As of 10 days after its release, I have not seen the Barbie movie, even with all the talk and the overwhelmingly over-the-top tsunami of marketing hype. I will see it eventually, but not sure when. No big deal. I rarely feel compelled to see movies in the first few weeks. I like getting a sense of the buzz first, in most cases.
One video about the Barbie movie that I do recommend is this one where Greta Gerwig lists films that inspired the look and narrative in the Barbie movie. Most directors these days, especially those under 40, do not have a wide range in the depth and breadth of movie history. Most only know the most famous and popular movies of the past 40 or at most 50 years. The list here has 34 films and 21 of them are more than fifty years old, and all of them are good films that give an insight into where she is going with the movie.
Basically, this is a great list. A wonderfully varied list. Very impressive. My personal favorites - Powell & Pressburger movies (Red Shoes and many others) and Jacques Tati (Mon Uncle, Playtime are both favorites). The list is timely also as one of the films is Pee Wee's Big Adventure! - RIP Paul Reuben.
Greta Gerwig’s Official Barbie Watchlist
Letterboxd. July 2023
