We've all seen the M&Ms, the Reese's Pieces, the stray Coke or Mountain Dew in the shot somewhere, but did you know that there are other sponsorships that aren't so obvious? I'm not talking about Las Vegas bankrolling What Happens in Vegas, or Grindhouse being sponsored by Starbucks ? you know those. I'm talking about the really subtle ones.
Saw
Sponsored by Sears Craftsman, hoping to recreate the success of Black and Decker's Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Sponsored by the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Tourism Bureau (and Singapore Airlines).
Get Smart
Get Smart was actually bankrolled by the No Child Left Behind act. Who else but the Federal Government would produce something so dated, irrelevant and insipid? Don't believe me? Look at the clues: the actors show no creativity, no spontaneity--they're acting to the test! The director is obviously more interested in his merit-bonus than entertaining us. Even the title, Get Smart, is one of those top-down, unfunded mandates we've all come to loathe.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
This film was obviously supported by the Chinese Tourism Bureau, but did you also know it was partially funded by the Association of Funeral Directors as a warning about inadequate burial arrangements, with an emphasis on deep digging?
Hostel
This film was sponsored by the Sheraton Hotel chain to coincide with its "Serial-Killer-Free for 247 Days" promotion. Delighted with the uptick in reservations, the hospitality conglom went on to produce the "you know you got a bad hotel room when..." trilogy: No Country for Old Men, Bug and 1408.
Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
We can all guess who sponsored Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, but did you know that during the development stage the film was briefly titled Harold & Kumar Go to Crate & Barrel? And Casino Royale began production as Trump Castle Hotel and Casino?
