State of Modern Comedy Films

Introduction

• Gabby/Vector introduces the topic of modern comedy films.
• Observations on comedy sections in streaming services.
• Categories noted: children's movies, romcoms, holiday movies, Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler, dramedies, 10+ year-old classics.
• Personal frustrations with misleading genre labeling (e.g., dramas labeled as comedies).

Lack of Quality Comedies

• Recent comedy movies often lack standalone quality.
• Genres like action and drama continue to produce exceptional recent films.
• Few quality comedies have emerged in the past 5 years; most streaming services feature older comedies.
• Disappointment with many modern comedy films and their dependence on known actors like Kevin Hart and Adam Sandler.

Types of Modern Comedies

• Me Time: Kevin Hart film that misses character development and humor.
• Bad Mom's Christmas: Criticized for being boring and unfunny despite strong cast.
• Girls Trip: Better, but still flawed due to attempts to mix serious themes with raunchy comedy.
• Palm Springs: Interesting concept but failed to balance drama and comedy effectively.

Comedy vs. Dramedy

• Observation of a shift towards dramedy instead of pure comedy films.
• Modern comedies struggle to balance comedy with serious storytelling elements.
• Examples of failing to blend genres well.

Successful Modern Comedies

• Noted well-received modern comedies: Free Guy, Bad Trip, Weird Al’s movie, 80 for Brady, Barbie.
• Good comedies often do not achieve mainstream success.

Comedy in Historical Context

• Past decades noted for classic comedies (70s, 80s, 90s, early 2000s).
• Suggests quality comedies were more common and impactful in the past.

Criticism of Modern Approach

• Modern comedies often feel corporate and uninspired.
• Heavy reliance on star power rather than strong writing and performance.
• Examples of poor pacing, editing, and humor.
• Comparison with older successful comedic scenes.

Importance of Cinematography and Acting

• Great comedy is hard to achieve and should look effortless.
• Acting and cinematography are crucial for delivering effective comedy.

Changing Audience Preferences

• Modern audiences exposed to more sophisticated and varied media.
• Preference for deeper themes, blending comedy with other genres reflecting complex societal issues.

Conclusion

• Shift away from traditional comedy may reflect societal changes and preferences.
• Call for better writing and production in modern comedies.
• Personal reflection on comedy as a favorite genre and desire for better quality films.