Super Size Me
Dir: Morgan Spurlock
2004
****
Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me lead the way in what would become the beginning of a new era of investigative journalism at the beginning of the new millennium. Spurlock's mission is clear but never truthfully given. I like Spurlock at lot, he is a likable guy and that is why Super Size Me works but he is first and foremost a film maker, rather than documentarian or activist. He may be against something and/or enjoy something but filming it doesn't make it a documentary. Spurlock challenged himself to eat a McDonalds meal for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for a 30 day period. He had to try everything on the menu at least once, couldn't eat food that wasn't purchased in a McDonalds and had to accept the offer of 'Supersizing' his meal when asked (9 times in total). The results were shocking but not really surprising. Throughout the film, Spurlock talks of America's obesity epidemic and discusses the issue with good humor and statistics but unfortunately his experiment is completely flawed as far as a clinical trial. It is an entertaining film throughout and it raises some very valid points and had impact in the world of fast food but it also paved the way for some somewhat unethical and misleading documentaries that would follow on from its success. It's a shame really, as I believe his results do stand up, they just can't be fully verified based on how he went about the experiment. A game changer, inspiration, fascinating case-point and a very funny film though, so credit due.

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (AKA POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold)
Dir: Morgan Spurlock
2011
****
The Greatest Movie ever Sold (or POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold as it should be known as) is a fantastic documentary from Morgan Spurlock. It's not just very clever, it's also really funny, in fact it's been a while since a film, particularly a documentary, had me laughing so much. Once again Spurlock investigates something that many know of but often overlook, product placement is actually a very important issue that has and will continue to have grave ramifications, especially in the US it seems. The funny thing is that I really wanted a Pom after watching it, proof that product placement works, even when it's been highlighted as a negative thing. São Paulo (where advertising is banned) here I come!

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
Dir: Morgan Spurlock
2011
****
These are my people. I'm a huge Comic geek and attend all the conventions. The cosplay is fun, I don't take part in all that and half the time I have no idea what people are doing, talking about or dressed as but I do love comics and there I can talk to my people and buy stuff I need to complete and keep me happy in my little life. Spurlock captures exactly what the Cons are like and who attends them, Comic-Con is the biggest and ugliest of the lot, I tend to go to smaller ones and ones that are more specific but they're all essentially the same. It's a sad truth about them not being about comics anymore though, something I have found more and more frustrating over the years. It's nice to see a film about something I'm passionate about other than film obviously!