A measured and thoughtful analysis. If people know what they are getting into, I don't think there is anything wrong with messaging. Employing bait and switch or any other underhand method of pushing a narrative onto the audience or under their radar, that is going to age badly.
I heartily disagree with the way "Barbie" is presented in this video. I saw the movie yesterday, and the trailer is not trying to "hide the message". First, at the end of the trailer, you clearly see Ken talking to a female doctor and expecting be allowed to practice surgery because he is a man and not taking his interlocutor seriously because she is a woman. Then, in most trailers (the good ones, at least) at large part of what happens in the movie is not revealed. In "Barbie", Ken trying to take over happens in the second half of the film. I think seeing that in the trailer would be a bad thing and who harm the viewing experience. But, most importantly, "Barbie" as a movie is fun. It is colourful, it is funny, it is entertaining. What you see in its trailer is what you get in the movie. And, one last thing, the fact that at the end the situation in Barbieland is restored to what it was before is because it must counterbalance the Real World, where the patriarchy is still very much a real thing (and it is so depressing to hear and read a very very VERY small minority of women saying "I, me, myself, feel like I can live my life the way I want nowadays, therefore the patriarchy is no longer a thing!"; those women should really take two minutes to look at who is occupying 90% of the positions of power in our society; spoiler alert: except in some Scandinavian countries, it is men all over the world). It is also strange to hear someone who has seen the movie say "Barbie should be nice to her boyfriend at the end of the film", when a key-concept is that Barbie does not consider Ken as her boyfriend and does not want to be with him... I did not see "The Sound of Freedom". Maybe it is a good movie with cinematographic qualities. But I think anyone with a lick of sense should be careful about praising a film that flirts with the idea that traditional politicians are in cahoots about child trafficking and all the "pizza-gate" related crazy conspiracy theories.
Sound of Freedom was clear as to what it was going to be about, and people could decide if the subject matter was going to be too intense for them; while the deceptive marketing for Barbie makes it's heavy-handed feminist message particularly annoying. Nobody likes getting tricked. (Of course, this sort of trick only works once.😁) Personally, I don't see a movie in theaters until I can read some reviews, especially if it's directed by someone like Greta Gerwig.
Yeah, like what if advertising tells people a movie will be a fun fantasy adventure with beautiful lighting and soaring flight scense only to turn out to be a gory, dark, torture horror movie that lingers on grotesque torture
I knew the film was going to be so wrong since I saw Margot Robbie was cast. I just knew something was not right. I honestly love Barbie films (the animated ones) that are made for children, and these have on-the-nose messages, but they are for kids. And yet, I enjoyed them, because they did not pretend to be something else. This Barbie film is the exact opposite of what Barbie is, where she always encourages everyone to be true to yourself, be honest, be kind, and be brave. It's so, so wrong to make Barbie not learn anything from her experience. She always has before in children's movies. She is not Barbie if she deceives people and if she doesn't do what's right for everyone without going against her moral principles. This sounds a lot just for "children's movies", but even a children movie needs a strong core character. I am not going to see Barbie because I knew from my friends that the messages were so strong in there. I really, really want to watch Sound of Freedom, but it's not available here. I don't like trailers that give too much, but I don't expect the trailer to deceive me completely.
Playing catch-up with my favourite channels! First, thank you so much for opening with scenes from my most favourite musical ever 😊 Well-thought-out analysis of messaging in films. Juxtaposing these 2 films makes the point very clearly. Haven't watched 'Barbie' and have no desire to, I make a point of avoiding films by Gerwig after her treatment of 'Little Women'. But I did see the trailers. I wasn't the only who got the impression that it was going to be Barbie-style fun aimed at little girls and their mums/grandmums who'd grown up with Barbie. Friends who were excited to take their daughters to see it were highly unimpressed with the 12A rating (in UK), and it soon became clear what the film was really about. Why so 'scared' of promoting Gerwig's ultra-feminist message? 'Sound of Freedom' is going to be released worldwide, keeping fingers very crossed my local cinema will show it.
@@Ericthecameraman My mum's favourite genre was musicals, and I 'inherited' her love of MGM musicals. As much as I love Gene Kelly's dancing, my favourite was Donald O'Connor 😊
I definitely don’t appreciate a misleading trailer- I’m not paying for a message that is revealed once you sit in the theater. Thank u for this insight.
Yep - you're hitting the nail right on the head. The difference is rooted entirely in the approach - one tries to explore an issue, presents situations, arguments and conflict, different ways to think about it, and then asks the audience to come to their own conclusions. The other tries to tell the audience what to think, and then tries to craft a story around that. It bears a lot of similarity to scientific rigour - one can either analyse the factual data around a carefully controlled experiment to develop a conclusion, or one can already have a conclusion in mind and try to craft and experiment and the data around that. Inevitably, the latter methods are always an abject failure as as fact, common sense, consistency, etc., has to be thrown out the window to make it work. With cinema and storytelling, so much more can be said with so much less by allowing the audience to think critically over the issues presented to come to their own conclusions about them. Telling someone what they have to think, frankly, is insulting to their intellect... and yours if you can't naturally create a compelling case around your argument.
I don’t mind messaging I wholeheartedly disagree with, when it’s presented in a civil, and respectful manner. I’m reminded of Star Trek. TOS, TNG, and DS9, in particular. Virtually every writer on those show was a lefty. There’s probably very little we agree with each other on, but these weren’t like todays writers. They were OG liberals. You could have conversation with them, like adults used to do. But beyond all that political crap, their overriding mission was to entertain the audience. The whole audience, and not just the half they agreed with. People like Ron Moore, or Marc Zicree wrote fantastic stories, that endure to this day. Rarely, were they ever too heavy-handed in the messaging. Instead, they would present their points of view for your consideration, rather than lecturing you, and telling you you’re garbage, for not agreeing. I miss the old school writers, who - regardless of political and philosophical leanings- wanted to draw you into their stories, above all else. They created characters and worlds that people from all walks of life could enjoy together.
Brilliant analysis, as always, Eric. I just want one word, if I may. The feminist message of Barbie, aside from being heavy handed, it's already stale. My mother was a young, working woman in the 70's and she DID suffer fromt he patriarchy, because at her job as a retailer, women were put in sections that required far more "backstage" work than the sections manned by their male counterparts, but still men earned more per hour because "they were providing for a family", which was funny because it was a new store and they were all single. Plus she didn't have the right to have a bank account to her name because she needed either a parent of a husband to sign with her despite her being of legal age. And many, many more things that today are unheard of. I've been born in the 80's. My generation, those who were teens at the turn of the millennium, has been able to study and do whatever they wanted to do, including all the vices that our grandparents frowned upon when men displayed them. Yes, respectable people didn't like it when men were womanizers or violent husbands, despite the legends. I've never been denied anything based on my gender, I've been paid the same amount as male colleages at the same post at for the same hours, and the few times I've heard a sexist comment the dude in question was just an a$$hole to everyone, male or female. No one has ever forced me to marry or have babies and I've been able to grow a backbone and speak my mind to any man who intended to disrespect me, which is an hability that men have to cultivate too. We ARE already free, we were born that way thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of our mothers and grandmothers; we can be whatever we want to if we put enough effort and know our limits. That's why I roll my eyes at every "feminist" propaganda today: To me they are spoiled, entitled little girls who had it all yet want even more, plus all the recognition that should go to their mothers and grandmothers. Sound of Freedom? It's about protecting those who are too weak to speak up, those who never chose their fate and are the most vulnerable in every society. That's why it tugs at people's hearts so hard, because most of us have little kids in our family, or know of them and our blood boils just imagining that someone wants to hurt them. Not in vain all people came out of the movie in tears, unable to speak for a long time, and many men's first impulse was wanting to grab their rifles and enlist to help.
Thank you, and brilliantly said my friend! The hard work of the women of the previous generation made the opportunities of the current day possible, which especially in my field is great since I get to work with a lot of talented women as well as men, which makes it all the more interesting, and in production, pay is set ahead of time based on the job/budget of production etc, so if we have the same role, we make the same
algorithm comment
A measured and thoughtful analysis. If people know what they are getting into, I don't think there is anything wrong with messaging. Employing bait and switch or any other underhand method of pushing a narrative onto the audience or under their radar, that is going to age badly.
Thank you, and well put!
I heartily disagree with the way "Barbie" is presented in this video. I saw the movie yesterday, and the trailer is not trying to "hide the message". First, at the end of the trailer, you clearly see Ken talking to a female doctor and expecting be allowed to practice surgery because he is a man and not taking his interlocutor seriously because she is a woman. Then, in most trailers (the good ones, at least) at large part of what happens in the movie is not revealed. In "Barbie", Ken trying to take over happens in the second half of the film. I think seeing that in the trailer would be a bad thing and who harm the viewing experience.
But, most importantly, "Barbie" as a movie is fun. It is colourful, it is funny, it is entertaining. What you see in its trailer is what you get in the movie.
And, one last thing, the fact that at the end the situation in Barbieland is restored to what it was before is because it must counterbalance the Real World, where the patriarchy is still very much a real thing (and it is so depressing to hear and read a very very VERY small minority of women saying "I, me, myself, feel like I can live my life the way I want nowadays, therefore the patriarchy is no longer a thing!"; those women should really take two minutes to look at who is occupying 90% of the positions of power in our society; spoiler alert: except in some Scandinavian countries, it is men all over the world). It is also strange to hear someone who has seen the movie say "Barbie should be nice to her boyfriend at the end of the film", when a key-concept is that Barbie does not consider Ken as her boyfriend and does not want to be with him...
I did not see "The Sound of Freedom". Maybe it is a good movie with cinematographic qualities. But I think anyone with a lick of sense should be careful about praising a film that flirts with the idea that traditional politicians are in cahoots about child trafficking and all the "pizza-gate" related crazy conspiracy theories.
Sound of Freedom was clear as to what it was going to be about, and people could decide if the subject matter was going to be too intense for them; while the deceptive marketing for Barbie makes it's heavy-handed feminist message particularly annoying. Nobody likes getting tricked. (Of course, this sort of trick only works once.😁) Personally, I don't see a movie in theaters until I can read some reviews, especially if it's directed by someone like Greta Gerwig.
Exactly
Yeah, like what if advertising tells people a movie will be a fun fantasy adventure with beautiful lighting and soaring flight scense only to turn out to be a gory, dark, torture horror movie that lingers on grotesque torture
Such great insights, thanks.
Excellent contrast. Thanks for your insight
Thank you!
you hit the nail on the head
Always a compelling and insightful contribution. Top notch!
Thank you so much!
Subscriber 102 here. (New channel/same person)
Like the new channel man, subbed!
@@Ericthecameraman Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. Take care!
I knew the film was going to be so wrong since I saw Margot Robbie was cast. I just knew something was not right. I honestly love Barbie films (the animated ones) that are made for children, and these have on-the-nose messages, but they are for kids. And yet, I enjoyed them, because they did not pretend to be something else. This Barbie film is the exact opposite of what Barbie is, where she always encourages everyone to be true to yourself, be honest, be kind, and be brave. It's so, so wrong to make Barbie not learn anything from her experience. She always has before in children's movies. She is not Barbie if she deceives people and if she doesn't do what's right for everyone without going against her moral principles. This sounds a lot just for "children's movies", but even a children movie needs a strong core character.
I am not going to see Barbie because I knew from my friends that the messages were so strong in there. I really, really want to watch Sound of Freedom, but it's not available here. I don't like trailers that give too much, but I don't expect the trailer to deceive me completely.
Playing catch-up with my favourite channels! First, thank you so much for opening with scenes from my most favourite musical ever 😊
Well-thought-out analysis of messaging in films. Juxtaposing these 2 films makes the point very clearly.
Haven't watched 'Barbie' and have no desire to, I make a point of avoiding films by Gerwig after her treatment of 'Little Women'. But I did see the trailers. I wasn't the only who got the impression that it was going to be Barbie-style fun aimed at little girls and their mums/grandmums who'd grown up with Barbie. Friends who were excited to take their daughters to see it were highly unimpressed with the 12A rating (in UK), and it soon became clear what the film was really about. Why so 'scared' of promoting Gerwig's ultra-feminist message?
'Sound of Freedom' is going to be released worldwide, keeping fingers very crossed my local cinema will show it.
Honored to be among your favorites!😊
Singing in the rain really holds up doesn’t it? Such a classic!
@@Ericthecameraman My mum's favourite genre was musicals, and I 'inherited' her love of MGM musicals. As much as I love Gene Kelly's dancing, my favourite was Donald O'Connor 😊
@@lunalupus63 a great pick! Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were my favorites of the classic song and dance films
@@Ericthecameraman Oh yes! Superb taste, sir 😊
I definitely don’t appreciate a misleading trailer- I’m not paying for a message that is revealed once you sit in the theater. Thank u for this insight.
You get it. I appreciate that.
Yep - you're hitting the nail right on the head. The difference is rooted entirely in the approach - one tries to explore an issue, presents situations, arguments and conflict, different ways to think about it, and then asks the audience to come to their own conclusions. The other tries to tell the audience what to think, and then tries to craft a story around that. It bears a lot of similarity to scientific rigour - one can either analyse the factual data around a carefully controlled experiment to develop a conclusion, or one can already have a conclusion in mind and try to craft and experiment and the data around that. Inevitably, the latter methods are always an abject failure as as fact, common sense, consistency, etc., has to be thrown out the window to make it work.
With cinema and storytelling, so much more can be said with so much less by allowing the audience to think critically over the issues presented to come to their own conclusions about them. Telling someone what they have to think, frankly, is insulting to their intellect... and yours if you can't naturally create a compelling case around your argument.
Thank you! And exactly, love the comparison to gathering scientific data
I don’t mind messaging I wholeheartedly disagree with, when it’s presented in a civil, and respectful manner. I’m reminded of Star Trek. TOS, TNG, and DS9, in particular. Virtually every writer on those show was a lefty. There’s probably very little we agree with each other on, but these weren’t like todays writers. They were OG liberals. You could have conversation with them, like adults used to do.
But beyond all that political crap, their overriding mission was to entertain the audience. The whole audience, and not just the half they agreed with. People like Ron Moore, or Marc Zicree wrote fantastic stories, that endure to this day. Rarely, were they ever too heavy-handed in the messaging. Instead, they would present their points of view for your consideration, rather than lecturing you, and telling you you’re garbage, for not agreeing.
I miss the old school writers, who - regardless of political and philosophical leanings- wanted to draw you into their stories, above all else. They created characters and worlds that people from all walks of life could enjoy together.
Exactly. And you make me miss classic trek!
Brilliant analysis, as always, Eric.
I just want one word, if I may.
The feminist message of Barbie, aside from being heavy handed, it's already stale. My mother was a young, working woman in the 70's and she DID suffer fromt he patriarchy, because at her job as a retailer, women were put in sections that required far more "backstage" work than the sections manned by their male counterparts, but still men earned more per hour because "they were providing for a family", which was funny because it was a new store and they were all single. Plus she didn't have the right to have a bank account to her name because she needed either a parent of a husband to sign with her despite her being of legal age. And many, many more things that today are unheard of.
I've been born in the 80's. My generation, those who were teens at the turn of the millennium, has been able to study and do whatever they wanted to do, including all the vices that our grandparents frowned upon when men displayed them. Yes, respectable people didn't like it when men were womanizers or violent husbands, despite the legends. I've never been denied anything based on my gender, I've been paid the same amount as male colleages at the same post at for the same hours, and the few times I've heard a sexist comment the dude in question was just an a$$hole to everyone, male or female. No one has ever forced me to marry or have babies and I've been able to grow a backbone and speak my mind to any man who intended to disrespect me, which is an hability that men have to cultivate too. We ARE already free, we were born that way thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of our mothers and grandmothers; we can be whatever we want to if we put enough effort and know our limits. That's why I roll my eyes at every "feminist" propaganda today: To me they are spoiled, entitled little girls who had it all yet want even more, plus all the recognition that should go to their mothers and grandmothers.
Sound of Freedom? It's about protecting those who are too weak to speak up, those who never chose their fate and are the most vulnerable in every society. That's why it tugs at people's hearts so hard, because most of us have little kids in our family, or know of them and our blood boils just imagining that someone wants to hurt them. Not in vain all people came out of the movie in tears, unable to speak for a long time, and many men's first impulse was wanting to grab their rifles and enlist to help.
Thank you, and brilliantly said my friend! The hard work of the women of the previous generation made the opportunities of the current day possible, which especially in my field is great since I get to work with a lot of talented women as well as men, which makes it all the more interesting, and in production, pay is set ahead of time based on the job/budget of production etc, so if we have the same role, we make the same
Excellent! We were curious what you might say about Barbie and this analysis is so well thought out.
Thank you!