I’m looking for new movies to watch, and those two genres tend to be my favorite.
Also, movies where the main character has committed a major crime, but that can be any genre.
Very Bad Things
The Matador
In Bruges not only fits the bill (dark comedy about a guy who commits a major crime), but was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while.
Frailty was a pretty good psychological thriller.
And I’ll throw in Quick Change, where Bill Murray plays a clown who robs a bank. It wasn’t particularly dark though.
Dark comedy:
A Serious Man
Citizen Ruth
Happiness
Thriller:
Lost Highway
The Machinist (I didn’t care for it, but my friends liked it and it is well done)
Memento
Caché
I just watched World’s Greatest Dad a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was hilarious, and wouldn’t have rented it but figured no loss if I used Watch Instantly on Netflix. But it turned out to be something I would not have regretted renting.
It’s pretty darn dark, and I think Robin Williams was perfectly cast. He does that stuff well, much to the disappointment of people who see his name on the bill and think they’re going to get Mork.
Run away from Happiness (no offense or anything, but that was NOT a good movie.
I came here to mention Frailty.
A day late and a dollar short I guess. But it’s still a great movie. I’ve seen it four times and still catch little hints to the ending. I guess if I laid off the sauce I might understand it a bit more. (hic).
I’ll go with *Eating Raoul. *There’s an early role for Robert Beltran (Chakotay from ST: Voyager) and it’s just funny as all get out.
Living in Oblivion is a pretty cynical comedy–not really dark as in deaths and horrors, but sharp nonetheless. Also it has the best dwarf dream sequence ever.
Highway 61 is a little-known movie about the Devil and a jazz musician. The musician isn’t all that interesting, but the Devil is a real scene-stealer.
Death to Smoochy
Kind Hearts and Coronets, hands down.
I’ll see yours and raise you with Arsenic and Old Lace.
Yeah, but the main chracter doesn’t really commit a crime in that one.
And he rather shamelessly overacts, to boot.
I loved this movie.
Dark humor.
A little cheesy.
It’s all good.
For dark comedy, I’d go with Sean of the Dead.
From Dusk Till Dawn isn’t supposed to be a comedy (or is it?), but it’s damn funny.
Can’t believe no one has suggested The Cable Guy yet.
Black Comedy:
After Hours (1985, U.S., dir. Martin Scorsese)
Dr. Strangelove (1964, U.K., dir. Stanley Kubrick)
“Psychological thriller” is a hopelessly vague term. Here’s some that might be what you want. I really don’t know what kind of films you’re asking about:
Blood Simple (1985, U.S., dir. Joel Coen)
House of Games (1987, U.S., dir. David Mamet)
Play Misty for Me (1971, U.S., dir. Clint Eastwood)
Zombieland
Dark.
Funny.
Accidental-on-purpose killing.
Hateful clown.
Murder-by-piano.
Celebrity cameo.
Woody Harrelson kicking ass.
Loud hard rockin’ soundtrack.
Twinkies.
.
.
.
.
PERFECTION !!
Only watch Happiness if you like movies that can be described as “dark comedies” by some viewers and “the most heinously nauseating, soul-crushing, oh dear God why did I watch that WHYYYYYYY” by others.
Happiness is one of the bleakest, repulsive and yet downright hilarious films I’ve ever seen. It’s a masterpiece of dark comedy, in my opinion it’s a near perfect example of the genre. It is a polarizing film, however, I don’t doubt that.
How to be a Serial Killer is pretty decent. Kind of a Mockumentary and buddy flick, I think I found it particularly funny as it stars Matt Gruber of Criminal Minds as the apprentice of a serial killer.