What is a blockbuster? Must it have Tom Cruise in it? Does it need to come out in the summer? All very important questions. Have you seen any this summer? Mission Impossible was predictably..entertaining! Every action scene, chase, hanging from the side of a train car teetering on the side of a Swiss Alp.. was refreshing! But also a complete regurgitation of past formulas.

It’s something you come to expect. You go in knowing what it will be. Should it transport you to another place? Or should it wink and nod at you – take you in for the joke. Maybe both?

If you’re looking for fun summer movies, there are many to pick from. Aside from messages that will self destruct in 5 seconds, there was the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Despite some early reviews favoring the nuclear war drama, Barbie definitively beat Oppenheimer in the box office and in general reception (all hail directors who happen to be women! More to come on that). Both focused on difficult topics, embedded in history, but they each took different approaches. Nolan’s three hour historical drama moved at an efficient pace despite its length, and included memorable scenes in both Washington and New Mexico. It used sound effectively, and withheld images in a way that worked profoundly in describing atrocities. Cillian Murphy and the whole cast worked hard (and well) to give the story justice. Unfortunately it is devastating and lingers omnisciently in our reality. It’s tough to walk out of such a long film and feel so exhausted by the sadness of this reality.

Conversely, Barbie had serious themes (cue America Ferrera’s monologue on the impossibleness of being a modern woman) but kept the tone digestible and hopeful (a huge accomplishment for a feminist comedy!). We can’t talk about Barbie, though, without talking about Ryan Gosling’s Ken. While Gosling has had so many great roles over the years (Half Nelson, Drive, La La Land), who knew that his best contribution would be in comedy? Not only was his goofiness believable, but (and thanks to Baumbach & Gerwig’s smart script) he drove the story’s conflict (rise of the patriarchy in Barbieland) in such an endearing and funny way that he outshone most of his costars. Margot Robie can lead any movie, and the scene with her at the bus stop is beautiful. Issa Rae’s President, Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie, Simu Liu’s Ken, Michael Cera as Alan, and all of the other Barbies and Kens round out a stellar cast (thanks also to an always good Will Ferrell). Cap this off with a dazzling set, original songs (I’m Just Ken), stand out scenes like neon rollerblading in Venice and a Matchbox Twenty inspired bonfire jam.

Ultimately what clinches the narrative is the personal connection with Ferrera and her daughter (played by Ariana Greenblatt) to what Barbie has represented. There are some parts about the ending that feel trite, with some exceptions (like a hilarious and well timed clip from Greenblatt – “Hell yeah, white savior Barbie!”). Ultimately it’s a first-rate summer blockbuster. Unfortunately, Barbie (the doll) has idealized an unrealistic and detrimental body type, and the movie caters a bit to the limitations of being a Mattel production. What resonates in the end, though, is that despite the despair from the Supreme Court decisions around women’s bodies, and the daily fear we face, there is power in numbers. What saves the Barbies from the Ken patriarchy is their ability to work together to outsmart their nemesis. Barbie acknowledges Ken in the end with a kindness that understands his need for recognition (of his ability to “Beach”?), and the imaginary world returns to form. Gerwig succeeds at questioning the norm through the deconstruction of a polarizing/hated/beloved plastic icon.

If you’re looking for a more unsettling time in a cold theater this hot summer, you can check out the Australian new release “Talk to Me.” It’s not an uplifting ride, but is helmed expertly by the lead actress Sophie Wilde. Its themes are loss, the supernatural, and the dangers of impressionable teenagers. The opening single shot scene surprises impressively. No doubt that the Philippou brothers have seen The Sixth Sense, but it doesn’t feel like stealing, rather a stylistic homage. The end is chilling, as are many scenes, and doesn’t follow the Final Girl blueprint. You may want to look away, and you won’t look back. The words “Talk to me” and “I let you in” may join the ranks of other unforgettable lines like The Ring’s “Seven Days.”

Pro tip: if you find a severed embalmed hand, refrain from shaking it. 

Stay tuned for more fall updates..

*Note: highly recommend Theater Camp – a surprisingly funny, well edited and perfectly timed summer comedy.