Piers Morgan said if he made a movie that treats women the way Barbie treats men he would be executed. But Christopher Nolan made that movie. And he was awarded best director.
This article needs to be submitted to a large publication somewhere. It’s just so telling. I HATED Oppenheimer and told my husband watching “a bunch of white guys doing math for 3 hrs” made that movie SO PAINFUL. I expected some of the portrayal of the patriarchal BS because of its time period, BUT NOT FOR IT TO BE REPLICATED TODAY IN HOW THE MOVIE WAS MADE. You do a great job of statically proving the point.
Barbie, however, was so deep and powerful and a story truly worth telling. I intended to watch it with my daughter, but ended up being sure my husband and sons saw it too because the profound message within was so important and something I try to convey to them all the time: Be who you are and enjoy the journey of discovery it. (Oh and ahem, women are your equals!).
Your rewritten joke is a mic drop moment. So perfect!!! Seriously, please send this writing to Barbie’s director at least! And then return and report!!! This article will certainly end up in my dinner conversations or commute thought train. Bravo
Thank you so much Tiffani and that is so validating to hear you hated it too. After we finished it I was like “um..... am I missing something??? How is this a masterpiece exactly??” 🥴
And when you bring it up to Greta Gerwig, why not mention the idea of having a… symposium isn’t the right word, but having something to bring together the energy that the movie has generated and make it bigger and joyful. A happening (like in the 60’s). Your movie comparison could be the opening address! Don’t you think that’s a great idea? Let’s play 🥹🙃
What a great comparison! I knew I didn’t like Oppenheimer, and you laid out a strong case against it. it’s an inferior movie for all the reasons you listed. There’s no joy in it. It lacks life. Where’s the kids? The few that were in the movie were angry or fighting. it was depressing from beginning to end. Not real at all because, as you mentioned, it lacked half of our species. There was no humor. Sounds like patriarchy?
On the other hand Barbie, I had to force myself to go and see it because I didn’t think it would be worth watching, turned out to be amazing. It’s good those two movies were made back to back and it’s great that you showed us where we’re still at. There is the possibility of genocide in Oppenheimer but not in Barbie.
You’re astute commentary on those two movies gave me hope. your comments were worthy of Barbie. You reinforced each other. I’m just starting to blog myself, and I’m just finding my way around. When I know how to I would like to post your commentary on my blog.It’s perfect 👍
I have not seen either, but I will admit that, prior to reading this comparison, I’d have chosen Oppenheimer over Barbie, had they been my only two choices. And that’s saying something because I ***love*** Ryan Gosling. No. LOVE.
Moving forward, I’ll be watching movies through the Bechtel lens out of sheer curiosity. Thanks for that, Celeste. Geez. So much for mindless entertainment. (Kidding, of course. You’re brilliant!) I would be interested to know how my favorite movies do when scored by the Bechtel test…hmmm…do I wanna go down that rabbit hole?!
Regardless, now, if I am asked to choose between Oppenheimer and Barbie, the choice will be much simpler.
I would imagine it would!! Inwas thinking about some of my favorite movies lastnight, and letting them play through in my head…and yeah, it was a bit depressing. They’re such great movies, though!! For example, one of them is Forrest Gump. How can I not love Forrest Gump?!
This article needs to be submitted to a large publication somewhere. It’s just so telling. I HATED Oppenheimer and told my husband watching “a bunch of white guys doing math for 3 hrs” made that movie SO PAINFUL. I expected some of the portrayal of the patriarchal BS because of its time period, BUT NOT FOR IT TO BE REPLICATED TODAY IN HOW THE MOVIE WAS MADE. You do a great job of statically proving the point.
Barbie, however, was so deep and powerful and a story truly worth telling. I intended to watch it with my daughter, but ended up being sure my husband and sons saw it too because the profound message within was so important and something I try to convey to them all the time: Be who you are and enjoy the journey of discovery it. (Oh and ahem, women are your equals!).
Your rewritten joke is a mic drop moment. So perfect!!! Seriously, please send this writing to Barbie’s director at least! And then return and report!!! This article will certainly end up in my dinner conversations or commute thought train. Bravo
Thank you so much Tiffani and that is so validating to hear you hated it too. After we finished it I was like “um..... am I missing something??? How is this a masterpiece exactly??” 🥴
And when you bring it up to Greta Gerwig, why not mention the idea of having a… symposium isn’t the right word, but having something to bring together the energy that the movie has generated and make it bigger and joyful. A happening (like in the 60’s). Your movie comparison could be the opening address! Don’t you think that’s a great idea? Let’s play 🥹🙃
I agree 💯with Tiffani!
It’s brilliant, and the way you encapsulate it with the opening and closing is stunning 🤩!
What a great comparison! I knew I didn’t like Oppenheimer, and you laid out a strong case against it. it’s an inferior movie for all the reasons you listed. There’s no joy in it. It lacks life. Where’s the kids? The few that were in the movie were angry or fighting. it was depressing from beginning to end. Not real at all because, as you mentioned, it lacked half of our species. There was no humor. Sounds like patriarchy?
On the other hand Barbie, I had to force myself to go and see it because I didn’t think it would be worth watching, turned out to be amazing. It’s good those two movies were made back to back and it’s great that you showed us where we’re still at. There is the possibility of genocide in Oppenheimer but not in Barbie.
You know that line from It’s a Wonderful Life “every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings”?
Well I feel like every time a man admits fault with the patriarchy women get more hope in the world. Thanks for the hope Jerry 🫡
You’re astute commentary on those two movies gave me hope. your comments were worthy of Barbie. You reinforced each other. I’m just starting to blog myself, and I’m just finding my way around. When I know how to I would like to post your commentary on my blog.It’s perfect 👍
Mic. Drop.
I have not seen either, but I will admit that, prior to reading this comparison, I’d have chosen Oppenheimer over Barbie, had they been my only two choices. And that’s saying something because I ***love*** Ryan Gosling. No. LOVE.
Moving forward, I’ll be watching movies through the Bechtel lens out of sheer curiosity. Thanks for that, Celeste. Geez. So much for mindless entertainment. (Kidding, of course. You’re brilliant!) I would be interested to know how my favorite movies do when scored by the Bechtel test…hmmm…do I wanna go down that rabbit hole?!
Regardless, now, if I am asked to choose between Oppenheimer and Barbie, the choice will be much simpler.
Thank you Melenie! Also paying attention to the Bechtel test does tend to make movie watching much more of a bummer 🫤
I would imagine it would!! Inwas thinking about some of my favorite movies lastnight, and letting them play through in my head…and yeah, it was a bit depressing. They’re such great movies, though!! For example, one of them is Forrest Gump. How can I not love Forrest Gump?!
Standing ovation 👏👏👏
❤️❤️❤️