Product Description First, he was bugged by the almighty burger, now Oscar®-nominated renegade filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) is biting the hand that feeds him by exposing Hollywood’s dirtiest little secret: the games they play to get advertisers’ products strategically placed in movies and on television. Spurlock uses his irreverent comedic style to infiltrate corporate boardrooms and ad agency pitch meetings to show how far they will go without our even knowing it! .com Since the advent of recording devices and on-demand services, consumers have been bypassing commercials like never before, so advertising agencies have stepped up their use of product placement. In The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) renders the process transparent as he documents his attempts to get Madison Avenue to fund his film. After a flood of rejections, he takes a series of meetings with companies willing to align their brand with his--and make no mistake, Spurlock is as much a brand as Donald Trump or Outkast's Big Boi, who show up to talk about product endorsement. The director's entertaining and enlightening journey even leads him to a juice purveyor that opens its wallet for placement above the title--hence the name of the pomegranate beverage which appears on all promotional materials. As one observer puts it, "You're selling out, but not selling out." For perspective, Spurlock solicits commentary from progressive thinkers, like Ralph Nader and Noam Chomsky, and Hollywood types, like J.J. Abrams, who created Lost, and Quentin Tarantino, who admits that a certain all-night diner rejected his offer to appear in Reservoir Dogs. Spurlock even travels to São Paulo to take a look at their ban on outdoor ads: no billboards or messages on cabs and buses, rendering the city clean and downright dull for those accustomed to American-style marketing. The film as a whole resembles a full-length version of a Mad Men pitch meeting--but funnier. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
N**E
It contains a snippet of Altoona, PA
I visited Altoona, PA when it was briefly renamed POM presents the Greatest movie ever sold. It was interesting to watch, but being only a long commercial, I would not watch it again.The movie arrived as expected and was in fine shape.
M**S
Why isn't this movie more famous?
Spurlock's "Supersize Me" is rather well known, but his other films are worth watching, too. I enjoyed "Greatest Movie," especially because I watched it with my advertising-student daughter, so I understood it more than I could have on my own. But it would be fascinating for anyone who would like to see what goes on behind the scenes of product placement. But be warned -- after watching this movie, you will be compelled to go right out and buy some POM Wonderful!
M**M
The best documentary for consumer kids to see
I saw this once and had to buy it. It is smart, funny and can be eye-opening to those less knowledgable about what goes on in the branding industry. I gave this to a pre-teen to wake them up to what they are consuming and it worked for the better. Spurlock is both funny and keeps it light while also educating people about how much influence the companies that are household names control what goes into making movies they back and how much control they exert. The teens who saw it loved it, so this is a very approachable documentary with great production values.Kudos to the companies that had the guts to back him. I made it a point after to let each one know that their willingness to peel bak they veil is why I have at least tried their products (still not rich enough to “try” a Mini). And not surprisingly, those companies tend to actually have quality products since they can stand the scrutiny Spurlock shines on them. Also, it was vey cool on Mane and Tail to allow one of Spurlock’s best jokes… Still waiting for that great POM commercial Morgan pitched but was shot down. C’mon POM: I know that you are a Jewish mother [the POM Marketing VP] but surely your kids have a sense of humor. Do it for the children. ;)
I**L
Good but not his best.
Morgan Spurlock is famous for "Supersize Me", the McDonald's binge eating documentary and also did a TV series called 30 days where he did lots of different things for 30 days each. He's great at documentaries and he's super funny! This one however doesn't really do it for me. It's an interesting idea (funding a movie about ads and sponsors by using only money from those ads and sponsors) but it just comes off a bit dry. I don't think it's his fault it's just the topic. Like I said, interesting and somewhat funny but the premise I think is inherently empty.
J**T
Worth a Watch!
I have enjoyed everything Morgan Spurlock has produced and this is no exception, its pithy honest and not over the top. Morgan tackles issues while remaining objective in a way that I always wished my homie Micheal Moore had done. I could watch his tv shows and documentaries with my republican parents without making too much of a stir which is perfect for helping us all get closer to the same page on the issues that matter to me. That said this isn't really a home run in the way most all of his other stuff has been, presumably we are feeling the effects of some compromise that was inevitable given this concept: How to sell out and still tell the story you WANT to tell #impossible in that way this film more perfectly illustrates the concept it set out to illustrate that all the world is watered down by our need to avoid offending big business and interest groups that control with their dollars. $$$$ worth a watch.
B**S
not as good as his other movies
not as good as his other movies, but an important message. I use this in my community college nutrition class to teach of media manipulation.
K**N
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold - DVD
I saw this movie in the theatre and loved it. Couldn't wait for it to come out in DVD. Bought 2. One for a friend and one for me.Mr. Spurlock's take on how a movie raises money is "transparent". When you see a movie, you see a box of some product. The company that makes that product pays a sum to the producers for the product to be seen.Mr. Spurlock went all out and called it. The whole move is "sponsor driven" and his humorous dialogue and filming of the process is hysterical.Love this film - Also liked his previous documentary "Super Size Me".
B**N
Oh The Irony
I rate this movie a 5 star. I rate this item, the DVD, a minus 1 with no star. Here's the problem with the DVD....If you like being forced to watch previews of coming attractions that you CAN NOT skip through before being allowed to view the feature film, then this DVD is for you. But not for me. I got my new copy, couldn't get through the previews so I took that DVD, which was attempting to take control of this consumer's life, and threw it right into the trash. Great Movie, however, the company that distributed this DVD has many "coming attractions" on the front that can not be negotiated through. THAT company sucks to high heaven. Too bad. Of course this is just one man's opinion, now shared.
D**T
Yawnomentary
Spurlock is a hugely likeable and charismatic chap and I get what he was trying to achieve here but it fails really to live up to expectation. The entertainment value is pretty much zero and what he has to say could have been stretched to five minutes... just.I can only see his films moving in One Direction from now on.Geddit?
S**B
Educational Use
The film is interesting and presents information that perhaps not all are aware of.But, I used it in class for educational purposes and it is too long and too dry to keep the pupils (17 yrs old) attention for the full film.
C**E
Sorry to say it bored me
my husband loved it I didnt .didnt really follow success of super size me
A**E
Hilarious and educational
Hilarious and educational. Watch for an education in marketing.
M**F
Excellent
Usual thought provoking stuff from Spurlock.
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