By Elliott Brack
Publisher, GwinnettForum
JAN. 30, 2026 | Have you noticed what type of movies are coming out of Hollywood these days? For sure, the new Hollywood loves action, often with numerous explosions and mayhem. Also, horror, zombie, terror and fantasy movies are always around, as are chases of all kinds. For sure, murder mysteries continue to thrive. But what happened to cowboy movies, or courtroom dramas, all the rage a few decades back?
Other types are the sci-fi efforts, animation, thrillers, documentary and experimental films. Still being filmed are crime, sports, superhero and martial arts genres. Romance movies come along every so often, though not as many as before.
What’s generally missing from Hollywood today?
Happy movies.
You want an example? How about Oh God? John Denver and George Burns are great, and though somewhat a sensitive subject, they pulled it off well. (And how about that vintage Ford Pinto station wagon?)
Of course, some would say that the way the world is these days, there’s very little “funny” going on. But perhaps some solid movies that made us laugh out loud more would be good for all of us in these days.
Take a look at some classic happy movies. We’re talking of sensations like Mel Brooks’s The Producers. What a laugh! The blowout scene of “Springtime for Hitler in Germany” stole that show.
Of course, there are not many people who come along with the talents of Mel Brooks, and his sidekick, Carl Reiner. These two gave us lots of wonderful funny movies, like Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles, High Anxiety and others.
How many of you saw that Irish classic, “Waking Ned Devine?” What a show, and cast, of real people! Can’t you see the naked guy on the motorcycle speeding down the road, and that classic funeral scene?
Then there was Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, based on the novel by Winston Groom, some of it shot in Savannah. What a whirlwind of a story that was that kept you happy. Surely, we need more like that.
Another film, Moonstruck, kept us laughing. With actors from Cher, Olympia Dukakis, Nicolas Cage and Vincent Gardenia! With these, great fun was guaranteed.
Other movies giving us laughs include Groundhog Day, My Cousin Vinny, The Big Lebowski, A Fish Called Wanda, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (and other Python issues).
A few more: Death at a Funeral, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, A Night at the Opera (slapstick), The Odd Couple, Tootsie, When Harry Met Sally, M*A*S*H, and Support Your Local Sheriff.
What we liked about It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World was its great cast in this zany adventure. Our favorite loud voice, Ethel Merman, was on key again. Wow, can she belt it out, dialogue or song.
Some may have laughed at Caddyshack. We thought that really was a seriously dumb, useless and not funny movie. But it is still around. Nor did we feel entertained by Borat. Not my cup of tea.
What is good today is that with streaming television, many of these can be watched on your television without costing you a penny more. It’s a way to enjoy streaming services, so take advantage of it.
Tonight or some day, pull up an older comedy movie, and escape the everyday morass. About any of those above will do, and lower your blood pressure with your laughing.
What’s your favorite comedy movie? Let us know.
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