It was a massive weekend for movies — did you go? Moviegoers came out to theaters around the globe in box-office breaking numbers. Locally “Barbenheimer” was very good to The Clairidge, Montclair Film’s non-profit cinema.
“It was the biggest opening weekend since we re-opened the theater in 2021,” said Montclair Film co-head/artistic director Tom Hall.
The record-breaking weekend boasted buzz created by “Barbenheimer,” two highly-anticipated openings for films that couldn’t be more different.
“Barbie,” collecting $162 million, is a 2023 American fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with Noah Baumbach. Based on the iconic Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel, the live-action film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
“Oppenheimer,” collecting $82.4 million, is all about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, it’s described as an “epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.” A star-studded cast includes Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr.
“Barbie” definitely won for audience participation as fans flocked to see the film, many dressing up with an emphasis on pink. The Clairidge got on the viral “Barbenheimer” bandwagon early, hyping up the friendly competition between the films and possibly the weirdest ever double feature combo.
They weren’t the only ones. Java Love was Team Barbie featuring a very pink drink special. Little Daisy had Barbie-themed cookies the week leading up to the opening. There was Barbie love at Montclair History Center and at Montclair Center’s Jamfest.
Check out both movie trailers below. Tickets here.
I saw Sound of Freedom. Very powerful. Not a dry eye in the house and plenty of applause at the end. Everyone should see it to become vividly aware of one of the biggest horrors being perpetrated in the world today. The fact that Hollywood buried this movie for 5 years is nearly as disturbing as the movie itself. A verified true story with real footage of the actual bust. Gut wrenching stuff and a subject that should not be ignored.