Fester’s Complete Review Of The “Barbie” Movie

Well, some causes are simply not worth dying for.  Those are words that I use to live by everyday.  Me going to see the movie Barbie fits into this category. It would never be my first choice of a movie to see, it wouldn't be my fiftieth, heck it wouldn't have been my five hundredth.  but, there I was, in the AMC Theater at West Shore Plaza on a packed Friday Night watching Barbie... with my Little girl, my daughter Hadley.  That's why I was there because although I would never have seen this movie only own, it was the only movie she had wanted to see in months.

First observation, everyone except me was decked out in pink attire.  Some people really got into it.  I have always liked crazy people doing crazy things, so I was happy for them.  Their enthusiasm added to the atmosphere of the theater.  Even in the lobby they had a large pink Barbie box to patrons to take pictures in, it was all a lot of fun..

Now now for the movie.  Going to a big movie on opening weekend, it's guaranteed to be packed, and it was.  E very seat in the house was filled.  The movie itself was cute and even funny in many ways.  I somehow feel compelled to remind you that this movie would never appeal to me personally.  But, I must admit, I almost.... almost liked it.  Maybe not enough to sit through it again, but for seeing it once, I almost liked it.  Margot Robbie as Barbie was a perfect pick.  She was beautiful like Barbie and her enthusiasm and power as Barbie added so much.  Ryan Gossling played Ken, and he was fun in that role. The colors were bright, the music was fun and and the dancing was pretty cool.  America Ferrera was the "real world" person Barbie went to find, and in my opinion she was the true hero of the story.

I've heard some people say that isn't a kids movie, not to be too prude, it isn't a movie for young kids.  There are some corse dialog and rude references to body parts that are a little cringeworthy.  I've also heard that the move was anti-men and anti masculinity.  To those people I say... Chill Out.

The movies ultimate message was that of Female Empowerment and Encouragement for girls everywhere tp pursue their dreams.  Seeing as how I was there with my favorite little female on the planet, I thought it was a good message.  Is the movie wholesome? No.  Is it funny? Yeah... kinda.  Is it going to win an Oscar? No, probably;y not.  Well Maybe it will win an Oscar for Costume Design, but not one for acting.

So, overall, for me. The movie sucked.  But my daughter on the other hand Loved it. As a dad to a young woman with big dreams of her own, that made the movie great.

It's Oscar season, and the awards are coming up on March 12. There have been many films that included scenes made around the Tampa Bay area. Some of them have been nominated for Academy Awards.

Some people love to see films made with familiar sights/filming sites. In some cases, the movie may have just have had a scene that took place locally. Others were just about completely made here.

Not every film gets consideration for an Acadamy Award nomination. Others are great entertainment, but just don't reach that level within the industry. Others are plain crap, for lack of a better term.

Here's a list of films that did get some Oscar attention from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Released in 1985, the film "Cocoon" was made greatly in Pinellas County, in and around St. Pete and Clearwater. The first of two on the list directed by Ron Howard.

"Cocoon" received Academy wins for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Don Ameche and Best Effects/Visual Effects.

From 1990, here's a film whose set is still a place people visit. The house where Edward lived in the film recently changed ownership and has been used as a museum of the film.

Though it didn't win an Oscar, the movie was nominated for Best Makeup.

Among the top rated films of all time, "Goodfellas" from 1990 featured a marquis of stars. Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino.

A lounge on Busch Blvd. and Lowry Park Zoo (before it became known as ZooTampa) were filming sites for "Goodfellas" which earned an Oscar win and several nominations.

Joe Pesci earned the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Other nominations for the film included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and Best Film Editing.

One of two movies made around Tampa that stars Bryan Cranston. It also features the voices of Sam Rockwell, Chaka Khan, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren and Danny DeVito. It's a film based on a real gorilla named Ivan.

The film's Oscar nomination was for Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Before we had "The Greatest Showman," there was "The Greatest Show on Earth" from 1952. Jimmy Stewart and Charlton Heston starred in a Cecil B. DeMille classic.

Sarasota, home of the Ringling Museum, was featured as a filming location. Heston and many castmembers joined many locals who were paid 75¢ per hour, according to SarasotaMagazine.com.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" earned Oscars for Best Picture and Best Writing, Motion Picture Story. There were also nominations for Best Director, Best Costume Design, Color, and Best Film Editing.

Another movie on this list directed by Ron Howard brought Steve Martin and Mary Steenburgen to Florida to make this comedy/drama. Sites included Orlando and the University of Florida in Gainesville.

"Parenthood" was nominated for two Oscars. Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Music, Original Song/

Okay, so not every film made is going to win an Oscar. "Cop and a Half," was directed by Fonzie, Henry Winkler. It did win Burt Reynolds a Razzie for Worst Actor. "Spring Breakers" also showed off some of the Tampa Bay area, as did "Dolphin Tale," "Magic Mike," "The Punisher," "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and "The Infilrator" (another that starred Bryan Cranston).

Just because they didn't get a nomination from the Academy doesn't mean they can't be entertaining movies.