I have a couple of items for benkoo.com in the works before the year closes but wanted to distinguish Judd Apatow as my person of the year. Apatow declined to accept in person citing a busy schedule but released a statement that “this was the proudest moment of my entire career”.
For many of you, the name doesn’t ring a bell which is is somewhat of travesty in my opinion. Apatow is the creative mind between the new generation of comedic gems to follow in the foot steps of the Frat Pack movies in recent years (Zoolander, Wedding Crashers, Old School)
Apatow has overseen in some capacity the following films which includes two of my top 5 of 2007
– Walk Hard (writer producer) -haven’t seen it but people keep alerting me on how good it is
– Superbad (Producer)- funniest movies of the year?
– Knocked Up (Director, Writer, Producer) – Apatow should be applauded for his casting of Katherine Heigel (bummed she just got married) as well as the casting of his real life wive as the older sister.
– Talledga Nights (Producer) – poking fun of nascar. Genius.
– Anchorman (Producer)- Steve Carrell and Will Ferrell. Sweet!
– 40 Year Old Virgin (Diretor, Writer, Producer- hilarious and somewhat poignant
Apatow has had a major role in elevating the careers of great actors like Steve Carrell, Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, and John C Reilly. With Apatow’s growing success he was able to reunite his writing team from the defunct television cult classic, Freaks and Geeks.
Freaks and Geeks Clip Below
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FlM-ny3GgX0
Apatow has a handful of movies in the works for 2008 including Pineapple Express, Don’t Mess With Zohan, Drillbit Taylor, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Step Brothers. These films will include the likes of Seth Rogan, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrel, and a handful of other Apatow collaborators.
While its easy to ignore the guy behind the scenes, its even harder to ignore the success and influence Apatow has had on the entertainment scene the past couple of years. His films are often watched several times in theatres as well as on DVD and are staples to the Generation Y demographic.
Congrats Judd, on a successful 2007 and much thanks for picking up the slack for the rest of Hollywood.
