BRAND X (director/writer: Win Chamberland; cinematographer: John Harnish; editor: Win Chamberland; music: Ken Lauber; cast: Taylor Mead (Viewer / President / Minster / Nurse), Ultra Violet (Singer), Abbie Hoffman (Cop), Sally Kirkland (Patient/President’s Wife), Tally Brown (Talk Show Hostess),Cndy Darling (Marlene D-Train), Jane Holzer (Baby Jane Holzer), Paul Fagan (Surfer), Frank Cavestani (Doctor); Runtime: 87; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Win Chamberland; New Line; 1970)
“Dated comedy.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Artist Win Chamberland’s first effort directing is this experimental tasteless pop culture cult film absurdly mocking the banality of TV. The usual Andy Warhol residence actors and freaks display their weirdness. The episodic counterculture film offers a variety of takeoffs on 1970 TV fare. Since mainstream TV put its stamp of disapproval on sex and drugs, this dated comedy took up the slack with reckless abandon. Taylor Mead shows off his comic style in several skits, playing the President at a news conference, a minister and a nurse. Ultra Violet sings. Abbie Hoffman goofs around as a cop. Tally Brown gets some laughs as a talk show hostess.

It’s a smug film, strictly for the Warhol crowd.

REVIEWED ON 8/24/2015 GRADE: C+

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

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