OTD 004: Barbenheimer City!

The recent internet phenomenon of creating a portmanteau out of two blockbusters, Barbie (Greta Gerwig) and Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan), marks a first in cinema history.  This is probably the first time the usual cage-match between competing films was usurped by a non-competitive organic marketing scheme.  Social media, usually  a cesspool of kindergarten style competitiveness, actually created an event that celebrated seeing both films.  it wasn't Barbie folks against Oppenheimer folks, but a call to action to see both films, one right after the other.  Marketing execs are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to replicate such a random movement that boosted both movies' box office performances.  Although the two films couldn't be more different in terms of tone, genre and style, nonetheless, there are fascinating similarities between Barbie and Oppenheimer, thematically they are oddly tied together. Azed & Tom discuss both movies, and argue that the third film that belongs in this group is Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, which shares a lot with both films.  Join us for this fascinating conversation about the way cultural anxieties are reflected in films regardless of genre.

NOTE: Everything goes really well until Azed tries to include Book Club: The Next Chapter in the club.  Azed loves any movies about saucy old ladies trying to get laid. Don't ask.