I’ve admired Judd Apatow’s work even since Heavyweights in 1995. I’ve followed his career from The Cable Guy (which I loved) to the short lived Freaks and Geeks television show, which Apatow wrote and produced. Sure, Celtic Pride was really, really, REALLY BAD. And that’s coming from a Bostonian who had friends in the movie. But The 40-Year Old Virgin is probably the best comedy in the last 10 years.
I write about films and filmmakers I enjoy, but I find it extremely ironic that things have taken a complete 180. No, Apatow is not reviewing a film I directed, but he has instead written a nice article on movie critics and his relationship with criticism.
The fact that Apatow freely admits that he reads everything anyone writes about him (”I like to put my name in the Google news and blog alerts and receive every single thing written about me and my work on the Internet”) probably suggests that he’s reading this very article, about his article - how odd.
Anyway, It’s fascinating to see a filmmaker openly discuss his feelings about the whole review process. Sure, it probably helps that his new film, Knocked Up, is getting glowing reviews all over the place.
“On this day, when the reviews are good, I say to all who have written anything about a project of mine: You have always been right about everything. And you continue to be right today,” Apatow writes.
You can read Judd’s full guest column at MTV.com (yes, we hate the annoying flash interface too).
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:16 pm
No one goes to the movies for fun anymore, and it’s the critics fault. Seriously how can you go to a movie looking for plot holes, lack of character development etc. etc. etc? One reviewer didn’t like the furniture in one particular film. I never watch the trailers and I don’t read the reviews until after I have seen a movie. Just spoils the fun. If you watch al of the trailers you have seen all the good parts ( out of order and context ) and if you read the reviews you know the story ( sorry plot, theme, subplot(s) ). Cinematography, Art direction, Set decorations, good grief if I had to watch for all of this stuff I’d hate all the movies I went to too.
Wait … am I being critical? ;-)
March 25th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Maybe just a bit cynical…
You can easily watch movies with a keen eye for details that yo mentioned, and still enjoy them. Although I do agree with you on the bit about trailers…I’m beginning to hate/love them…
But getting back…most people don’t (or at lease I don’t) go into movies LOOKING for plot holes/lack of character development…it’s just that if it is there…it tends to irk certain people to the point where they simply need to bash it. (I happen to be one of those people.)
And as far as Cinematography goes…you don’t really need to watch for that, sometimes, if it’s done right…some shots just stand out when they need to, or look oh so natural.