Monday, February 26, 2024

Barbie

Barbie (Greta Gerwig, 2023)
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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Comedy, Adventure, Philosophical

I played with Barbies when I was young, probably not as much as other dolls, but they were still beloved toys that my sister and I could dress and imagine with. We had a lot of them and even borrowed our babysitter's collection from time to time. Now my niece has a bajillion.

When I heard there would be a Barbie movie, I was first a little skeptical--would this be just another money grabbing movie? But then I learned that Greta Gerwig was directing. I knew it would be a big success and that I had to see it eventually. And what a success it was. And still is. I don't think anyone could really anticipate the enormity of the film's impact. It's a fun, satirical, silly film at the start that unravels into something so clever and thought-provoking. This film does everything a film should: entertains, provides escape, has twists and turns, makes you think a lot, leaves you feeling better for watching it. And so many of the lines are brilliant and hysterical and moving. I laughed and I cried. If you haven't watched it, you must.

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Monday, February 19, 2024

Captain Blood

Captain Blood (Michael Curtiz, 1935)
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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Swashbuckling, Historical, Adventure

I've been enjoying watching more classic films, especially from the early to mid-1930s. Errol Flynn will always be one of my favorites. It was a shame that he was so type casted and each of his most famous roles are very similar. But I could still watch them over and over again. Captain Blood is a great story with beautiful sets and great acting. And who can resist a renegade or pirate story? Blood is not my favorite character of Flynn's, but he has some wonderful lines. This is a fun watch that still captivates nearly a century later.

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