B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Greta Gerwig’s Barbie into the ol’ VCR. 

In honor of Barbenheimer, I want to explain part of the reason why I don’t care for Christopher Nolan (I promise there’s a reason I’m talking about this). 

First and foremost, I’m just not a fan of his work (I’m going to spare y’all my famous disclaimer because I’m sure you know it by heart). Interstellar is one of my least favorite movies, and I’ve gone on the record multiple times describing him as Michael Bay with a film degree from NYU. However, my dislike of Christopher Nolan runs even deeper. 

See, as a woman who loves pop culture, I’ve had Christopher Nolan mansplained to me on multiple occasions. I’ve been told I just “don’t get it.” The funny thing is, I’ve always had mixed friend groups, and the men in my group have never ragged on other men for not liking Christopher Nolan. Weird. 

I may only celebrate the Barb part of Barbenheimer, but the memes are fire. 

That brings us to Barbie, which in my humble little female opinion (she said sarcastically), is one of the BEST movies I’ve seen all year. You heard me. 

Barbie is for any woman/nonbinary/femme presenting person who has ever been catcalled or told they were “too much” for having emotions, or told they were a “bitch” for standing up for themselves. 

And that’s exactly why extreme Christian and Conservative groups don’t want you watching it. I want to dispel all of the absolute bullshit they’re spewing and be straight (lol at me saying that) with you: 

THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO SEE BARBIE BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW POWERFUL MARGINALIZED GROUPS CAN BE WHEN THEY BAND TOGETHER, SO THEY’RE TRYING TO TELL YOU IT’S PROPAGANDA. 

I said what I said. 

Forget the cup because I’m honestly drinking straight from the pitcher.

Also, it must be super upsetting to be portrayed as unintelligent himbos that are purely used as playthings and are second string to another group. 

That must be really hard for them to watch (again, she said sarcastically). I’m a queer, plus-sized, woman, so I wouldn’t know anything about that (again, again, she said sarcastically). I digress. 

Barbie is laugh-out-loud funny, and most importantly, I can’t tell you the last time I felt the sense of community I felt in that movie theater. To illustrate my point, the air conditioning went out in our theater (as a friendly reminder, I live in Texas) for the last 30-45 minutes of our showing, and no one left; we all just started fanning ourselves with our menus. 

I’m also surprised to say that Ryan Gosling is a real stand out. Gone is the quiet, smirking Ryan Gosling that took the world by storm back in the early to mid 2010s. This Ryan Gosling is funny, endearing, and unafraid to embrace the camp (or homoeroticism). 

Hey Girl, Barbie really shows off my other talents, so you can stop worshiping the Blue Valentine/Crazy, Stupid, Love./Drive Ryan Gosling of the past. 

Don’t get me wrong. Barbie still has Greta Gerwig’s fingerprints all over it, especially within its humor and pivotal scenes. But, it skews more Lady Bird than Francis Ha, for comparison. 

Additionally, Barbie isn’t just a pink paradise; it has real heart. Quite frankly, there were multiple scenes that made me tear up. I’ll give you one spoiler — I’m really glad Greta Gerwig fought for the bench scene. I think it adds another level to the film and really drives home the ending. 

Also, if you went to a liberal arts college and/or belong to any of the groups I previously mentioned, the guitar scene is a little *too* real. 

I just love Bo Burnham and Phoebe Bridgers together. 

Barbie exceeded my expectations in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s hysterical, touching, and reinforces a powerful message. I know I keep harping on this, but I can’t tell you the last time I felt that much community in a movie theater. 

Also, there’s a lot of meta commentary from The Narrator (I’ll leave their identity a secret) and several movie and pop culture references sprinkled throughout that movie lovers will truly appreciate, not to mention America Ferrera’s monologue that made me SNAP in the theater. 

Watching so many people walk into the theater in costumes and strangers complimenting each other gave me the boost of serotonin I didn’t know I needed. In short, Barbie reminded me why I love going to the movies and why movies are so tethered to my emotions. 

She really is everything.