“Laughter is the best medicine,” is more than just a trite cliché. Doctors claim laughing improves physical health and mental well-being. An Oxford University study done by evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar in 2011 showed that the physical act of laughing increased the body’s production of endorphins. These brain chemicals are known for their feel-good effect. There is even a Laughter Yoga technique involving prolonged voluntary yoga, that proponents claim provides the same benefits as natural laughter. However, to me forced laughter sounds like a lot more work and much less fun than spontaneous mirth. Why not watch funny movies or comedy shows instead? Has your adulterous cad of a spouse, a cancer diagnosis, or even both together, made you feel so down that you can’t think of anything that will make you laugh? Here are some of my favorite comedies that you might like to consider seeing:
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(1975)—this puts Spamalot to shame. I also love all the Monty Python TV shows.
- A Fish Called Wanda
(1988).
- The Blues Brothers
(1980). They’re on a mission from God. The scene with Stevie Wonder is, well, wonderful.
- Ghostbusters
(1984). Who you gonna call? The first film was better than the second, but on DVD they sell the two together.
- Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
(1964).
- Young Frankenstein
(1974). As Igor says, “Walk this way.” Maybe Igor was inspired by Monty Python’s 1970 “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch.
- The first and the third Austin Powers movies: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
(1997) and Austin Powers: Goldmember
- Bedazzled
(1967)—the original British version, of course, with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
- Death at a Funeral
(2007)—the original British version, of course. Am I repeating myself?
- Galaxy Quest (1999)—made all the better by Alan Rickman, one of my favorite actors, a Brit, of course.
- Office Space
(1999). I never liked Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butthead cartoons, but this parody of cubicle life in an American software company he directed had me in stitches, especially Milton, the guy obsessed with his missing stapler.
- In Bruges
(2008). Climbing that bell tower can be deadly!
- Shaun of the Dead
(2004). Aren’t we all zombie-lovers at heart?
- Tropic Thunder
(2008). Don’t miss the previews of forthcoming movies at the beginning. The cast includes Tom Cruise at his very best.
- What We Do in the Shadows (2015). Three vampires living together in New Zealand struggle with mundane life. Taika Waititi plays his role to perfection.
- A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014). And most of them are hilarious, probably because Seth Macfarlane directed and starred in this movie.
- The Orville, Season 1 and Season 2 (2017-18). Hilarious, probably because it is created by and starring Seth Macfarlane. Am I repeating myself again? the series is a wonderful parody and homage to Star Trek.
- TV cartoons such as: Family Guy and American Dad (both created by Seth Macfarlane); as well as South Park, The Simpsons and Futurama.
- Any clips of Robin Williams, the Irish comedian Dave Allen or the British comedians Mitchell and Webb that you can find on YouTube.