#verse; a ken to the end ( post barbie 2023 )

[percentstardust]

continued from here | @depictedblue

Surfing was so much harder than he thought it would be. It is not as hard as swimming. He mastered that in no time. He first learned how to cook, which he's still learning cause there's so many dishes to try, and he learned how to swim. He could not be a lifeguard in the real world without learning how to swim. He found he liked swimming. Being at the beach was even more fun here in the real world even if it did cause him to miss Barbie sometimes. He got certified to become a lifeguard. He knows CPR. How many Kens can say they know that? They can't.

Surfing? Well, it was not going as well as he expected it to be. But, his instructor, Summer, said that it was a learning process and that he was doing fine as a beginner. It's never too late to learn a new hobby. Which Ken has been doing since coming the Los Angeles.

"Well, there's accidents that can happen if you fall off while riding a wave. Especially a really big one. I don't recommend it." He pauses. Ken, er, Kenneth as he goes by now, smiles at the younger blonde. "Have you ever tried doing it?"

[somemovieguy]

Top 10 Must-See Films of 2023 (So Far) (Part 1 of 2)

October 29th, 2023 (Post #1)

2023 Has been an incredible year for cinema of all genres, from grim and heavy films like Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer to Emma Seligman’s side-splitting LGBT comedy Bottoms. Of the 37 I have watched so far (which can be reviewed my letterboxd, link in bio), these are numbers 10-6 of the 10 most essential films of 2023 (so far): (***May include spoilers***)

#10: Skinamarink

Kyle Edward Ball’s feature-length debut is as terrifying as it is inventive. With Skinamarink, Ball takes the popular YouTube genre of analog horror and captures it beautifully on the big screen. Horror as of late has consisted of tropes so stale that only a complete genre reinvention such as this could captivate and terrify the audience to the extent that Ball did. With a sparse story, this atmospheric film perfectly captures the feeling of being scared of the dark as a child, and not knowing what might come out of the dark to harm you. (Note: the absolute best way to experience this movie was in the theater, so I suggest watching this one with all the lights in the house off and with loud headphones.)

#9: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Spider-Verse sequel, though its conclusion felt sudden, is still a marvel in the world of comic book movies. The incredible talent and dedication of the artists who worked on this film are what make it such a captivating work with its staggering attention to detail. There isn’t a single frame in this film that doesn’t feel cinematic; it is truly a work of art. The Spider-Verse films are those kinds that are just so gorgeous and heartfelt that, despite their runtime, you haven’t the strength to look away for even a moment.

#8: Barbie

Greta Gerwig’s mainstream breakthrough Barbie had unmatched cultural impact with its hilarious dialogue and strong feminist themes. This film can be described as an intro-to-feminism, but I believe a better way to describe it is both an analysis of and a celebration of sisterhood (and girlhood in general). It explores culturally relevant themes of how the patriarchy affects women and girlhood, all while keeping things lighthearted with comic relief from the Kens of Barbieland. This strikingly colorful film is heartfelt, funny, impactful, and existential, all rolled into one.

#7: American Fiction

Cord Jefferson, a TV screenwriter known for his work on Succession and Watchmen, made his feature-length debut this year with the bafflingly hilarious American Fiction. Jeffrey Wright’s starring performance is captivating and heartbreaking, but what sets this film apart as a top-10 pick is Jefferson’s comedic writing. He satirizes the white-liberal tendency to “support” black voices in media insofar as they only paint pictures of stereotypes of black culture. My viewing of this film was at the 2023 SCAD Savannah film festival, at which Jefferson came on-stage after the showing for a Q&A about the film. He explained how it feels as a black American to be reduced to stereotypes of poverty, and he advocated for the telling of black artists’ stories because black creators make incredible art, not only to appease feelings of white guilt. (Note: I've included a few photos below from the SCAD Q&A)

#6: Bottoms

Bottoms, like American Fiction, is an essential 2023 comedy. It follows two loser-virgin-lesbian best friends played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, who are desperate for the attention of Kaia Gerber and Ruby Cruz’s hot-girl-cheerleader characters. They create what is advertised as a girls-only self-defense club and lie to their members about going to juvie to gain their respect (and hopefully the interest of Gerber and Cruz). They begin to receive the attention that they desired, but the club devolves into a Fight Club for girls, ultimately dissolves, and their lies are revealed. The film’s crude humor and absurd (& at times heartwarming) ending sequences make it an unforgettable comedy as well as an essential watch for LGBT media.  

Top 5 TBC in next post.

[plasticheartss]

# ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇ !

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY ( main verse . )

Takes place prior to the events of The Barbie Movie 2023, before she sets off for The Real World. Only sometimes thinks about dying! Canon divergent. Will base her character heavily off the movie's canon, with some headcanons sprinkled in.

HUMANS ONLY HAVE ONE ENDING

After the events of The Barbie Movie, Barbara has become a goal-driven, assertive, kick-ass career woman in The Real World. Even still, she is stuggling to find her place amongst other women. She just can't quite get a hold of actually being alive. Yet.

# ryan gosling's ᴋᴇɴ ᴄᴀʀꜱᴏɴ !

FEEL MY KENERGY ( main verse. )

Takes place prior to the events of The Barbie Movie. Ken is happy and content in Barbieland ( at least, whenever Barbie decides to grace him with a glance ) , doing what he knows best : beach. He's kenning all over the place. Heavily based off the movie's canon, with some headcanons sprinkled in.

KEN IS ME

Post Barbie Movie. Ken is trying so hard to embrace his Kenergy, to find his purpose outside of beach, outside of Barbie... but it's hard. Internally, he's a hot mess. Externally, he's still hot. But on edge.

I'M GREAT AT DOING STUFF

No, no he isn't. Ken has decided to move on from Barbieland, to find himself, and it was going to be so great and... he has absolutely no idea what he's doing. The only reason he came was because Barbie made it seem lime such a great idea, and old habits die hard. He's following her lead yet again, landing himself in a bind with zero credentials and a stealing problem. ( not his fault. how was he supposed to know you can't just get a new wardrobe like back home? )

# simu liu's ᴋᴇɴ ᴄᴀʀꜱᴏɴ !

I'll BEACH YOU OFF ANY DAY ( main verse. )

Takes place prior to the events of The Barbie Movie. Ken is an absolute menace ( to Gosling's Ken ) , and a charming bastard to the Barbies. He is overconfident, choosing to flex his muscles or chat your ear off rather than, oh, I don't know, pick up a book. His dumb, pretty boy masculinity takes him pretty far because he manages to never say anything that bad. Based off the canon, heavily filled with personal headcanons.