Ugh! Good movie -- bad aftertaste.

"Josie" definitely isn't the silly teenybopper movie you might expect. In fact, the film takes care to poke fun at such "trend pimps." Artful, incredibly imaginative and creative (love the leopard-spot wipes), this film will have you laughing while you narrow your eyes. Laughing because it's funny. And narrowing your eyes because of its obscene indulgence into sponsorships. This ploy clangs loudly ironic. Alanis Morissette could learn a thing or two about irony here.

The film's theme "be individuals - don't be mindless consumers molded by advertisement" rings in perfect dissonance to the production's ridiculously expansive use of product placement. Really "product placement" is too small a phrase. Yes, it's funny to see an airplane so stamped with recognizable corporate logos and products that a soap or detergent bottle stands literally every 12 inches along the length of the set. But by the end of the film, the enormous collection of commercials will leave you wanting to stick a finger down your throat.

Boy-band spoof, DuJour (an extremely clever band name choice), greets their adoring fans. Teen after teen sticks their face in the wide-angle lens filling the screen with their unbridled insane glee to be so near their idols. "Okay, I can't believe I'm here!" "I just want to touch them!" Very funny, an excellent opening to a mostly enjoyable film.

But the opening momentum doesn't stop there. The evil band manager dispenses of this "band of the day" as soon as they smell a fish swimming subliminally behind their music. A new band is needed to carry the vile advert-infested soundtrack to the ears of the unsuspecting youth of America. An interesting satirical view, making music the host of the corporate parasite. Good "Go-Go's"-like music drums out the smashing opening credits. This entire sequence from start to finish really rock and rolls then drops nicely to the undiscovered girl band "Pussycats" bombing at a local bowling alley.

A blond airhead, regular girl, and Japanese Anime character find themselves on the fast track to fame. It's good wild fun, but is it worth brainwashing their fans? Is it worth the price of a movie ticket to be subjected to all that corporate sponsorship?

"What's the point of being famous if the people that used to hate you don't wanna kiss your *ss?"

Notes: The actresses actually sing back-up, but Josie's vocals are delivered by Kay Hanley, lead singer for "Letters to Cleo." Also, the production stills are excellent.