In Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE, the iconic doll lives a life of privilege in Barbieland. There, she is ‘everything’, and Ken remains her accessory. However, when their interaction with the human world changes their assumptions (and roles), Barbieland comes under attack and threatens to unravel before them. This week, Julie Levac enters the chat with Jolie…
Playdates, plastic accessories, paper dollhouses, Bibble, “I Am a Girl Like You,” and the puzzling Schlond Poofa. All of that led me to this: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The public perception of Barbie, the doll–or the idea, as this film also refers to her–has changed over the years, along with conversations around body image, over-sexualization, racial representation and…
Damien Chazelle charmed the world with La La Land love letter to Hollywood but his new film, Babylon, is… different. Willing to expose the excessive nature of the industry, this film features over-the-top visuals and wild content but, at the same time, wants to celebrate the dream of making cinema. This week, Seun Olowo-Ake, Adam…
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and starring an ensemble cast of Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Tobey Maguire (who is also Executive Producer on the film), Babylon follows multiple people as they chase their dreams in 1920s Hollywood–a hub of excess– and navigate the transition from silent…
Exploring history can be fun, even if it doesn?t always make sense. Beginning during the First World War, Amsterdam tells the story of Burt Berendson and Harold Woodman (Christian Bale and John David Washington), two veterans who bonded on the field of battle. Their trio become complete when Burt and Harry meet Valerie (Margot Robbie), a striking…
The sequel to 2017?s disastrous Suicide Squad, James Gunn?s soft-reboot The Suicide Squad also tells the story of a ragtag group of villains and maniacs with unique abilities who are forced to work together by the America Government. If they are able to survive this suicide mission, they get reduced jail time. Disobey an order though and their…
It?s no secret that the work of Beatrix Potter is beloved by her fans. As the author of the Peter Rabbit franchise, Potter?s stories have been read to millions of children over the years around the world. Of course, these expectations also make translating these stories onscreen even more challenging, especially if you want to honour what…
Growing up can be difficult enough without people telling you who they think you are. Written and directed by Will Gluck (Easy A),?Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway?is an enjoyable romp through the English countryside and city that never loses its heart. Balancing the outlandishly silly and simple charm, Gluck has created a sequel worthy of…
After her debut in SUICIDE SQUAD, fan favourite Margot Robbie gets her time to shine brightly in BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN). After stepping out from the shadow of her ex?the Joker?Quinn quickly finds herself in the cross-hairs of every hitman in Gotham, especially maniacal crime boss Black Mask…
?Turns out I?m not the only dame in Gotham looking for emancipation.? –Harley Quinn, Birds of Prey After the middling returns on Justice League, DC has broken away from their perceived Marvel-envy with a wide variety of films, ranging from the underwater epic Aquaman, teen-frenzied Shazam! and the dark and brooding Joker. With Birds of Prey, they continue the trend of well-written…
