparing for a summer vacation in Hawaii when he is tapped to teach summer school to a bunch of loser students.

Harmon is congenial, some of the kids are genuine characters, and the film itself actually is quite funny at times.

Light...but likeable.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094072/

The Big Lebowski

The Dude abides.

The Coen Brothers do it again in this totally whacked out comedy from 1998 that stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and John Tuturro.

Stoner/bowler The Dude is caught up in a case of mistaken identity and a miserable attempt at kidnapping. And to top it all off, thugs urinate on his rug. As with most (if not all) Coen Brothers' films, this is about a crime that goes wrong. But the details don't really matter...the characters make their movies and this one is chock full of off the wall types.

Fun and fantastic.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/

My Man Godfrey

William Powell and Carole Lombard star in this gem of a screwball comedy directed by Gregory La Cava in 1936.

Daughter in rich, disfunctional family hires Powell as a butler thinking he is a "forgotten man", a hobo.

The family is crazy but Powell endures and helps bring a sense of rationality to them...somewhat.

Funny, with great writing and characters. Holds up today, especially in these tough economic times.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028010/

Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House

Cary Grant and Myrna Loy star in this 1948 comedy directed by H.C. Potter.

Madison Avenue Ad Man (Grant) decides that the apartment in the city is too small for the family and he and his wife embark on building their dream house. Complications ensue. Great fish out of water story as the city folks deal with not only the rural types building their house but also with the fact that the whole project is becoming a money pit.

Expertly handled comedy with Grant and Loy great together.

Look for the scene where Loy describes the color scheme she has in mind with the painters.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/