Finding a good comedy to give as a gift doesn’t have to be difficult. Don’t take your chances on a random pick during your next holiday shopping trip. Buy a gift that the recipient is sure to love. Based on ratings of everyday people, these movies inspired the most laughs in 2008.
Mamma Mia!
Although technically a musical, this film has enough wit and humor to land itself a spot under the best comedy films of 2008. Meryl Streep steals the stage as Donna, single mother of soon to be married Sophie, who runs a hotel based off an island in Greece. Besides the beautiful camera angles, creative song lyrics and brilliant performance by Meryl Streep you are sure to be in for a surprise when three surprise guests arrive on the island by Sophie’s invitation.
- Director: Phyllida Lloyd
- Writer: Catherine Johnson
- Released: 18 July 2008
- Running Time: 108 Min
- MPAA: PG-13
Step Brothers
One of the highest grossing comedies this year, it should be no surprise that this film boasts two main lead actors, Will Ferrell and John C Reilly. Ferrell plays Brennan, a man in his late 30’s that lives with his mother. Reilly plays Dale, a man in his early forties who lives with his father. The twist? When their parents become engaged the two are forced to live with each other. The result? Some of the most belly aching scenes this year.
- Director: Adam McKay
- Writers: Adam McKay and Will Ferrell
- Released: 25 July 2008
- Running Time: 98 Min
- MPAA: R
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
Starring Adam Sandler, Zohan Dvir a native Israeli fakes his own death in order to leave a high risk job as a special agent behind. He heads to New York where he hopes to fulfill his life dream of cutting hair and making it “silky smooth.” Unable to gain employment, he volunteers to clean the shop for free of a local hairstylist, Dahlia. Full of hilarious one-liners and unforgettable moments this is sure to be a hit.
- Director: Dennis Dugan
- Writers: Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Judd Apatow
- Released: 6 June 2008
- Running Time: 113 Min
- MPAA: PG-13
Tropic Thunder
Ben Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, an action movie star and the well known character “Jack” of the box office flop “Simple Jack.” Fearing his career is not headed in the right direction and desperately seeking an Oscar nomination he heads to Vietnam to shoot a war memoir with a cast of several well known actors. Based in the jungles of Vietnam, the crew arrives several days late despite their high budget and prepares to film the movie “guerrilla-style.” Shortly after arriving, the director of the movie Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) is blown up by a landmine. Believing it is simply special effects, the crew continues “filming.” Full of top actors including Tom Cruise, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. this movie is definitely worth seeing.
- Director: Ben Stiller
- Writers: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen
- Released: 13 August 2008
- Running Time: 107 Min
- MPAA: R
Get Smart
Steve Carell plays a data analyst for a US spy company. After the identities of the agency’s spies are revealed, Maxwell Smart (Carell) becomes an undercover spy with the aid of the more experienced, drop dead gorgeous Agent 99 played by Anne Hathaway. Based on the television series this movie will leave you wanting more as Carell plays one of his best roles yet.
- Director: Peter Segal
- Writers: Tom J Astle and Matt Ember with characters by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry
- Released: 20 June 2008
- Running Time: 110 Min
- MPAA: PG-13
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