Best mockumentaries

Best Mockumentaries

Best Mockumentaries. Movie studios have released dozens of great 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.

‘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  is about to be answered with the release of “lost footage” from the failed Apollo 18 mission.

‘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 McKean

Synopsis: After the death of a legendary folk music concert promoter, the cream of ’60s folk artists reunites for a tribute show in his honor.

‘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.

‘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 to investigate the urban legend of “The Blair Witch.”

‘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, 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.

‘Borat’

Release date: Nov. 3, 2006

Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson, Luenell

Synopsis: A TV reporter from a Central Asian country, Borat goes on a mission to the U.S. to learn more about the red, white and blue — and to get a former “Baywatch” babe to marry him.

‘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.

‘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 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.

‘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 that the whole film is just another elaborate Banksy prank.

‘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, “Farce of the Penguins” features the love lives of penguins and reveals what the birds really think about their mating rituals.

‘Forgotten Silver’

Release date: Oct. 28, 1995

Stars: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes, Harvey Weinstein, Sam Neill, Thomas Robins

Synopsis: The man who brought us “The Lord of The Rings” shines in this earlier work. The mockumentary uncovers the life and works of a genius filmmaker that had been lost to history.

‘FUBAR’

Release date: May 24, 2002

Stars: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Gordon Skilling

Synopsis: A cult classic out of this North American country, “FUBAR” follows two mullet-sporting friends Terry and Dean as they cope with Dean’s recent diagnosis.

‘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 hosted in this city.  Much of the film is improvised, but all the poker matches are real.

‘I’m Still Here’

Release date: Sept. 10, 2010

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Antony Langdon

Synopsis: The product of this young director, this mockumentary follows Joaquin Phoenix’s supposed retirement from acting and his attempt to make it as a rapper.

‘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 exposé. The story takes another turn when the film crew starts to see things in the deep loch.

‘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. The film explores the mystery behind a 16-year-old girl’s drowning and uncovers her secret double life.