 From Steven Spielberg's masterful 1993 dinosaur film to the inferior Chris Pratt trilogy, I ranked all seven Jurassic Park / World movies from this prehistoric Hollywood franchise. Enjoy! — Arnold At The Movies
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 Wes Anderson is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Known for his distinctive filmmaking style, which features rapid pans, tilts, and zooms. Anderson's films widely study themes of grief, coming-of-age, and dysfunctional families. Blended with colorful visuals and rockin' soundtracks, Anderson's eccentricity bleeds through his body of work. I have been a huge fan of Anderson's work my entire life, and I deeply love every one of his movies. Here, I rank all 13 of Anderson's feature films. Enjoy! — Arnold At The Movies
 In 2024, I was invited to be a guess podcast reviewer with Mashley at the Movies six times. My good friends, Matt and Ashley, have been reviewing movies since 2018. I highly recommend listening to their reviews and follow them on X and Instagram at @mashleymovies. Below are the six podcast reviews I did. Enjoy! 2024 Podcast Reviews on Mashley at the Movies
 For nearly 30 years, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible franchise has delivered some of the most thrilling and nerve-racking stunts ever captured on film. The M:I franchise is one of the greatest film franchises ever created. Here, I ranked all eight M:I films from 1996 to 2025. In my humble opinion, there are no bad M:I films. In Ethan Hunt we trust. — Arnold At The Movies
 Growing up, I have always been a big fan of the horror genre: the thrills, the tension, the chills that go down your spine. Horror is an expansive genre that can cover much ground, from supernatural to physiological to serial killers to killer birds. It's a big tent that aims to frighten or shock its audience, always leaving them returning for more. Below, are 35 of my favorite horror films that I deeply love. – Arnold At The Movies
 To celebrate the release of this summer's Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and also this 56-year-old science fiction post-apocalyptic franchise, I personally rank all 10 Planet of the Apes movies. Enjoy! – Arnold At The Movies
 Epic doesn’t even begin to describe Dune: Part Two. Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is a massive cinematic achievement that left me in awe. A grand scale of direction and vision. From the direction to the acting to the score to the cinematography, Dune: Part Two excels in them all. See it on the biggest screen possible. Denis Villeneuve’s masterful sequel receives a 5-star review from me.We await your orders, Lisan al-Gaib ... Lead them to paradise.  Dune: Part Two is Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel to his 2021 sci-fi epic, Dune. Based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, Dune: Part Two follows the journey of Paul Atreides (a superb Timothée Chalamet). Paul is on a quest for revenge against those who killed his family in the previous film. In Part Two, Paul unites with Chani (a terrific Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against House Harkonnen and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (a sly Christopher Walken). Paul will face a choice between the love of his life, Chani, and the fate of the known universe, on a path of destruction that only he can foresee. Part Two, much like past Greek stories and mythologies, is a tragedy. Part Two doesn't necessarily take the path you want it to, but rather the path of characters evolving for their own selfish and power-hungry needs. Part Two also jumps into a world of religion and faith. With religion comes vulnerabilities that allows for a false prophet to come in and take control. Villeneuve is a masterful director, especially when it comes to science fiction films (2021's Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival). He's one of our greatest modern directors currently working in the industry. In addition, the cast for Part Two is stacked: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem. All of the actors brought their a-game, no matter how big or how small their part was in the film. Part Two is not just Paul's story but also Chani's story. An aspect I really appreciated.  Cinematographer Greig Fraser (2021's Dune and The Batman) delivers another epic and breathtaking picture. You will be wowed. I was in awe of Fraser's breathtaking desert landscape. There's also a black-and-white sequence for House Harkonnen that is absolutely stunning. This is where we are introduced to Feyd-Rautha (a devilish Austin Butler). Furthermore, composer Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, Gladiator, Inception, and 2021's Dune) hammered a score so hot it will leave your ears ringing after the credits roll. Zimmer was on fire with Part Two; I could feel the score in my bones, the very essence of my core. Part Two is a movie I recommend seeing on the biggest screen possible. I was blessed to have seen it on IMAX, and it was worth every penny for the price of admission. The action does not let up in Part Two, keeping you on the edge of your seat for its hefty runtime of 165 minutes. This week, Legendary Pictures has already confirmed that Dune: Messiah is officially in development, gifting Villeneuve with his Dune trilogy on Paul Atreides story arc. Within a month, Part Two has already grossed $632.4 million at the worldwide box office. Part Two came, wowed, and conquered. I am excited for what Messiah has in store for us. Until then, "Long live the fighters."  Want to hear more of my thoughts on Dune: Part Two? I spoke with my friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast Mashley at the Movies. Listen Here. Dune: Part Two is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Sequences of Strong Violence | Brief Strong Language | Some Suggestive Material. Directed by Denis Villeneuve Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem.  Lists are truly never final. We were able to catch up on some more movies we missed from 2023 and decided to re-update our Top 16 Films of 2023. — Arnold At The Movies
 The 96th Academy Awards gave us one of the best lineups for Best Animated Feature. I have always been a big fan of animation and its beautiful gift to cinema. Here, I review three nominated films (The Boy and the Heron, Robot Dreams, and Nimona). I was able to write reviews for Elemental and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse last year. Enjoy! The Boy and the Heron  Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo) is a master storyteller. I had many thoughts after seeing The Boy and the Heron last December. The Boy and the Heron is a dark, complex, and meditative look at grief. The Boy and the Heron showcases stunning animation throughout, along with Miyazaki's signature style that we've come to love. A stellar voice cast excels, not to mention actor Robert Pattinson brings out his little freak as The Gray Heron. He understood the assignment. I saw the English dubbed version, which consisted of actors Luca Padovan, Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, and Dave Bautista.  The Boy and the Heron is another Miyazaki masterpiece. Studio Ghibli's 24th feature film continues to showcase why Studio Ghibli is the best-animated studio out there. This fantasy-adventure follows the story of Mahito (voiced by an excellent Padovan), who loses his mother to a hospital fire during the Pacific War in Tokyo. Later on, Mahito and his father Shoichi (voiced by a strong Bale) decide to leave Tokyo and move to the family's estate in the countryside. Shoichi has remarried his late wife's sister, Natsuko (voiced by a wonderful Chan), who is also pregnant. Mahito has become distant from Natsuko as he is still mourning the loss of his late mother. At the family estate, Mahito discovers a mysterious ancient tower as well as a mischievous gray heron (a stellar Pattinson). After Natsuko disappears in the tower, Mahito and the gray heron go to find her in the land of the living and dead. The Boy and the Heron covers a lot of ground, but Miyazaki and his team unveil it poetically. Yes, it would not be a Miyazaki movie if things did not get weird (which they do!), but it's always engrossing. I was captivated by this film from the beginning until the end. The gorgeous hand-drawn animation will bring tears to your eyes. The Boy and the Heron was my third favorite film to come out in 2023, and I'm hoping it goes all the way and wins the Oscar for Best Animated Feature this March, giving Miyazaki his second Oscar. I know Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the favorite for the Oscar, but I hope The Boy and the Heron can take the upset. Miyazaki's latest masterwork receives 5-stars from me.  The Boy and the Heron is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) For Smoking | Bloody Images | Some Violent Content. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Japanese Voice Cast: Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, Kaoru Kobayashi, and Jun Kunimura. English Voice Cast: Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, and Dave Bautista. Robot Dreams  Robot Dreams is a moving, heartfelt, and sweet picture. This nonverbal story tells the bond between a dog and a robot. I had a lot of emotions after watching it. I continue to think about the level of depth this film showcases on friendship, love, loss, and moving on. Robot Dreams is a tragicomedy with lovely animation backed by a catchy soundtrack. I am so happy this Spanish-French film was nominated for an Oscar (Best Animated Feature). Our story follows 1980s Manhattan, where Dog lives alone. Dog is lonely and needs a companion. One day, while watching TV, Dog sees an advertisement for a robot friend and calls to order it immediately. When Robot arrives, Dog and him become instant friends. They explore Manhattan while listening to Earth, Wind & Fire's "September."  Dog and Robot are inseparable throughout the summer. At the end of the summer, Dog takes Robot to the beach. After a long day of playing in the water and beach-going, Robot realizes that he has become too rusty and cannot move. Dog does not know what to do to rescue Robot and no one is around to help. Dog returns the next day but sees that the beach is now closed for the rest of the year, leaving Robot stuck on the beach by himself. I'll allow you to find out what comes next with this emotional roller coaster of love and loss. Robot Dreams' 2D style blossoms beautifully while the storyline explores the resilient spirit of New York City. Delightful, heartbreaking, and always engaging Robot Dreams cuts deep. NEON's North American theatrical release for Robot Dreams is this May (2024). So, mark your calendars and make sure you go out and see it. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it. In the end, writer and director Pablo Berger's joyous film receives 5-stars from me.  Robot Dreams is Not Rated (NR). Written and Directed by Pablo Berger Nimona  Netflix's Nimona is a blast from start to finish. Nimona boasts a richly rewarding story along with gorgeous animation. Nimona is a deeply lovable animated feature that will sweep you off your feet. A splendid voice cast consisting of actors Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman. Our story follows a futuristic medieval world where a knight, Ballister Boldheart (a wonderful Ahmed), is framed for a crime he didn't commit. Now, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is a shapeshifting creature named Nimona (a charismatic Grace Moretz). So, Nimona becomes Ballister's sidekick, and the adventure is on! Nimona also showcases a genuine LGBTQ storyline between Ballister and his boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin (a great Lee Yang). Ballister and Ambrosius' relationship is a wonderful addition to the story that riches the film as a whole.  Back in 2021, Nimona was supposed to be released by Blue Sky Studios. Sadly, Disney had announced that they were going to be shutting down Blue Sky. This announcement left the film in limbo. In addition, Disney decided to pass on the film altogether. In 2022, controversy surrounded the Disney leadership as they passed on the film because of its LGBTQ themes and a same-sex kiss. Thankfully, in April of 2022, Annapurna Pictures announced that they had gone on to pick up the film and that Netflix would be releasing it in 2023. DNEG Animation also announced that they would be the project's animation partner. Look where we are now: Nimona is an Oscar-nominated film, was critically acclaimed, and was a huge hit on Netflix. I am thankful that Annapurna and Netflix helped save this marvelous movie. The animation is out-of-the-box, while the storyline is both heartwarming and funny. Nimona is full of heart and a fun-filled havoc. In the end, we get a little sense of anarchy that's a total delight. Netflix's Nimona receives 4 out of 5 stars from me.  Nimona is rated PG (Parental Guidance) For Thematic Elements | Some Language | Rude Humor | Violence and Action. Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman.  After 10 long years, the DC Extended Universe is finally over, and Warner Bros. is rebooting it with James Gunn and Peter Safran's upcoming DC Universe franchise. The DCEU opened with the birth of Kal-El (Superman) in 2013's Man of Steel and closed with actor Patrick Wilson eating a cockroach cheeseburger in 2023's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (good scene!). Thus concluded this sometimes great, sometimes terrible, and always messy superhero franchise. Here's my personal ranking of all 16 films. — Arnold At The Movies
 2023 concluded with another phenomenal year of cinematic achievements. We saw diverse storytelling, quiet masterpieces, three-hour biopics, powerful dramas, eye-popping animation, and bold filmmaking. Here are our picks for the 30 Best Films of 2023. Enjoy! — Arnold At The Movies
 In 2023, I was invited to be a guess podcast reviewer with Mashley at the Movies 18 times. My good friends, Matt and Ashley, have been reviewing movies since 2018. I highly recommend listening to their reviews and follow them on X and Instagram at @mashleymovies. Below are the 18 podcast reviews I did. Enjoy! 2023 Podcast Reviews on Mashley at the Movies
 Here, I reviewed Wes Anderson's collection of four new Short films based on author Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977). The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar  Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar I loved The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar so much. I wish it were a little longer. I could have stayed in the wonderful little world of Henry Sugar forever. Clocking in at only 40 minutes, Wes Anderson uses the most of his face-paced, stylistic tone to whisk us through the breezy world of Henry Sugar (played by an incredible Benedict Cumberbatch). Anderson uses his characters in all four of his new Short films to speak the narration, like running a marathon. There's a sense of spiritual growth at the story's core, while the costume and production designs in this Short are some of the best I've seen this year for cinema. Henry Sugar opens into Anderson's jewel box of gorgeous set pieces, moving cameras, witty humor, and delightful storytelling. On top of Cumberbatch's superb performance are excellent performances from Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, and Ben Kingsley. Anderson moves his 40-minute Short in record speed, keeping the viewers engaged and our hearts open to this delightful story. Henry Sugar follows a variety of stories in one. The main storyline has to do with Henry Sugar (Cumberbatch) discovering a book that teaches him how to see through objects and predict the future. What Henry Sugar does with all of his earnings from playing blackjack on your own. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is truly wonderful indeed. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is Rated PG (Parental Guidance) Smoking Now Streaming on Netflix Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade. The Swan  Actors Rupert Friend and Asa Jennings The Swan is dark, breathtaking, and also heartbreaking. Wes Anderson's second Short is a complete 180 from his previous one. The Swan's tone and storyline are much darker and more tragic. Clocking in at a brisk 17 minutes, The Swan studies how trauma stays with an individual for years. Here, we follow a small, brilliant boy, Peter Watson, who loves nature and birds. Actors Rupert Friend and Asa Jennings both play Watson. Friend does the narration for this Short and is an older version of Watson looking back on this traumatizing event in his life. Jennings plays the younger version of Watson when that fateful event occurs. Jennings does not have any speaking roles, but his body language and acting chops are excellent throughout. The story follows Peter Watson, who is brutally tormented through a series of events by two large, idiotic bullies. One of these events involves the bullies strapping Watson down on train tracks, while the other involves a swan and a gun. I won't go into the heartbreaking events involving the swan. That's for you to uncover yourself. The Swan is extremely minimalistic in nature, but the moving set pieces and dark storyline kept me engaged. In the end, my heart was a little broken. The Swan is Not Rated (NR) Now Streaming on Netflix Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Rupert Friend, Asa Jennings, and Ralph Fiennes. The Rat Catcher The third feature, The Rat Catcher, is chock-full of screwball comedy. The Rat Catcher is probably the weakest of the four, but it's still a hilarious and oddball cinematic treat from Wes Anderson. Actors Richard Ayoade, Ralph Fiennes, and Rupert Friend showcase their comedic chops in this 17-minute-long Short film. While Fiennes lets his freak flag fly high as the eccentric "Rat Man." Our story follows a small English village that has a rat problem and needs to get rid of them. A reporter (Ayoade) and a mechanic (Friend) listen to Fiennes' wild tales of how he outwits his prey. Anderson uses some of his cheeky stop-motion in this Short. There is also a quick bit of comedic horror, shown through a series of close-up shots. Overall, The Rat Catcher is a breezy mix of quirky humor and bizarre storytelling. The Rat Catcher is Not Rated (NR) Now Streaming on Netflix Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Richard Ayoade, Ralph Fiennes, and Rupert Friend. Poison  Actors Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley Poison is intense, fast-paced, and nail-biting. How Dev Patel can speak so fast is truly insane. Last but not least is Wes Anderson's final Short, Poison, from Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977). Poison is a race against the clock to save an Englishman (Benedict Cumberbatch) who had a poisonous snake slither underneath his covers and onto his stomach. Cumberbatch's fellow associate (Patel) and a local doctor (Ben Kingsley) race to save him from being bitten by the deadly reptile. The tension will send an adrenaline rush through your veins during this fast-moving 17-minute Short feature. Poison is a manically written feature that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Patel's narration is nail-biting, while Anderson uses a series of close-ups and shaky cams to throw you into the action. Poison was my second favorite Short film out of the four. It's a lovely blend of thrills and chills that kept me fully engaged until the final frame. I hope Anderson makes and releases more Dahl Shorts down the road. As for now, take a bow, Mr. Anderson.
Poison is Not Rated (NR) Now Streaming on Netflix Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, and Ben Kingsley.  A Barbenheimer Feature Review!  Fan made "Barbenheimer" posters Barbie and Oppenheimer are officially in theaters, and both have been a huge success (commercially and critically). It was announced last year that both Barbie and Oppenheimer would be released to theaters on the same day: July 21, 2023. That announcement unexpectedly took the internet by storm, and Barbenheimer was born. The term Barbenheimer stands for "an internet phenomenon that began circulating on social media before the simultaneous theatrical release of the two blockbuster films." It started to get everyone excited, including myself. Closer to the release date, people were securing tickets for a double feature of both Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day. I have an 11-month-old (Charlotte), so Glynis and I had to split up Oppenheimer and Barbie within two days. We saw Oppenheimer first on Saturday the 22nd and Barbie second on Sunday the 23rd. Both of these movies receive a 5-star review from me. Oppenheimer  "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity." After seeing Oppenheimer and thinking about it, this movie is Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus. Oppenheimer is an incredible, haunting character study. The weight of Nolan's picture is enormous, and the film left me in awe. As of right now, this is the best movie I have seen this year. Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and Dunkirk) is a masterful director, gifting us with smartly written blockbuster spectacles for over 20 years now. Nolan filmed Oppenheimer with a combination of IMAX 65 mm and 65 mm large-format film. Oppenheimer also made history by filming portions in IMAX black-and-white for the first time ever. Just when I thought no more future films of his could top 2017's masterpiece known as Dunkirk, Nolan goes out a makes Oppenheimer. Nolan's latest picture is a 3-hour biographical thriller that studies the life and moral complexities of American theoretical physicist: J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by an excellent Cillian Murphy). A genius and a monster, J. Robert Oppenheimer became the director of the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos during World War II. He is known as the "father of the atomic bomb."  "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Now, Nolan's picture does not physically show the devastating effects of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (the horrific killing of +200,000 innocent Japanese civilians). However, we do see the moral weight of those grave decisions ripple throughout this film. “I have blood on my hands,” Oppenheimer exclaims to then President Truman (played by a sly Gary Oldman). It's a haunting conversation between these two figures. Murphy gives us a tour-de-force performance from start to finish. The film might be 3-hours long but it moves at a breakneck pace: keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The beginning of the movie introduces us to a young Oppenheimer during his Cambridge years. In addition to his time with the Manhattan Project, we also follow the storyline of the Oppenheimer Security Hearings in 1954. Here, AEC (United States Atomic Energy Commission) commissioner Lewis Strauss (played by a masterful Robert Downey Jr.) is trying to remove Oppenheimer's Q clearance and political influence. Nolan uses his craft to paint portions of the movie in black-and-white and in color. Nolan has stated that the black-and-white scenes were "objective," while the color scenes were meant to be "subjective." This idea and construct worked very well for the picture as the color sequences were more from Oppenheimer's perspective and reflected back on what he had unleashed in the world. While the black-and-white sequences were used objectively in the picture during the 1954 Oppenheimer Security Hearings and Strauss' devilish schemes.  "You are the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves. And the world is not prepared." There is a scene that shows the full fledged horror of Oppenheimer's creation during his speech to the other scientists after the dropping of the atomic bombs. Hell is unleashed in this scene, while composer Ludwig Göransson's (Creed, Black Panther, and Tenet) electrifying score will send chills down your spine. Göransson's score is one of the very best from this year and deserves to win an Oscar. Yes, it's that good. Göransson used the violin as the central theme of Oppenheimer's score — gifting the audience with a beautiful and anxiety-driven composition. The Trinity bomb testing sequence is also an adrenaline rush due Göransson's tension fueled score and it's one of my favorite scenes of the year. On top of Nolan's meticulously crafted direction and writing, is also the film's powerful performances by his band of actors. It's a sprawling list that includes actors Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Benny Safdie, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke, David Krumholtz, Tom Conti, Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Quaid, Josh Peck, David Dastmalchian, Gary Oldman and James Remar. Even if some of these actors only have a handful of lines, all of them bring their A-game. Murphy and Downey Jr. both deserve Oscar noms for their impeccable on-screen incarnations. Lastly, Hoyte van Hoytema's (Interstellar, Dunkirk, Ad Astra, and Nope) cinematography is gobsmacking to watch on the big screen. Beautiful and terrifying, I was in awe of van Hoytema's perfectly constructed shots. Van Hoytema has only been nominated once for an Oscar (Dunkirk), which is a shame because he has given us some of the most beautifully shot films in the last 20 years. I hope he is recognized next year by the Academy. In the end, Oppenheimer is a harrowing picture that grapples with the consequences of one's decisions. As Oppenheimer contemplates what he has unleashed in the world, the ripple effects begin to spiral out of control. Our government has abused its power, and empathy in this new world is even harder to find. Oppenheimer is Nolan's magnum opus. His latest feature is a cinematic achievement, a visual grandeur, emotionally resonant, and terrifyingly brilliant. A world on fire and forever altered.  Here's my ranking of Christopher Nolan's entire filmography via Letterboxd. Click Here. Oppenheimer's opening weekend grabbed a stellar $82.5 million domestically and it has already passed $400 million worldwide during its second box office weekend. Simply incredible. Oppenheimer is rated R (Restricted) For Nudity | Language | Some Sexuality. Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Benny Safdie, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke, David Krumholtz, Tom Conti, Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Quaid, Josh Peck, David Dastmalchian, Gary Oldman and James Remar. Barbie  "Hi, Barbie!" These Barbies are ready to take on the patriarchy. Greta Gerwig’s (Lady Bird and 2019's Little Women) Barbie is a bubblegum swirl of camp, charm, and subversive storytelling. Her picture dazzles and wows throughout. Actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are perfect as Barbie and Ken. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You will be moved. From the moment Gerwig's Barbie opened to a parody of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, I knew this film was going to be special. Based on Mattel's fashion doll, Barbie was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched in 1959. Gerwig's movie is everything I could have hoped for and more. From the extravagant production designs to the colorful costumes to the hilarious campy tone, Barbie offers a cinematic treat for audiences of all ages. Plus, there is a killer soundtrack throughout. Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach's (Frances Ha and Marriage Story) electric script is also incredibly moving and even poignant at times. Gerwig's picture is a journey to self-discovery, maturity, and finding one's purpose in this messy world.  “My job… is just beach.” — Ken Our story leads us to Barbieland, a matriarchal society where all of the Barbies are successful and self-sufficient. The Barbies in this world hold all of the positions: politician, doctor, lawyer, and even a Nobel Peace Prize winner. While their Ken counterparts enjoy their days engaged in mindless activities on the beach. Margot Robbie's Barbie is known as "Stereotypical" Barbie and Ryan Gosling's Ken is known as "Beach" Ken. Gosling's Ken is wanting to have a deeper relationship with Barbie (Robbie), but she only sees him as a friend and enjoys her independence. That is until she begins to have thoughts about death. “Do you guys ever think about dying?” Suddenly, this Barbie is having a full-on existential crisis. This crisis leads Barbie to travel to the real world, and Ken decides to tag along as her No. 2. I don't want to go much further into the plot — otherwise — I could accidentally spoil the rest of the movie. Barbie is a funny, empowering, and even moving summer blockbuster. Gerwig gives us another hit, and it's one of the best films of the year. An exquisite picture about growing up that is both raw and imaginative. Barbie is heavily stylized, taking a well-known IP and molding it in just the right way for the big screen. Even the brand extension in this movie is done with taste and pizzazz. Gerwig even focuses on the Kens, not just the Barbies. We see them also grow and find their own identities outside the shadows of their Barbie. Yes, you are "Kenough." Through all that glam and glitter is a beating heart waiting to discover the world. One might even shed a tear by the end of this picture, something that I would not have expected in a Barbie movie. Yet, I was deeply moved. The supporting cast (America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Ariana Greenblatt, Will Ferrell, and Helen Mirren) all excel in the film. Actress America Ferrera quite possibly gives us the best monologue of the year and Michael Cera, you will always be THE Allan. While Gosling is absolutely hilarious as Ken, and I cannot get his catchy song "I'm Just Ken" out of my head. The "I'm Just Ken" dance sequence is my favorite scene of the year, thus far. Gosling was born to play this role. Give this man his Oscar already. In addition, Robbie gives us another Oscar-worthy performance in a role she was also born to play. Barbie is a weird, glamorous, and zany-filled cinematic treat waiting to be watched on the big screen. You won't be disappointed unless you have a heart made of stone. So, "come on, Barbie, let's go party."  "Humans have only one ending. Ideas live for ever." Want to know my thoughts on the Barbie soundtrack? I wrote an album review for Sound Words Central. Click Here. Barbie smashed so many records on its opening weekend and brought in an eye-popping $162 million domestically. Barbie has already crossed $700 million worldwide in its second box office weekend. It's only a matter of time before Barbie becomes a "Barbillionaire." Barbie is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) For Suggestive References | Brief Language. Directed by Greta Gerwig Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Ariana Greenblatt, Will Ferrell, and Helen Mirren.  Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a great send-off to our aging and beloved archaeologist. Though Dial of Destiny has some minor flaws, the film is too much fun to dismiss.  "There was room for one more story and that story was the one that dealt with age, time, and relationships in his family." |
Ryan Arnold
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