Reel Corner - September 2022

The Amazing Benefits of Watching Comedies...Let's Laugh a Little

ReelCorner0221
September 2022 Issue
Reel Corner by Donne Paine

The Amazing Benefits of Watching Comedies
Let's Laugh a Little

Bad new abounds as we are bombarded daily with news about climate change, random violence, Ukraine conflict and secret documents. We are dealing with inflation, shrinkflation, high gas prices, ridiculous housing prices, flight cancellations and more doomsday films than should be allowed—much of which is out of our control. What can help?

How about a couple of hours of comedy? Comedy is personal; some prefer RomComs and others prefer improvisational comedy or slap stick. Whatever the preference, frequent doses of comedy can be healing. In fact, it’s an often-overlooked tool in our arsenal to maintain good health. During times when we are barraged with economic, social, political and health problems, it’s wise to turn to a not-so-obvious way to protect ourselves—laughing.

I interviewed a few folks and asked the simple question: “What is your No. 1, “go-to” comedy that lifts your spirit and makes you laugh? Most folks went way back in time, but here are a few you might recall:

Groundhog Day (1993) | Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell
A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day, and the day keeps repeating until he finally gets it right.

Horrible Bosses
(2011) | Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis
Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.

Home Alone (1990) | Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
An 8-year-old troublemaker must protect his home from a couple of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone over Christmas vacation.

Moonstruck (1987) | Cher, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis
Lorretta Castorini, a bookkeeper in Brooklyn, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she agreed to marry.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) | John Candy, Steve Martin
A Chicago advertising executive struggles to travel home for Thanksgiving from New York with a lovable oaf of a shower curtain ring salesman as his only companion.

Sixteen Candles (1984) | Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall
A sweet sixteen’s birthday becomes anything but special.

Tootsie (1982) | Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr
Michael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap opera.

Midnight Run (1988) | Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin
A bounty hunter pursues a former mafia accountant who, after jumping bail, is also being chased by another bounty hunter, the FBI and his old mob boss.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) | Steve Martin, Micheal Caine
Two con men try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50,000.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) | John Cleese, Eric Idle
King Author and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail encountering many silly obstacles.

Foul Play (1978) | Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase
A shy San Francisco librarian and a bumbling cop fall in love as they solve a crime involving albinos, dwarves and the Catholic Church.

It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)
Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman | A group of motorists witness a car crash in the California desert, and after the drivers last words indicate the location of a hidden stash of loot, they turn on each other in a race across the state to get it.

The Reel Corner’s Pick for Current Comedy:
Schmigadoon!
(2022)
Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key | Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld | Apple TV Musical/Comedy Series | Two New York doctors, Melissa and Josh, go on a backpacking trip in an attempt to patch up their failing relationship, only to find themselves still arguing. They get lost and soon discover a magical town called Schmigadoon, which is perpetually trapped in the Golden Age of American musicals from the 1940s-50s. Soon they learn they cannot leave the town until they find true love. The title and concept is a parody of the 1947 musical Brigadoon. Although lyrics are changed, songs are from the recognizable musicals of Camelot, Carousel, Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man and many more. This unique parody is a fun-filled ride, which not only gets you singing along, but also trying to figure out which musical each song comes from. If musicals are your bag, you will be smiling, singing and maybe even laughing out loud!

References : www.imdb.com, www.cbc.ca, www.filmthreat.com


ReelCorner 1219 DonneDonne Paine, film enthusiast, once lived around the corner from the Orson Welles Theater in Cambridge Massachusetts, where her strong interest in films, especially independent ones, began. Supporter of the arts, especially films, she travels to local and national film festivals, including Sundance, Toronto and Tribeca. There is nothing like seeing a film on the big screen. She encourages film-goers to support Hilton Head local theaters; Coligny Theater, Park Plaza Theater and Northridge. To support her habit of frequent movie going, Donne is a travel medicine nurse consultant. See you at the movies!

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