Goldman Sachs scored the best product placement of the weekend's new movies in Take Me Home Tonight. But it's no surprise that Rango, another Johnny Depp crowd-pleaser from the team behind the Pirates of the Caribbean juggernaut, wins the weekend to claim the #1 box office title in the US.

Rango (somewhat) continues the trend of animated films for children being free of product placement. Yet the film can't help itself from making brand-name jokes.Continue reading...

As one would expect, True Grit — the new #1 film at the US box office, taking in $15 million over the weekend — doesn't offer much in the way of product placement. What product the Paramount update does feature is infinitely more interesting than that of its competition, Little Fockers.

What would a Hollywood western be without a Colt? Two of them make appearances in the latest version of True Grit, including Mattie's Civil War-era hand cannon and the ever-present Colt .45 Single Action Army “Peacemaker.”

But another firearm brand steals the show. True Grit's best product placement represents an intriguing tale of a brand with, no kidding, true grit. But a century and half later, True Grit's Texas Ranger LeBoeuf and one-eyed vinegary old coot Cogburn probably wouldn't recognize it.Continue reading...

Ah, holiday shopping seasons past. So Mad Men stylish. So lethal. So... gender-roley.