Weekend Watch: Annihilator ‘Oppenheimer’ and Ironic ‘Barbie’

July 22, 2023

L to R: Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer — L to R: Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy in ‘Oppenheimer’ © Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved

*Two films, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are the focus of the Hollywood box office promotion machine this weekend. Let’s talk about ’em. First, the “father of the atomic bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer, is responsible for the annihilation of Japan’s Hiroshima. So, is “Oppenheimer” a monster or a hero? In theaters now, moviegoers can decide. Based on the book, “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, “Oppenheimer” is now immortalized on the big screen. “Oppenheimer” is cinematically stunning, and the performances are splendid. But is this man worthy of such praise?

A genius and adulterer, Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) had misgivings once the atomic Kraken was released into the hands of the government. President Truman (Gary Oldman), annoyed by the “crybaby scientist,” told Oppenheimer the blood was on his hands. Yet, when Oppenheimer was asked what should be done with Los Alamos, the New Mexico experimental bomb site, he said, “Give it back to the Indians.”

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the epic thriller, however, loses its masterful footing and falls into the lascivious lair many amateur, unimaginable filmmakers descend into—gratuitous female nudity. Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr., Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Matt Damon, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, and Casey Affleck also star.

“Barbie“

It’s ironic that “Barbie” (Margot Robbie) is told to go into the real world when she is searching for answers. Little does she know how fake and plastic the real world is. There are so many girls and women thriving to be Barbie-like, and plastic surgery is also very common among the young. Ken (Ryan Gosling), who hitches a ride with Barbie into the real world, laments not having any genitalia. In the real “fake” world movies pretend also that men do not have genitalia. It is only women whose breasts and private parts are always exposed.

And on the real, who is “Barbie” really for? “Barbie” is certainly no toy story. In “Toy Story,” we know it is for children, but also appeals to adults. Although it can take some lessons in diversity from “Barbie,” “Toy Story” messages are rooted in friendship, family, and love. For sure, there are some important messages in “Barbie,” but using the “Barbie” platform as a cash grab, isn’t that pretty in pink, nor “Godfather” references. Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Barbie” in theaters now, also stars America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Simu Liu.

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