Monday Musings: My ‘Barbie’ 💗 Movie Review, Keith Haring 🖼️ on Roku and a’Broad, A Cocktail 🍸 Inspired By Tina Turner, Gus Van Sant Films You Need To Watch
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Barbie 💗: Is It Worth The Hype?
With a $165 million opening weekend, Barbie was the hit film that everyone dreamed it would be, breaking all sorts of records including the biggest opening for a female director (Greta Gerwig).
The hype building up to its premiere was unavoidable. The exhaustive efforts to market this film really paid off and it wasn’t just in merchandise collabs, Barbie pink pumped through the veins of audiences as girls (and guys) flocked to the theaters wearing their Barbie-inspired looks, and finally bringing life back into the movie theaters again. I honestly hate to even give my review of this film because it really doesn’t matter the film’s hiccups, it really ended up being a showpiece to revive the movie-going experience. I can’t remember the last time I have seen people make a day or night out of going to the movies — getting a group of their girlfriends together, dressing in all hot pink, hair done, nails done, makeup on point, going out to brunch, clinking their glasses together filled will pink sparkling wine. I miss those days at the movies and it was such a joy to see.
So even when I was sitting in the theater mildly laughing at the flimsy plot and undeveloped side characters, I still was sitting gleefully watching the audiences just happy to be at the movies again. I will say this, Ryan Gosling gave an absolute charming and perfect performance as Ken. Margot Robbie was in her element as Barbie. The sets, the costumes, everything aesthetically about the film was brilliant. I loved Gerwig’s choice to make a satire out of it and some of the jokes about Mattel and the world of Barbie were actually quite funny, but the pink colored lenses from which the story was told started to shade into a gray area where cute and funny couldn’t quite glue together a cohesive plot. While the Barbie movie did its best to carry a feminist torch until the end, the flame blew out about midway and I was left feeling like I had eaten a slice of stale cake, but with the sweet frosting still on my chin. Was this film for adults or for kids or for anyone taking mushrooms 🍄. What did I love about the film? Honestly the buildup was the best — the incredible burst of pink on my Instagram feed as chefs, interior designers, and fashionistas were all doing their best Barbie-inspired reels. I loved all of it and will continue to devour it. It really isn’t about the film at all, the buzz behind it is the real star and I hope it continues to inspire people to get excited to go back to the movies!
Happy Birthday Gus Van Sant! 🥳
In honor of one of the great directors (IMO), I’d like to highlight some of my favorite films of his and also to tease what to look forward to in the near future. Gus Van Sant grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and is not just a director, but a painter, a screenwriter, photographer and a musician. His indie films have earned him two Oscar nominations and over 44 awards at various ceremonies and film festivals.
5 Best Gus Van Sant Films To Stream Now
Good Will Hunting: stream on MAX
Milk : stream on MAX
Drugstore Cowboy: stream on Roku
My Own Private Idaho: rent or buy on Amazon Prime/Apple TV+
To Die For: rent or buy on Amazon Prime/Apple TV+
What’s Next For Gus Van Sant?
For those of you who might have seen the first season of the anthology series FEUD that chronicled the explosive friction between actresses Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, the second season is currently in development with Gus Van Sant directing both Naomi Watts and Chloe Sevigny in the true feud between New York socialites and enigmatic author Truman Capote. I am so excited for this as I love this story. If you haven’t yet streamed The Capote Tapes on Hulu all about Truman Capote’s life and this feud between him and the NYC socialites, it’s a definite must!
Did You Know This About Gus Van Sant?
Van Sant planned to make a film about Andy Warhol starring River Phoenix as a young Warhol, but plans for the film were scrapped after Phoenix’s untimely death.
Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers can often be seen in cameos or small roles in his films
Three of the five Phoenix siblings have appeared in this films — River in My Own Private Idaho, Rain in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Joaquin in To Die For.
Hijack: Why Am I Still Watching This Series? ✈️
I’m all about the mystery in a story, but when a series withholds so much information that you are constantly questioning the motives of the characters, then there’s a problem. Case in point regarding the recent Apple TV+ series Hijack starring Idris Elba. While I love me a good hijacking plot, this one is as interesting as a pack of airline-branded peanuts. The “terrorists,” and I put this in quotes, are not even threatening so passengers are sitting around not really in fear that their lives are at risk and actually begin talking back to the “bad guys”. If you write a group of terrorists hijacking a plane and none of them are at all scary, then what is the point of this? I am wondering why I still watch this series, but I guess dreamy Idris Elba has something to do with it. Hijack streams Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
Must See & Do in LA: Keith Haring at The Broad 🖼️
I feel lucky enough to have viewed the Keith Haring exhibit at The Broad museum in Downtown Los Angeles this month which is running through October. The massive display of his work spanned across the decades of his brief, but brilliant life. From graffiti art, to sculptures, to video installations, it was quite amazing to see all of it up close and in person. I highly recommend a visit before it closes.
Stream The Universe of Keith Haring
The perfect accompaniment to the Haring exhibit is this documentary I found streaming on Roku. The Universe of Keith Haring is a comprehensive look into his life and artistry, detailing his friendships with Andy Warhol, Madonna, his personal relationships as well as testimonials from his close friends and family. Yoko Ono even makes a random appearance in the doc, giving great insight into her friend and the beautiful human that Keith Haring was. Download the Roku app for free on your phone or TV to watch The Universe of Keith Haring.
Remembering The Iconic Peggy Olson
Today is Elisabeth Moss’ birthday, and in honor of a weekend filled with feminine Barbie energy, can we just sit in a moment of silence to bow down to one of the greatest female characters in TV history played by Moss? Peggy Olson of Mad Men — she was more than just Don Draper’s secretary, she moved mountains in the world of marketing and was actually inspired by real-life Mad woman Jane Maas.
Maas, in the 1960s, landed a job at Ogilvy and Mather writing ads for big brands like Dove Soap and American Express. She rocketed into the role of creative director going onto create the iconic I Love New York ads. You can read her memoir “Mad Women”. Mad Men, the series is currently streaming on AMC+.
Tina: The Musical Inspired Cocktail 🍸
I love the theater and it’s added value when a theater creates a cocktail inspired by the show. “Simply the Best” is a tequila cocktail that was featured during the live stage musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. The cocktail is made with Tequila Blanco, fresh pomegranate juice, Triple Sec & Lime. My favorite Tina Turner films are the 2021 documentary Tina (streaming on MAX) and What’s Love Got To Do With It starring Angela Bassett streaming on Hulu.