ROTTEN TOMATOES: Peter Segal Talks About His Five Fave Films

Peter Segal Talks About His Five Fave Films

The Get Smart director talks about his movie education.

by Alex Vo | May 12, 2008

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Director Peter Segal has spent time with The Klumps, gone on 50 First Dates, and lived through Anger Management. This year, the go-to guy for summer comedies is gearing up to Get Smart, the spy spoof update starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Alan Arkin that's out June 20. Read on to find out Segal's five favorite movies as told to RT.

The Godfather: Part II

I'm sure this is on practically everyone's list of favorites, but if I'm being totally honest I have to start here. I've made sequels and I know how hard they are to do well. The fact that this movie won Best Picture is a testament to how successfully Coppola topped his own masterpiece. The flashbacks are pure genius, and give it a completely different feel from the first movie.

I've watched this film probably more than any other, and have learned so much from it. How a character can deliver key information in a wide master with his back to the camera... in very dim light? I can imagine the studio notes: "I can't see who's talking. Where's the coverage?"

Dr. Strangelove

A masterpiece. Kubrick is one of the most fascinating directors of all time. The fact that this movie sits alongside 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining in his filmography is mind-boggling. Peter Sellers was so understated.

This movie constantly reminds me how comedy is funnier when you ground it in real circumstances. The more dramatic the stakes, the more you can mine laughs out of people who have to squirm through those situations. I still try to emulate Kubrick's sense of editing and composition. I patterned a war room scene in Get Smart after the one in Strangelove.

Young Frankenstein

Talk about a movie that holds up... this is the king. I remember the first time I saw this in Westwood when I was a kid. I've never heard an audience go that nuts before in a theater.

This movie, probably more than any other, made me want to do comedies. It's so grounded and faithful to the Boris Karloff version. That's what makes it so great. Mel stayed within the boundaries of the original, and then pushed it an inch further for the laugh. That's what he did with Get Smart [the TV show], too. He took the premise of James Bond and pushed it that same inch. It's such a delicate balance... and one that he has mastered.

The Natural

This movie is my ultimate guilty pleasure. I'll admit it, when Randy Newman's score kicks in as Redford's final homerun is blasted through the stadium lights into the stratosphere? I don't just have chills, I'm a weeping bag of tears and snot.

I love everything about this movie: Caleb Deschanel's spectacular cinematography, Randy Newman's iconic score that I ripped off from the opening tree house shot in Tommy Boy, to Barry Levinson's amazing direction. This movie is magical. I love stories about second chances, and this movie epitomizes that.

The Right Stuff

Whenever I watch this movie, I want to go out with my son and fire off an Estes rocket in the back yard. I love this movie. I love what it stands for -- exploring the unknown and our deepest fears. I love the era: the space race with the Russians. I love the heroism -- Chuck Yeager had the biggest pair of balls of any man. Ever!

The greatest lesson this movie teaches is the balance of tone. Obviously it has some incredible drama and action, but it also has straight up comedy. It's really hard to juggle those three things in one movie. Harry Shearer and Jeff Goldblum are the perfectly understated comic relief guys. Fred Ward, who I got to work with in Naked Gun 33 1/3, is hilarious. This movie has it all.

(1-20 of 36 posts) | Reply

mberko1 writes:
on May 12 2008 04:47 PM

snore snore.........boring

(Reply to this)

TheFrenchConnection writes:
on May 12 2008 04:58 PM

Yes, why would a director of such mediocre trash list these all time masterpieces? That always pisses me off. If you understand good films, strive to create them! People are so unambitious. Look at Speed Racer, all the money in the world, they could've made any project they wanted, and chose that garbage. Stupid world.

(Reply to this)

John Z. Delorean writes:
on May 12 2008 05:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#1732876)
Exactly, Dude puts out trash and then wants people to think that he loves and understands the media with these obvious picks for someone wanting people to think wow this guy knows his stuff! "I still try to emulate Kubrick's sense of editing and composition", yeah I definitely see the influence like when Professor Klump serenades Janet Jackson with the Mexican band it's just so Clockwork Orange.

(Reply to this)

SociallyVolatile writes:
on May 12 2008 05:38 PM

Yeah, he shouldn't be able to like good movies. Ugh. Just because his movies aren't masterpieces doesn't mean he can't enjoy or draw inspiration from others.

(Reply to this)

count_of_monte_cristo writes:
on May 12 2008 05:45 PM

In reply to this comment (#1732905)
seriously quit being ignorants people

(Reply to this)

darth_chef writes:
on May 12 2008 05:47 PM

Young Frankenstein Kicks A$$

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lestatthevampire writes:
on May 12 2008 06:01 PM

Me and him are like, one.

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Bruce Campbell writes:
on May 12 2008 06:10 PM

Caleb Deschanel got a mention so I'm happy.

Who ever the hell he is he kicks ***.

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WhatKnockers! writes:
on May 12 2008 06:11 PM

Since when does someone need to be an Oscar winner to appreciate great movies? I'm glad to see this guy knows classic movies and offers an homage to them in his. Mel Brooks does that all the time. There's a reason why Segal's movies have grossed close to $1 billion. He makes very funny movies that tons of people really like!

(Reply to this)

knowingtoast85 writes:
on May 12 2008 06:20 PM

I understand good films.

I just want to make retreads of "Red Dawn" and "Conan the Barbarian."

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foolshill writes:
on May 12 2008 07:11 PM

Digging the picks Segal. Well done. John Z, you're an angry man. Please stop tainting the Reds with your rage.

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tomwaitsjr writes:
on May 12 2008 07:22 PM

Hey! I want to know Uwe Boll's top 5! =)

I bet they are films he directed. . .

I thought he was going to ask questions from RT peeps, is he chickening out?

(Reply to this)

Alex Vo writes:
on May 12 2008 08:10 PM

In reply to this comment (#1733018)
Stick around. :)

(Reply to this)

zturner writes:
on May 12 2008 08:11 PM

Tommy Boy is a Masterpiece!!! Just saw it again this weekend. One of the best!!

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arendr writes:
on May 12 2008 08:12 PM

While these are good movies, they're pretty unimaginative choices.

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Jen Yamato writes:
on May 12 2008 09:46 PM

Yes, just wait til you see Uwe's list...we did indeed ask, and he shared.

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joescannura writes:
on May 12 2008 10:09 PM

its a little boring, you always want to see something you've never heard of, or one you love, but it's the guys favorites. he can like whatever he wants. greatness or trash, whatever, who's to judge but him. hopefully hell make a movie near the level of godfather pt.2 at some point or strangelove.

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FerrellFan writes:
on May 12 2008 10:18 PM

I love every time RT does a director's Top 5. It's so fun to read what and why. Thanks RT!

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N720MF writes:
on May 13 2008 12:08 AM

"If you understand good films, strive to create them!"

How ****ing idealistic of you. If it was that easy ... and you know the rest.

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BReeG writes:
on May 13 2008 01:47 AM

In reply to this comment (#1733139)
Truly, I cannot wait. Are they all his, seeing as he is the only genius in the whole ****ing business?

(Reply to this)