dinomadaan

(2012-04-27 23:12:57)

Probably not scientifically balanced, but thought provoking

I kind of knew going in that this movie would make a case forvegetarian/vegan lifestyle. It was nice that they did that with realscientists with work and publications behind it. I have long known thebenefits of a largely meatless lifestyle myself. As thought provoking and sometimes dramatic that it was, I hesitate togive more credit to the science than due. Just like the two mainscientists featured, there could be numerous others whose studies showopposite results. It's obvious that you have to pick dramatic facts ifyou're going to make it a movie, and that's what they did. Theproducer/narrator's bias was very obvious. That said, the production is of good quality, it portrays someinteresting facts and opinions and is even funny at times. All in all,thought provoking and definitely worth the time. 7/10

josephchammas

(2012-04-27 19:55:34)

You cannot ignore this and hope it goes away.

If you are someone who is serious about your health, this documentarycannot be overlooked. Diet is so important to ones survival in thismodern world that is so important to understand why people are gettingsick, not just dismissing it as oh that person just got unlucky! Thereis a reason why people get serious illnesses and and that reason ismost probably the abuse you have done to your body your whole life. Ihave healed myself with the help and wisdom of nutrition based on someof the knowledge in this documentary. Please try not to take it forgranted just keep an open mind and try to emotionally detach yourselffrom what you think food is to you. It is far more than fillingemotional voids, it is your health and your medicine. I hope peoplereally get this documentary, I loved it!!

leifthor-1

(2012-04-22 21:58:25)

Identifying the health system of food

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to have the position as the ProgramDirector for the Alternative to Meds Center in San Francisco whospecialized in getting people off non-prescription and prescriptionmeds, and a diet with no sugar and white flour (meat was stillincluded) had a huge effect on our patients.I can say I've seen this simple change to people's diets along withsupplying appropriate amino acids the right way completely change theirattitude along with their physical health being given back to them.Thank you so much for making this excellent documentary! It's not allor nothing, and simply shifting or reducing one piece like no caffeineor cutting down white flower or sugar by 50% can make a hugedifference.

cgregerson-1

(2012-04-22 09:29:44)

Feel-good diet with no suggestions for broad implementation

I will start by accepting every single claim in the film as true (Ipersonally believe most are mostly true). In other words, everyoneshould eat a plant-based diet, and we will have radically less disease.Bravo. Now, what are you going to do about it?It's as if the point of the movie is "Everyone should eat well andexercise, and we'll all be healthier". Well, duh! The question is, howdo you transition a society to a completely different diet? You justtell them "You should really eat better" and it magically happens?People should also pollute less, not smoke, and not use illicit drugs-- we know this already. The challenge is the implementation.I believe society will improve in these areas...once we seriouslyaddress implementation on a national level. Efforts to curb smokinghave been effective, because they have been on a national level. Butthis film leaves the viewer with the idea they "must" eat a plant-baseddied now, on their own, or they are to blame for any health problemsthey have. A few people might do this, but what about those who try tomake a radical change to their diet and fail, repeatedly -- like istrue for the vast majority of dieters?It almost gives false hope by implying there is a "simple" solution tothe issue of disease, "just completely change your diet". Ignoringimplementation and pretending the issue is solved makes the film'smessage so short-sighted it is virtually worthless.For example, the film ignores how many people have actually changed totheir recommended diet, versus how many tried and failed; and why didsome succeed where others failed? That would be useful to know.

David Ferguson

(2012-04-21 14:40:43)

Even this Texas boy gets it

Greetings again from the darkness. Don't show up for this documentaryexpecting Morgan Spurlock or Michael Moore. This one offers littleentertainment value. But then, that's not the objective of thefilmmaker, writer Lee Fulkerson. Mr. Fulkerson provides the polaropposite of Spurlock's award-winning "Super Size Me". Where Spurlockate McDonalds fast food at every meal for a month, Mr. Fulkersonrejects our typical animal-based and processed food diet forplant-based whole foods.This test is conducted under the watch of Dr. Matthew Ledderman, whoalong with his wife, run all pertinent blood and medical tests, andthen proceed to teach Mr. Fulkerson how to shop, cook and eat in anentirely new way. The goals are weight loss, increased energy and areduction of prescription drugs.This film plays more like a PBS special or a film for medical class, asit pounds the viewer with data and information and studies andexamples. A few doctors are interviewed and only minimal input isobtained from the "other" side.The film gives the impression that Mr. Fulkerson set out to prove hispoint, much like Dr. Esselstyn and Dr Campbell give every indicationthat their goal is to prove their own points. The famousChina-Oxford-Cornell study has received some heat over the years, butregardless, it seems very clear that WITH PROPER GUIDANCE, aplant-based whole food diet affords many benefits to the human bodywhen compared to the animal-based and processed food that have becomeso prevalent in the U.S.No attention is given to cigarettes or exercise as this is totallyfocused on nutrition and it's effects. There is also some informationprovided in regards to the governmental subsidies of corn crops, andmeat and dairy farmers. This leads our filmmaker and many others topresume that the government is not necessarily interested in what'sbest for us or school kids' lunches. In fact, it appears both sideshave a bit of self-interest at stake.I would encourage everyone to see the film and educate yourself so thatyou can make the decisions that are best for you. Consult with multipledoctors and nutritionists. No one can argue with the goal of reduceddisease and minimal drug intake ... the big question is what's the bestway to achieve this.

movie-enthusiast

(2012-04-21 01:45:44)

Have we forgotten baked apples for dessert?

Some documentaries pose a dilemma. The subject matter is terrific, butthe film itself may be just average. I review films. I can state in thereview that the importance of the subject matter is second to none! Thefilm is adequate for conveying information, but not unique or inventivein any way. Certainly, viewers will watch average films occasionallyand I hope this is one of them. The subject matter is enlightening andmay even be life changing. Enough of talking around the subject. Awhile back, I had been on a vegetarian diet for a period seven years. Iwas not perfect, but I would say less than five percent of animalproduct got into my diet. Most violations occurred when there wereanimal products in sauces and cheese sprinkled in salads when I waseating out. In order to adhere to my regimen, I ate most meals at home.For a single man in America in my thirties, vegetarianism requiredconscious effort. But I did discover that there was a social life in avegetarian world also. Why would I do it? I had a health issue. Did itseem to help? Yes. Much increased endurance and better sleep wereobvious benefits. In fact I never slept better than when I was on thisvegetarian diet. I have a basis for understanding this documentary. Ido agree that there are too many variables that were not controlled insome of the studies mentioned, but not all. The film shows thatDr.Esselstyn treated heart patients with low-fat vegetarian diets withsuccess. The armed services have adopted a low fat diet--anothersupporting factor. Of course, most sources of fat in our diet areanimal. The Norwegian study which reflects the decrease in diseaseduring the NAZI occupation is good corroboration. I first read aboutthis study in the '60's and I am glad to see it referenced here. Thisis particularly supportive because the NAZI's took all the meat theycould find for themselves. Other wartime studies merely showed thebenefits of under-eating. There is a common belief that eating meatincreases strength and aggression -- even today. The endorsement by thesports fighter shows that this is most probably a myth. With the helpof blood tests and a doctor's guidance, you can avoid the pitfalls ofswitching to vegetarianism. You have to balance your nutrition withoutmeat and diary and you may have to be monitored for a while. I havefound that the craving for meat is sometimes just a craving for salt.Some people add eggs to their diet for convenience and a quicksolution. Cultivating an interest in spices will certainly berewarding. Please watch this documentary and follow up with your ownresearch if you like. There is plenty of information online.

MovieLoverEasyCritic

(2012-04-14 23:20:39)

This Movie....Is REAL...Not Fluffy!....

This Movie....Is REAL...Not Fluffy!....EVERYONE should take the time to watch this movie! If you can go watchit with an open mind....It' basically common sense! From a Biblicalbeginning of time perspective (though this is not a religious movie) itmakes so much sense! Why plants have protective things in them.Why when we eat them they Help US! Why so much of what we eat is notbeneficial to us in a nutritional way! If every time we took a bite offood and thought is this good or bad for me....there would be noobesity! Go see this movie with an open mind! I Loved the book andThankful for the movie!

Danny Blankenship

(2012-04-14 15:23:31)

Excellent medical health and food documentary, is our best foods from plant life?

All of us have became so common to the life of on the go and fastpaced, that's why so many of us live off of TV dinners, fast food andprocessed food. And with our culture and media we have all been toldthat meat and diary food is a product of life. However after watchingthis eye opening documentary "Forks Over Knives" you may well changeyour mind. As evidenced during the film it proves thru actual researchthat the food we are eating is harming our bodies. As medical scienceand case studies have proved poor diets are linked to bad healthespecially heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.When watching this doc you will want to reject and fight against theconsumption of animal based and processed foods. The film follows thestudy and research journeys of Dr. Colin Campbell a nutritionbiochemist from Cornell University, and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn a worldknown surgeon at the top notch Cleveland Clinic. Much of their studiesand research lead to groundbreaking revelations and the most common isthat diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes could beprevented if people would reverse their diet to whole foods and plantbased, it's so clear that protein and animal fats and whole diary instudy after study conducted proved that it was harmful to humans.Most telling is how the film follows reality patients who are sick, andonce these test studies change their diets it's interesting to see apleasant ending journey in the end. This clearly is an eye opening filmproving that the world's biggest problem is nutrition as what you eatcan lead you to bad health. This now may have people for years to cometrying a new diet of organic foods and plant whole based growth as ahobby that they live and work for every day. "Knives Over Forks" isclearly one educational, informative, well researched film that oneneeds to see as maybe it can change a person's way of diet andhopefully life. I believe it's true you are what you eat.

GormanBechard

(2012-04-06 04:41:50)

Great & important information, really bad filmmaking

I would rate this a 10 for the information contained in the film. But I'd rate it a 2 for filmmaking.But the information is more important, thus the non-averaged score of8. This is one of those movies where you have such amazing and importantinformation being given to the viewer, but it's done in such a badlyconstructed way that it's difficult to watch. The narration is about asboring as any I've every heard. There's no narrative line, so to speak.The filmmaker had no idea how to tell the amazing story he was tryingto tell. And the sound is truly awful at times. But that said, theinformation contained here is something we ALL should see and hear andunderstand. So, if you put it on, and are immediately turned off as tohow bad it is, stick with it. You will learn how to live a longerhealthier life, and for that we can forgive the bad filmmaking.

dhunsber

(2012-04-05 22:09:09)

A Case Could Be Made - Most Important Documentary Ever

I saw this film at a screening in Philadelphia on July 26th. Most of us understand by now that the typical Western diet is notideal. But this film explains that, in early clinical studies andscientific research, the overwhelming evidence points to some specificthings we eat that are slowly killing us. It also explains that thereis a way to eat that you will very likely live long and well. Thismovie is as simple as that, and as complex as that. Traveling along with some of the pioneers in this field, you get toreally see how obvious the approach they support is to them, andprobably should be to us. You also get a "taste" of what this movementis up against. I get the sense that this film's point is to show theDr.'s who were screaming: "Why isn't anyone listening to us?" andgiving them a chance to say, "Hey everyone, here is what we have beensaying for 20 years, and here is our clinical and scientific proof, nowgo ahead and tell us how we are wrong." Most of all, it is very well done. I really enjoyed how well thestories intertwined, as well as some terrific graphics. Some of thepersonal stories, for me, were the most convincing. Every once in a while, a documentary comes out that is just in theright place at the right time to become must see and force socialchange. I believe in 10 years, people will be talking about this filmas the moment when America and Europe finally "Got It". I cannotimagine that this will not be an early favorite for an Oscar for BestDocumentary.

Lee Eisenberg

(2012-03-30 21:56:33)

open wide

By now, there have been a number of documentaries about the healthdisaster that is the all-American diet. Lee Fulkerson's "Forks OverKnives" makes the case that simply switching from an animal-based dietto a plant-based one is the best thing that one can do not only forhimself but also for the planet. Much of the documentary focuses on thework of Drs. Caldwell Esselstyn and Colin Campbell, who have researchedthe health effects of different foods over the years. It should come asno surprise that the increased processing of foods after WWII led tomore heart disease and cancer.The documentary doesn't simply preach. It even has a disclaimer at thebeginning noting that it should not be interpreted as a substitute fora doctor's recommendation. It's just a warning about the deleteriouseffects of the western diet, especially with all the chemicals andantibiotics pumped into the food nowadays. As Bill Maher says in somefootage, "The answer is not another pill. The answer is spinach." Irecommend the documentary.PS: Rush Limbaugh recently said that Michelle Obama's proposed dietdoesn't sound like something healthy. Well, who knows more aboutunhealthy diets than El Rushbo?

bhouman

(2012-03-30 10:16:40)

Medically Correct Document

This is an extraordinary documentary movie, which clarifies the truthabout the relationship of the food we eat and our health. Everything iscorrect and precisely documented. As a physician and surgeon, who is"not" vegetarian, and with 30 years of experience in one of the mostreputable institution in my specialty I can testify that the food andactivity that we have WILL affects our health without a doubt.As much as our eating habits and dietary intakes are in most part, orat least 30 to 50% is based on animal-based products this informationopens the viewer's mind to other options, which in some cases haveproved to be a lifesaver, according to presented documents andangiograms. In all fairness, the producer shows the opposite opinionand their views and leaves the decision to the viewer to decide. Thismovie certainly did not show a one-sided view of vegan life style. Itpresented the views of other people who in fact are proponents of"balanced" diet too. In short, I recommended it extremely highly.Physicians should watch this movie, so do their patients and relatives.

Igorpdx

(2012-03-23 18:46:18)

Based on flawed "China Study"

Production standards for the film are excellent, however the wholethesis taken from Dr T Colin Campbell's book 'The China Study' isdangerously flawed.Read the evidence for yourself at the Weston A Price foundation siteand decide for yourself. I believe that good saturated fats such asbutter and coconut oil play an important part in keeping us healthy andthat animal proteins are far superior to the vegan ones that DrCampbell is promoting. The radical notion that zero cholesterol in ourdiets is beneficial is in my opinion a dangerous one.Dr Campbell ignored many important facts, which even his own studiesfound, in order to "prove" his beliefs.

Andreas

(2012-03-23 16:06:30)

Incredible movie, compelling facts behind it

I don't know exactly what to praise first.First, there are the facts. They are very important. The doctorsfeatured in this documentary have conducted numerous thoroughnutritional studies (among them the likely most extensive nutritionalstudy ever performed, the 'China study') that present compelling prooffor a simple fact: Eating animal-based foods will make you sick. Eatinga diet of whole food, low fat, plant based foods, will keep youhealthy. However, they did not just find out this big secret, they usedit very successfully over decades to treat - and cure - severely illpatients that had already been 'given up' by conventional medicine.When I first heard this story and saw the proof (I read the book beforeviewing the film), I asked myself 'Why did nobody ever tell me that?'The documentary answers this question, and you will not like the answer(it has a lot to do with what is more important for the US government,the financial well-being of its big food companies or the health of itscitizens) Second, there is the movie. Apart from bringing very importantinformation, it is well made and entertaining. Nobody likes to heartalking heads reciting scientific data, regardless how important it is,for the length of a movie. The way it is made, weaving stories withbackground information, makes it worth viewing also from theentertainment point of view.And third, there's the fact that the entire film crew (producers,directors, cameramen, cutters, even the interns on the set) and thecomposer of the music score all adopted a lifestyle based on plantbased nutrition. If this does not tell you that the informationpresented is credible and convincing, then what does? Go see the movie.If possible, go for one of the pre-screenings or see it later in acinema near you. And most likely also at the Academy Awardspresentation...Best regards, Andy

lock_1984

(2012-03-23 07:53:05)

Flawed View - Rebuttal

Please see the attached for an analysis of the information cited by theuser who believes the China Study is flawed.http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holisticdent.htmlI thought the movie was excellent and should be required viewing forevery student in the U.S.More important health info can be found in the research on Vitamin Dconducted Dr Michael Holick and described in his book - "The Vitamin DSolution"Also check out the research on micronutrients conducted by Dr. BruceAmes

riannorris

(2012-03-23 06:21:15)

Very Entertaining and VERY VERY alarming.

I decided to watch this documentary a few days ago because I'verecently watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and "Foodmatters" and Iloved them both. They were both inspiring on some level, but more thaninspiring they were eye opening. It can't come as a surprise to anyoneliving in the west that we are clearly doing something wrong. We maynot want to hear about it, or agree on what "it" is but I can tell youafter you watch "Forks Over Knives" you will hear a convincing caseagainst the consumption of meat and dairy. The documentary illustratesthe findings of two different scientists who have spent more than 50years each researching the link between nutrition and disease. Theirfindings are compelling to say the least. Not only does thisdocumentary show tons of scientific evidence but it mixes in somepersonal stories for variety and entertainment. I eat tons of meat andtons of dairy so some of the science presented in "Forks over Knives"wasn't exactly music to my ears, but the evidence is hard to deny. Evenif it's not what you want to hear, and you have no inclination tobecome vegan you will still find this documentary highly entertainingand memorable.

spamuptheyingyang

(2012-03-19 18:53:34)

Wake-Up Call

Forks Over Knives confirms several things we've all suspected foryears, but most of us haven't wanted to face:- The Standard American Diet and most of its variations are killing usby the millions; - Several of America's most prevalent diseases can be halted orreversed by changes in diet; - This fact has been understood for many years, but is avoided bydoctors and other health care professionals; - The diet recommended to us by our government is designed to benefitthe food industry, not to benefit people's nutrition; - The health care and pharmaceutical industries benefit by keepingAmericans in a continual state of controlled disease symptoms ratherthan in a state of optimal health. In a nutshell, "Forks Over Knives" can be interpreted as "Eat A GreatDiet In Order To Avoid Surgery." This isn't some startling new concept;over two thousand years ago Hippocrates, "the father of modernmedicine" and writer of the original Hippocratic Oath, said "Let foodbe thy medicine and medicine be thy food." The film explains how somecommon foods are killing us and how other common foods can cure us. The film's lesson is staggeringly simple, the scientific evidence isstaggering, and the personal stories are compelling. This documentaryis entirely about health; the mantra repeated throughout the film is "awhole foods, plant-based diet." Although the word "vegan" was used afew times there is essentially no mention at all of either theenvironmental or compassion benefits of this diet. The focus issquarely on eliminating disease, primarily heart disease, cancer, anddiabetes - three of this country's most urgent health issues. Most of the people excited about this film have been those alreadyfamiliar with the issues discussed. For example, my wife and I havecopies of The China Study, The Pleasure Trap, and several books by bothNeal Barnard and John McDougall, so the film didn't offer newinformation to us. Happily though the film isn't written for the veganone percent of America, it's written for the vast majority of Americanseating a poor diet and facing increased risks of a variety of healthissues. For them the information presented in this film will be awake-up call, and let's hope it will be compelling enough that theytake appropriate action and change their diet.

Michael_Elliott

(2012-03-19 04:29:40)

Way Too Much Preaching

Forks Over Knives (2011)** (out of 4) In the same tradition as FOOD, INC. and SUPER SIZE ME comes yet anotherlow-budget documentary trying to warn you against the evils of dairyand meat. This time out we see various experts talking about how eatingmeat products or drinking milk can actually lead to a wide range ofillnesses and we see charts on how unhealthy little rats and mice areafter given these products for several months. I'm not going to knockanything that is said here because I think it's true that a lot ofpeople are getting deathly ill due to the foods they are eating. Ithink in this day and age it's just become common sense. There are manygood documentaries out there and there are some very bad ones. FORKSOVER KNIVES falls somewhere in the middle because it's heart is in theright place but I must admit that I was completely bored from start tofinish. The film is just one great big lecture where we're told, beatenand then told again to stay away from these foods. We hear from a womansuffering from diabetes who stops eating certain things and she'scured. We hear that people in China used to be very healthy but theygot fast food restaurants and now they are gaining weight. We learnthat Americans are very much overweight and eat too much food. We evenlearn that cows are given so much grain to fatten them up that youcould actually take a portion of this grain and feed every hungryperson in the world. That there was probably the most interesting ideain the film. I must admit that I prefer my documentaries to show meevidence and not just trying to beat a message into my head. I alsoadmit that I like to hear from both sides. After all, for every"expert" that tells you ABC are good for you there's an expert who saysABC are bad for you. This documentary is one sided and it likes to beatyou with its message. Also, I thought the film looked rather poor andat times was just slowly paced that you wanted to push pause and go outand get a burger.