Barbie and Oppenheimer have been causing quite a stir recently, as they are both scheduled to make their grand debuts on the same day. Fans have been anxiously anticipating their arrivals, and the moment of truth has finally arrived. It’s time for you to pick your favorite!
1. Finally Cillian Murphy Is Getting His Flowers
From a user on Letterboxd named tylercwhitmore:
Oppenheimer is a technical marvel, a historical terror, and showcases some of the finest acting of this generation. It’s the best movie of 2023.
I’m really sad, honestly. It’s a shame that Cillian Murphy is only now being recognized as a leading man in Hollywood. His performance here is truly one of the best I’ve seen in years. But let’s not forget about Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt, who are just as incredible. All three of them should (and will) get Oscar nominations. I could go on and on about the rest of the cast, from Josh Hartnett to Matt Damon, because everyone in this ensemble is operating at the top of their game. It’s truly a movie that leaves you in awe of the star power on display.
This is definitely the most different Christopher Nolan film we’ve seen. It’s a dramatic historical biopic that doesn’t have the usual blockbuster flare that his fans are used to. But I can confidently say that this is Nolan’s best written screenplay to date. It’s on another level.
The visual editing and sound design of Oppenheimer are hauntingly mesmerizing. It’s funny how Nolan went from criticism of Tenet’s sound mixing to the perfectly poignant sound mixing in this film.
Ludwig Göransson’s score will constantly keep you on edge with tension. I predict it will receive double-digit Oscar nominations:
Oscar Nomination Locks:
– Best Picture
– Best Sound
– Best Score
– Best Editing
– Best Lead Actor – Cillian Murphy
– Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey Jr.
– Best Director – Christopher Nolan
– Best Screenplay – Christopher Nolan
Possible Oscar Nominations:
– Best Supporting Actress – Emily Blunt
– Best Cinematography
– Best Production Design
– Best Visual Effects
But what really stands out to me is the writing. The film follows a clear three-act structure. The first act had me intrigued, but waiting for some punches. The second act had me completely engaged. And the third act was filled with brilliant dialogue and intense character battles. I was holding my breath until the very end when Nolan delivers a perfect conclusion that brought tears to my eyes.
2. Oppenheimer’ Left Audiences Speechless
Hey, so I just read a review on Letterboxd by this user named schaffrillas. Honestly, I’m at a loss for words. I’m really glad I’m planning to watch Barbie tomorrow, because trust me, you don’t want to watch this particular movie back-to-back with anything else. I think I’ll just spend the rest of the day lying down, trying to make sense of it all, and maybe shed a tear or two. Or maybe, you know what, I might just distract myself and play some more Pikmin 4. Who knows?
3. Barbie’ Is Actually Super Relatable
From a Letterboxd user named tessce:
Barbie has become relatable in a whole new way. She’s going through some tough times, feeling down, doubting her beauty, and unsure about her future. It’s a struggle for girls and women, navigating through girlhood, womanhood, and everything in between. This film feels like a well-deserved treat for all those experiences.
4. Ryan Gosling’s Performance Is Iconic
According to Letterboxd user mistat, Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken will be remembered and taught in acting classes even after 100 years.
5. There Were Doubts About Ryan Gosling But He Pulled Through In The End
According to a user on Letterboxd named _rayxsan, Barbie is a delightful movie that combines fun and clever Barbie-themed elements with our reality. It also tackles important topics like modern society, the patriarchy, and feminism in a thoughtful way.
The casting choices in the movie were excellent, even though there were initial doubts about Ryan Gosling’s suitability. However, he surprised everyone with a fantastic performance in his role. Margot Robbie, on the other hand, was the perfect fit for the lead character Barbie. She portrayed Barbie with incredible skill and authenticity.
The movie skillfully addresses diversity and contemporary issues while keeping the audience entertained. People in the theater were laughing throughout as Barbie tackles important social themes in a relatable manner. It can be an eye-opener for many, especially men, providing insights into how women are perceived and treated in everyday life.
6. Barbie’ Means So Much To Women Everywhere
Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was anticipated to be funny and to touch on the theme of “female coming-of-age,” like Gerwig’s previous films. The performances of Robbie and Gosling as Barbie and Ken were note-perfect, as expected.
However, what surprised me was the profound impact Barbie had on me and the women around me. Its central message was deeper and more far-reaching than I could have imagined, despite my unwavering faith in Gerwig’s storytelling. Even though I had been eagerly awaiting this film for five years, it resonated with me at the exact moment I needed it.
This movie delves into the realization that womanhood is not always filled with pink, pleasure, and endless possibilities. It forces us to recognize that a significant portion of the world will always hate us simply because of who we are. It presents a choice between accepting complacency within the patriarchy or facing ostracization and vilification outside of it.
Yet, perhaps there is another way. Maybe womanhood isn’t the idealized version we dreamed of in our youth, but that doesn’t mean we have to abandon it entirely. Maybe, just maybe, if we accept the harsh realities of our everyday existence while maintaining our inner strength, we can navigate the cultural complexities and contradictions more authentically. Instead of overlooking flaws and embracing a fantasy, we can revel in our own imperfections and those of the world.
Personally, I learned these lessons a bit later in life because I started living as a woman later on. I still have much to learn, and that can be intimidating. However, films like Barbie make this education a little easier. So, I want to express my gratitude to Barbie. It is everything to me, and so am I.
7. Oppenheimer’ And ‘Barbie’ Are The Perfect Pair
In a thought-provoking comment on Letterboxd, user dahans points out the irony of watching two movies back-to-back. One was a colorful and lighthearted film that criticized the men in power, while the other was much darker and yet still critiqued the same issue. What’s even more ironic is that the latter film is facing aggressive protests from conservative Americans, despite not being the one that tackled the defamation of an American war hero.
Although it may have had a minimal role in the film, Christopher Nolan’s inspiration from Stanley Kubrick is clearly evident here. The visuals and practical effects are truly godlike and showcase Nolan’s visionary talent. This meticulously crafted character study is bound to leave a lasting impression and haunt the viewer’s mind for the rest of the year.
8. It Nods To All The Bad Things Said About Barbie
From Letterboxd user aadowd:
The live-action Barbie movie made in 2023 is a spirited and somewhat hopeless effort to balance all the conflicting demands. It cleverly embraces and questions the retro appeal of Barbie, recognizing the financial motivations behind Mattel’s attempts to diversify the doll. It critiques the gender disparity within a company that primarily caters to female consumers, while simultaneously presenting the company as modern and self-aware.
The movie acknowledges the criticisms directed at Barbie over the years, but ultimately encourages viewers to have fun and forget about them. It could be titled “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bombshell,” referencing Kubrick. It can be seen as an example of corporate feminism, but it doesn’t shy away from addressing patriarchal issues within society. There’s a powerful speech reminiscent of Laura Dern’s in Marriage Story, making me wonder if Baumbach or Gerwig had a hand in writing it.
Even the portrayal of the woman behind Barbie is not without its criticisms. The film is driven by a sense of neurosis rather than pure joy, which I found intriguing. I couldn’t help but wonder if Gerwig’s personal struggles with the project influenced Barbie’s onscreen existential crisis. I just wish it had more humor.
9. Oppenheimer’ Is A Masterful Work Of Art
According to Letterboxd user anapau_villa, you have played a significant role in shaping the course of history, much like the mythical figure Prometheus who bestowed upon humans the power to destroy themselves.
The creation of the atomic bomb stands as one of the most monumental achievements in human history. However, it also marks a turning point, possibly leading humanity towards an irreversible future.
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is an unprecedented cinematic masterpiece that delves into the life of the man who both ended the Second World War and potentially condemned us all. This film surpasses the mere context of war and the bomb; it explores the complexities of brilliance, the weight of hindsight, and the everlasting remorse that can overshadow our pride.
Oppenheimer not only showcases Nolan’s artistic prowess, but it could also be considered one of the most significant pieces of cinema in this century. It confronts viewers with the profound implications of human greed, the harsh realities of cruelty, and the catastrophic consequences of attempting to control forces that were beyond our grasp.
Now, it is time for you to face the repercussions of your extraordinary achievement.
10. Ken Is More Compelling Than Barbie
From a Letterboxd user, sixela:
The response to the incel crisis in this film is really dissatisfying. Ken’s character is much more interesting than Barbie’s. The concept of existing without privilege in Barbieland, where your only occupation is “beach” and the woman you’re supposed to love doesn’t care about you, only to then discover the real world and the joys of patriarchy, really hits you.
On the other hand, Barbie thrives in a matriarchal society until she realizes that reality is different, that women often face subservience and violence. But despite this, she decides that reality is better; she wants to have ideas instead of just being an object. Personally, I didn’t find her story compelling. Gerwig focuses on motherhood, female empowerment, and self-actualization, but she manages to make the men the real focal point. The film explores when and how they self-actualize, and at what cost. Ken struggles to preserve the “Barbie and Ken” dynamic because it’s the only thing that gives him meaning. Gerwig dismisses him, suggesting that women shouldn’t be reduced to objects that define a man’s role in society.
While most of us can agree that it’s strange to spend most of the film (in a comical way) empathizing with the incel dilemma, only to have all the Ken dolls suddenly exclaim, “I’m Ken,” as if they had found their identity all along, Gerwig tries to tackle too many themes and fails to do justice to any of them. The film comes across as patronizing, but at least Barbie’s story has its occasional humorous moments.
11. Everything In The ‘Barbie’ Script Is Trying To Convince The Audience It’s Saying Something Important
According to Letterboxd user anapau_villa, they have some reservations about the movie. They express their hesitation in sharing their thoughts, fearing that they might be labeled as a “hater”. However, as a critic, they feel compelled to speak up.
Regrettably, anapau_villa found the movie to be lacking substance, comparing it to the empty plastic dolls that served as its inspiration. They observe that every scene in the film attempts to convey a message about gender, sexism, and humanity, but does so in an immature and crude manner. This, in turn, gives the film a disingenuous and even satirical feel.
The movie prioritizes cheap humor over depth, sacrificing character development for extended gags that fail to deliver a satisfying punchline. Intriguing characters are overshadowed, and potentially interesting storylines are forgotten in favor of scenes reminiscent of the worst SNL skits imaginable.
While the performances are commendable, anapau_villa laments that the script limits their potential. They express disappointment that a talented group of artists couldn’t create a better movie. This outcome is unexpected, especially considering the filmmakers’ previous works such as Frances Ha, Lady Bird, and White Noise. However, anapau_villa clarifies that this is not intended as a compliment in this particular instance.
