I like movies that have more to read upon. I think those types of movies can be ambitious and more thought-provoking than the ones that spoon-feed its details to its audience. However, every now and then, something comes along that makes me want to shake my head, that even when a premise provokes a thought, the screenplay and/or the direction fumbles everything either by over-preaching or just plain lack of skill in storytelling. Then, sometimes, a movie such as “Branded” comes along, … more
Star Rating: Branded makes a strong case for why wonky conspiracy theories should never, ever serve as the foundation of a screenplay. This movie is bizarre, self indulgent, appallingly cynical, and unlikely to be understood by anyone inside or out of the world it mercilessly targets. While obviously intended as a dark satire of advertising and consumerism, it comes off as a series of hysterical ramblings that in all likelihood have little to no basis in actual … more