The best mockumentaries movies- Mockumentaries movies that adopt the style of a documentary to tell the story over the years, including "Apollo 18," released this week. Some, like the "Paranormal Activity" films use fake "found footage." Others, like "This is Spinal Tap," are parodies. Here's a look back at some of the most memorable examples of this unique movie style.
'Zelig'
'Zelig'
Release date: July 15, 1983
Stars: Mia Farrow, Woody Allen
Synopsis: Leonard Zelig can transform himself into anyone he's around. The incredible skill earns him worldwide fame, but Zelig also known by his nickname, The Human Chameleon, Leonard Zelig , must eventually face the downside of his unique talent.
'Waiting for Guffman'
'Waiting for Guffman'
Release date: Jan. 31, 1997
Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Bob Balaban, Parker Posey, Fred Willard
Synopsis: A local community theater in the "stool capital of the world", the town of Blaine, Missouri, United States, prepares the performance of a lifetime after rumor circulates that big-time Broadway producer Mort Guffman will be in attendance.
'This is Spinal Tap'
'This is Spinal Tap'
Release date: March 2, 1984
Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Harry Shearer
Synopsis: This film follows the comeback tour of heavy metal band Spinal Tap. Between band member arguments and stage prop proportion problems, the tour proves more difficult than the aging rockers expected.
'Take the Money and Run'
'Take the Money and Run'
Release date: Aug. 18, 1969
Stars: Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Janet Margolin, Lonny Chapman, Marcel Hillaire
Synopsis: This Woody Allen classic is a mockumentary about the life of Virgil Starkwell, a floundering, amateur bank robber whose failed music career led him to a life of petty crime.
'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'
'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'
Release date: March 22, 1978
Stars: Eric Idle, Ricky Fataar, John Halsey, Neil Innes, Michael Palin, Bianca Jagger, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd
'Paranormal Activity'
'Paranormal Activity'
Release dates:
"Paranormal Activity," October 14, 2007
"Paranormal Activity 2," October 22, 2010
"Paranormal Activity 3," October 21, 2011
Stars: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs,
Synopsis: Filmed using this technique, found footage, these horror films tell the story of a young couple that is haunted by the supernatural. After the success of the first film, 'Paranormal' Now the Most Profitable Film Ever , the producers drew large audiences for the prequel film "Paranormal Activity 2" and will release another prequel, "Paranormal Activity 3," next month.
'Man Bites Dog'
'Man Bites Dog'
Release date: Oct., 1992
Stars: Benoît Poelvoorde
Synopsis: A chilling dark comedy from this country Belgium reveals what happens when members of a small film crew following the life of a serial killer get increasingly caught up in the madman's heinous crimes, even becoming accomplices in his murders.
'Lake Mungo'
'Lake Mungo'
Release date: 2008
Stars: Talia Zucker, Rosie Traynor, David Pledger
Synopsis: Unlike most mockumentaries, there's nothing funny about this psychological horror film set at the real Lake Mungo in this country Australia. The film explores the mystery behind a 16-year-old girl’s drowning and uncovers her secret double life.
'Incident at Loch Ness'
'Incident at Loch Ness'
Release date: Sept. 17, 2004
Stars: Werner Herzog, Zak Penn, Michael Karnow, Kitana Baker
Synopsis: A documentary within a documentary, cameras roll as artistic differences cause tensions on set of a Loch Ness Monster monster's name Nessie, exposé. The story takes another turn when the film crew starts to see things in the deep loch, Scotland, Loch Ness is United Kingdom.
'I'm Still Here'
'I'm Still Here'
Release date: Sept. 10, 2010
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Antony Langdon
Synopsis: The product of this young director Casey Affleck, his actor brother Ben Affleck, this mockumentary follows Joaquin Phoenix's supposed retirement from acting and his attempt to make it as a rapper.
'The Grand'
'The Grand'
Release date: March 21, 2008
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Chris Parnell, Cheryl Hines, David Cross, Werner Herzog, Richard Kind, Dennis Farina, Ray Romano
Synopsis: A cast of eccentric characters is filmed as they take on The Grand poker tournament, The Grand poker series, hosted in this city Las Vegas, Nevada, hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada. Much of the film is improvised, but all the poker matches are real.
'FUBAR'
'FUBAR'
Release date: May 24, 2002
Stars: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Gordon Skilling
Synopsis: A cult classic out of this North American country Canada, "FUBAR" follows two mullet-sporting friends ,the haircut is also known as this Hockey Hair, Terry and Dean as they cope with Dean's recent diagnosis.
'Forgotten Silver'
'Forgotten Silver'
Release date: Oct. 28, 1995
Stars: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes, Harvey Weinstein, Sam Neill, Thomas Robins
Synopsis: The man Peter Jackson who brought us "The Lord of The Rings" shines in this earlier work. The mockumentary (from this Oceanic country New Zealand) uncovers the life and works of a genius filmmaker that had been lost to history.
'Farce of the Penguins'
'Farce of the Penguins'
Release date: Jan. 30, 2007
Stars: Bob Saget, Jamie Kennedy, Whoopi Goldberg, Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Harvey Fierstein, Lewis Black, Mo'Nique, Samuel L. Jackson
Synopsis: A spoof of a nature documentary March of the Penguins, "Farce of the Penguins" features the love lives of penguins and reveals what the birds really think about their mating rituals.
'Exit Through the Gift Shop'
'Exit Through the Gift Shop'
Release date: April 16, 2010
Stars: Banksy, Thierry Guetta, Shepard Fairey
Synopsis: This "documentary" work of the notorious street artist Banksy unveils how a bit of money and buzz can turn an absolute nobody into a highly successful artist. Banksy plays it off like the film's events are genuine, but many speculate, Exit through the gift shop hoax , that the whole film is just another elaborate Banksy prank.
'Drop Dead Gorgeous'
'Drop Dead Gorgeous'
Release date: July 23, 1999
Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Brittany Murphy, Amy Adams, Mindy Sterling, Sam McMurray
Synopsis: A documentary team descends upon the town of Mount Rose (in this Midwestern state) to get a look inside the world of teen beauty pageants. The cameras catch it all as the competition gets heated and the pageant contestants start dropping like flies.
'CB4'
'CB4'
Release date: March 12, 1993
Stars: Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Charlie Murphy, Chris Elliott, Deezer D, Phil Hartman
Synopsis: This film chronicles the rise of rap group CB4 and reveals that the hard-core rappers may not be as "street" as they claim.
'Borat'
'Borat'
Release date: Nov. 3, 2006
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson, Luenell
Synopsis: A TV reporter from a Central Asian country Kazakhstan, Borat his full name Borat Sagdiyev goes on a mission to the U.S. to learn more about the red, white and blue -- and to get a former "Baywatch" babe Pamela Anderson to marry him.
'Bob Roberts'
'Bob Roberts'
Release date: Sept. 4, 1998
Stars: Tim Robbins, Alan Rickman, Giancarlo Esposito, John Cusack, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, James Spader
Synopsis: Based on the short sketch featured on this TV show Saturday Night Live, the full-length "Bob Roberts" film chronicles the senate campaign of a far-right, folk-singing politician and the liberal journalist trying to expose his corrupt dealings.
'The Blair Witch Project'
'The Blair Witch Project'
Release date: July 30, 1999
Stars: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams
Synopsis: A creepier kind of mockumentary, this film follows a group of film students who take to the woods in this East Coast state Maryland, United States, to investigate the urban legend of "The Blair Witch."
'Best in Show'
'Best in Show'
Release date: Sept. 29, 2000
Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Hitchcock, John Michael Higgins
Synopsis: Another great work by mockumentary specialist Christopher Guest, this film offers an inside look at the barking-mad world of dog shows and the pooches’ quirky owners.
'A Mighty Wind'
'A Mighty Wind'
Release date: April 16, 2003
Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, Harry Shearer, Michael McKeanz
Synopsis: After the death of a legendary folk music concert promoter Irving Steinbloom , the cream of '60s folk artists reunites for a tribute show in his honor.
'Apollo 18'
'Apollo 18'
Release date: Sept. 2, 2011
Stars: Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie
Synopsis: Why did we never go back to the moon? That decades-old question, Moon walk July 20, 1969 , is about to be answered with the release of "lost footage" from the failed Apollo 18 mission.
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