Mockumentary
Though the term was coined in reference to the groundbreaking 'This is Spinal Tap', Rob Reiner cannot claim ownership of the fake documentary genre. Woody Allen's debut as director 'Take the Money and Run' is an early example, but undoubtedly the number of these satirical slices of life has risen of late, reflecting the popularity (and banality) of reality television. Christopher Guest took the format and ran with it ('Best in Show', 'A MIghty Wind', 'Waiting for Guffman'), and classics include serial killer profile 'Man Bites Dog', Lars von Trier oddity 'The Idiots' and of course the cringingly accurate 'The Office'. Check out Alice's collection below.
Knowing Me, Knowing You, with Alan Partridge (1994)
8.2/10
Director: Dominic Brigstocke
Starring: Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Patrick Marber, Doon Mackinchan, John Thomson, Davi...
What is "Knowing Me, Knowing You, with Alan Partridge?" Well, how long is a piece of string? How many people can you fit in a mini? - four, possibly f... Read more
Man Bites Dog (1992)
7.6/10
Director: Andre Bonzel, Benoit Poelvoorde, Remy Belvaux
Starring: Benoit Poelvoorde, Jacqueline Poelvoorde Pappaert
A no-holds-barred portrait of an unashamedly brutal serial killer (played by co-director Benot Poelvoorde). This unique black comedy, shot in document... Read more
Forgotten Silver (1996)
7.6/10
Director: Costa Botes, Peter Jackson
Starring: Peter Jackson, Sam Neill, Costa Botes, Leonard Maltin, Harvey Weinstein, Colin M...
When local Wellington filmmaker Peter Jackson discovers a cache of ancient nitrate in a neighbour's shed, he uncovers the work of Colin McKenzie, earl... Read more
The Office: Series 2 (2002)
8.8/10
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Starring: Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Martin Freeman, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
David Brent returns to work in the office that took Britain by storm and grabbed middle-managers by their balls. His 'unique' management style in this... Read more
The Office: Series 1 (2001)
8.5/10
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
BAFTA-winning comedy about the Slough paper-merchant where life is stationery... David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is a petty, pompous boss who thinks he's... Read more
How To Irritate People (1968)
6.9/10
Director: Anon
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Connie Booth, Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese with the help of Python's Michael Palin and Graham Chapman gives you all the know-how you need to irritate for business or pleasure. Read more
Ali G, Innit (2000)
7.6/10
Director: James Bobin, Steve Smith
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ali G
'Da Old Skool Intraviewz' - Ali G's unique style of questioning on The 11 O'Clock Show brought him instant fame and notoriety. Now the 'official voice... Read more
Kenny (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Clayton Jacobson
Starring: Shane Jacobson, Ronald Jacobson, Eve von Bibra
Kenny, a Melbourne-based port-a-loo installer, is someone who knows the ins and outs of everybody's in and outs. As he goes about his daily business,... Read more
The Idiots (1998)
6.8/10
Director: Lars von Trier
Starring: Bodil Jorgensen, Jens Albinus, Louise Hassing
Concerns a group of people who live in a villa in a small Danish town who share one interest: idiocy. Civilised and intelligent they pretend otherwise... Read more
The Office - The Christmas Specials (2003)
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
The only British sitcom ever to win a Golden Globe returns for two final extended episodes. Much has happened since our last visit to Wernham Hogg. Da... Read more