· Branded · by Bradshaw & Doulerain                       @ Beatley Library

It’s five movies in one: a tale of corporate greed, a love story, a solitary mystical quest, a clash of competing realities, and an urban war. Brand loyalty in the near future is the central issue, and as brands compete for market share, the action gets intense and surreal. Then it gets quiet and contemplative as the main character tries to figure out what should be done; when he does, the action resumes at an outrageous pace.

Caution: A scene of animal sacrifice (simulated, of course) may be jarring to some viewers, but it’s properly explained, central to the plot, and presented in a restrained manner.

■ Title — Branded
■ A.K.A. — The Red Cow
■ Directors — Jamie Bradshaw, Alexander Doulerain
■ Cast — Leelee Sobieski, Ed Stoppard, Jeffrey Tambor, Max von Sydow
■ ©2012 ■ 1h 46m ■ Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
■ Rated R for fantasy violence
■ Distributed by Roadside Attractions