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The Decade of…
Which decade of the last century has the best comedies? Westerns? Action? This question came to my mind when thinking about our theme this week: the comedies of the 90’s. Of course, there are hilarious movies released every decade, and maybe the top one wouldn’t even be in the 90’s (though I’d argue it is). But, it does seem like of all decades it has the most laugh-out-loud classics.
So I decided to look at every 10 year slice of the last century and see if I can come up with a genre where each decade may be leading the pack. Here’s what I came up with, and we’ll start with the theme of the week:
1990’s, The Decade of COMEDIES
I think the following are all recognized as some of the absolute best and funniest of the last 100 years. I’d also say they are the most quotable.
NOTED TITLES:
(1994)
(1995)
(1997)
(1996)
(1995)
(1999)
(1998)
Also, I’m not sure which movie would be qualified as greatest romantic comedy, but for me the funniest is easily from 1999.
2010’s, The Decade of SUPERHEROES
This is probably the easiest decision of the list. Even halfway into this decade I remember hearing people calling it a “superhero renaissance.”
NOTED TITLES:
(2012)
(2018)
(2017)
(2014)
(2016)
(2014)
(2018)
(2019)
1920’s, The Decade of SLAPSTICK
This one is similar to comedies, but since the 20’s and 30’s, comedies usually just use slapstick within the movie, as opposed to it being the major part of the entire movie. Chaplin was a master at this, though Keaton proved to be the king of this genre in the 20’s.
NOTED TITLES:
(1926)
(1923)
(1924)
(1925)
(1928)
1950’s, The Decade of THRILLERS
A big reason for this decade to be so filled with greats in this category is Hitchcock.
NOTED TITLES:
(1959)
(1954)
(1958)
(1954)
(1958)
(1955)
(1951)
(1955)
1970’s, The Decade of HORROR
The 80’s are often known for the horror movies, but most of them were spinoffs of the ones that set the stage for them in the 70’s. I think you’ll agree that the following are some of the absolute biggest (and in some cases the best) of the genre.
NOTED TITLES:
(1978)
(1973)
(1979)
(1975)
(1979)
(1978)
(1974)
(1976)
1930’s, The Decade of MONSTER MOVIES
Again, this one is similar to horror, but it’s very different as well. This decade was filled with movies that determined how we see stereotypical Halloween characters. The impact they’ve had on our cultural consciousness is actually pretty amazing.
NOTED TITLES:
(1931)
(1931)
(1933)
(1931)
(1932)
(1933)
(1935)
2000’s, The Decade of FANTASY
The first three titles below alone could carry this category.
NOTED TITLES:
trilogy (2001-2003)
The series
The prequels
(2001)
(2006)
The series
(2000)
1980’s, The Decade of ACTION MOVIES
This one also seemed pretty easy. I think SciFi could also be the winner, but the action genre really stands out.
NOTED TITLES:
(1988)
(1981)
(1987)
(1987)
(1984)
(1987)
(1986)
(1981)
(1985)
(1985)
(1986)
1960’s, The Decade of WESTERNS
If it wasn’t for Sergio Leone and the “spaghetti western,” perhaps it would be another decade. Otherwise, I don’t think the other decades can live up to this one.
NOTED TITLES:
(1966)
(1960)
(1968)
(1969)
(1969)
(1964)
(1965)
(1969)
1940’s, The Decade of NOIR
This genre hasn’t gone anywhere. There are still noir movies made today, but the 40’s kicked it all off and the titles that fall under the category is quite an impressive list for movie aficionados.
NOTED TITLES:
(1949)
(1944)
(1941)
(1946)
(1940)
(1946)
(1946)
Pre-1920, The Era of SHORTS
I guess there are a couple of asterisks to this section. First of all, it obviously covers more than one decade. But really, there are a lot fewer extant titles to choose from. And second, it’s not exactly a genre. But again, there isn’t much to choose from, and as for films from this time period, the ones that are most recognizable are shorts.
NOTED TITLES:
(1902)
(1903)
(1915)
(1903)
(1907)
(1998)
Here we are almost halfway through this current decade, and try as I might, I can’t find any leading genre of the 2020’s. I have noticed, however, that there is a definite shift in movies with female leads and movies directed by women. Three out of the four winners of Best Picture so far for this decade have been ones with the main character being female. Add to that list (2023), (2020), (2022), (2022), and trust me, there are tons more. Obviously not a genre, but I thought it was at least worth noting.
Congratulations . This is your week.
Best Actress:
Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit in (Many of you will remember her most as Claire in )
Best Actor: Chris Farley as Tommy Callahan in
Best Quote: Time for a top ten…
“We got no food, we got no jobs… Our pets heads are falling off!” – Jim Carrey as Lloyd in
“ It’s Evil, I didn’t spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called ‘mister,’ thank you very much. ” – Mike Myers as Dr. Evil in
[Announcing safety instructions to flight passengers] “Okay, and life preservers, these… we may need. Although what are the odds of us actually hitting a lake? My money says if anything, it’s gonna be a mountain.” – David Spade as Richard in
“Allow myself to introduce myself. My name is Richie Cunningham, and this is my wife, Oprah.” – Mike Myers as Austin in
“The price is wrong, bitch!” – Adam Sandler as Happy in
“You better pray to the god of skinny punks that this wind doesn’t pick up, ’cause I’ll come over there, and jam an oar up your ass!” – Chris Farley as Tommy in
“ Hey, guys. Whoa, Big Gulps, huh? All right! Well, see you later. ” – Jim Carrey as Lloyd in
“ You little son of a bitch ball! Why you don’t you just go HOME? That’s your HOME! Are you too good for your HOME? ANSWER ME!” – Adam Sandler as Happy in
“You’re in luck. There’s a town about three miles that way. I’m sure you’ll find a couple of guys there.” – Jeff Daniels as Harry in
“ The details of my life are quite inconsequential… very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen-year-old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we’d make meat helmets. When I was insolent, I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard, really. At the age of twelve, I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen, a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum… it’s breathtaking. I suggest you try it. ” – Mike Myers as Dr. Evil in
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