Barbenheimer
Barbenheimer is here! For those who may have missed it, allow me to explain…
On Friday 21 July two movies were released. One is ‘Barbie’, a fantasy, musical, comedy film based on the Barbie Mattel doll. The second is ‘Oppenheimer’, a biographical thriller film that chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who was pivotal in developing the first atomic bomb.
These two movies are worlds apart, and because of their dramatic differences Barbenheimer has become a thing on social media, with lots of hilarious memes.
The BBC reported that: 'Barbenheimer fever took hold in the UK. Oppenheimer and Barbie took £30m on their opening box office weekend. According to the UK Cinema Association, that makes it the most successful weekend for UK cinema-going since 2019.’
I don’t know whether this was a clever marketing campaign or not, but it has certainly made an impact on cinema goers and critics.
I have been fascinated by the marketing and release of these two films (I have seen Oppenheimer and not Barbie). There is such a contrast between the feel good ‘pink’ tale of Barbie (and Ken) and the deep and disturbing question raised in making nuclear weapons.
They are playing side by side in your local movie-plex! This is a metaphor for life. I was reading the book of Romans and this verse popped out at me…
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
In this part of his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul was instructing them on how to live out their faith in a practical way.
He saw that life is incredibly complex and people face different things at different times. His wise counsel was that to show love and care to people, is to be aware of where somebody is at, and what they are facing, then respond accordingly.
In my role as a Pastor, there have been times when Paul’s words have helped me. I may have to visit a family who have just lost a loved one, comforting them in the grief. Then see somebody who has just landed a new job and be happy for them!
What about you? Are you aware of those around you, and what they are facing right now? Let me encourage you to have your ‘radar’ up in this area. If you’re not good at this sort of thing, ask God to help you. Let Him teach you to have the right response at the right place and time.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader