Top 5: Comedies Of 2011

     Today's movie Top 5 (and the last post from me of the day) is the Top 5 Comedies of 2011.  These aren't going to necessarily be the best made comedies, they are going to be the movies that made me laugh the most.  Maybe a better name would be Funniest Movies of 2011.  These types of movies never seem to get there due, even action films get nominated for special effects awards, so I want to list my favorites.  I think it's about time the Academy added a Best Comedy category.  Animated films get there own category, why not comedies?  Also (I didn't make this point yesterday, but it goes for that list as well as every list this week), I'm obviously only ranking the movies that I saw.  I watch a lot of movies, but I didn't see them all, so before you go crazy because something isn't on the list, it may be because I didn't see it.  On the other hand, it may just be because it wasn't funny...

5) Bridesmaids
          This movie had some moments that made me laugh, but I thought it was far from as great as everyone made it out to be.  I'm glad it's getting some recognition, comedies never get the attention they deserve from the Academy, but it doesn't get ranked higher than 5 for me.  I think all the ladies have been funnier in other stuff.  That being said, the food poisoning scene is a classic (Maya Rudolph squatting in the middle of the street in a wedding dress was amazingly funny) and Kristen Wigg driving back and forth trying to get Jason Sudeikis was hilarious.  I hoping for this one to win Best Original Screenplay.

4)  Paul
          I'm not a huge fan of everything Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done, I didn't find Hot Fuzz all that funny, but this was genius.  I'm guessing you would probably need to be a sci-fi movie geek to enjoy the humor and get the references.  I am a huge sci-fi geek, a Star Wars child, and this movie had me rolling.  There was also plenty of off-color fart jokes if that is more your style.  And the cast was well stocked with the very best in comedy at the moment, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogan, Kristen Wigg, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch, Dave Koechner and Jeffrey Tambor.  I thought Kristen Wigg was funnier in this then Bridesmaids.  My favorite reference was when Jason Bateman shot his cb radio and said, "Boring conversation anyway."  If you don't know it, you should probably give this one a pass.

3)  30 Minutes Or Less
          This movie had a great cast as well.  I don't think there is a Jesse Eisenberg film that I did enjoy.  Anziz Ansari's quick bitter wit in quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  Nick Swardson is kind of hit or miss, but at his best is hilarious.  Danny McBride, at the moment, always has me in stitches.  I have a feeling that his shtick will get tired soon and become stale, much like Jack Black's did, but right now I'm loving it.  The best moments in this one are when Eisenberg and Ansari are at each other's throats.  The two were great together.

2)  Hall Pass
          It may not have been as funny as Something About Mary or Me, Myself and Irene, but this was defiantly a return to form for the Farrelly brothers.  I wasn't sold on the premise, the fact that anyone needs a week off from marriage to figure out that they love their spouse is a horrible message, forget that it breaks my suspension of disbelief that this would be an issue if I was married to Jenna Fischer or Christina Applegate, but that didn't stop me from laughing out loud for an hour and a half.  Yes, a lot of the humor is gross out sex and toilet humor, what else would you expect from the Farrellys.  I don't care.  It made me laugh a lot.  It was Jason Sudeikis best role in a year jam packed with movies for him.  I thought Owen Wilson was great as well.  If you're look for wit, this isn't the movie for you.  If you love a good laugh, you need to give it a watch.

1)  Your Highness
          Yet another Danny McBride movie.  I saw this one before 30 Minutes Or Less, so his routine was a little less worn out.  And once again, this is a fantasy, sword and sorcerer spoof, so if you aren't a sci-fi geek you might not find it as funny as me.  But I was almost in tears during some scenes in this movie.  For me James Franco is very hit or miss, but this was certainly a hit.  And I know I'm extremely biased on this one, but I thought Zooey Deschanel stole every scene she was in.  Her trying to eat at the banquet was genius.  The best moments by far, though, were those dealing with the Minotaur and his member.  Again, not the smartest humor but fall off the couch funny none the less.

Honorable Mentions:  50/50, Win Win, Cedar Rapids, Horrible Bosses