ROTTEN TOMATOES: Judd Apatow Talks About His Favorite Films

Judd Apatow Talks About His Favorite Films

by Matt Atchity | March 20, 2008

Summary

The filmmaker was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about which movies have really influenced him. Back to Article

(1-62 of 62 posts) | Reply

marcholm writes:
on Mar 20 2008 10:41 AM

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Gimy writes:
on Mar 20 2008 10:42 AM

when he has the same similiar cast in his movies/shows...it kicks 2ss. anytime he has Segal/Rogen and crew...i'll see it. together they're about as safe a bet to go to the movies and be entertained as any comedian is nowadays...

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jasper de large writes:
on Mar 20 2008 10:59 AM

cool references. welcome to the dollhouse is classic.

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Gusmão_Raimundo writes:
on Mar 20 2008 11:17 AM

Tootsie is great.

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Seihaku writes:
on Mar 20 2008 11:54 AM

Welcome to the Dollhouse was the ultimate geek/jr. high movie. Modern classic.

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donwillymo writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:07 PM

good movies...i guess.

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tgibfo writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:11 PM

In reply to this comment (#1643655)
zzzz agreed

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bethehero7404 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:16 PM

Yuck , yuck and more yuck

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lumpenprole writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:19 PM

Terms of endearment? Seriously? Wow.

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fmluder writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:47 PM

The people who are yawning probably haven't seen Welcome to the Dollhouse

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mpchitown writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:47 PM

Love being there, the other ones I'd could care less about

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Natedizzledawg writes:
on Mar 20 2008 01:47 PM

wtf Judd, lost a lot of respect.... Terms of Endearment? Your movies kick *** though

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rayofthejungle writes:
on Mar 20 2008 02:04 PM

I think you have to take what Apatow says with a huge grain of salt. The man is a jokester and he is probably just jerking your chains. I guess we'll never know...

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zgberg writes:
on Mar 20 2008 02:10 PM

Welcome to the Doll house...phew...one messed up film, but great!

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sqoon writes:
on Mar 20 2008 02:30 PM

Where do you stupid sallies think Apatow figured out how to combine humor and pathos? Watching Airplane! and Mel Brooks all day?

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rt_hire_me writes:
on Mar 20 2008 03:11 PM

Tootsie is everything he says it is. The scene where Hoffman in drag has to put the baby to sleep is hilarious but it resonates, as does evert scene, from the way he treats Terri Garr's character to his boast about playing a tossed salad.

And I like the word 'maudlin'.

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Young Turk writes:
on Mar 20 2008 03:11 PM

I haven't seen any of those films, they all sound worth a try.

The Pineapple Express is going to be hilarious

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duckmanx88 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 03:20 PM

weird taste in movies. but oh wells. idc. im gonna c all those movies. cept maybe drillbit taylor.i'd rent it instead. step brithers with will ferrel though is gonna be awesome. andthe red band trailer for pineapple express was hilarious

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BowieSwimmer writes:
on Mar 20 2008 03:45 PM

I think this list is superb.
And people that are falling asleep to this list...obviously haven't seen all the films on here.
Apatow is a modern comedy master, and he has chosen some brilliant films to spotlight [especially Welcome to the Dollhouse and Being There].

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Savage_Swing writes:
on Mar 20 2008 03:48 PM

all those movies suck *******, how could one of the best directors in the world get his inspiration from **** movies? someone answer me this...

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danielfrohlich writes:
on Mar 20 2008 04:14 PM

you guys need to pull your head out of your asses and realize how good these movies are.

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joescannura writes:
on Mar 20 2008 04:43 PM

well for savage swing, id say no one has to answer that because he isn't one of the best directors in the world. he's made two funny movies as a director, nothing great. his list is ok, nothing particularly fascinating.

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Paul777 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 04:47 PM

That's gotta be one of the lamest lists I have EVER seen!

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Paul777 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 04:48 PM

That's gotta be one of the lamest lists I have EVER seen!

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smartmoviekid writes:
on Mar 20 2008 06:40 PM

well whoever's saying these movies suck *** ors or whatever probably did not see them. Terms of Endearment did win best pic in the '82 oscars by the way. these films are all respectable, and well apatow films have that language and is contained in most of these films.

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ghostbear91 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 07:58 PM

"Being There" is one of the great comic movies ever. Peter Sellers is percect. You wonder how this character could possibly make outside that house and it's beautiful how he does.

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PornAgainChristian writes:
on Mar 20 2008 08:42 PM

Not surprising, because Apatow's movies suck. So one can see the influence. Every one of his (and Rogen's) 'hit' movies has been nothing but crap stoner & fart jokes and boring 'conversational humor'. Goes to show you how far nostalgia and favoritism will carry a director (and casting other indie-cult faves like Cera so he can mumble monotonously through some of your dialog). If anybody except the creator of Freaks & Geeks (the most overrated show of all time, possibly excepting Arrested Development, and funny how nobody remembers the horror of Undeclared) had made his movies they'd have all gotten worse reviews.

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noir62 writes:
on Mar 20 2008 09:22 PM

regarding the lost Sydney Pollack commentary: I feel the exact same way. Everytime it's released that's the first thing I look for. It was a brilliant commentary on a most perfect film. What's up with that??

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danielfrohlich writes:
on Mar 20 2008 10:35 PM

I remember undeclared and it was great.

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sergiuseling writes:
on Mar 21 2008 12:11 AM

Well this movies are better than anything he ever did, but are not my kind of movies.
Terms of Endearment and Tootsie are fun to watch, but Apatows movies are just plain stupid.

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seriowalker writes:
on Mar 21 2008 03:51 AM

I like all the movies on his list though I find it hard to see how these influenced him. "Being There" is subtle and nuanced, qualities that Apatow appears to know nothing about - all of his movies are just over-the-top shock comedies (though I admit I did like "Forty Year Old Virgin").

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Ashron writes:
on Mar 21 2008 06:44 AM

To all those who think Apatow's list is stupid or his movies suck, I'm sure he'd be devastated to hear that. Oh wait, no he wouldn't. He probably wouldn't give two s**ts for your thoughts, because he's too busy making money and living the dream.

And while I don't like all the movies he mentioned, I can certainly see how they could influence someone.

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shogunblade writes:
on Mar 21 2008 07:54 AM

I've seen 3 of the 5 movies, so I can understand where he's coming from. This has to be the responses of a person who really loves movies and respects in making you like his characters, and not be bored with a bunch of dweeds like you see in the American Pie Sequels, or something that tries to be funny but ends up being weird.

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mootaku writes:
on Mar 21 2008 08:34 AM

So basically Judd Apatow is a homosexual.

Those are the gayest movies I have ever seen...Terms of Endearment? Tootsie? The common theme in all of Mrs. Apatow's movie is homosexuality. Sorry Judd you are a closet homosexual.

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sliknik27 writes:
on Mar 21 2008 10:27 AM

Surprising to see such a variety of influences. It really goes to show how you have to open yourself to a lot of different things to get a feel for making great movies.

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Coyote22 writes:
on Mar 21 2008 11:44 AM

Haven't seen a single one...he must know something I don't.

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FerrellFan writes:
on Mar 21 2008 01:33 PM

ZZZZ's???? Are you kidding me?!

We're getting insight on Judd Apatow's favorite movies! This is awesome.

Okay, maybe I'm a comedy nerd.

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boselecta writes:
on Mar 21 2008 04:39 PM

the last detail makes a lot of sense as a progenitor to Judd's work. Can't get much better than Hal Ashby - a true genius.

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imdeanlabouty writes:
on Mar 21 2008 05:46 PM

Judd Apatow's favorite movies are SO GAY.

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jasper de large writes:
on Mar 22 2008 01:41 AM

a lotta you guys are full of it. this list is 90.2% fresh
i mean, wtf were you expecting, YOUR favorite movies? yall can go eat a D

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on a bender writes:
on Mar 22 2008 08:15 AM

I'd probably put '40 Year Old Virgin' on my list. It's a boring list he's made, though they are all good films. It's good to see an unpretentious list of this kind. No obscure references, no odd foreign films, Apatow is still a very approachable, likeable, interesting and unfussed guy. And a great director.

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banditteeth writes:
on Mar 22 2008 09:10 AM

In reply to this comment (#1645208)
Actually, there is not a single homosexual in any of the movies you mentioned. And so what if there was? Do you hate homosexuals? Sorry mootaku, but you are a closet homophobe. Why don't you go watch a NASCAR race.

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savethemooses writes:
on Mar 22 2008 07:30 PM

PornAgainChristian: You're an idiot for suggesting that Arrested Development is even the slightest bit overrated. I'm guessing you're a fan of Two and a Half Men?

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jkbrotten writes:
on Mar 23 2008 01:40 PM

I can't believe the man who wrote and directed Knocked Up, 40 YOV allowed his name within a thousand f-ing miles of Drillbit Taylor. Went to see it with my girl last night. Walked out. Got refund. Depressing.

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jkbrotten writes:
on Mar 23 2008 01:41 PM

I can't believe the man who wrote and directed Knocked Up, 40 YOV allowed his name within a thousand f-ing miles of Drillbit Taylor. Went to see it with my girl last night. Walked out. Got refund. Depressing.

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zackmitchell writes:
on Mar 23 2008 03:17 PM

The Last Detail and Being There are great movies! Hal Ashby is in my opinion one of the finest and most important directors of all time. Anyone who mentions only 5 of their favourite movies and puts in 2 by Ashby has great taste in my book.

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Schlo-Mo writes:
on Mar 23 2008 05:27 PM

Apatow's list is very obvious sort of like his movies.

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KidA432 writes:
on Mar 23 2008 06:29 PM

Man, most of you mother****ers must never post in the forums or you would all be torn apart.
Seriously explain how Being There is a ****ty movie or how Tootsie is gay. Have you ever seen Tootsie? How could one of Dustin Hoffman's best performance be considered gay? Do any of you know anything about movies or are you all the fools who laugh at Meet The Spartans?

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patrick_mcmurphy writes:
on Mar 24 2008 07:26 PM

I havent even heard of one of these movies. Tootsie...Terms of Endearment.....No-name indy flicks with trash-head actors.

Does that mean I'm retardid?! Well beat me with a stupid stick because I'm going to post anyways.

What about Meet the Spartans?!!! Date Movie?!! American Pie 8!!!

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butanebob writes:
on Mar 25 2008 03:58 AM

mpchitown - the correct saying is COULDN'T care less.

Savage_Swing - inspiration can come from anywhere anytime.

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yony writes:
on Mar 25 2008 05:41 AM

Good list! Terms of Endearment, Tootsie and Being There are great movies!

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yony writes:
on Mar 25 2008 05:42 AM

Good list! Terms of Endearment, Tootsie and Being There are great movies!

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Stuff33 writes:
on Mar 25 2008 08:11 AM

I'm pretty surprised that the guy who produced anchor man, 40 year old virgin, and superbad was inspired by the above movies. I don't care for them, but if it helps him make great comedies, more power to him. I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall last week which is great as well.

You can read my review at: http://thecorner33.blogspot.com/

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whiskeyriver writes:
on Mar 26 2008 10:15 AM

You do NOT belong commenting on a film site, and have terrible taste in films, if you feel that all (or any) of this films suck a**. The only questionable one is Terms of Endearment. But I seriously doubt some of you have even SEEN The Last Detail or Welcome to the Dollhouse. Savage_Swing, bethehero...you are a couple of Grade A morons.

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Crhualsees writes:
on Mar 27 2008 11:02 AM

gun to head, fires

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Schlo-Mo writes:
on Mar 30 2008 05:57 AM

Give them a break. Most of the people who post on Rotten Tomatoes are teenie boppers. They haven't been exposed to too many good movies. Yet.

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raistlin75 writes:
on Apr 12 2008 05:23 AM

In reply to this comment (#1660354)
True, but people who haven't seen these movies shouldn't comment. They are all wonderful movies and I'm sure he'll suprise us by directing something serious on par with some of his favorites. It's good to know that he aspires to more serious fare than what he's done so far.

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Linshaill writes:
on Apr 13 2008 06:04 PM

Seems it is not complete than that in Tallhub.com , ... I have read it on a site named:Tallhub ...

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leftoverhard writes:
on Apr 15 2008 07:14 AM

Being There is one of my favorite movies. I think people were expecting Mr. Apatow to say something along the lines of "Yeah, I love Raging Bull and Caddyshack and The Godfather." Do you think he's going to list every movie he loves? He probably loves most movies, so you pick out a list of strange movies that people will question and watch (or ignore) people freak out. Awesome, Brilliant.

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shedmyskin writes:
on Jun 03 2008 02:52 PM

wow....I suspect at least 70% of the people who claim all those movies suck have seen none of them. I suspect they are under the age of 20, I suspect they will find scary movie 53 original and hilarious. You don't have to like every movie, but to say they are "gay" or "s***y" is pretty....well "s****y". Welcome to the doll house is great.

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BigEarn writes:
on Jun 04 2008 05:37 PM

Dude, dump Rogen and your "crew" already! The lameness is killing me. Knocked up SUCKED. Super Bad SUCKED. Whoever likes those crap bags SUCK as well. Thank you.

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Schlo-Mo writes:
on Jun 29 2008 12:50 PM

In reply to this comment (#1682003)
Apatow is just a checkbook, so there's nothing stopping him from producing a good movie. It would just require him to stop hiring the same talent-free people and to start approving actual scripts.

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