2004 Movies : Documentary

With Morgan Spurlock

Why are Americans so fat? Find out in "Super Size Me", a tongue in-cheek—and burger in hand—look at the legal, financial and physical costs of America's hunger for fast food. Ominously, 37% of American children and adolescents are carrying too much fat and 2 out of every three adults are overweight or obese. Is it our fault for lacking self-control, or are the fast-food corporations to blame? Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock hit the road and interviewed experts in 20 U.S. cities, including Houston, the "Fattest City" in America. From Surgeon Generals to gym teachers, cooks to kids, lawmakers to legislators, these authorities shared their research, opinions and "gut feelings" on our ever-expanding girth. During the journey, Spurlock also put his own body on the line, living on nothing but McDonald's for an entire month with three simple rules: 1) No options: he could only eat what was available over the counter (water included!); 2) No supersizing unless offered; 3) No excuses: he had to eat every item on the menu at least once. It all adds up to a fat food bill, harrowing visits to the doctor, and compelling viewing for anyone who's ever wondered if man could live on fast food alone. The film explores the horror of school lunch programs, declining health and physical education classes, food addictions and the extreme measures people take to lose weight and regain their health. "Super Size Me" is a satirical jab in the stomach, overstuffed with fat and facts about the billion-dollar industry besieged by doctors, lawyers and nutritionists alike. "Would you like fries with that?" will never sound the same!

With Morgan Freeman • Harry Thomason • John Camp • Douglas Jackson • Nickolas Perry • Paul Begala • Sidney Blumenthal • David Brock

An exploration of a sustained and well-funded effort to discredit and defeat Bill Clinton, dating from his gubernatorial days in Arkansas and eventually leading to his impeachment trial.

With Michael Moore • George W. Bush

Michael Moore examines what happened to the United States after September 11; and how the Bush Administration used the tragic event to push its agenda. It's a documentary that will trace why the U.S. has become a target for hatred and terrorism. It will also depict alleged dealings between two generations of the Bush and Bin Laden clans that led to George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden becoming mortal enemies.

With Marc Savoy • Mosie Burks • Minnie Bates Yancey • Louis Schwartzberg • Jan Ross • Ann Savoy • Vincent Ueber • Roudy Roudebush

America is a vast country--three thousand miles from end to end. But it's not the land that makes America so special--it's the people. Filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg packed-up his camera and hit the road, with a goal of capturing both the unparalleled beauty of the land and the incomparable spirit of the people. He connects with people, capturing their values, dreams, and passion in a journey that reveals the stories--unusual, captivating, inspiring and emotional--that make Americans into something more than a collection of individuals. It's a celebration of a nation told through the voices of its people.

With James Hetfield • Bob Rock • Joe Berlinger • Kirk Hammett • Jason Newsted • Lars Ulrich • Torben Ulrich • Phil Towle • Robert Trujillo • Dave Mustaine • Bruce Sinofsky

Three years in the making, this new film from acclaimed documentary filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky provides a fascinating, in-depth portrait of the most successful heavy metal band of all time, as they faced monumental personal and professional challenges while recording their first studio album of original songs in five years. In the tradition of such seminal music documentaries as "Don't Look Back" and "Gimme Shelter", "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" seeks to transcend the conventions of the "rock 'n' roll movie" genre, trading rock-star posing for truthful introspection, and revealing an intimate portrait of the individuals behind a legendary band and their unique creative journey.

With Darrick Doerner • Jane Kachmer • Stacy Peralta • Titus Kinimaka • Greg Noll • Dave Kalama • Peter Mel • Agi Orsi

" Riding Giants" takes us along surfing's timeline from it's early Polynesian roots, to its rebirth in the early 20th Century, to the development of a fledgling surf culture along the coast of Southern California in the 1940s highlighting the group of extraordinary adventurers that emerged: surfers who, not satisfied with the mere recreational and social aspects of the sport, began searching for bigger and bigger waves, pushing the boundaries of performance to explore the "unridden realm." Riding Giants is the story of these big wave riders, of where and how their quest began, of the classic characters who throughout the eras chased their dreams out into the blue water, and of the surfers who still do today, riding 50, 60 and even 70 foot waves in a manner once considered the realm of fantasy.

With James Cullingham • Ken Walker • The Flying Burrito Bros • Sha Na Na • Bob Weir • Rob Bowman • Janis Joplin • The Grateful Dead • Buddy Guy • Phil Lesh • Rick Danko • John Till • Kenny Gradney • Eric Andersen • Mickey Hart • Richard Bell • Sylvia Tyson • Jerry Mercer • David Dalton • Mash Makan • Jerry Garcia • Ken Pearson • Bob Smeaton

In the summer of 1970, a chartered train crossed Canada carrying some of the world's greatest rock bands. The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, and others lived together for five days, stopping in major cities along the way to play live concerts. Their journey was filmed.

With Tom Dowd • Scott Gordon • Ray Charles • Eric Clapton • Les Paul • Mark Hunt • Mark Moormann

If you picked some of the all-time great albums in American rock, soul, and jazz, chances are one name might be found on the back of almost every one: Tom Dowd—the secret behind five decades of brilliant music, an unsung hero, producer and recording pioneer. From the perfection of live mixing to the introduction of eight-track recording, the mythology of exactly how much impact Dowd has had is still up for grabs. His diverse and genuine love of work is remembered in part through intimate interviews with several musical icons and personal friends.