Judd Apatow Movies suck!

[Jmlsuperman]

I went to a showing of "Pineapple Express" last night. Needless to say the movie had 3 good laughs, all delivered by the character of RED, played by Danny McBride. I had high hopes for this one, but once again, the Judd Apatow stable of comics let me down again. Not one of his comedies are funny, and they are all 30 to 45 minutes to long. I have a soft spot for "40 Year Old Virgin" only because I work with Steve Carell on "The Office" and we would have endless conversations about that movie during shooting. But I have now put Judd Apatow films on the Netflix Queue. I just didn't see why "Knocked Up" was the funniest movie of the year, or "SuperBad" for that matter. But after PE, no more Judd Apatow theater experiences for me.

What say you?

[wofford29]

They are not for everyone, but I enjoy most of them. Anchorman is one of the funniest movies of the last 10 years.

[CelticPredator]

I agree with that ^.

Pinapple is the best comedy ALL year, its action packed, AND quite funny.

[Kabukiman]

What say you?

I respectfully disagree?

I don't think the appeal of Apatow's movies is in the comedy, but in that his characters are very relatable. Most people can watch an Apatow film and say "I was that guy once" or "Hey, I know that guy" to virtually any character in his films.

To me, they are funny, but I think the broader appeal is that people can relate to Apatow's characters.

[RJMacReady16]

It's not that he "isn't funny"....

He's just extreeeeeemely overrated.

Knocked Up was a trainwreck, yes...but his other stuff is humorous.

[CelticPredator]

Knocked Up was great, I enjoyed it alot. It was both funny, and had a heart.

[Luchador138]

I agree that he's branched way out from say Freaks and Geeks but I like all the stuff he's done with the exception of Walk Hard his weakest atempt by far.

[RJMacReady16]

I agree that he's branched way out from say Freaks and Geeks but I like all the stuff he's done with the exception of Walk Hard his weakest atempt by far.

See I completely forgot about that one.

What a mess....:monkey4

[Hightreker]

I've liked the one's I've seen.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall would be at the top of my list.

[Brent72]

Haven't seen Pineapple Express yet, but I love most of the other Apatow flicks(40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, etc).

[Darklord Dave]

I loved Walk Hard - easily the funniest film of that time. Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall are all top form comedy as is 40 Year Old Virgin. I liked Pineapple Express far more than Step Brothers, which I thought was abysmal.

[TheObsoleteMan]

After suffering through 40 Year Old Virgin I've yet to give another movie with his name attached a shot. I've got Pineapple Express in the netflix queue so I guess we'll see about that one...

[scubasteve]

They are not for everyone, but I enjoy most of them. Anchorman is one of the funniest movies of the last 10 years.

Anchorman is monumental.

[CelticPredator]

I have...many leather bound books. My home smells of rich mahagoni.

[RJMacReady16]

"It's made from bits of real panther...so you know it's good..."

[gabberjawa]

i'm not really a fan either. with one exception- The Cable Guy (which he produced)

That was definitely pre-Apatow renaissance, comedy domination, whatever this is to be designated as. Pre- Freaks and Geeks even.

[screamingmetal]

I really only like Anchorman. The others that I've seen are okay, they have great characters but are a little short on laughs. I have yet to see Walk Hard or Sarah Marshal.

I didn't know he produced the Cable Guy. I'm one of the few that likes that movie, yet it's still not as funny as Anchorman.
Aren't they making an Anchorman sequel? I hope it lives up to the original.

[RJMacReady16]

I really only like Anchorman. The others that I've seen are okay, they have great characters but are a little short on laughs. I have yet to see Walk Hard or Sarah Marshal.

I didn't know he produced the Cable Guy. I'm one of the few that likes that movie, yet it's still not as funny as Anchorman.
Aren't they making an Anchorman sequel? I hope it lives up to the original.

I wasn't aware of that either.

A truly great underrated comedy, and it's sad---I remember critics and fans were burning Jim Carrey alive for taking that role back then.

[Toast]

I personally thought Pineapple Expres was really funny

[screamingmetal]

I wasn't aware of that either.

A truly great underrated comedy, and it's sad---I remember critics and fans were burning Jim Carrey alive for taking that role back then.

They thought it was too dark and creepy for him, but at least it's one of his more original roles. I'll take a Cable Guy sequel any day of the week over a Lair Liar sequel, I hated that movie.

[CelticPredator]

Liar Liar is silly, but Cable Guy ROCKS.

[gabberjawa]

It's kind of dark comedy, and people didn't want to see it at that time.

Ben Stiller is (was) way underrated as a director, too.


Tropic Thunder looks to correct that.


"thankth for the bootht"

[RJMacReady16]

The made-for-TV movie with Eric Roberts was a stroke of comedic brilliance:

[gabberjawa]

Stiller does dark really well (see: his cameo in Happy Gilmore)

http://content8.flixster.com/question/45/74/13/4574138_std.jpg

[Blake]

I really enjoy just about all of the Apatow movies, but I think my favorite thing Apatow has ever done was Undeclared.

[plasmid303]

Of all Apatow productions, my top five:

5. Heavy Weights
4. 40 Year Old Virgin
3. Freaks and Geeks
2. Undeclared
1. Anchorman

(Forgetting Sarah Marshall gets a honorable mention. It was a good spirited comedy. Really enjoyed it).

Saw Pineapple Express on Saturday and I thought the first half hour was a great movie.

[Zoolander]

I enjoyed, Superbad, Knocked up and The 40 year old virgin!

But I didn't really Like Forgetting Sarah Marshall...I only went to see it cos of Russell brand (Aldous Snow) but I realised after watching it that he REALLY CAN'T ACT :lol his whole 'performance' was just him being how he is in everyday life.


He still rocks though :D

[Dusty]

I think he's totally overrated. Some of the older stuff was okay, but I think it started going downhill with 40 Year Old Virgin, which I enjoyed but did not see it as the second coming in comedy like many did.

Superbad was really not good - I laughed like once. Mostly I was just sitting there wondering why people think this is cool? Knocked Up - same thing. Heard rave reviews about both from many trusted friends, checked my brain at the door, and still thought they were second rate. Luckily I didn't have to pay for them :p

Sorry, I guess I just need more than fart humor, drugs/drinking shenanigans, and bodily fluid jokes in my comedies. See, for instance, Stranger Than Fiction. Brilliant AND fall-out-of-my-chair hilarious... and not one fart joke or kick in the groin! :lol And unfortunately completely underrated :(

Not that I don't enjoy that sometimes... I LOVE Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber :rotfl Just something about the newer Apatow stuff seems like he's just phoning it in for the cheap laughs.

CANNOT WAIT for Tropic Thunder :banana

[wofford29]

http://i35.tinypic.com/atq5mu.jpg

[Dusty]

http://i35.tinypic.com/atq5mu.jpg

Anchorman counts as 'older' - came out before 40 Year Old V. Definitely hilarious :lol

[The ill Jedi]

I'll agree that Apatow's movies are not for everyone, but they are infinitely better than those stupid Parody movies (Scary Movie, Date Movie, Meet the Spartans :monkey4) and anything the American Pie and National Lampoon camps have put out recently, those are just horrible. :yuck

Dusty, you are wrong about Superbad it ruled...:nono

...but you are right about Stranger Than Fiction, it was brilliant!! :rock

Oh and BTW, Pineapple Express was F'N AWESOME!! JAmes Franco should be nominated for something in the comedy category! Who new he was a comedic genius!?

[Darklord Dave]

I think there's a nostalgia factor for certain members of the audience for a film like Superbad (I know there is for me) - and the whole McLovin subplot was frakin brilliant. In fact I guess it's really just certain moments from the films that make them memorable "You know how I know you're gay?" from 40 Year Old was hilarious and completely improvved.

But stupid humor is hit and miss with me - I loved Something About Mary but couldn't even tolerate Dumb & Dumber. The Farrellys are far more inconsistent than the Apatow crew I think.

[The ill Jedi]

I think there's a nostalgia factor for certain members of the audience for a film like Superbad (I know there is for me) - and the whole McLovin subplot was frakin brilliant. In fact I guess it's really just certain moments from the films that make them memorable "You know how I know you're gay?" from 40 Year Old was hilarious and completely improvved.

But stupid humor is hit and miss with me - I loved Something About Mary but couldn't even tolerate Dumb & Dumber. The Farrellys are far more inconsistent than the Apatow crew I think.
I agree 100%

[Dusty]

I think there's a nostalgia factor for certain members of the audience for a film like Superbad (I know there is for me) - and the whole McLovin subplot was frakin brilliant. In fact I guess it's really just certain moments from the films that make them memorable "You know how I know you're gay?" from 40 Year Old was hilarious and completely improvved.

But stupid humor is hit and miss with me - I loved Something About Mary but couldn't even tolerate Dumb & Dumber. The Farrellys are far more inconsistent than the Apatow crew I think.

See, I thought the whole McLovin' thing was ridiculous. Not even a laugh from me. Weird. My male (non-internet) friends agree... maybe i just hang out with the wrong people, but none of it was anything like our high school experience. It's like those movies that show 'what girls REALLY do at sleepovers'... like have pillow fights in their panties and stuff... that doesn't happen. It's put into a movie for cheap thrills. Kind of like how I felt about the entire Superbad film... cheap laughs... "This is the stereotypical high school / teenage experience, so you better laugh" type of thing.

I much more identify with stuff from something like 'Breakfast Club' and 'Say Anything' and the John Hughes movies as the typical high school experience. Even 'Dazed and Confused' is more my high school style. Maybe I'm too old! :horror

But you're right, the "You know how I know your gay" part of 40 Year Old was pretty funny. I laughed at that scene, and at the end when they're all singing 'Age of Aquarius' and dancing around. But the film as a whole gets a big 'meh' from me. Just didn't make me want to watch it again or recommend it to friends as anything special.

Actually, of the Summer 2005 comedies, 'Wedding Crashers' is my favorite.

Farrellys - for sure! And the Spinal Tap / Best in Show mockumentaries are brilliant.

[Darklord Dave]

See, I thought the whole McLovin' thing was ridiculous. Not even a laugh from me. Weird. My male (non-internet) friends agree... maybe i just hang out with the wrong people, but none of it was anything like our high school experience.


Perhaps you and you're friends are too young. See, I had lots of nights like that in high school (only we didn't end up with the girls). :(

I love the John Hughes movies, I'm a little surprised they resonate with someone who wasn't a teen when they came out. But I do think that there are some great moments in Apatow's work that rival the best of Hughes - especially in Freaks & Geeks.

[Luchador138]

Perhaps you and you're friends are too young. See, I had lots of nights like that in high school (only we didn't end up with the girls). :(

I love the John Hughes movies, I'm a little surprised they resonate with someone who wasn't a teen when they came out. But I do think that there are some great moments in Apatow's work that rival the best of Hughes - especially in Freaks & Geeks.

I agree in the new movie Pineapple Express they show high school again, and its way different from when I went(graduated in 2000) but related more with Freaks and Geeks (takes place in the 80s) its funny when I started watching that show I was a freak and now realize I loved the geeks more since thats what I am at heart.

[wofford29]

Perhaps you and you're friends are too young. See, I had lots of nights like that in high school (only we didn't end up with the girls). :(

I love the John Hughes movies, I'm a little surprised they resonate with someone who wasn't a teen when they came out. But I do think that there are some great moments in Apatow's work that rival the best of Hughes - especially in Freaks & Geeks.

Maybe it's just the area or school she grew up in. Dusty are you Quaker? I'm probably younger than Dusty, but there wasn't a character in Superbad that I couldn't peg as someone from my school. I think it's one of the most accurate, though exaggerated looks at a high schoolers life. Hell we were worse, I can't imagine what it's like now days.

[CelticPredator]

I've had nights like that. ^^^^ing hated it. I dont drink, or smoke, so its pretty much hell. And I hate the whole "DUDE! WE GOTTA PICK UP GURLS 2 GET SUM!1!" When I know they arent. We spend half the night roaming around our town lookin for some "chicks" to ^^^^. God its boring. Mabye i'd rather find a girl that means something to me, rather then a ^^^^ buddy.

Sorry. Off topic.

And our school is worse. But funny.

[Jesseawilson]

I just saw PE today and while I didn't find it hilarious I did enjoy it. Maybe it's because I have never smoked pot that it wasn't as funny as it could have been, on the other hand I loved Grandma's Boy so maybe that's not it. The best line int he entire movie was when they were telling him to get down in the hole and he said "No I don't want to go down there!! What you got down there, a Rancor?". Man I laughed my ***** off at the stoner logic in that.

[EVILFACE]

They are amusing, but not fall out your seat hysterical.

[Dusty]

Maybe it's just the area or school she grew up in. Dusty are you Quaker? I'm probably younger than Dusty, but there wasn't a character in Superbad that I couldn't peg as someone from my school. I think it's one of the most accurate, though exaggerated looks at a high schoolers life. Hell we were worse, I can't imagine what it's like now days.

:mwaha

No, but I was a huge band nerd, and a soccer player and honor student, so maybe my crowd was just different than the 'typical' teenage experience in 1992-95. John Hughes films were the classics of my group, it was like a right of passage to watch them all. Just switch out the 80s music for Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and that was us. It was the start of some of the 'raves' so some did hard drugs (acid, X, etc), but mostly the hardest was pot and 24 cans of Dr. Pepper in one night's sleepover.

[wofford29]

:mwaha

No, but I was a huge band nerd, and a soccer player and honor student, so maybe my crowd was just different than the 'typical' teenage experience in 1992-95. John Hughes films were the classics of my group, it was like a right of passage to watch them all. Just switch out the 80s music for Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and that was us.

Sure....."This one time at band camp!"

Sounds like you grew up like my wife, only subtract the cool music part.

[praxitas]

hard drugs (acid, X, etc),

I kinda remember them as being the fun drugs :confused:

:lol jk

:naughty

In all seriousness going back to superbad. If you didn't laugh when he was all nervous standing at the counter paying for the liquor then out of no where gets knocked into next week something is wrong. THAT was funny.

My wife really enjoyed it, but not as much as me. I think Dave eluded to this earlier, it gave me tons of high school flashbacks. From the perverse swearing (which has still carried on in life) to wanting to nail the hot chick (or whatever depending how drunk you got). That was high school. She was amazed at some of the things that happened in the movie that I had a story about from my younger days... Oh to go back to that time :angelsmil

[screamingmetal]

Both the Breakfast Club and Superbad had characters that were pretty much typical of my high school, with one exception, the total lack of gangbangers.
Must be a LA thing.

[Ryanfromindiana]

Ms. Ryanfromindiana and I just got back from seeing this..we both loved it. I laughed too loud several times at unexpectedly funny moments. My guess is the folks who don't like it wear British Knights. :lol

:huh:huh:huh