But, of Course, “Barbenheimer”; Guys & Dolls and commentary
Poems (Audio) with extended cultural commentary
Okay, here’s my obligatory “Barbenheimer” piece, a few weeks later than almost everyone else’s. Great timing!
But, of Course, “Barbenheimer”
You’re baffled over
the Barbie film connection
to Oppenheimer?
Well, it does make sense
given this upside-down world
that we’re living in.
Don’t even question—
just indulge this media
and Hollyweird hype
hawked together like
Peanut Butter and Jelly
served on soft, fresh bread.
*** Note ***
Going against the current pop culture trend, I have not seen Barbie nor Oppenheimer yet— and don’t plan to any time soon. However, I have seen enough clips and commentary especially on Barbie, and I feel like I know the movie despite not stepping foot in the cinema complex. I dove into some Oppenheimer scenes and have appreciation of its historical value— but I’m passing on Opp-hype too. My apologies, Christopher Nolan. Your directing achievement looks stellar though, just as it was with Momento. But instead, I choose to focus on the current world nuclear threat looming.
Guys & Dolls
Guys want us to be dolls
Silent and stoic
With bright eyes only for them
Firm and feminine
With impossible waists
Lots of long tresses
And loose dresses.
Well, then-
Guys shall get what they want:
All of the above with
well shut hinnies and vaginas!
I loved my Barbies, had a bunch of them as a child. How I loved to play with them, even into teenage years (and kept some hanging out around on my dresser for fun in the 20s.) I had a diversity of them. Ken was cool too. I didn’t dismiss him or jerk him around like modern feminists do. He was the dream, not a punk. And, let’s not leave out sweet sister, Skipper and all of Barbie’s friends. I loved packing in all the dolls in the light blue VW convertible car and in the grand dollhouse. Fun times…ah… I really wish to go back to those playing days every now and then…
More Commentary on Barbie, Oppenheimer & Barbenheimer:
***Stating for the record:***
Bombings are terrifying. The atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were horrible. For a long while, throughout my childhood up until about 2001, I thought the world learned a lesson and this history would not repeat itself, that we would try to stay clear from dire nuclear outcomes. Well, so much for that line of thinking!
Oppenheimer, the real life man, was quite the complex character, from what I’ve gathered from interviews. Just as war, he is confounding.
Some factoids and stuff:
“But, Of Course, Barbenheimer”, another expanded Haiku with two stanzas.
“Guys and Dolls” was written back in 2009, after reflecting on a certain guy mentality toward women, and also on Barbies that I had around in a toy box back then.
Oppenheimer, the man, was a poet, but did not brag about it. Read his piece, Crossing (#5 fact)
Okay, I see a common connection between the two films: war!
Culture war and realistic war. Sure, this explains having these presented as a double cinematic feature… hehe…J. Robert Oppenheimer was a polygot who had a command of multiple languages, incl: Greek, Latin, French, German, Dutch, and Sanskrit. That’s more attractive than 6 pack abs.
Original Barbie price: $3 ($31 in today’s money)
As a girl with very flat feet, I hated that Barbie’s feet are super arched! Okay, maybe “hated” a strong word.
Hmmm, who was that woman reciting Guys and Dolls? Don’t know how that New Yawker voice came out!
***PLAY THIS: Marinarena recommended podcast!***
Quite Frankly August 2 Episode on the “Barbenheimer” phenomenom
(What the esoteric take on Barbenheimer in this discussion!):
"Barbenheimer & The 'Adam' Bomb" ft Ryan Gable
RUM YT podcast links
(Start from 23:30 for Barbenheimer intro; 29:00 for Gable interview)
***READ THIS TOO***
Culture Study’s take on Barbenheimer
Click here to donate to Marinarena during her birthday month!