(DML Top 20 Lists - Crime Comedy Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Foul Play (1978), Director: Collin Higgins, rated PG

It's a highly dangerous comedy!!

Starring: Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Brian Dennehy, Dudley Moore, Rachel Roberts, Eugene Roche, William Frankfather

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"That's right, honey. You've attacked... an innocent dwarf." - Lt. Tony Carlson

Why watch this? I can watch Chevy and Goldie all day.

Plot Summary: Gloria Mundy is a mild-mannered librarian who becomes embroiled in a murder plot after picking up a hitchhiker. She finds herself pursued by mysterious figures and a seemingly clueless police detective. As the situation escalates, the two must uncover the truth behind the conspiracy before it's too late.

Dad's Preview: Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn made two films together, the other being Seems Like Old Times (1980). Both are wonderful, light comedies that feature their enjoyable chemistry. This film centers on: a girl being wrongfully pursued, an amorous detective, an albino assassin, a dwarf, a different guy called "The Dwarf" and a friendly pervert. It's a hilarious who-done-it romp with ton of laughs. The scene where a limo is temporarily hijacked is one of the funniest ever!

Edward K. Millkis, Thomas L. Miller;
Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #20 Top

I, Tonya (2017), Director: Craig Gillespie, rated PG

There's no need to have class when you have talent.

Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson, Caitlin Carver, Bojana Novakovic, Paul Walter Hauser, Bobby Cannavale, Mckenna Grace

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"There's no such thing as truth. It's bullshit. Everyone has their own truth, and life just does whatever the fuck it wants." - Tonya Harding

Why watch this? The tragic story of Olympic ice skater Tonya Harding is compelling.

Plot Summary: This dark comedy follows competitive figure skater Tonya Harding, tracing her journey from a difficult upbringing to becoming an Olympic athlete. The film depicts the complexities of her relationships with her abusive mother and husband, which ultimately play a role in her rise and fall. Harding's legacy is defined by her involvement in the infamous attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan, leading to a major scandal and a lifetime ban from the sport.

Dad's Preview: This sports scandal rocked the world. As the facts were revealed, it became a surrealist's dream, a comedy of errors, class warfare played out on the ice. Tonya Harding, the product of abuse and poverty, out-works all her shortcomings to compete on the world stage (she was the first skater ever to complete two triple axel jumps in competition). Her competition is the pristine, perfect Nancy Kerrigan, USA's top skater. Tonya's husband, Jeff, make the dumbest decision of his life to "help" Tonya's Olympic chances. This excellent film stands as a mock-documentary black comedy, but it's also not a comedy at all. There were motivations at play that resulted in an innocent girl being hurt. Tonya, however, regardless of how involved she was in the plot, is a survivor, and Robbie portrayal of her is unforgettable.

LuckyChap Ent., beIN Media Group,
Clubhouse Pics, AI Film; Neon, 30West!

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #19 Top

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Director: Stanley Kramer, Rated Approved

the biggest entertainment ever to rock the screen with laughter!

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Edie Adams, Dorothy Provine, Jim Backus, Peter Falk, Norman Fell, Jimmy Durante

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Listen, anything you got to say about your mother in-law, you don't have to explain to me. You know what I mean? Like if she were the star of a real crummy horror movie, I'd believe it." – Lennie Pike

Why watch this? It certainly IS madness... wonderful, calamity-filled comedy by the industry's comedic heavyweights.

Plot Summary: At the scene of an auto accident, escaped convict, Smiley Grogan, with his last breath, reveals to a group of witnesses that there's $350,000 buried underneath the "big W" in Santa Rosita State Park. This starts a madcap race to the park (several hundred miles away) by four desperate packs of money-grubbers, the likes the world has never seen. By car, plane, truck, these lunatics will do ANYTHING to get there first and nab the cash. All this attracts the attention of Police Captain T. G. Culpepper who is literally days from retiring.

Dad's Preview: Why all the insanity? That's easy - it's all about money, an induced green-fever, if you will. This flick marks a pinnacle of stunt-filled comedy, and it is a joy to watch each veteran comedian scheme to outwit, out-distance, and out-last the others. It is truly an adventurous spectacle to behold, but you might want to take a mild sedative beforehand.

Casey Productions; United Artists

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #18 Top

Snatch (2000), Director: Guy Ritchie, rated R for language, violence

Stealin' Stones and Breakin' Bones

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones, Brad Pitt, Rade Šerbedžija, Jason Statham, Stephen Graham, William Beck, Ewen Bremner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You show me how to control a wild f***ng gypsy, and I'll show you how to control an unhinged, pig-feeding gangster." - Turkish

Why watch this? It's a fast-moving, hard-hitting London crime drama.

Plot Summary: This crime story weaves together two main plots within the London criminal underworld: one following the chaotic search for a stolen, massive diamond, and the other focusing on a small-time boxing promoter navigating the dangers of illegal bare-knuckle boxing. A diverse cast of eccentric characters, including unscrupulous jewel thieves, dangerous gangsters, and a nearly incomprehensible gypsy boxer, all become entangled in a web of double-crosses and unexpected twists.

Dad's Preview: I knew Guy Ritchie as one of Madonna's many husbands. Who knew the guy could direct? Well, he can. This quick, tense, funny, English gangster film hops around more than a Mexican jumping bean, but man, is it a great ride. I am still mad at the Oscars for not recognizing the phenomenal job Brad Pitt for his role as the tough-ass gypsy boxer, Mickey O'Neil.

SKA Films; Sony Pictures Releasing
under Screen Gems

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #17 Top

Dragnet (1987), Director: Tom Mankiewicz, rated PG-13 for some crude humor

"Just The Facts."

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Christopher Plummer, Harry Morgan, Alexandra Paul, Jack O'Halloran, Elizabeth Ashley, Dabney Coleman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"There are two things that clearly differentiate the human species from animals. One, we use cutlery. Two, we're capable of controlling our sexual urges." - Sgt. Joe Friday

Why watch this? It's so much fun watching deadpan Aykroyd and flippant Hanks.

Plot Summary: Joe Friday is the meticulously by-the-book nephew of the original Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. He's reluctantly partnered with Pep Streebek, a free-spirited detective who chafes at Friday's strict adherence to procedure. The two mismatched cops must overcome their clashing personalities to investigate a series of strange crimes seemingly committed by a mysterious cult.

Dad's Preview: Most films using 1960's TV shows as a reference point fail badly. Not so with this stellar effort. The show Dragnet was very serious and dry. This film, however, is light-hearted and fun. Hanks is at the tail-end of his comedic film run. But it is Dan Aykroyd who steals the show as deadpan Joe Friday, nephew of the TV show's main detective. They even brought in Harry Morgan, from the TV show, and he's great as their grumpy commanding officer! It's a bit crude, but very funny.

Applied Action; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #16 Top

A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Directors: Charles Crichton, John Cleese, rated R for language, crude humor

A tale of murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood.

Starring: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Maria Aitken, Patricia Hayes, Tom Georgeson, Geoffrey Palmer

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people. I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs!" - Wanda, yelling at Otto

Why watch this? This very smart comedy gave us that little taste of Python we were needing.

Plot Summary: A London gangster, his right-hand man, and a duo of American con artists team up for a jewel heist. Wanda Gershwitz, one of the Americans, and her partner Otto West, plan to betray their British collaborators and keep the loot for themselves, but a double-cross within the gang leaves the jewels' location unknown. Wanda then sets out to seduce George's stuffy barrister, Archie Leach, in hopes of discovering where the diamonds are hidden, all while dealing with her jealous partner and the bungled attempts to silence a key witness.

Dad's Preview: The film revolves around a diamond heist and a cast of oddly wonderful characters who stumble their way through the entire ordeal. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for this part as Otto, a mean-spirited weapon's expert who hates English people. Jamie Lee Curtis is likewise wonderful as the sexy, intelligent Wanda. Cleese and Palin are along for some comic relief.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Prominent Features;
MGM/UA Communications Co.

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #15 Top

Parasite (2019), Director: Gong Joon-ho, rated R for language, disturbing topics

Act like you own the place

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Lee Jung-eun, Jang Hye-jin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"So, there's no need for a plan. You can't go wrong with no plans. We don't need to make a plan for anything. It doesn't matter what will happen next. Even if the country gets destroyed or sold out, nobody cares. Got it?" - Ki-Taek

Why watch this? ... it starts to build, gets crazier, crazier, until the jaw-dropping finale.

Plot Summary: The impoverished Kim family schemes to become employed by the wealthy Park family, eventually infiltrating their household one by one by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. This deception allows the Kims to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the Parks, living off their resources without the Parks realizing their true intentions. However, this carefully constructed plan faces a threat when an unexpected discovery within the Park household destabilizes the Kims' newfound comfort.

Dad's Preview: You'll need to get used to subtitles to watch this Korean film (called a "black comedy thriller") about a poor Korean family in Seoul. The entire family schemes their way into the employment of a wealthy family, the Parks. When the Parks go on vacation, the Kim's party in the luxurious home. That is just the beginning! After that we are taken on a rollercoaster ride into the expected, bordering on surreal. This is the first non-English film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. It's that good!

Barunson E&A; CJ Entertainment

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #14 Top

Millions (2004), Director: Danny Boyle, rated PG

Can anyone be truly good?

Starring: Alex Etelm, Lewis Owen McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Christopher Fulford, Pearce Quigley, Jane Hogarth

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"God doesn't rob banks, all right? God does not rob banks." – Damian Cunningham

Why watch this? Sometimes it's fun to watch British youngsters in a unique situation.

Plot Summary: Seven-year-old Damian finds a duffel bag stuffed with money that seemingly falls from the sky. He believes it's a gift from God and wants to use it for good, while his older brother Anthony desires to spend it on personal luxuries. The brothers face a moral dilemma and a race against time, as the money's value is about to change and its mysterious origins attract unwanted attention.

Dad's Preview: Two British children, Alex and Lewis, suddenly find themselves in possession of a large duffle bag of cash. A LOT of cash. This funny and touching story goes through what happens next, who they tell, and what they eventually do with the money. To add some flair, young Alex often communes with dead Saints. Yea, kinda like The Sixth Sense (1999), but not scary at all. This film is delightful on so many levels.

UK Film Council, BBC Films, Mission Pictures,
Inside Track 2, Ingenious Film Partners;
Pathé Distribution

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #13 Top

The Thin Man (1934), Director: W.S. Van Dyke, rated TV-PG

Dashiell Hammett's Master Mystery

Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton, Minna Gombell, Porter Hall, Henry Wadsworth, William Henry, Harold Huber, Cesar Romero, Skippy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Waiter, will you serve the nuts? I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts?" - Nora Charles

Why watch this? This is screwball comedy ground zero, and it's wonderful.

Plot Summary: When an eccentric inventor mysteriously vanishes and his former associate is found murdered, his desperate daughter pleads with a retired private detective to take the case. Although initially reluctant, the laid-back investigator and his sharp, wealthy wife dive into the increasingly tangled investigation for their own entertainment. The couple navigates a web of eccentric suspects and dangerous encounters, ultimately hosting an elegant dinner party to expose the true culprit.

Dad's Preview: This lovely film, based on the Dashiell Hammett novel, harkens back to a time when it was considered cheeky to solve mysteries while half drunk. We are introduced to Nick and Nora Charles, a leisurely (and married) detective team always looking for a case. The star of this caper is Nick (William Powell) and Nora's (Myrna Loy) witty banter. I remember thinking I wanted my marriage to be like theirs. This popular film series spawned five sequels - quite a feat for those days. Of course, I must mention Asta, the wonder terrier - the most famous Hollywood mutt since Lassie! Without that furry sleuth, they would never have solved a crime.

Hunt Stromberg, Cosmopolitan Prod.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's Inc.

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #12 Top

The Big Short (2015), Director: Adam McKay, rated R for brief nudity, language

This is a true story

Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Jeremy Strong, Finn Wittrock, John Magaro

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"If we're right, people lose homes. People lose jobs. People lose retirement savings, people lose pensions. You know what I hate about f***ing banking? It reduces people to numbers." - Ben Rickert

Why watch this? To learn about the financial crisis of 2008 and why it will happen again!

Plot Summary: Several disparate groups of investors recognize the precariousness of the housing market in the mid-2000s, and decide to bet against it. Their unconventional strategy involves navigating the complexities of the financial system and confronting those who are either unaware of or profiting from the impending collapse. As they research the flaws and corruption within the mortgage-backed securities market, their initial skepticism gives way to alarm, as they realize the widespread impact the crisis will have.

Dad's Preview: I absolutely love this must-see film about the 2008 economic crash. The goal of this well-done film is to educate the audience on what and why it happened. The cast is chock full a big-name stars. The plot is engrossing, and McKay's direction is stellar. There are even a few cameo appearances, such as Margo Robbie and Anthony Bourdain, to explain certain financial buzzwords - these interjections are an educative hoot!

Regency Enterprises, Plan B Ent.;
Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #11 Top

Some Like It Hot (1959), Director: Billy Wilder, rated Approved

The MOST comedy ever made! The BIGGEST comedy ever made!
The HOTTEST comedy ever made!

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Lack Lemmon, George Raft, pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, Joan Shawlee, Billy Gray, George E. Stone, Dave Barry, Mike Mazurki

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Will you look at that! Look how she moves! It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a whole different sex!" - Jerry after Sugar strides by

Why watch this? Marilyn. Monroe.

Plot Summary: Two male musicians witness a mob hit and, to escape the gangsters, disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band heading to Florida. While maintaining their false identities, one falls for the band's beautiful singer, Sugar, while the other is pursued by a millionaire. Their attempts to evade the mobsters and navigate these romantic complications lead to a series of comedic and often precarious situations.

Dad's Preview: It really wasn't fair to Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Here they give incredible performances, acting as male and female characters (Lemmon was nominated for Best Actor, Curtis should have been). They're incredibly funny as two cross-dressing mob band members on the sly. But neither could hold a candle to Marilyn. She's captivating. She sings. She's funny. She's sexy - they never had a chance. In this well-paced, bouncy joyride, I found myself smiling a lot and laughing often. It sits on a ton of Best Of All Time film lists, usually at the top. It certainly upped the sexuality ante for films going forward. This is a delightful classic has that left its mark on cinema.

Billy Wilder, Mirisch Co.; United Artists

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #10 Top

48 Hrs. (1982), Director: Walter Hill, rated R for violence, harsh, racial language

The boys are back in town.

Starring: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O'Toole, James Remar, Sonny Landham, David Patrick Kelly, Brion James, James Keane

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm gonna tell you something about this man! He's got more brains than you'll ever know! He's got more guts than any partner I ever had." - Jack Cates

Why watch this? It's a pleasure watching the two lead actors slug it out.

Plot Summary: A tough San Francisco detective hunts a dangerous escaped criminal responsible for killing his fellow officers. To find him, the detective enlists the reluctant help of the criminal's former associate, a charismatic convict, who is granted a temporary 48-hour release from prison. Now, this unlikely pair must work together against the clock to track down the killer before their time runs out.

Dad's Preview: Eddie Murphy joined SNL after the show declined. I watched his stand-up routine, Raw, and was not a fan. Then, boom! This film, along with Trading Places (1983), became huge Murphy hits. He impressed me going toe-to-toe with veteran tough-guy Nick Nolte. The creative premise deals with two men, forced to work together: one is a burnout detective, the other a wise-ass convict. They have to hunt down two really nasty bad guys. Nolte, a real racist grump, initially hates the quick-witted Murphy... but he eventually softens. The honky-tonk bar scene is priceless.

Lawrence Gordon Pics; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #9 Top

The Blues Brothers (1980), Director: John Landis, rated R for language

They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God.

Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, James Brown, John Candy, John Lee Hooker, Twiggy, Charles Napier, Steve Lawrence, Frank Oz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved." - Police Dispatcher

Why watch this? Great blues music, edgy humor and the car crashes are off the charts!

Plot Summary: Newly released convict brothers, Jake and Elwood Blues, embark on a "mission from God" to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised from foreclosure. To do this, they must reunite their old band and perform to raise the $5,000 needed to pay the property taxes. Their efforts lead them on a chaotic adventure across Illinois, encountering a series of zany characters and being pursued by various groups, including the police, a vengeful ex-girlfriend, and a neo-Nazi group.

Dad's Preview: How is it possible to take an Saturday Night Live skit and turn it into this spectacle?! On the heels of the raunchy Animal House (1978), John Belushi had more cred with the studio execs, so he brought in John Landis to direct. Beside being a wonderful homage to Chicago blues, it manages to be a road/buddy, car-chase-filled action/comedy. Hell, there are even Nazi's. Not to mention cameo's from Carrie Fisher, James Brown, Twiggy, Ray Charles and the goddess of soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

Robert K. Weiss; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #8 Top

Romancing the Stone (1984), Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated PG

She's a girl from the big city. He's a reckless soldier of fortune. For a fabulous treasure,
they share an adventure no one could imagine... or survive.

Starring: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Alfonso Arau, Manuel Ojeda, Zack Norman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"What did you do, wake up this morning and say, 'Today, I'm going to ruin a man's life?'" - Jack Colton

Why watch this? It's a fun film that plays like a trashy romance novel.

Plot Summary: Joan Wilder is a shy romance novelist who must travel to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister. The ransom involves a treasure map sent to Joan by her sister's murdered husband. Lost in the Colombian jungle, Joan encounters Jack T. Colton, a rugged American bird smuggler. Jack helps Joan navigate the perilous jungle as they are pursued by a corrupt Colombian police colonel and the criminals who kidnapped Joan's sister.

Dad's Preview: Hot on the heels of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), this treasure-seeking adventure film was more light and romantic, but still quite exciting. Our heroine, Joan Wilder, ends up in the jungles of Central America looking for her missing sister. There she meets roust-a-bout, Jack T. Colton, who is always looking for a quick fortune. They decide to secure a lost jewel to use for her sister's trade. It's a wonderful, enjoyable film for date night, and the chemistry between Douglas and Turner heats up the screen.

El Corazon Producciones S.A.;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #7 Top

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), Director: David Zucker, rated PG-13 for language, crude humor

If you see only one movie this year...you ought to get out more often.

Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy, O. J. Simpson, Susan Beaubian, Nancy Marchand, Raye Birk, Jeannette Charles

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"It's true what they say: Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano. Sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." – Frank Drebin

Why watch this? To laugh... A lot. It's non-stop.

Plot Summary: Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad investigates the attempted murder of his partner, Nordberg. This investigation leads him to uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Los Angeles. Frank must work to thwart the assassination attempt, find out who shot Nordberg, and manage his romantic entanglement with Jane Spencer, the assistant to the suspicious businessman Vincent Ludwig.

Dad's Preview: I thought the silly Airplane! (1980) was entertaining with its puns and goofy skits and sight gags. It also starred straight-faced Leslie Nielsen. Why Naked Gun impacted me so differently I cannot guess, but I love this film. It is a spin-off from a failed TV show that was surprisingly cancelled after 8 episodes. Nielsen plays dead-pan police Lt. Frank Drebin. He bumbles his way through every scene with hilarious skill (or lack of). Every gag and funny line feels new. You'll find it hard to stop laughing. I DO recommend the two sequels - they are almost as funny as the original.

Robert K. Weiss; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #6 Top

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated PG

It's the story of a man, a woman, and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble.

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer (voice), Joanna Cassidy, Kathleen Turner (voice)

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way." – Jessica Rabbit

Why watch this? ... to watch, in awe, the genius it took to intertwine humans and cartoons into the same celluloid space.

Plot Summary: In 1947 Los Angeles, where cartoons and humans coexist, a private detective who loathes toons takes a case involving a rabbit toon star accused of murder. As the detective investigates, he uncovers a complex conspiracy that threatens the existence of Toontown, the animated metropolis where toons reside.

Dad's Preview: I am always a fan of something new and inventive, even if the effort sometimes falls short. This film is an example where expectations were exceeded. Director Zemeckis creates a 1950s-ish world where humans and cartoons co-exist, and it's business-as-usual. This is an easy film to love. It has all our favorite cartoon characters (Mickey, Donald, Daffy, Porky, etc.), zany slapstick bits, devious villains, a wonderful ending... and let's not forget naughtily-drawn bombshell, Jessica Rabbit.

Touchstone Pics, Amblin Ent., Silver Screen
Partners III; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #5 Top

Fargo (1996), Director: Joel and Ethan Coen, rated R for strong violence, language, sexuality

a homespun murder story

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter Stormare

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #12 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Fargo

"Sir, you have no call to get snippy with me. I'm just doing my job here." - Marge Gunderson

Why watch this? Brutal violence. Quirky characters. As only the Coen brothers can.

Plot Summary: Desperate for money, a Minnesota car salesman hires two men to kidnap his wife, intending to extort a ransom from her wealthy father. The seemingly foolproof scheme quickly unravels as events take a violent turn, leading to multiple deaths. A pregnant police chief in Brainerd, Minnesota, launches a tenacious investigation to uncover the truth behind the escalating crimes.

Dad's Preview: It's hard to hit the 'sweet spot' where a film can be violent, yet occasionally humorous. This is Fargo's genius. It centers on a kidnapping plot gone wrong, and a series of brutal, cold-blooded murders. Yet, half the time, I am chuckling at the odd mannerisms of the overly-nice, Mid-Western yokels. McDormand shines as 7-month-pregnant Police Chief Marge Gunderson, who never loses her cool as she apprehends murderous criminals.

Working Title Films; Gramercy Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #4 Top

Lethal Weapon (1987), Director: Richard Donner, rated R for violence, language

If these two can learn to stand each other... the bad guys don't stand a chance.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Lycia Naff

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You make it through tomorrow without killing anybody, especially me, or yourself, then I'll start trusting you." - Roger Murtaugh

Why watch this? ... it's Mel Gibson when he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year.

Plot Summary: Roger Murtaugh is a seasoned LAPD detective celebrating his 50th birthday. He's partnered with Martin Riggs, a younger, emotionally unstable detective with a death wish following his wife's recent passing. Their initial investigation into an apparent suicide leads them down a path of drug trafficking and former Special Forces mercenaries.

Dad's Preview: This awesome action film started the cop buddy genre, and is easily the best. It also catapulted Mel Gibson to the top of the A-list. For half the film, we think his character, Riggs, is literally insane. However, when things get dicey due to involvement with some really bad drug smugglers, Riggs and his special skillsets, come in real handy. Danny Glover, as Lt. Murtaugh, a good cop on the verge of retirement, is excellent as Riggs' grumpy police partner.

Silver Pictures; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #3 Top

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Director: Tom Shadyac, rated PG-13 for off-color humor, some sexual content

To Serve and Protect... Your Pets!

Starring: Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc, Dan Marino, John Capodice, Troy Evans, Noble Willingham, Troy Evans, Raynor Scheine

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It's all that Dan Marino's fault, everyone knows that. If he had held the ball, laces out, like he was supposed to, Ray would never have missed that kick. Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell. Would you like a cookie, son?" – Mrs. Finkle

Why watch this? ... 'cause it is one of the funniest films ever made.

Plot Summary: Ace Ventura is a flamboyant, eccentric pet detective. He is hired to find Snowflake, the missing mascot of the Miami Dolphins. Ace employs his rather unique methods to track down the aquatic mammal and finds himself entangled in a wider mystery along the way.

Dad's Preview: I heard there was this outrageous young new comic, Jim Carrey, on the cable show In Living Color. This low-budget, comedic melee was his first feature film. Carrey's style sort of assaults you, and it takes some getting used to. This gut-buster is scene after scene of outrageousness. It also is genius at work. Incidentally, the great film critic Roger Ebert absolutely HATED this film. Like many critics and viewers alike, he just didn't get it. For me, it never gets old. (Sidenote: the sequel just wasn't as funny.)

Morgan Creek Productions; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #2 Top

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982), Director: Carl Reiner, rated PG-13 for crude humor

Laugh... or I'll blow your lips off!

Starring: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, George Gaynes, Reni Santoni, Carl Reiner and special appearances by Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Burt Lancaster, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart to name a few noir stars.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 100 #93 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

"Carlotta was the kind of town where they spell trouble T-R-U-B-I-L, and if you try to correct them, they kill you." - Det. Rigby Reardon

Why watch this? This Steve Martin comedy stands alone for its incredible creativity.

Plot Summary: Hardboiled private eye Rigby Reardon is hired by a beautiful woman to investigate the suspicious death of her scientist father, who was killed over a secret cheese recipe. While navigating 1940s Los Angeles, Reardon uncovers a sinister plot involving lists of friends and enemies, encountering various suspicious characters along the way.

Dad's Preview: Martin's SNL skits were getting stale. His first movie, The Jerk (1979), has its moments, but didn't knock me off my feet. Next Mr. Martin releases this comedic treasure - Wow. The film's who-done-it plot consists of inter-spliced scenes from many of Hollywood's most famous noir films of the 1940's. We follow detective Rigby Reardon as he encounters gangsters (Burt Lancaster, Alan Ladd, Vincent Price) and femme fatales (Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Bette Davis) on his way to solving the big case. Rachel Ward fogs up the camera as his sultry cohort. It's so good, many of you will never guess that Martin's scenes interact with actors who have been dead for years.

Aspen Film Society; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Crime Comedy Films #1 Top

Midnight Run (1988), Director: Martin Brest, rated R for strong language.

A tough bounty hunter. A sensitive criminal.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Well if you don't shut up, pretty soon you're gonna suffer from fistaphobia." – Jack Walsh to "The Duke"

Why watch this? The exchanges between Grodin and De Niro are priceless.

Plot Summary: Gruff bounty hunter, Jack Walsh, agrees to a seemingly easy job: retrieve a mob accountant from New York and bring him back to Los Angeles. However, the accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas, turns out to be a demanding and eccentric individual with a fear of flying, forcing the two men on an arduous cross-country journey by various modes of transportation. As they travel, they are pursued relentlessly by the FBI, who want The Duke to testify against his former boss, and by the mob, who want to silence him permanently, all while facing off against a rival bounty hunter.

Dad's Preview: This is a superb buddy and/or road movie. It focuses on two polar opposite characters: one is a tough bail bondsman, Jack; the other, a meek, soft-spoken mob accountant known as "The Duke". Suffice it to say this film is packed with FBI agents, the Mob, car chases, and train rides. That said, I really enjoy the small scenes: scamming cash from Red's Bar, Jack's hurried visit to his estranged wife and daughter, and the film's perfect ending. What really impressed me was the humor, especially from non-comedic actors De Niro and Grodin - they play so well off each other.

City Lights Films; Universal Pictures