SuperSize Me

[Soulstation1]

anyone seen this flick?

it finally made it to town today

30 days of mcdonalds sounds like bad news

i heard after this year the supersize will not longer be offered

RIP SuperSize

ss1

[Dan Gould]

What I thought was funny (and frightening) that when the guy went into the sauna, he filled the room up with the aroma of cheesburgers.

That's just too frightening to contemplate.

[Hardbopjazz]

Didn't he also gain 25 pounds in 30 days?

[AfricaBrass]

I'm really happy this is getting a regular release. I don't know if I'll bother to see it in the theatre, but I'll definitely rent it.

[undergroundagent]

I actually saw this film prior to its release at the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto. The creator spoke at this event. It's a very good documentary, although I can't say it really had a huge impact on my perception on fast food. I mean we all know that it's bad. That said, it was insane what happened to this guy's body after eating Mickey D's for thirty days straight.

[BeBop]

This sort of thing makes me ashamed to have been an American. No, not McDonalds. The guy who made the film. Anything for a buck, eh? (You think the results weren't all expected? You think they were based in some sort of reality?) And we criticize Bush for pursuing a war with Iraq as a foregone conclusion.

The lowest common denominator drops again.

And thanks to American ingenuity, there's now a sucker born every 28 seconds...

[Dan Gould]

I don't understand your response, Bebop.

Wasn't the guy inspired by the fact that McDonalds says they serve healthy food? Wasn't he further inspired by the assumption that if he eats healthy food, he will maintain a healthy body?

Perhaps the movie wouldn't need to be made (and he wouldn't have been ispired) if McDonald's acknowledged that they serve crap that might be safely consumed once or twice a month but isn't part of a healthy diet. Then again, that kind of honesty won't grow their bottom line.

[Soulstation1]

didn't this guy go to mcdonalds for breakfast,lunch and dinner for 30 days?

90 times in a month

ss1

Edited May 28, 2004 by Soulstation1

[BeBop]

I don't pay a lot of attention to McDonalds advertising, so I won't comment on that. But I'll bet they don't claim that everthing they sell can be eaten without limitation. Did he eat everthing they offer, including dressing-free salads? Doubtful. It wouldn't have supported his agenda.

Moreover, the filmaker was apparently fit, athletic and either a vegetarian himself or married/dating one - he was NOT a clueless buffoon.

[RDK]

When did McDonald's ever say that they served healthy food? (I'm assuming they did at some point, though I don't recall hearing it myself.) Even more astonishing, who ever believed them if they did?

I'm sure the doc is amusing, but can it really be that illuminating? I mean, c'mon, every idiot knows that eating fast food (and nothing but) for a month straight is bad for you.

I sure hope the guy's next doc isn't about gun wounds to the head...

[AfricaBrass]

I don't understand the anger towards the filmmaker.

It's not like he filed a lawsuit against them or anything. He just showed what happens if you eat this kind of food as your main diet.

There are many people in the U.S. who do this.

[Hardbopjazz]

There were 3 kids in NY whose family were trying to sue McDonalds for making them fat. They ate there everyday. You don't need a PHD to know eating fries every day will make you fat. This was over a year ago. Don't know if anything ever came of this. IT's the people suing cigarettes companies. It says on the packaging, can cause health problems.

Edited May 28, 2004 by Hardbopjazz

[neveronfriday]

It's amazing how stupid some people can be.

Let's see. Microsoft says it has a safe and user-friendly system. Why don't we get some filmmaker, preferably someone in the American government, who installs this OS in everything available: every appliance in his house, his car, the elevators at work; if he happens to be someone up the echelons of government, in his communication systems and his weapons of mass destruction.

That should add a whole new degree of difficulty to life at home and international relations.

Duh.

On top of that, why not find a filmmaker who tests to see if the warning labels about sticking little kids' heads into plastic bags are actually true?

Someone to try every available penis enlarger on the market?

Someone who buys every Norah Jones-type of CD available and actually listens to them because the labels say it's the best thing since sliced bread?

Reminds me of a Jonathan Carroll book in which hell turns out to be a 24/7 showing of Jane Fonda movies.

I'd like to see a filmmaker with a bit of common sense.

That would be nice.

Ain't too many of them around.

Edited May 28, 2004 by deus62

[AfricaBrass]

I'd like to see a filmmaker with a bit of common sense.

That would be nice.

Ain't too many of them around.

I think this guy had a great idea. It's not like he was making a film about Russian Roulette. He knew it wasn't going to kill him.

McDonalds has claimed in the past that their food is healthy (search around the internet and you'll find these quotes).

I think he did a favor for those people who are in denial about this kind of food. This is a real problem in the U.S. - Obesity is out of control.

For a filmmaker who is so stupid, he sure seems to be doing quite well with this film. He'll probably have a real career because of it.

[neveronfriday]

I'm sorry, but I simply do not believe that obesity is out of control because people don't know that a Big Mac is not diet food.

That would mean that, for example, smokers aren't aware of the health issues. Of course they are. They are just in denial about it. No film is going to cure them.

And getting yourself fat as a pig to prove a mute point, in my eyes, is just dumb.

Cheers!

Edited May 28, 2004 by deus62

[AfricaBrass]

That's cool Deus!

I guess I just see many Americans being in denial about their health. I think we're one of the more brainwashed nations in the world. If you've ever read the book "Fast Food Nation" you'd be disgusted at the marketing for this garbage that is aimed at the very young. This truly is a fast food nation, unfortunately.

There are a lot of smart people that make stupid decisions. So, I guess I'm just happy to see anything that might influence someone to make a positive change in their life.

:rsmile:

[neveronfriday]

That's cool Deus!

I guess I just see many Americans being in denial about their health. I think we're one of the more brainwashed nations in the world. If you've ever read the book "Fast Food Nation" you'd be disgusted at the marketing for this garbage that is aimed at the very young. This truly is a fast food nation, unfortunately.

There are a lot of smart people that make stupid decisions. So, I guess I'm just happy to see anything that might influence someone to make a positive change in their life.

:rsmile:

Well, you've got a point there.

Certainly.

I did read the book. It's just as disgusting a marketing ploy as getting kids their first alcohol fix with the so-called alco-pops, which they have just made a lot more expensive in Germany (and, being a teacher, I just know that this, again, was of course the wrong move ... a legislative reaction like that to a social problem is never a good idea - it'll just make it more attractive again to go for the strong stuff since it is almost equally expensive).

I also think that fixing problems such as these is probably beyond any filmmaker. I mean, how are you going to portray all the problems that make people eat/drink/smoke ... in one single film?

Catch-22 all around, me thinks.

[maren]

When did McDonald's ever say that they served healthy food? (I'm assuming they did at some point, though I don't recall hearing it myself.) Even more astonishing, who ever believed them if they did?

I'm sure the doc is amusing, but can it really be that illuminating? I mean, c'mon, every idiot knows that eating fast food (and nothing but) for a month straight is bad for you.

McDonald's Press Release 04/29/2004

Media Statement: McDonald's Response to "Super Size Me" Movie

Our focus remains on our customers, not a movie.

McDonald’s has always been committed to playing a constructive, responsible role in developing solutions to our customers’ lifestyle needs – offering more menu variety, promoting physical activity, and supporting consumer education.

Our customers are smart. They know what’s best for themselves and their families. And our customers continue to trust McDonald’s, because they know we offer a wide variety of high-quality food choices.

This movie is all about one individual’s decision to act irresponsibly by consuming more than 5,000 calories a day - - twice the recommended level for adult males - - and by purposely limiting his physical activity. That’s why this movie makes no contribution to the important dialogue taking place today on nutrition and balanced lifestyles.

We see no reason to respond to Morgan Spurlock when so many other experts have already spoken out on the film’s distortions and irresponsibility, including those consumers who voluntarily are conducting their own independent 30-day McDonald’s diet to disprove his over-the-top behavior.

We continually listen to our customers to add even more choice and variety to our menu such as Premium Salads, Chicken McNuggets made with white meat, the GoActive! Happy Meal with a pedometer and bottled water, and expanded options for our traditional Happy Meal, including Apple Dippers and 1% milk.

Customers in the U.S. can get comprehensive nutrition information through in-store brochures, McDonald’s website or a customer toll-free number. In another effort to get nutrition information to our customers, McDonald’s is adding nutrition facts and figures to our trayliners worldwide. This hands-on resource will help assure that customers have the information they need in our more than 30,000 restaurants.

McDonald’s is working closely with real experts on nutrition and fitness: scientists, government leaders, educators, and national advocacy groups. Morgan Spurlock is late to the national dialogue. By shocking instead of informing, he has missed an opportunity to be part of the solution.

For More Information Contact McDonald's: Walt Riker, (630) 623-7318

[DrJ]

I have to say I agree with the people who think this was a stupid idea for a movie - and I'm a DOCTOR.

Look, I've been practicing for 12 years now and I've never yet met a person who honestly did not know that fast food, when consumed with anything more than occasional frequency, would contribute to health problems. This includes people with mental retardation and the least educated, most disadvantaged people you can imagine - THEY ALL KNOW. It's not about "lack of awareness" or "gee, I wonder if a steady diet of fast food really is bad for me?" - it's about choices, which people make for their own reasons.

So what possible of use could come from this movie?

You certainly can't make a legitimate case for raising public health awareness.

I have to say, this seems to be a movie catering to the "we're so stupid we need safety labels on our Quarter Pounders" mentality out there. I can't think of a more disrespectful way to view your fellow man - "they're too stupid to know that a constant diet of junk food will rot your insides, I better make a movie so they know." Jeez. I'll pass.

This country is in BIG trouble. If Bush doesn't kill us all, then surely the popular mass media and the "blame anyone but myself" mentality they are promulgating (and so many are happily willing to assume - hey, it's all about actions, with no personal responsibility, SIGN ME UP for that gig!) will.

AfricaBrass - I have read Schlosser's book. While it's interesting on some levels and fairly well-researched, and imminently well-intentioned, it's also ultimately way over the top and symptomatic of the "out of my hands" view of the world. Advertising is advertising, and again I remain amazed that anyone would take a corporate ad at face value. In honesty, I think very few people do...but many more use it as an excuse.

If you don't want kids exposed to incessant fast food ads, then turn off the TV, control their viewing hours, etc. Feels good and good for you. Yeah, I know, they'll see it at a friend's house, but it's the constant media bombardment suffered by so many kids (whose primary babysitter is the tube) that's the problem, not an occasional glimpse here and there.

Check this out - there ARE some pretty healthy fast food choices, just say no to the big burgers if you're worried about health:

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/fastfood/l/...are+Restaurants

Edited May 28, 2004 by DrJ

[AfricaBrass]

I have to say I agree with the people who think this was a stupid idea for a movie - and I'm a DOCTOR.

Look, I've been practicing for 12 years now and I've never yet met a person who honestly did not know that fast food, when consumed with anything more than occasional frequency, would contribute to health problems. This includes people with mental retardation and the least educated, most disadvantaged people you can imagine - THEY ALL KNOW. It's not about "lack of awareness" or "gee, I wonder if a steady diet of fast food really is bad for me?" - it's about choices, which people make for their own reasons.

So what possible of use could come from this movie?

You certainly can't make a legitimate case for raising public health awareness.

I have to say, this seems to be a movie catering to the "we're so stupid we need safety labels on our Quarter Pounders" mentality out there. I can't think of a more disrespectful way to view your fellow man - "they're too stupid to know that a constant diet of junk food will rot your insides, I better make a movie so they know." Jeez. I'll pass.

This country is in BIG trouble. If Bush doesn't kill us all, then surely the popular mass media and the "blame anyone but myself" mentality they are promulgating (and so many are happily willing to assume - hey, it's all about actions, with no personal responsibility, SIGN ME UP for that gig!) will.

Okay... I give up.

You are a doctor. I defer to you.

[Guy Berger]

I think he did a favor for those people who are in denial about this kind of food. This is a real problem in the U.S. - Obesity is out of control.

Not just in the US -- obesity is becoming a bigger problem throughout the world. Lawsuits against fast food joints are pretty silly, but I think that it's a good thing that people are more aware of what's contained their food.

Guy, who ate a McNugget meal today

[Jazzmoose]

Advertising is advertising, and again I remain amazed that anyone would take a corporate ad at face value. In honesty, I think very few people do...but many more use it as an excuse.

Hey, if it didn't work, companies wouldn't spend the money they do on advertising. Studies have shown (and forgive me, I don't have the links at hand) that even educated people who think they are on guard are affected by advertising.

[Tjazz]

So, did anyone spend real money to see this film?

I'd wait for the video and borrow it from the library.

Can't see who would really want to spend $$ to see the film at the theater.

Might as well see Shek2 or something fun.

It probabaly helps McDonalds in the long run - free advertising.

[BruceH]

I saw it in the theater and had a great time. I prefer seeing most movies on the big screen to TV, anyway. More impact. To all those who are bashing the filmaker or the film I say this: See the movie, then get back to me. Many of you are missing the point or simply mischaracterizing a film that you haven't seen.

By the way, it's funny and informative. A helluva film. I give it four Big Macs.

[chris olivarez]

30 days of McDoanlds. Beyond gross. Even worse than Joe Bialek spam.