“Barbie”
Who knew that a movie about a children’s toy could mean so much more than anticipated, relaying a message of female empowerment and multigenerational struggle? This past summer, “Barbie” captivated the attention of many when it did just that, landing itself at the number 11 ranking for lifetime gross earnings, according to Box Office Mojo.
“Coming into the movie, I didn’t really know what to expect, but what happened in the movie and what the mission was really threw me off. I didn’t expect it – I didn’t see it coming at all,” Sophomore Caden Mont said. “And that’s why I enjoyed it so much, because it wasn’t predictable.”
What was perhaps even more unpredictable was the nominations “Barbie” received. Although the film overall had earned a “respectable” eight nominees, according to Variety, Margot Robbie, the actress of Barbie, and director Greta Gerwig received no nominations in their respective individual categories, which to many online were seen as undeserved snubs. Ryan Gosling, the actor of Ken, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. In a statement following the release of the Oscar nominees, Gosling stated “There is no Ken without Barbie,” according to Variety. Regardless, “Barbie” is in the running for many categories, with both “I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell nominated for Best Original Song.