Five Favorite Films With Zombieland Director Ruben Fleischer
The man behind this year's hit horror-comedy reveals the films behind the man
Filmmaker Ruben Fleischer is having a very good 2009. The former music video director has seen his debut feature, Zombieland, open at number one at the US box office and take in nearly $75 million domestically, while earning an impressive 89% Fresh rating from critics -- not bad for a horror-comedy road movie revolving around the undead. With the film about to open in Australia, we got the chance to catch up with Ruben and ask him his five favorite films. And a fine list it is, too.
The Blues Brothers (1980, 84% Tomatometer)
I think everybody has their movie when they're a kid that they love, and that was the one that I used to watch over and over again. And it kind of introduced me to soul music, which I hadn't really known about before. Each of those scenes are kind of like a music video in themselves, and I think that definitely contributed to me later becoming a music video director. John Landis went on to direct the greatest music video of all time, so I think it informed him as well.
Rushmore (1998, 86% Tomatometer)
It's a movie that I love and I've watched a ton of times. I think that early Wes Anderson was just so exciting and original, and he reinvented Bill Murray in a really cool way. The specifics of the production design and everything are just super inspiring.
Midnight Run (1988, 100% Tomatometer)
I guess Midnight Run was a big influence on this movie, and it's a movie I've always loved. I just love the combination of Charles Grodin's dry humour and De Niro in, you know, his funniest ever role. It's a great combination of action and adventure.
Down by Law (1986, 88% Tomatometer)
Off the top of my head I'll say Down by Law, the Jim Jarmusch movie with Tom Waits and John Lurie and Roberto Benigni. It just has sort of a weird sense of humour and it's a bit of a road movie itself. It's original in a really cool way.
Blazing Saddles (1974, 89% Tomatometer)
[laughing] I wanted to say "all Mel Brooks" but I guess I'll just say Blazing Saddles because of how ahead of its time it was, in terms of the humour and how cutting edge it was. It really pushed boundaries.
(1-20 of 25 posts) | Reply
on Nov 24 2009 10:22 PM All hilarious. And anyone who loves The Blues Brothers is A-OK in my book. It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what? (Reply to this) |
on Nov 24 2009 10:31 PM Awesome list. It's so refreshing to have a director who doesn't list all of the cliche best pics. Instead, Fleischer clearly picks movies which influenced him. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 24 2009 11:34 PM Cute list. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 12:12 AM Good list. And thanks for not having Godfather on there. Someone finally just put out a list that's not jut to impress everyone. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 25 2009 02:11 AM In reply to this comment (#2565032) Exactly. It seems that most people who give lists of "favorite" movies on here actually give lists of "What I Want Other People to Think I Think are the Best Movies Ever," rather than what films they enjoy the most. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 06:00 AM yeah totally yeah (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 25 2009 06:31 AM People breathing a sigh of relief because The Godfather isn't someone's favorite movie. Pathetic but highly original. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 08:30 AM good list especially with blues brothers one of favorite movies of all time (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 09:31 AM Not much as far as descriptions go, but, DOWN BY LAW was indeed amazing. Benini really lit up the screen with an awesome energy. The Cinematogrphy was really good. I wouldn't put it in my top 5, but I do watch it at least once or twice a year. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 10:14 AM Great list! Nice to see Midnight Run and The Blues Brothers make one of these lists. Grodin Rocks! (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 11:17 AM Figures . . . no-just kidding; ALL OF THESE ARE CLASSIC . . .and Zombieland is classic. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 25 2009 12:20 PM I think I'm going to keep my eye out for Jim Jarmasch's "Down By Law" (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 01:39 PM Love midnight run, Robert Deniro certainly showed his comic geninus in this film. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 02:33 PM great list, but i didnt like rushmore as much. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 03:07 PM "The Blues Brothers" is one of my favorte films from my childhoo.d I watched it all the time. Then I saw the sequel. Childhood, ruined. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 04:33 PM Maybe the best and most honest list I've ever seen on here, Blazing Saddles, Rushmore and Down by Law are especially awesome. (Reply to this) |
on Nov 25 2009 05:12 PM ok, this list is really good..... it's a list of favorites, not the best movie cookie cutter stuff. midnight run never gets old (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 25 2009 10:37 PM Midnight Run is the best buddy cop type film ever. De Niro is hilarious. (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 26 2009 06:05 AM Hi all, are you looking for NSA fun or serious relationship with REAL cougars. Or maybe find a sugarmomma who can pay all your needs? ==:: Cougarlure.Com ::== is dedicate to get REAL cougars, sugarmommas and cubs find each other. Keep it real please! (Reply to this) |
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on Nov 26 2009 09:34 AM In reply to this comment (#2565436) I will not keep it real. (Reply to this) |
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