Branded

[Rich]

Just saw a trailer to a film coming out 7th September, looks strangely promising in a 'They Live' kind of way.

_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HInOg12jMiY

In a dystopian future where corporate brands have created a disillusioned population, one man's effort to unlock the truth behind the conspiracy leads to an epic battle to control the world in this visionary, thought-provoking sci-fi thriller. Starring Max von Sydow, Jeffrey Tambor, Leelee Sobieski and Ingeborga Dapkunaite.

 

[Azur]

Max von Sydow is always interesting to see. I wondered why Leelee Sobieski disappeared after getting shot up into the Hollywood money machine.

 

[findit]

I saw Branded today and this was quite a different movie. I enjoyed the opening screen shot showing a bunch of names including Swedenborg, Gurdjieff, and Goethe among others and you immediately get the sense at the beggining that whoever is making this movie knows a few things, and seeing the unseen is made clear in this movie. While I understood the hyperdimensional aspect of it, I heard a couple behind me say, "that this is a strange movie." I guess it would be if you didn't understand. Of course, the meat-eaters are evil, vegitarianism saves the day, as well as the symbol of the dragon that is seen as the good guy. So not everything is seen clearly, but I have to admit, I had fun watching this, and its message on advertising for the masses. Plus the movie is set in Russia which gives it a different feel.

 

[de-tached]

My 2 cents:

It was interesting at parts with occasional subtle symbolism (golden cows, attachments at the 7th cervical vertebrae, etc), but overall- I found it to be kind of a disappointment.

The storyline went all over the place to try and make it interesting, with a sad, drawn out attempt to invoke sympathy and interest for a one-dimensional protagonist.
The dialogue and dynamics between characters was shallow, transparent, and contrived (poor casting).

And they didn't even get to the creatures until 3/4 in to the movie. Then it all just haphazardly ended in a "...Are you kidding?..." kind of a way.

It had the potential to be a psychological thriller and cultural exposé (it's a far bet to hope they'd discuss the hyperdimensional aspect), but instead it came off as a cartoony, slapdash film without the charm of it's predecessor "They Live" (or, to a lesser degree, "The Adjustment Bureau").

Perhaps I'm just pickier with movies because I went to film school, but even the friends I went with were disappointed.

Watcher be warned.

 

[lucasraffablog]

I think that is the kind of film that generates the question of whether it is a good idea but film mismatch or a cult film. What is clear is that it has many more interesting posts.