The Best Satire Movies Of All Time
A rare brand of cinema which effortlessly encompasses witty, dark and occassional hilarious humour with underlying socially and politically relevant messages throughout, without being too preachy. These movies often have 1 or 2 memorable characters with beautiful and crisp storylines. There aren't much of them, so savour the very best of this rare and unusual breed.
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- DirectorRajkumar HiraniStarsSanjay DuttArshad WarsiGracy SinghA gangster sets out to fulfill his father's dream of becoming a doctor.Dir: Rajkumar Hirani
This heart-warming, side-splittingly funny and adequately emotional tale from India, presents a whole new take on the medical fraternity while imparting valuable new lessons for lessons for all those involved in the profession and also others, without ever demeaning the profession or the personnel in any way. Some great songs and top notch performances by 'Sanjay Dutt', 'Boman Irani', and 'Arshad Warsi' and a lovable cameo from the legendary 'Sunil Dutt'. - DirectorRajkumar HiraniStarsSanjay DuttArshad WarsiVidya BalanMunna Bhai embarks on a journey with Mahatma Gandhi in order to fight against a corrupt property dealer.Dir: Rajkumar Hirani
This sequel to the title above, is just like its predecessor. Its heart-wrenching, side-splittingly funny and adequately emotional, but this time, Munnabhai, in his own unique way, imparts lessons to the entire human race by inadvertantly becoming an avid 'Gandhian' follower. Without ever being preachy, 'Gandhiji's' philosophy is made relevant even today through a simple yet crisp story and wonderful direction. Once again some great songs and flawless performances by 'Boman Irani', 'Arshad Warsi', 'Vidya Balan' (a welcome addition to the cast), and most of all 'Sanjay Dutt' in a role that shall forever be remembered with fondness in movielore. - DirectorRajkumar HiraniStarsAamir KhanMadhavanMona SinghTwo friends are searching for their long lost companion. They revisit their college days and recall the memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently, even as the rest of the world called them "idiots".
- 19641h 35mPG8.4 (519K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.Dir : Stanley Kubrick
Oscars : 4 Nominations (including best picture)
The big daddy of all satires, this classic directed by 'Stanley Kubrick' (argubaly the greatest director in the history of cinema, who could helm a classic in just about genre), showcases war in all its peril, edginess and tension like never before with the most sublime dark humour interspersed with the wittiest dialogues ever. This gem stars 'Peter Sellers' in multiple roles like never before, in plausibly his greatest performance(s) ever, along with George C. Scott also in a memorable role. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinVirginia CherrillFlorence LeeWith the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically.Dir : Sir Charles Chaplin
The master of this genre, 'Sir Charles Chaplin' (probably the most gifted entertainer ever, who directed, wrote, produced, composed the music, edited, and even starred in his movies all at the same time), helmed this beautiful tale of human relations and emotions in the wittiest, most ironical and sensitive way in which you couldn't even begin to imagine. Some of the scenes are side splitting hilarious (especially check out the boxing scene), while some of the emotional moments remain with you for a long time after. Why wasn't this movie even nominated for any 'Oscars' beats the hell out of me. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardJack OakieDictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.Dir : Sir Charles Chaplin
Oscars : 5 Nominations (including best picture)
Like I had mentioned earlier, 'Sir Charles Chaplin' was truly the master of this genre. This hilarious masterpiece (which I ranked with much deliberation after 'City Lights')even manages to project 'Hitler' in a lighter, caricatured vein, without ever compromising on the harsh realities of his sinister demeanour. Repeated viewings of 'Charlie Chaplin's' globe playing scene and his concluding monologue are recommended. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardHenry BergmanThe Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.Dir : Sir Charles Chaplin
Another hilarious classic from 'Sir Charles Chaplin's' stable, here the tramp forewarns us about the jeopardy of excessive industrialisation, materialisation and commercialisation under the guise of technology, advancement, and comfort and the consequent breakdown it shall have on human relations, feelings, and on humanity as a whole. Once again I can't even begin to fathom the 'Academy Awards'' blatant disregard to such classics and it looks like 'Charlie Chaplin's' name was constantly obscured to their vision. - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMady CorrellAllison RoddanA suave but cynical man supports his family by marrying and murdering rich women for their money, but the job has some occupational hazards.Dir : Sir Charles Chaplin
Only a master of this genre could make us enjoy, sympathise, comprehend, and in some people's cases, even empathise with a serial killer's motives. The very methods employed by 'Charlie Chaplin' while he's going in for the kill, are so downright hilarious, that we tend to forget that here's a normal man that metamorphosed into a cold-hearted serial killer on the prowl, irrespective of whatever the reasons might be. The concluding monologue might just be a tad better than his concluding speech in 'The Great Dictator'. This masterpiece also goes conveniently unnoticed by the 'Oscar Pannel'. - DirectorFrank CapraStarsGary CooperJean ArthurGeorge BancroftA unassuming greeting card poet from a small town in Vermont heads to New York City upon inheriting a massive fortune and is immediately hounded by those who wish to take advantage of him.Dir : Frank Capra
Oscars : 1 Win & 4 Nominations (including best picture)
This heart-warming and feel-good satire from ace director 'Frank Capra', literally makes us sit back and take a reality check of how far we have disconnected from the simplest happinesses of life and also from our fellow beings. 'Gary Copper' is just fantastic (as always) as the courageous, dashing, yet naive and caring simpleton. - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsGeorge ClooneyJohn TurturroTim Blake NelsonIn the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.
- DirectorJonathan DaytonValerie FarisStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteGreg KinnearA family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartJean ArthurClaude RainsA naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his character.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneMary Kay BergmanWhen Stan Marsh and his friends go see an R-rated movie, they start cursing and their parents think that Canada is to blame.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
- DirectorVikas BahlNitesh TiwariStarsIrfan KhanSanath MenonRohan GroverA gang of innocent but feisty kids who lead carefree lives in Chandan Nagar colony takes on the big bad world of politics when one of their friend's life is endangered.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsGary CooperBarbara StanwyckEdward ArnoldA penniless drifter is recruited by an ambitious columnist to impersonate a non-existent person who said he'd be committing suicide as a protest, and a social movement begins.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracySidney PoitierKatharine HepburnA couple's attitudes are challenged when their daughter introduces them to her African-American fiancé.
- DirectorUmesh ShuklaStarsParesh RawalAkshay KumarMithun ChakrabortyA shopkeeper takes God to court when his shop is destroyed by an earthquake.
- DirectorGauri ShindeStarsSrideviAdil HussainMehdi NebbouA quiet, sweet tempered housewife endures small slights from her well-educated husband and daughter every day because of her inability to speak and understand English.
- DirectorGeorge SeatonStarsEdmund GwennMaureen O'HaraJohn PayneAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.
- DirectorJay RoachStarsWill FerrellZach GalifianakisJason SudeikisAn incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.
- DirectorDavid FrankelStarsAnne HathawayMeryl StreepAdrian GrenierA smart but sensible new graduate lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine.