For those of you who would have other issues which concern you, you may have missed the social media phenomena that is the twin release of the above potentially ‘massive’ (wryly said) films- the publicity and media frenzy is such it has its own name Barbeneimer under which folk write about the two films, and then other folk write about the folk who are writing about the two films and so on. In such a frenetic atmosphere not only are the fans of the two genres (Live Action Fantasy and Serious Historical Biopic) getting involved but those with political or prejudicial axes to grind are weighing in. This is not usual; if you wanted to upset the misogynist or incel inadequates you only had to mention the 2016 all women Ghostbuster’s film; to watch folk air their racism under the shoddy attempt of artistic criticism check out some reviews of Black Panther.

In this instance the matter has reached a whole new level. If you are ‘serious’ about your right wing views you really should be furious about Barbie .I’m not too sure why but a few have dashed to their You Tube or Columns to screech ‘woke’ which these days is an acceptable way of saying ‘I am an intolerant bigot and hate progress-except when it benefits me’. When it comes to Oppenheimer there will be folk in the UK who will boycott the film in the same mindset as when they ranted about Midway(2019) (Go figure. I read the Facebook posts and they didn’t make sense to me. Simply…All America- Bad. Perilously close to racism.) Meanwhile some folk will feel the need to air their ‘serious’ credentials and only see the latter, shuddering at the thought of the former. Most folk will simply choose their preference because they like that kind of film and that is all there is to it, they I approve of. And there will be folk who will not care for either, and will tire of the whole Hoo-Haa, they, I also approve of.  Others like me will have done excited little dances (in my case in my head) at the thought of both. As actually going to a cinema is an uncomfortable experience for me (something to do with eyesight) there will be a wait for the DVDs (or streaming if not an over expensive rip-off).

Thus you may be wondering ‘Is he caught up in this Barbeneimer frenzy too’ ? And yes  to some degree. In so far as:

I liked a good historical drama and Oppenheimer was a complex character. In the aftermath of WWII he ended up being designated a security risk and not allowed near nuclear research, because he was expressing doubts about the use of using Nuclear Weapons. The plot line, based on the biography  ‘The American Prometheus’  seems to run close to historical fact and the ensemble cast playing historical characters (roughly 50) contains a goodly number of quality actors. The story line goes beyond WWII and into the murky Cold War era and its politics both at national level and at that lower level wherein folk scratch and bite for their place at the table. Being a serious ‘biopic’ and in particular one which deals with nuclear weaponry there is nothing happy. Also in similar vein to The Imitation Game, Official Gratitude will be in short supply and short of memory

Barbie on the other hand is another of my favourite types, in which a fictional character is brought to life and placed in a real world situation. This is nothing new. There are Cinderellas ‘a’plenty skipping around the 20th & 21st Century film & TV industry. The initially very clever and successful TV series  ‘Once Upon A Time’ tried to cram most fairy story characters into its seven year run. And in animation they run riot. Barbie herself has had a busy and popular time staring in children’s animation over many years. This film takes the whole Barbie-verse and appears to bring it on collision course with our real world even into an existentialist level, something which the original Lego movies and the Wreck-It Ralph two films managed wonderfully in animation. Barbie however goes Live Action and if you are of an SF/ Fantasy frame of mind with a credible plot as to how she gets into the real world.

I will have to stop there because it is not possible to conduct a credible critical appraisal of either film without seeing them first. What I can do however is express my enthusiasm at eventually seeing both. The former will be a very tough watch. but I have faith in the director and the cast; critics of course will not be consulted. The latter will be fun, again there is faith in the director, script and cast.

Also since so many intolerant and insecure male rightist commentators of small talent are against Barbie my enthusiasm is multiplied several times. UK’s very own Piers Morgan who seems to spend an inordinate amount of time looking for things to be offended by dislikes the film because of the lack of male characters and how unfair it is to Ken which since the principal character is a girl makes one wonder about his personal levels of self-image and insecurity. I assume he went to the cinema, thus never will grow old the image of Piers Morgan  middle aged (late) well-fleshed and slightly pompous figure sitting in a cinema surrounded by teenage girls who want to see their childhood heroine in action. It will stay with me while I eventually watch my dvd copy.

Returning to the more mature outlook (sorry Piers but someone has to present a positive image of the folk of ‘a certain age’ for the younger generations). It is therefore not just possible but also quite normal to consider two very diverse films to be on one’s ‘Must Watch’ list because we are complex make-ups of lies, dislikes, preferences and so-forths.  I understand there are quite a few folk in the uk who are trying to fit both into one day’s viewing. It’s going to be a long time to the end of the year when the dvds come out. And here’s me at 72 who should not be wishing bits of his remaining years away.

Just remember if you want to annoy a right-wing commentator or misogynist just send them a message in support of The Barbe film.