'Barbenheimer' frenzy hits North American cinemas

I was wondering if Oppenheimer was going to play in Japan. I think they're worried it might be a big bomb.

We look pretty dumb to pair such a vapid movie with a movie about such a serious and world changing event.

Oppenheimer is not the most sympathetic character in the eyes of many Japanese (unjustifiable in my reckoning) so there may be a number of obstacles to a release from business and political circles. Still, after some initial dithering, I expect Japanese will be able to watch this major production whose quality I have no reason to doubt.

This is part of what’s wrong with the world today

Imagine paying good money to see Barbie over Oppenheimer.

We may be doomed much earlier than we think. A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive.

People are free to spend their money in whatever way they want. I don't be watching the pink movie.

We may be doomed much earlier than we think. A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive

Talking about overdrive, I once watched the first 30 minutes of one of the Fast and Furious films.

Not exactly Citizen Kane.

I don’t think Barbie is a sign of the end of times. We’ve had plenty of silliness before.

Some people sneer at my fascination with people kicking a bag of air around a pitch.

Each to their own

My dog, so much stupid fuss over a doll. I think it must be as dumb as those who go and see this pointless film..........ps. I am now selling all of my Barbie dolls from when I was little, I have about 20, one without the head....do not ask?

Both movies are vastly outperforming expectations - Barbie and Oppenheimer are getting good critic and audience scores:

90% - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/barbie

94% - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oppenheimer_2023

CinemaScores - both A's!

https://www.cinemascore.com/

In the US, Barbie did $70 million on Friday alone and is expected to do over $150 million weekend, while Oppenheimer did $33 million on Friday and over $80 million weekend

Worldwide, Barbie is heading towards $300 million weekend, while Oppenheimer $166 million weekend

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/oppenheimer-starts-overseas-rollout-christopher-173104862.html

It's become a cultural event

Iostrune2

Great post. Thanks for the info.

Both Barbie and Oppenheimer killing it at the box office and with critics and audiences.

There is room for all kinds of films it seems.

Not a bad thing.

A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive.

Toy Story was all about dolls, as I recall. A well-written story can be about anything. No reason to judge Barbie, Oppenheimer, or any movie until you've seen it.

I imagine most people in the world are not at all interested in a movie about a man who develops the worst weapon in humanity.

In fact, that same majority of people would be looking for the polar opposite.

Toy Story was all about dolls, as I recall. A well-written story can be about anything

Yep.

Pinocchio is wonderful story that has captured the minds of people for generations. I haven’t seen the latest adaptation but I heard it’s very good.

The old Disney one is a masterpiece.

Imagine paying good money to see Barbie over Oppenheimer.

Imagine paying good money to see a film you want to see.

Barbie and their affiliates are so in-groomed with Hollywood that a warning is in order. Don't fall for the fake over rated news. It is actually not a frenzy at all other than a small part of Hollywood. My family is from Seattle and San Bernardino, they say it's not all that.

moviegoers showing up at theaters in outrageous outfits.

Why would anyone do this?

We may be doomed much earlier than we think. A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive.

There have been movies about dolls since the silent era, one of the very first talkies was about a doll.

Was Pinnochio ‘woke’ because it had feelings and stuff?

Nope not woke because of that.

woke because nearly the entire movie was “adjusted” to push a woke narrations and a woke culture littered with victimization.

woke because nearly the entire movie was “adjusted” to push a woke narrations and a woke culture littered with victimization.

So, a woke movie made a lot of money?

No it didn’t. Award winning film though!

It received generally negative reviews from critics, who found it unnecessary and lacking the charm of the 1940 film.

It received six Golden Raspberry Awardnominations, including Worst Pictureand Worst Actor for Hanks, and won for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.

David Brent

Imagine paying good money to see Barbie over Oppenheimer.

Yeah. That rule where you're only allowed to see one of them really sucks. Oh wait. There's no such rule, and people don't have to pick one over the other.

“A well-known Box office analyst has estimated that the Walt Disney Co. has lost over $890 million on their last eight studio releases.”

that’s your woke movie impact.

Mocheake

We may be doomed much earlier than we think. A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive.

The loss of humor and the ability to appreciate satire and irony appears to be on an even faster overdrive.

Harry_Gatto

"moviegoers showing up at theaters in outrageous outfits."

Why would anyone do this?

For fun? (Just a wild guess)

You should definitely avoid comic cons. No doubt you'd find it very confusing.

I have no interest in either of these films. When is Nicholas Cage's next movie?

Bob FosseToday 05:13 pm JST

We may be doomed much earlier than we think. A movie about a doll. The dumbing down is on overdrive.

> There have been movies about dolls since the silent era, one of the very first talkies was about a doll.

> Was Pinnochio ‘woke’ because it had feelings and stuff?

Good points but I was commenting on the fact that they are really hyping this "competition" as if comparing the person (Oppenheimer) to a doll. The 'woke' part you wrote about never entered my mind.

There's no such rule, and people don't have to pick one over the other.

Well, I just maxed out a Cinema Sunshine stamp card, and I can only use it on one film. Will it be "Oppenheimer"? Will it be "Barbie"? Or will it be that darkest of horses, "The Sound of Freedom"??