For debate: Judd Apatow killed Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell.

[manslayer]

I agree that I think "goofy" comedies aren't particularly bad, it's just that Sandler/Meyers are played out. Or at least they tend to go for the same bits repeatedly which is why a lot of people are bored with them. Sandler's last handful of movies certainly weren't Billy Madison.

[Angerz]

Originally Posted by Millie

I'm having a lot of dumb blonde moments tonight and apologize for accidentally deleting this thread three times. This time it's here to stay. I promise.

First, I dont even see how that is possible.

Second, I would bet it is a bit of 2 and 4 together, leaning more towards 4.

I don't doubt that their movies are just a bit less funny these days and something new has to come along to move them to the top again (in quality, not just box office draw), but I think growing up has a lot to do with the change in what we like.

As a mid 20s adult now, we relate better to the "slice of life" comedies a bit better than we would have 10 years ago, when we just wanted something goofy to laugh at.

We relate better to the adult situations, we have a group of friends who I am sure shared some of the same experiences, we all have the (or are the) snarky friend, etc, etc.

That's my take at least.

[Burf]

There's a reason that South Park had that episode where Cartman (pretending to be the robot AWESOM-O) was giving the Hollywood producers all those "great" movie ideas. Every one of those ideas involved Adam Sandler and something completly stupid.

A.W.E.S.O.M.-O: [Cartman] Movie idea #2,305: Adam Sandler is trapped on a deserted island and falls in love with a coconut.

AWESOM-O: Um, okay. How about this? Adam Sandler is like, in love with some girl, but then it turns out that the girl is actually a golden retriever, or something.
Studio Executive #1: Oh, perfect!
Studio Executive #2: We'll call it "Puppy Love!"

They need to come up with something new. There's only so many times you can see Will Farrell play the stupid, over-reacting, hot-headed character.

[Grimmlokk]

I think a lot of it is Position 4. Look at the difference in what makes them funny. In those older, goofier, comedies it was the situation for the most part. In the new Apatow movies you refer to(ignoring that he was writer on Zohan and producer on half Farrell's stuff) it's more the characters and dialogue. The snappy patter and quick comebacks more than anything else.

Instead of the characters being lovable but stupid losers, they are lovable but naive or unlucky losers. They aren't stupid, they are quick thinkers who spit out funny lines at a rapid pace. Not necessarily high brow, just quick and maybe a little "smarter" than the goofy stuff.

On another note, I'd say Old School is probably the one that bridged the gap between these similar but disparate film types.

Also I just don't think comedic actors age well. Not physically, but in our minds. We get sick of them. There's very few actors who can stay consistently funny over a longer period of time and I think a lot of it isn't them, it's me. I'm not sure why, but thinking on it now the only comedic actor I can think of who I never seemed to really grow tired of is Bill Murray. Of course, that probably comes back to the point of these actors taking basically the same role over and over. Murray was usually a smart ass character, but aside from that his roles were very different most of the time.

Or maybe i'm just rambling because it's 3am and I'm about to go to bed.

[Castigator]

Originally Posted by Millie

Position 4: We're simply growing up. Kids will still flock to see Adam Sandler's movies, even if we no longer find them funny. It's debatable whether we'd find Sandler's best work -- from Billy Madison to Happy Gilmore -- funny if it were just released today. It doesn't mean these movies aren't good; it just means they're meant for younger crowds.

Topic aside, I'm remain puzzled by this point which has a tendency to show up in just about every movie discussion. I was indefinitely more critical and demanding on movies when I was 11 or 12 and movies meant the world to me, and, if anything, I became much more mellow and forgiving as I grew older. I see the same trend in young kids around my family and neighbourhood. Hell, I myself find it much easier to entertain some guys from work and make them laugh for an evening than to keep a bunch of twitchy twelve-year-olds happy for ... say .. two hours.

Is there something wrong with kids in America? *shakes head in confusion*

[Zarcath]

As for recent successful goofball comedies, I'm going to have to cite Harold and Kumar.

[Vorph]

Comedy has been all downhill since Old School.

[Rezz]

It's all cyclical, really. I thought Superbad was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, period. Then I remember how hard I laughed at the first Spaceballs, and it became apparent that there are good goofball type comedies and then there are so-so ones. We've hit a bit of mediocrity with comedies recently with fewer standout ones than in earlier years. Early/mid 90's was really good for comedy, then it took a back seat for a few years as mediocre goofball stuff came out (Big Daddy, Austin Powers 3 for example) and it hasn't really recovered yet. Quirky, more Kevin Smith type comedy is in right now, and will be for another couple years, then I fully expect there to be another goofball comedian making hilarious flicks again.

[Druixx]

I didn't even crack a smile in Superbad. Not even once. Awful, awful movie.

[manslayer]

Originally Posted by Druixx

I didn't even crack a smile in Superbad. Not even once. Awful, awful movie.

Are you somehow related to Astrocreep?

[Zuuljin]

I really didn't like superbad either. It was just one giant dick joke, and IMO was just a bit over the top in the vulgarity department. Now normally I wouldn't mind if there was a good movie behind it, but there was nothing but scenario's setting up more vulgar jokes.

That new one he's doing, Zack and Miri make a porno, looks to follow the same theme of just spitting out vulgar jokes for 2 hours and calling it a movie.

[Presarc]

Joining the "not a big fan of Superbad" bandwagon.

I just didn't like the movie, and it didn't really make me laugh.

[SceleriS]

That new one he's doing, Zack and Miri make a porno, looks to follow the same theme of just spitting out vulgar jokes for 2 hours and calling it a movie.

ooooh you're about to cross a very sensitive line called "Kevin Smith rules..."
wich applies to the majority on this board.

[Agraza]

Concur. Kevin Smith is a prophet, and denouncing his works is blasphemy. A pox upon all who dare.

[Vatoreus]

Originally Posted by Zuuljin

That new one he's doing, Zack and Miri make a porno, looks to follow the same theme of just spitting out vulgar jokes for 2 hours and calling it a movie.

I will hunt you and kill you, sir.