[Weekly Update] I don't call it Barbenheimer. I call it Atomic Blonde. (Patreon)

Late reply because I went and watched both movies yesterday. It took all day, and it was exhausting. But it was fun.

CHANNEL UPDATE

Our new video has already been uploaded and will go live within a few days. It'll be about a 2001 animation called My Life as McDull. The video will contain some spoilers for a very good movie, so I do suggest giving the film a watch before heading into the video. However, the movie is difficult to find legally. I'm not insinuating anything with the inclusion of the word "legally".

Anyway, after that, we have a video on Chocolate (2008), in which we'll discuss its fight scenes, the protagonist through a female gaze perspective, and also the protagonist from a neurodiversity perspective. It's an underrated movie that really deserves to be discussed.

Patreon bonus video will be made soon. My friend tells me to talk about Nolan's movies, since the timing is right. And honestly I'm tempted. But in reality, I don't have much to say about most of his works. At least I don't have any insight to offer. So we'll see what I come up with.

MEDIA TALK

It is said to be the last big event in Hollywood before things go into the gutter for Hollywood. Two major original movies being released at the same time. I was there, and people were all dressed up. It was the first time in my life that I wish I had a pink fedora.

It was also the millionth time I wish I have abs.

On one hand, we have the most political movie of the year. On the other, we have a movie about the development of the atomic bomb.

Anyway, I enjoyed both movies, walking away with minor nitpicks. I'll need some time for my experience to settle, so here are my first impressions.

I watched Oppenheimer first, because I don't want to be tired going into this movie. I was expecting a film similar to Imitation Game, where Oppenheimer must race against time, and finish the Trinity Test before the negotiation between US and Russia.

I also was expecting it to be about the distant rivalry between Oppenheimer and Heisenberg, two aquatints turned rival in the war, each leading the atomic project in their country.

In reality, the movie was even more dense than I expected. The film virtually incorporated every single detail from Oppenheimer's life, resulting in a movie that is wall to wall dialogue and music. From the early days of Oppenheimer's study, to his affair, to his post-war trial. Everything is in it. Some may say, it is just too much.

Given the amount of information cramped into this film, the editor did as good of a job as possible. The film feels tightly packed and well presented. It's efficient, but isn't going too fast.

The thing that carried the entire movie for me is the acting, especially given the fact that every character speaks in the same manner. Cillian Murphy did an excellent job capturing the unique mannerism of Oppenheimer, down to the way he licks his lips. Emily Blunt is always amazing as the drunk housewife. Not sure why she always plays the same character. Matt Damon, while not transformative, is surprisingly fantastic.

But by far, the star that shrines the brightest is Robert Downey Jr. I've always known him to be a transformative star. He was absolutely stunning as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin. And in Oppenheimer, RDJ just steals the show. There is no doubt in my mind that he'll take every supporting acting awards later this year.

As for Barbie, it was every bit as weird and self-aware as I hoped. And maybe what Cocaine Bear should've been. If you are watching it with a friend, talk to your friends about what you think the story is going to be, think about what you know about Barbie, and it'll make the experience even better.

Between the two films, if I have to say which movie should be watched in theatres, I actually think Barbie's visual warrants the big screen treatment more. The gaudy pink you see on your computer screen looks much more pastel and layered in cinema, and the visual impact of it ties neatly into the film's humor. It'll look like a stupid kid's comedy on a computer screen. And Oppenheimer, being a dialogue driven movie, can still be enjoyed on a small screen.

Beside, you can't even see it in 70mm anyway, you are ALWAYS watching it on a smaller screen by default.

My first impression on Barbie is that while it puts on a dumb exterior, it is much more clever than it lets on. The sarcasm it exhibits is oh so delicious, and the reaction it gets from people are even better. That's also why it's so much fun to watch in a theater full of people.

In its "I don't care about what you think" attitude, however, the movie did become a bit too self-indulgent, not only in its commentary, but in its pacing as well. Obviously, I've been vague throughout this update as to not spoil anything. So if you want a complete fresh experience, feel free to stop here.

So, I'm talking about Will Farrell. I think his character has no business being outside the Mattel headquarters. For one thing, he doesn't have a story, unlike Barbie, or Ken, or even Alan. Wait, who's Alan? Anyway, Farrell's only purpose in the film is to offer a target to mock out of touch male CEOs. And that purpose was fulfilled the moment we see him. Yet he returns to the film in two additional scenes, where he adds nothing to the narrative, and very little to the commentary, as well.

The worst part is, because of his inclusion, the ending feels overly long, and thus sidelining Barbie's own ending, which comes after his. It made Barbie's last decision feel tacked on. The emotional momentum was exhausted before Barbie sees the light.

Anyway, that was my early thoughts on both movies. I'm sure you know which movie you preferred already, so I won't recommend one over the other. I will say, however, watching one movie after another is a surprisingly complementary experience. Give it a shot! I'll see you soon with a new video!