BARBIE MOVIE REVIEW 2023

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BARBIE MOVIE
By Elizabeth Perryman #anarmrestrenegade
Trailer: https://youtu.be/pBk4NYhWNMM

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

1. What cognitive dissonance keeps you up at night? (Me: Being too reactive when I know life is complicated)
2. What makes you, you? (Me: Performing, Exploring, Making Music, Creating)
3. How have you been oppressed? (Me: Living in the era of born straight until proven gay)

I truly believe that the Barbie creators and movie makers must have enjoyed some grade A Ayahuasca (plant based psychedelic) throughout the creation of this film. The Barbie Movie was one heck of a brilliant trip.

I begin my review with the Seuss Sneetches.

“The Star-Belly Sneetches think they are the best, and look down upon Sneetches without stars. The Plain-Belly Sneetches remain depressed and oppressed, prohibited from associating with their star-bellied counterparts, until Sylvester McMonkey McBean comes along with his Star-on and Star-off machines. Once Mr. McBean leaves with all their money, the Sneetches learn that Sneetches are Sneetches, none better than another.”

Why did I harken back to this allegory from 1961? Because I believe the Barbie movie is touching allegory. The movie challenges the viewer to search for what makes them authentic, not shaped by imposed cultural norms.

In my “mojo dojo casa house”, I am spintoliz. I music. I inhabit Lizdom. This makes me, me. I believe that much of what challenges us in life is much less literal than we think. The continuing world events that we experience are infinite and cyclical. Our life journey is built on enduring parodies; allegories; parables etc.

My personal worldview REJECTS pink birkenstocks as progress. I would be one DEPRESSED diva if I was forced to live as a perfect plastic doll SANS genitalia. Truth be told, yours truly has personal history turning my Barbies into attic smelling, poorly hair cutted, and graffiti faced playmates. When their storyline no longer fit my angsty adolescent narrative, their weird existence was future certainty. If I was to impose my Liz-land upon others, toxic positivity platitudes would be abnormal; self deprecation, honest affirmation, and dark humor would be rampant. Flat feet would be embraced and cellulite would be a rite of passage.

SO, how does this relate to my barbie movie review you may be wondering?

The BARBIE movie uses allegorical storytelling through a beloved child icon of the last century.

The deftly CLEVER and uber stylized Barbie screenplay explores universal human themes e.g. fear of change, imbalance, need to be heard/have purpose, use of power, contrary portal exploration, toxicity, and oppression. It is not from one vantage point. It shows the universal experiences listed above from various perspectives.

If you view this film at face value, you will be disappointed and miss out.

No, I do not believe this movie is Anti-Men. It is NOT a women’s lib, incel thriving trope to help women finally crack the ultimate glass ceiling.

In a WOMAN-DOMINANT world (which was sorely needed in 1959 when Ruth saved children from eternal baby dolls with toe walking Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie), men are superfluous. All positions of leadership are women. Toxic positivity is the cultural law of the land and excessive shades of pink color the countryside.

In a MALE-DOMINANT world (which we are currently recovering from as a culture), women are superfluous and subjugated. All positions of leadership are men. Toxic masculinity is the law of the land and women are meant primarily to breed and serve.

THIS, my armrestrenegaders, is the point of the film. Through a colorful and fantastical story, both male/female dominant realities and their oppression is explored. In this particular story, binary gender roles are used to depict human fallibility.

Life is uncomfortable. We do our best to craft an existence to bypass our insatiable inner void. Kendom and Barbieland are comparable unexamined existences. And imo, they both suck. (Well…..I do kinda love me the weird Barbie domicile).

FAVE MOMENTS:

1. The opening with BabyDoll Gate and Savior Barbara Millicent Roberts.
2. I was brought back to my childhood play with the way the movie had Barbie move-dress-drive-eat-drink-fall in her townhouse/barbie land.
3. The limited use of CGI and live action was well integrated.
4. Ryan Gosling. He was the stand out performance for me. His facial expressions were peed pants worthy. His character parody was a thoroughly committed Laurence Oliver approach.
5. America Ferrera’s monologue was stunning. Should be required listening.
6. I was tickled by the overall tunes, costumes, and choreography.
7. All actors were well cast. Margot and Ryan were great together. I was really rooting for Margot. I found her very empathetic. I loved Helen Mirren’s narrative and interjected quips.
8. I appreciate the movie perspective which purported the importance of ideas.
9. I was enamored of Ryan’s perfect pecs. I wonder if they were prosthetic. And the creative language was highly amusing e.g. “I can’t even beach here.”
10. I need to find out what orange sculpture that was in front of the Mattel offices.
11. I loved the cinematic graveyard of discontinued dolls and was so thrilled to see 2nd fiddle Allen become the gender free dark horse hero in the story.
12. I loved the movie’s message: Don’t allow, in this case, men, to play on your egos and stir petty jealousies so that you turn on other women.
13. I want to know WHO played the amazing kid bit part who met Barbie in the lunch room before she ambushed the angry/disenfranchised teenagers? Her part was solid gold. She nailed it.
14. The dog poop. Amazing.

ARMRESTRATING: I raise 2 Universal Mojo Dojo Casa Armrests for a unique film. I will be watching this more than once; so many cool details and easter eggs to find. Depending on your age and development, there is something for everyone. I saw GREASE when I was 9. I was obsessed. And NO, I didn’t pick up the MUCH MORE inappropriate language in GREASE that I see now. Have you listened to the actual words of “GREASED LIGHTNING?” The hyper helicopter parent overreaction is epic these days. I do have 1 slight movie annoyance though It was America’s husband. What was his point with the duolingo and overall non impact? Was he America’s Ken? His storyline wasn’t “KENOUGH” for me. Go see Barbie.

MOVIE REVIEW: 🍿 🎥 ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzRzojHC3iE

“God? Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret Simon. First, I’ve heard a lot of great things about you. – Margaret”

Before I begin, I first take you on my personal fan fiction version of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God”. Picture this. It’s 1982. My small rod permed head is laying on my shag carpet in my pepto bismol bedroom. Yes, frizzy lizzy was my bully call from down the hallways of Hauser Junior High. But I digress. Shoo ye junior high trauma; this is supposed to be fantasy.

ANYWAY, I am relaxing on a Saturday afternoon and have just finished reading a Judy Blume book. It was one that I can actually relate to; not the real one that left a mysterious sadness on a cellular level. No, I would have no clue of my inner baby dyke for many years until Bourbon street dragged it out of me post Y2K.

My “Are You There God” historical revision/fan fiction version would include the following:

1. There would be a maypole with no stern gender roles and a plethora of sequin bedazzled ribbons.
2. There would be music run by a cute go go boy (wearing roller skates and gold lame of course) blasting “I will survive”.
3. Instead of chanting “we must increase our bust,” my mantra would be “I must, I must, I must get strong & robust”.
4. The winners of the kissy closet scene would be the top two arm wrestlers. 
5. Socks would be required and clothing wise, I would either choose an oversized goth sweater and leggings combo or some sort of colorful mumu over my grow bra to wear down the lord of the flies Junior High halls. I never did have that inner voice telling me to make sure to be one of the pack; probably part of my problem at the time. Oh how I wished I would have found my fruit fly earlier in life.

I could go on. But you get the picture. 

So watching this very straight world right of passage book from my adolescence on screen as a proud middle aged lipstick lesbian was a trip.

FILMING: I appreciated the filming. There was a lot of care taken with the details. The era was thoughtfully depicted. I was transported back right to our harvest gold kitchen. 

ACTORS: The actors were good. Margaret’s acting was especially well done. I loved her universal quest in finding her own authentic spirituality. Kathy Bates was fabulous too. She’s always so memorable. I still think of her epic work in Misery whenever I see her in a movie. I always love Rachel McAdam’s but tbh I felt like the movie was too much of her. The snarky side of me thinks it must have been a contractual thing to get her big name on board because the story is not “are you there god it’s Margaret’s mom.” 🙄 😂

MOVIE CRAFT: It was fascinating to see the cultural touches of the time. The filmmakers respectfully incorporated diversity which was refreshing to see as I lived in a pretty limited bubble at the time.

CULTURAL REFERENCES:I loved seeing the progressiveness with the boomer parents. And Grandma took Margaret to see Pirates of Penzance! Great touch since that was around the time Smith and Ronstadt were singing operetta. 

KIDS RULE: I loved seeing how insightful children can be and how their problems are proportional to adult issues. I am glad we are moving past the “children should be seen and not heard” dark ages. I also didn’t know back in the day that this book took place near where I live now in NJ. This movie does show that kid culture and swag will always push the limits and the more we change, the more we stay the same.

LOTS OF LAUGHS: There were lots of laughs with a great nostalgic throwback.

ARMRESTRATING: I raise a 1.5 bust increased arm rest up for a solid flick. It’s not a movie I think I’ll see again on purpose but it was entertaining. Now, maybe they can make Judy Blume’s “blubber” next.

#akintsucrooner

Sound Of Freedom #moviereview

MOVIE REVIEW 🎥 🍿
SOUND OF FREEDOM
By Elizabeth Perryman #anarmrestrenegade
https://youtu.be/hyyyKcfJRGQ

Truth be told, I’m not quite ready to see Barbie and Oppenheimer. Not sure why. However I’m equally interested in seeing both movies. I have always loved history and I did play with Barbies as a child. My Barbie kicks are ready to don when I do see the film.

I have been wanting to see “Sound of Freedom” for a while. It wasn’t until I walked out at the end of the movie 30 minutes ago that I found out the biases and controversy surrounding the film.

So below is my reaction to this film knowing nothing before the film. I went because of the gripping plot premise.

SUSPENSEFUL: The movie is suspenseful. The filming was thoughtful, artistic, and added texture to the dramatic pulse.

IMPORTANT: Whether it is this film or others that have similar content like “Lion” or “Sold”, I believe it’s important to know about these modern day atrocities often inflicted on children worldwide.

DIFFICULT: I found myself battling tears throughout the film. It’s difficult to watch but necessary.

LANGUAGE SPECIFIC: I didn’t connect with the language approach of this film as it is a specific verbiage that doesn’t match my spiritual path. However I respect and admire the passion and commitment of those who have been blessed to deliver children from these despicable human conditions.

DIRECT: This movie is not subtle. The direction and storytelling is meant to conjure an emotional reaction. It did for me. There’s no moral ambiguity. It was clear to me how the filmmakers wanted me to feel even by the way the scenes were edited. There were a couple comic moments with the evil guys on the water that I don’t think was meant to be funny.

STANDOUTS: I don’t know how they could have picked 2 better child actors. Lucás Ávila and Cristal Aparicio were extraordinary. Their work was not overdone and deeply impactful.

EYE CATCHING: Who is this dreamy Pablo Delgado? I must IMDb. ;-D

MOVING PARTS: I appreciated seeing how this can happen. The movie really spelled it out. It opened my eyes.

TAKEAWAY: My working definition of the “meaning of life” has fluctuated throughout the years since my “who am I and what does this all mean” high school years. This film made me consider how too often life can be an awkward sock hop dance. We either become usurped by our emotions and or disconnect to cope (I’ll take middle ground for 200 please, Alex). This film also made me consider what call opens up our eyes to establishing more meaning to our lives. Wherever the charge comes from (God, nature, personal connections, artistry), it’s a pivotal life nod when a person is able to find what propels them to transcend self.

ARMRESTRATING: I raise 2 arm rests raised in solidarity for those who suffer as we speak.

ACTUAL STORY: Tim Ballard and children: https://downthehobbitholeblog.com/2023/characters-from-sound-of-freedom/