Skip to main content

Jason and Shawn versus Branded and John Dies at the End

Branded

Shawn:  I don't know if my time was wasted here or not! I dislike movies that COULD be explained away through mental disorders or drug induced paranoia at the end. Not because they may not have been good, but because I don't want to watch a movie that was a waste of my fucking time after enjoying it. Ha ha.

I don't know where I stand on this. It was a real ride, but strange indeed. It did look great, I got the message, but don't really understand the purpose of the film.

It definitely isn't Ugly, but I also struggle to find the Good. So I'm going to leave it at a Bad, because I won't watch it again. Not even to attempt to sort it out.

Jason: Shawn and I have complained at length about the lack of original material coming out of Hollywood these days. Then along come Branded and John Dies at the End to prove us wrong.

Wait, neither was made by a Hollywood studio? Never mind then.

I didn't really care much for the characters in Branded. Ed Stoppard is kind of shallow and callous and, although he comes around in the end, using his evil marketing powers for good, I didn't give two shits about him.

Ditto Leelee Sobieski. She's smoking hot, and more likable then Stoppard, but I didn't care about her either. Actually, I didn't like anyone in this movie. Hence it's a pretty vapid experience for me no matter what I think about the evils of advertising.

Branded has a lot to say, and I agree with most of its message. But, in the end, I didn't give enough of a shit to be fully engaged by it. It's an interesting movie, if not a little too long and sluggishly paced, but I can't give it any more than a Bad. A fine watch once, but no more.

John Dies at the End

Shawn: Good grief. Another drug-induced film. This was a lot more stable, though, than Branded. Had a better story, and was way more entertaining.

I dug this quite a bit. I'll likely watch the fucker again. I would also watch more of these, if they were to make more.

Not too much else to say. Likely an instant classic. It might take a few years to filter through the sheeple to cultify it. That is why we are here: cutting through the sheepleheaded corporations. A Good from me.

Jason: This is hands down one of the most batshit crazy movies I've ever seen. That needs to be said right away. A meat monster? A drug called Soy Sauce that let's you see an alternate reality? Invaders from another dimension? And the only thing that can save us are two college dropouts and Clancy Brown?

Weird. Yes John Dies at the End is also highly entertaining, funny as fuck and full of moments of gruesome, yet bizarre, violence. I liked it a lot!

Credit has to go to writer/director Don Coscarelli, who adapted Jason Pargin's book of the same name. He handles it all in a very dry, matter-of-fact way that makes everything even funnier.

Truth is, I wanted to see more of the adventures of Dan and John. And everything is left open for a sequel, so why not? I'm giving John Dies at the End a Good, and suggest everyone see it as soon as possible.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e