Super Size Me is a cheeky documentary on the fast food industry's contribution to American obesity. Lithe New York based director Morgan Spurlock undertakes a 30 day diet which follows several rules. He can only eat at McDonalds, must eat three square meals a day, must consume everything on the menu at least once and, critically, must supersize every serving if asked.

As his wasteline swells, Spurlock crosses the United States interviewing a range of food and other experts, as well as any number of ordinary people, including several cases of morbid obesity. Spurlock uncovers many interesting facts, though purists will note that at least one of the celebrated experts makes an elementary mistake about the definition of calories/kilojoules. McDonalds executives studiously avoid Spurlock's request for info, but McDonalds staff speak freely enough. Spurlock even uncovers a man who eats a McDonalds hamburger diet - the man is rake-thin.

As the thirty day period draws towards a close, Spurlock is warned by a doctor that his health is at serious risk and his girlfriend (a vegan chef) points out that his sexual performance is no longer up to scratch.

Super Size Me is by turns hilariously funny, gross, thought provoking and sad. Great entertainment.

Tampopo is a tough movie to categorise. Ostensibly, it's a comedy, but it's unlike any comedy that most people have ever seen. The director called it a "ramen Western" - ramen being Chinese noodles. The story centres on recent widow, Tampopo, and her desire to turn her noodle/ramen shop into something great. To this end, she enlists the aid of a wandering trucker by the name of Goro. Goro, it turns out, is the zen master of all things noodle (and food in general), and together their goal is nothing short of total noodle perfection.

This movie is perhaps not intended for the typical moviegoer and not everyone who sees it will love it at first. But anyone who gives it a willing and open mind will find themselves drawn into the movie. The film covers various themes including deception, poverty, family and guilt and entwines them all, in some way, with food. This film both explores and ridicules some of the paradoxes of Japanese society with energy and inventiveness.