Lars' post made me recall an old low-budget movie I watched not too long ago that was filmed @ Venice, CA, and how strikingly different the area was back in 1961...

And FWIW, I just watched this video last night on TCM's YouTube channel - Ben Mankiewicz interviewing Greta Gerwig about how she paid homage to many classic films and filmmakers in her new movie. I thought it was really interesting:

I had a Barbie. Actually I still have her. She has a boufant brunette hairdo and a cute little summer dress. I played with her some, but we were poor so I didn’t have multiple outfits or a Malibu or even a Ken. I have no recollection of thinking she was real or something to aspire to; I knew she was makebelieve.

It’s funny the post came up today - a girlfriend texted me this morning to see if I wanted to go see the movie with her. So I read the reviews posted above. Thank goodness I have a prior engagement for the time my friend wants to go.

One other thing: No, I’m not offended by her. I’m not offended by much at all - everyone else is entitled to their thoughts just like me, and I pull up my Big Girl Panties and move on down the road.

I never liked dolls, and especially hated baby dolls. At least Barbie had lots of cool stuff. I had her cardboard fold-up dream house, which I played with imagining the day when I could live in a studio apartment. I do plan to see the movie, though, because I want to see the clothes, and because I heard it was funny.

" TV, I think much of the point of the movie is to deal with that aspect of Barbie. "

That makes sense - it's made for older folks with the benefit of maturity and hindsight. I very much doubt I'd find the movie offensive, but I have always thought the dolls kinda offensive. I've actually heard very good things about the movie.

We had a hand me down original cardboard dream house - of course it disintegrated pretty quickly with 3 little girls using it. I don't recall this but apparently there was no kitchen...?

And I was just reading an article where the set designers were describing how they created sets that were in the same proportion to the actors that Barbie's houses and cars are to the dolls, so Barbie can actually touch her ceiling, for instance. The designers said they never had Barbies as kids either.

Well it has been interesting reading all the different opinions people have regarding this movie and Barbie herself. I can see how people have different takes on this and I guess maybe when I said I found the idea of the movie offensive it was a bit overstating my opinion. I was past the age of playing with dolls when Barbie came on the scene and only one of my daughters had a passing interest in her. I also have to wonder if Im becoming a curmudgeon. Maybe old age and the everyday (mostly bad) news is beginning to have an affect on me.

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No one was paying attention or caring what the story line was. Those that are excited are people who LOVED their Barbies, had scads of them, along with all the STUFF Barbie comes with...they wanted to relive that vicariously through the movie. They wanted to see with their eyes what they have been imagining in their heads as they played!!I It's all about NOSTALGIA. I wonder if these same people will appreciate the WOKE preaching they will get. I am not in the target audience to begin with and now that I know they are using it as a vehicle to indoctrinate WOKE ideology it's a HARD PASS.

carol, Most of Night Tide was filmed in Santa Monica, but I did really like that movie! The movie that I thought was from the 40s was actually from 1958 - Orson Wells' Touch of Evil - it just seemed older than it really is. My favorite movie that has scenes from Venice Beach is I Love You Alice B. Toklas, with Peter Sellers, 1968. I saw that in Houston when it first came out while I was a freshman at university, and it made me want to go back to Venice, which I had visited for the first time in June 1968 with my grandparents, right after I graduated from high school.

Venice in the 1950s and 60s was very seedy and rundown, but it was a great place for artists and musicians, due to the low rent at that time. It was still affordable when I moved there in Feb 1994, but that did not last long. It had remained very bohemian throughout the 1970s and 80s, but it started to change in the late 90s. Lords of Dogtown chronicles the skateboarding culture of Venice from the 1970s. I used to surf in Venice, but I was never a skateboarder.

I recognized the carousel at the SM pier. The scenes in Venice were fascinating to me because of the contrast with how wealthy and upscale the area is now.

I do know a bit about Venice, CA's history too.

I never had a Barbie, my mom was too cheap to spring for one.

I wanted to see the movie because watching the trailer it seemed to me to be an absolutely dumb-*ss movie and loads of fun -- silly, mindless, fun entertainment, I need some of that right now. I was too embarrassed to ask my movie buddy to go with me because....I'm a grown woman who wants to see this dumb-*ss silly movie so I was just going to go watch it myself, y'know sneak into the back row of the theater and all that so no one would see me. Then SHE sheepishly asked ME -- hey, this is kind of embarrassing but I really want to go see Barbie, will you go with me? LOL! So we're going but not on opening weekend.

And now I read the reviews and turns out it's not such a dumb silly movie after all..

I want to see it but know my husband wouldn't. I asked my grandson if his girlfriend wanted to see it and he said ...I want to see it. But he's only here cat-sitting his mom's cats while they're in Europe and will see it in Arlington where he lives with his GF. Darn! He said I might not get the nuances and I said...oh really? probably more than you.

I am not interested in it or much of any movies. I seldom watch any.

Sue

Well despite the anti-woke outrage hysteria campaign, the movie killed it in the box office.

Here’s something we maybe can all enjoy:

I had many Barbie dolls. My sister and I played with them to no end. I also played with hot wheels, loved bugs, made clover chains, rode bikes, and made mud pies. I didn't find her "beauty" something I needed to attain. I embraced all that make me who I am. I don't, however, find the disdain about things with which people didn't play (the dolls) or see (the movie) admirable. Where's the curiosity? Why judge anyone who does like either of them? What are you gaining? Oh well.

"I find Barbie offensive because it's built to express beauty as an unrealistic and almost naturally impossible body type."

I had buffed up male action figures and wanted a body like them, and tried everything I could find, but did nothing for my skinny little boy body. I cried for years and scarred for life from this emotional experience....and blah, blah blan!

So the women who loved their barbies and cared for and stored them for decades should toss them in the garbage because this nonsensical argument continues to perpetuate?

The same mindless associations and woke choices cause indirect harm to others, like an acting career of people inflicted with Dwarfism, who dream of a part in Disney's remake of Snow white movie but are being replaced with magical creatures. Dwarfs were the hero's in the movie, and without them it's a worthless remake, so I'd never see it. I would see the Barbie movie, Margot Robbie is a great actress and has proven she can carry the star role in a comedy satire, not to mention she is a barbie herself and lovely. Come on, Barbie, let's go party ah ah ah yeah.

" So the women who loved their barbies and cared for and stored them for decades should toss them in the garbage because this nonsensical argument continues to perpetuate? "

It's not a non-sensical argument, and they can do whatever they want with them. I don't ask them to do anything because of the way I feel, and I don't expect Mattel to do anything because of the way I feel.

If you think that these cultural images don't have any affect on young people, you're not paying attention. I don't expect you to change your mind because of the way I feel either.......But I won't stop sharing how I feel and why.

" If you think that these cultural images don't have any affect on young people, you're not paying attention."

I do pay attention and see how adult children act now and what the last 20 years has done to them. I'd rather have a few with a body image problem than most dressing like street walkers looking for a trick. G strings, shaking their butt cheeks and music idols acting like dancers in a strip club, yeah that's way better. Barbie didn't start the thigh gap, or was responsible for social media influence causing kids to commit suicide. Or teaching kids they're all going to die in 5, 10, 20 years, and give them something to look forward to besides the lie of impending doom.

If you want to champion a cause how about addressing something in the present instead of picking on a 63 year old barbie doll and trivial. How about marching for equality when it comes to everyone registering for selective service, until then there is no equality.

A friend posted this on Facebook last night.

"We just got back from it. We went in thinking we were going to have a silly laugh at a movie that was a little sassy, some slapstick, some nostalgia etc.
well it WAS ALL THAT but holy sh* - lots of big emotions and themes about finding your place in the world amongst all the expectations of who others think you should be etc.
I straight up cried in several points of the last 30 minutes of the film. Hands down one of the best I've seen."

Jasdip, your friend nailed it! I saw the movie yesterday with my DD (age 52) & DDG (age 20 & goes to NYU). Yes, there are some fun, silly parts, but oh my gosh, so much more. DGD was seeing it for the second time & she was crying towards the end. I hope to see again to get even more of the nuances! It is not a movie directed to kids, unless they're mature enough to get it....

I had zero interest in seeing The Barbie Movie until I read above that it is “woke”! Now I’m interested, and plan to see it with my DD, so I thank arcy for letting me know. Also, I really like Greta Gerwig; Frances Ha is one of my favorite movies, and I loved Lady Bird, too.

I loved my Barbie's! I could never get enough clothes for mine-I'm still a clothes horse. But, probably won't go see it-no reason other than, I've way outgrown Barbie and have a son, so I haven't thought about "Barbie" in years-until this movie came out.

If jasdip's friend is right, " lots of big emotions and themes about finding your place in the world amongst all the expectations of who others think you should be etc. " it sounds like the Barbie movie is the opposite from what those who haven't watched it think. Guess that is what I was talking about. How can you know? Judging a book by its cover? Dunno. Something along those lines.

Now I kinda want to see it too.

I saw the Barbie movie last night and really enjoyed it. My husband went with me and he liked it, too, although I think a lot of the references may have gone over his head. It was fun, funny, poignant and even dealt with the very things that people hate about Barbie. The parts about what is expected of women (America Ferrera's speech was great.) and mother/daughter relationships were beautiful. And Kate McKinnon was cool and hilarious, as usual. If anyone would be offended by the movie, I think it would be men. The Kens were all dopes, barely worthy of being accessories. Although Asian Ken was pretty hot.

I wonder if Golda will receive as much hype and attention as Barbie?

From everything I hear/read from those that went it is the NOSTALGIA of it that carries the day. Most admit the movie is poorly constructed/scripted/developed but nothing matters other than it brought back childhood. That is worth the price of admission for many. Good for them.

I changed my mind and won't see the movie. Turns out it is full of wokeness and woke isn't something worth wasting perfectly good brain cells on. I didn't fully read @arcy_gw first post or I would of given it a big like then, it does now.

BTW, I see there is a new ken doll out.

kevin, you do realize that's satire and not real, yes? It's from the Babylon Bee.

Art imitating life. Difficult to determine what’s satire these days!

About 25 years ago, I went to see an independent stop-action movie at a film festival at the Directors' Guild of America in Hollywood called Charlene's Angels, in which the main characters were Barbie Dolls playing parts based on Charlie's Angels, and the villains were played by Ken dolls, whom the Barbie dolls all shot and killed, after which they made love with each other.

It was a bit sordid, but I did also think it was funny. I haven't been to any film festivals recently, but I used to go to them regularly. The one independent movie that I was in made the festival circuit, and I also got to see that on the big screen in Hollywood, which was a big thrill for me.

I saw other Barbie movies at the DGA that were equally sordid (depending on one's point of view), but I won't go into details.

Every young woman I know that has seen the movie has LOVED it, and it has nothing to do with nostalgia. Of course, they are all WOKE so of course they would love it. When someone uses the word "woke" to me, it identifies them to me as a small minded bigot who parrots whatever right wing conspiracy theorist they are currently getting their news from. So thanks for the endorsement to see the movie. Going tonight with my WOKE daughter.

I was too old for Barbies, but my friends and I spent hours playing with 'fashion', using cardboard cutouts that came with booklets of paper fashions to cut out and affix to the dolls with paper tabs.

Little girls are interested in clothes, as you would know if you've had to bargain with a five year old who wants to wear a tutu and tiara to Costco. (She evidently wins, if you've been lately.)

Matel just took it a step further, with three-dimensional figures and a world of accessory cars, buildings, etc. Kids of both genders play-act being grownups, and clothes (costumes) are part of that.

I, too, think it's small-minded when people use the term "woke" as if it were pejorative. Instead, I'm reminded of the story of when the Buddha met some people who could sense his enlightenment. They asked him: "Are you a god?" "No," he replied. "Are you a reincarnation of god?" "No," he replied. "Are you a wizard, then?" "No." "Well, are you a man?" "No." "So what are you?" they asked, being very perplexed. Buddha simply replied: "I am awake."

Another very popular figure born about 2000 years ago would be the poster boy for ”wokeness” yet his followers are often the ones hurling out ”woke” as if it’s something bad.

I feel like these forums are a somewhat rough reflection of our culture, and illustrate the values a majority of people favor. Those who oppose those values appear to be swimming against the tide.

Oly, yes.

chisue, your story makes me recall one of DS’ preschool classmates. She was the only girl among 5 boys in the class of “two-day twos”. She chose her dress each day on the basis of ”does it twirl?” and if you admired her dress, she’d say ”and it twirls!” and demonstrate. Her mom, an ER doctor, never understood where that came from!

bpath, How well your dress twirls is the mettle of a "proper dress".

That was actually my mantra growing up. I don't think any Barbies inspired that though. It's sort of an athletic thing combined with a feminine thing, which I think describes me perfectly. Half and half.

(Redhead in a red convertible sports car... that I repair). I epitomize both ends of the feminine/masculine spectrum. And have since I was born. I'm not trying to impress anybody that's just who I am, and unapologetic about it.

Just got back from seeing Barbie, and it was a deliciously subversive creative movie. We both loved it.

My daughter and I have plans to see it tomorrow, mattinee showing. There was an AI generated article on Facebook about Barbies from all states and their homes. It was fun looking at all the different pink Barbie homes. I wouldn't mind living in some of them myself.

The present use of the word "woke" can be used to show contempt toward left leaning political movements by some, but in the mid 50's African Americans at the start of the civil rights movement used woke as a word related to their movement, and became more widespread by the BLM movement in the last decade. The slang definition of woke from the 50's until now means “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice.”

It can't mean one is divine and aware, while another is a small minded bigot when used.

When someone defines the word "woke" said by another "as a small minded bigot who parrots whatever right wing conspiracy theorist they are currently getting their news from", it also must apply to all who use woke or identify as woke. Are you sure you want to travel down this road? Using the modern slang word woke has no affiliation.

With No political affiliation suggested people who get their news from a source where the source knows everything is a lie the source become the evil entity, but less dangerous than the mass of people who believe it and are the most dangerous of all. They are stupid, and to help understand what I mean I'm posting a video called Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity which isn't a satire, is real and shouldn't be offensive to anyone.

Oh my goodness!

Anybody want some dressing on that word salad?

The irony is delicious, I must say...

I skeptical too 😁

" I feel like these forums are a somewhat rough reflection of our culture, and illustrate the values a majority of people favor. Those who oppose those values appear to be swimming against the tide. " HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH If one thing social media has taught is that it gathers like minds to one place. The minds then think THEY ARE TRUTH and really no they are just a teeny tiny group that all think the same. Take this group or any other and put them against the Cultural stage and well no you are far far far from a reflection of anything other than your insulated ideas. If nothing else Bud light/Pride proved that.

Only reasons I might entertain the idea of going to it, is I am of the age when the first Barbie's came out, and hear there is a lot of things for adult thinking in the movie. My mom took me to buy my first and only Barbie. It was so much fun to design my own cardboard house for her, and dress her in all the clothes my mom made for her for my Christmas. Baby dolls were not fun cause you just fed them and put them to sleep. Nothing deep here.

Mmm, more delicious irony 😊

I saw it this weekend. It was campy, lighthearted, downright silly in some parts, and loads of fun -- we had a ball watching it! And so did everyone else in the theater, women and men alike.

C'mon people -- just ENJOY THE MOVIE, don't project so much onto it!!

Like mxk said, just enjoy the movie.

NO! NEVER!..... well maybe, I might see it and just get popcorn, take a bathroom break or check out the lobby when the wokie pokie stuff starts.

I don't see any Irony in anything by anyone, Is this another word someone doesn't know the meaning of? I was thinking of posting the definition but chances are it wouldn't be believed and only consider it another conspiracy theory.

LOL, Kevin!

Are you going for the Barbie Bucket?

https://nypost.com/2023/07/21/barbie-fans-enraged-over-amcs-65-popcorn-bucket-insane/