It's officially Barbenheimer week. At long last the film war that's had us laughing and squealing in anticipation for the past year is upon us, with both Barbie and Oppenheimer releasing in theaters today. And while we can't possibly imagine anyone watching something else this weekend, there are a couple of gems also out this week for those looking for a Barbenheimer break.
From a bittersweet farewell to a fan-favorite show to a hilarious and action-packed comedy, here's everything new coming to streaming and theaters this week. May your Barbenheimer double feature be blessed with more great watching this weekend.
SEE ALSO: Is going to a movie during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike crossing the picket line?Barbie
Credit: Warner BrosIt's no exaggeration to say that we've all been living in a Barbie world for the past few months, and at long last the film that inspired an avalanche of memes, pink things, and tweets on its promotional tour alone is finally here. Following Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) as they venture into the human world, Greta Gerwig's Barbie digs deep into the iconic plastic doll and her journey towards self-discovery. Like many of us, Barbie's having an existential crisis and her answers can only be found amongst the humans that grew up with her. Why was Barbie made? Why did we all stop playing with her? Is Gosling's serenade, "I'm Just Ken," going to be the best part of the movie?
What we thought: "In short, Barbie is a marvel. Don't miss it." — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Barbie is now playing in theaters.
Minx Season 2
Credit: STARZWe almost never got to see the second season of Minx, and it would have been a crime. Set in the 1970s, the show follows a young feminist as she teams up with a publisher to create the first women's porn magazine. Taking us through the trials and tribulations of that feat, Minx is a raunchy, smart, and hilarious watch, hitting the nail on its commentary while giving you a whole array of characters to fall in love with. Notably, Minx initially aired on Max before the streaming service canceled the show as part of its cost-cutting armageddon, an integral concern of the current actors and writers strike. The show has now been picked up by STARZ.
What we thought: "Like its predecessor, Season 2 of Minx remains an entertaining examination of feminism and sexuality in the '70s. Not only that, but it revels in taking its raunchiness to extremes, all while providing its supporting characters with more meaningful storylines." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Seasons 1 and 2 of Minx are now streaming on STARZ.
Oppenheimer
Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal PicturesThe yin to Barbie's yang. The queen to Barbie's king. The first movie you're probably going to watch on your dedicated double feature day this weekend. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is an elevated biopic retelling the creation of the atomic bomb under J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) and his team of scientists. The three-hour drama dives deep into Oppenheimer's life, the politics of his era, and even his relationship with Albert Einstein (played by Tom Conti). Alongside Murphy is an absolute star-studded cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, and more.
What we thought: "For Nolan devotees, there's plenty in Oppenheimer to marvel over, from its incredible ensemble's crackling chemistry to Ludwig Göransson's immersive and disturbing score, to a corner of modern history that challenges audiences with complex moral questions and unapologetic dread. But after a year's worth of anticipation — and a rivalry with Greta Gerwig's Barbie — can Oppenheimer live up to the hype as Nolan's best film yet? From where I stand, no." — K.P.
How to watch: Oppenheimer is now playing in theaters.
The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart
Credit: Warner Bros. Home EntertainmentAfter twenty years the finale of The Venture Bros. is here. Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart is a feature-length film bidding a bittersweet farewell to Adult Swim's seven season series. Airing from 2003, The Venture Bros. is a hilarious, but heartfelt, satire of early '60s sci-fi cartoons that chronicles the trials and tribulations of the Venture family as they take on action packed adventures and over-the-top villains. Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart picks up right where Season 7's finale left off, and is sure to be a tear-jerking farewell for fans new and old.
What we thought: "Within a one-hour and 23-minute runtime, creators Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick pack in loads of spectacle, including exciting action sequences, curious new locations, a flashy new smattering of friends and foes, and physical humor that's delightfully dumb." — K.P.
How to watch: All seasons of The Venture Bros. are now streaming on Max. Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart is available to stream on digital.
They Cloned Tyrone
Credit: Parrish Lewis/NetflixJamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris team up as an unlikely trio forced to confront a secret government conspiracy in Juel Taylor's directorial debut They Cloned Tyrone. As the film's title aptly suggests, the trio suspect that the government is cloning their friends and neighbors in a nearby facility. Why? Where? Who? It's up to them to find out, and based on the film's trailer, we're all in for a wacky, '70s-inspired spy thriller ride.
What we thought: "They Cloned Tyrone is a tonally delightful (if at times conceptually half-baked) romp that occasionally harkens back to the Blaxploitation era, but mostly treads its own path. It's led by a trio of fine-tuned, firecracker performances from John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx." — Siddhant Adlakha, Mashable Contributor
How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix. The film is also playing in theaters.
