Barbie
Vibrant and whimsical, while also touching upon deeper themes of existentialism, feminism, and masculinity, Barbie succeeds from a strong, singular creative vision, even if lacking in appeal for all audiences.
The film follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) as they venture out of Barbieland into the real world following Barbie’s existential crisis. When their visit results in unintended consequences, it is up to Barbie to restore order in her society, while also discovering herself along the way.
Barbie benefits from Robbie and Gosling’s pairing and their dramatic-comedic performances that makes the sensitive treatment of its timely themes feel light and easy on the audiences, but still result in an educational viewing.
However, despite its strong production values and catchy musical numbers, the film leaves a lot to be desired with its rushed story and overall lack of satisfaction by the time the film ends.
Barbie, while certainly a creative and cinematic achievement, ultimately yields a mixed bag.
Oppenheimer
A triumphant artistic leap for the director, Oppenheimer is an unconventional biopic-thriller that plays to Christopher Nolan’s strengths, while unveiling a harrowing, star-making turn from Cillian Murphy.
A sprawling, decades-spanning tale, the film narrates the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb” that resulted in weapons of mass destruction being dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki near the end of the Second World War, and its aftermath.
A psychological look at the life of the renowned scientist and exploring the dark side of human innovation, Oppenheimer makes use of Nolan’s trademark creative flourishes (non-linear, perspective-shifting storytelling) to engage the audience in lengthy, dialogue-heavy scientific discussions and legal proceedings. His vision is perfectly complemented by its dynamic cinematography, experimental score and refreshing performances from Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt.
A success in today’s world of film making, Oppenheimer benefits from a dedicated team of creatives ensuring a satisfying, spectacular cinematic experience, with a powerful message for contemporary times at its core.
Texts of A Pop Culture Buff 