Redolent

Kenneth Turan, former LA Times critic: Arguably Nolan’s most impressive work yet in the way it combines his acknowledged visual mastery with one of the deepest character dives in recent American cinema, “Oppenheimer” demanded to be explored on its own in as much depth as possible. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-07-11/christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-cillian-murphy-robert-downey-jr

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. I think this was my mistake.

Greta and Margot posed with the Oppenheimer poster (mirroring Tom Cruise), but other than that it’s been an entirely organic campaign. Probably why it will be cringe when studios try to manufacture similar things in future.

The review embargo for Barbie will be lifting on 18th July after all the critic screenings. 👍 Also, praise from Academy President: “What a smart movie this was, so fun but with so much to say, too,” one filmgoer told me as she exited the Shrine last night to head to the after-party. That person happened to be Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and her effusive reaction (just one of many similar I heard afterwards) led me to think, despite its genre and July release, that Barbie could have some real potential come Oscar time, even as Warners tees up other more obvious hopefuls in the fall like Dune Part Two and the film adaptation of the Broadway musical version of The Color Purple. https://deadline.com/2023/07/can-barbie-bring-comedy-back-to-oscars-1235433405/

Feel sorry for the oldies who will try to secure their IMAX tickets next week.

Billie Eilish doesn’t add a huge amount imo but releasing the Ken number was very smart, sparking a lot of new interest.

All I want to know is whether sufficient, credible critics have actually seen the movie by the lifting of the review embargo, in order for it actually be a meaningful date. For whatever reason, it’s clear that WB is actively impeding many movie critics’ ability either to see Barbie and/or to see it in timely fashion. And that’s unusual, and it’s pissing a lot of critics off. It doesn’t have to be because the movie is bad or likely to receive negative critical attention. It could be for any number of reasons. But it’s worthy of discussion. My own interpretation is that after The Flush they’re not willing to take any risks to jeopardise Barbie’s massive OW. Might be wrong. I’m done on this topic.

I’m not just making stuff up. From what I’ve read most critics even in those places won’t have seen it by the embargo date. But very happy to be shown otherwise.

I am most interested to see what it is Greta ‘got away with’ including that is particularly contentious.

I don’t have a list I’m afraid, but looks like some critics got a chance to see it on 23rd.

Absolutely, by the time the embargo lifts only a selective range of critics will have seen the movie. I didn’t say those critics are being ‘paid off’, that’s ridiculous. We will certainly be getting reviews from people who attended those screenings back in June. It doesn’t take much to get a RT-approved blog.

Lmao it’s not conspiratorial if it’s right in front of you. WB had two influencer-only screenings in LA on 23rd-24th June, the lines full of excited people clad in pink. And yes, if you have a movie blog your score can count on RT.

Sure, the marketing for Oppenheimer is obnoxious Nolan fare. You will get radiation poisoning in IMAX, Cillian Murphy was literally in a Gulag for 4 months, etc. I don’t have an issue with that take.

I don’t think it’s screened to them yet either. I read it was at the end of this week.

It’s simple - you just do a MI. Screen to all critics, then lift the review embargo. The correct order of things is not rocket science.

No I don’t mean in international markets - I mean everywhere in the US outside of LA and NYC.

Yes in most markets, the press screening is happening on Monday 17th July.

That’s the point - they’re lifting the embargo early, and everyone is thinking ‘great, a sign of confidence!’ But in actual fact, it’s screening to the majority of critics a week after. So you lift the embargo and for a week you have only reviews from the cherrypicked critics that you’ve shown the movie to until that point. It’s dishonest and deceptive. This isn’t even about Barbie - it’s about WB and their dumbass, Flash-style tactics.

Everyone acts like this is a consideration for Nolan but it isn’t. He doesn’t care about the Oscars. He just wants his movies to be seen by as many people as possible. You might feel it’s different for a biopic but it really isn’t a factor for him.

So the main critic screening is on the same day as Oppenheimer but the review embargo is being lifted a week earlier on the 13th..what’s the point? Has it just been shown to a selective number of critics so far? 🥱

I don’t know if that’s all on his name alone. I feel like Barbie has done Oppenheimer a huge favour in terms of endless free marketing.

From RDJ’s Instagram account - the big names are starting to promote the movie. Paris premiere coming up.

You can hang dong in the Middle East as long as it’s of the straight variety.

Oppenheimer confirmed to be shown in Saudi Arabia on 21st July despite nudity, Barbie delayed to 31 August.

She dated Zach Braff for three years. Hopefully she isn’t too scarred by this experience.