Let's Talk About BARBIE and The Bible (yeah, really)

so, Barbie is pretty great. it's also got a lot going on. let's talk about it.
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here's a great piece by Katlyn Beaty that introduced me to the concept of Felix Culpa just after I'd finished the script for this video: open.substack....
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[@houston-coley]

thanks for being here. fun fact! in the time since I recorded this video, Margot Robbie mentioned another intentional religious parallel in an interview: "there’s a moment when Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, gives Barbie a cup of tea and our hands touch like ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo, imitating the moment when God gives life to the first man.” wild stuff. we love you Greta. join my Patreon community and see the trailer for my doc when it drops early: www.patreon.com/user?u=1017531 listen to my podcast on spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5D05xQLFs1imw3OTwWy3V2

[@myleswelnetz6700]

A reference to one of the world’s first pieces of fanart.

[@StarStrider99]

The fact that I’ve seen this movie called everything from woke propaganda to anti-woke masterpiece to biblical redemption story is both hilarious and fascinating.

[@misseli1]

Man, it really must be a movie for everyone

[@bplusstudios9031]

"She called me a fascist! I don't even control the railways, or the means of commerce!"

[@AnnaLeBelle]

I’m Catholic and I appreciate the care you have for these topics. This is a very interesting perspective and I’m glad you made this video!

[@yash_kapoor]

The fact we live in a world where a Barbie movie is packed with all these concepts and themes is wild.

[@StarStrider99]

Truly the weirdest timeline

[@ParkourElz]

As a 'complicated Christian' your channel keeps me sane, fantastic work as always!

[@houston-coley]

Complicated people are my target audience! Glad you’re here!

[@rottensquid]

As a non-religious person, I feel far more kinship with complicated Christians than, say, atheists trying to explain how the world is actually simple, and religious people are just wrong. It always seemed to me that the problem has never been religion, but simplistic, black-and-white thinking. Humans and society are complicated things, so trying to force simplicity on them tends to be an act of violent oppression.

[@murph_mustela]

​@@rottensquid I am an atheist too and yeah, I feel like I still relate more to most christians I know than I do most other atheists I know. I wonder if that's just a product of my local area though.

[@rottensquid]

@@murph_mustela Or maybe you're just more at home with uncertainties. I feel like most atheists are a lot like fundamentalists when it comes to the way they try to cling to false certainties.

[@alexmott507]

Felix Culpa has always made way more sense to me than the idea that all-knowing God kicked off humanity by cluelessly creating a situation where the first two people would immediately screw everything up for everyone. Great video! Favorite line was just "Every night didn't have to be girls night." That was the biggest moment of growth and healing for Barbie and Ken, so wholesome!

[@jcmurie]

I loved when Barbie agreed to be Ken's girlfriend, and he went around the corner and yelled, "SUBLIME!"

[@aflowerforophelia]

My favorite was "Youre so beautiful!" To the older lady. I literally sobbed.

[@rottensquid]

I think I cried through half this "comedy." By the end, I was crying my eyes out. So achy, but so good!

[@jmwilliams88]

In the iHollywoodTV Behind the Scenes Video the Production Designer states, in regards to the Dreamhouses that have no walls, "It's like Adam and Eve, isn't it. There's kind of like the naiveté of it.... there's no shame. There's literally nowhere to hide."

[@houston-coley]

I hadn’t heard this interview! That’s so dope.

[@armellebiampamba4257]

Let's do this! As a Barbie fan and Bible fan this is just the video for me☕

[@caseynotkc]

"She thinks I'm a fascist? I don't control the railways.. or the flow of commerce! 😭" I can't prove it but I just know for a fact Gerwig specifically wrote that line forsure. Lmao

[@MattyBoySwizzle]

Perhaps my favorite quality of this channel is the consistency with which Houston will enrich my experience at the cinema and promote long, thoughtful discussions with my family (who also watch these videos). Also how Houston's commentary transcends the KZbin definition of "commentary," in that I'm not just being intellectual challenged or stimulated but I am being uplifted with revelations about media I've already seen and enjoyed, but this time it's more meaningful somehow. Case in point, I can't wait to go watch Barbie again and enjoy it again but this time with a completely different perspective. Insightful and thought provoking as ever, Houston! Also one of my favorite lines is "To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn't just about horses, I lost interest."

[@houston-coley]

This is such a lovely comment to receive. Thank you!!

[@rottensquid]

I feel the same way about the patriarchy. It turns out, it's not about horses, it's about who can afford to own horses. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's what "Nope" was trying to say.

[@LazerzZ]

Such a spectacular analysis, I always love what you have to say about films but this is possibly my favourite of yours mainly because I didn't even notice it, and now it feels so core and so obvious to the film's makeup and takes something I already really loved and shines a new light on the conception of it's fundamentals. Hope this one does numbers because it's a really really good video.

[@rhyssleary6944]

Glad to see you posting again.

[@TitleInProgress]

My favorite quote was probably “To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn't about horses, I lost interest anyways.” I don’t really have anything to add to the religious metaphor, I didn’t even realize until now how deep it actually is, but I have to appreciate that what might end up being the biggest movie of the year actually has interesting metaphorical elements and deals with some pretty big themes! Some of it is simplified and I’m sure a more nuanced discussion could have been had free from the shackles of recognizable I.P., but it’s impressive nonetheless just how deep and in some ways philosophical a movie about Barbies got!

[@bplusstudios9031]

This is a better spiritual analysis of the movie than self-professed representatives of Christianity will ever be able to produce. Excellent work.

[@JetteK-zd1cx]

True. When you have an emotional stake in what you’re trying to discuss calmly, you often make missteps and stumble over what you’re trying to say

[@austinbaker8042]

I feel like you saw a different movie. You totally blew my mind with this amazing Christian analogy! I didn't get any of that watching it, I especially love what you said about God valuing the human experience not just that we safely get to heaven, but I think you're giving Greta too much credit. I seriously commend you for making a Barbie review without mentioning sexism but I feel like that was the whole point of the movie, to celebrate and exalt women by devaluing men, therefore swapping the gender roles as Greta sees it. Maybe I need to watch it again, but the way I remember, the Barbies and Kens didn't end up understanding each other better, the Barbies DID in fact go back to the way things were. The Kens remained subjugated and subservient to Barbies. Ken was blamed and punished for being patriarchal when that is EXACTLY how the Barbies treated him and the Kens at the beginning. Then at the end Barbie gives a shallow apology and tells Ken paraphrasing, "You need to love yourself. I don't need you to love me and you don't need me to love you." Which aside from being anti-romance struck me as a degrading and cynical epilogue for men. I came out of the movie feeling like I wasn't wanted or needed and wasn't allowed to give an opinion on the movie because "It wasn't for me." It was an awful feeling. I feel like that was the point Greta was trying to make and all the Christian analogies are cool but it's just how she thinks about stories from her life experience. She doesn't believe in God so it's all human centered window dressing. I am seriously dreading this Narnia series now because it doesn't have "Spiritual Undertones" but Spiritual Backbones.

[@rottensquid]

This is such an incredibly powerful take on this film. Whether we like it or not, the Christian mythos lays at the foundation of our art and culture, in the same way that Lord of the Rings touches all fantasy. To quote the great Terry Pratchett: “J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it’s not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji.” It seems to me that the tenets of Christianity, for better of worse, is present in all western fiction, either through repetition of refutation. So when an artist creates something like this, that simultaneously embraces, refutes, and re-invents the Christian creation story, it can't help but resonate.

[@Tintenstreuner]

Barbie is one of the most important things that ever happened to my life and I loved the movie dearly. I vowed not to watch any Barbie video on youtube so as not to have it ruined for me. But since I loved your TLJ video so much (and your Narnia video, too), I just felt I needed to click on this. And wow, as someone who is really not at all religious and who didn't really get into the Bible (I tried reading it as just a book, but it wasn't for me), this is the first time someone made the Bible sound actually compelling and exciting for me! I did, in fact, love movie for a lot of reasons you just pointed out (especially the subversion of gender roles in patriarchy versus Barbie world) and I think the movie tells an overall very wholesome story. It's fascinating what parralels you can draw as someone who is obviously very attached to the Bible as a book/story. Honestly, this is why I love your channel so much. Please keep drawing connections between seemingly unrelated things! I love doing that, too, as it can sometimes really open your mind about things.

[@ThePonderer]

Favorite line from the movie isn’t really a funny one: “I’m so tired of watching myself and *every other woman* twist ourselves into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll, just *representing* a woman, then I don’t know…”

[@reycarter6284]

honestly as a Christian this intrigued me, such an interesting analysis

[@parkerwonser]

Barbie is the reason I get up in the morning.

[@RicoRides1]

Love your perspective on movies, themes. I agree wth you. The fall of Adam and Eve from the garden being God's intended plan is basic fundamental Latter-day Saint theology. You have to know the bitter to taste and appreciate the sweet. The fall was necessary to take away our innocence, just like a child can't learn or grow without experiencing good and bad and we can't du that without agency. The Gospel of Jesus Christ centers on the Atonement of Jesus and our agency. Repentance is God’s ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will. His gospel is repentance made possible through Jesus.

[@jp32123]

i have been falling off lately when it comes to consuming Christian content (im talkin Ruslan, Marcus Rogers, etc.), and this video is actually my starting point as i transition from consuming solely secular content to consuming both secular and of course CHRISTIAN content!

[@clebcalb6871]

The niche theological rambles are my favorite. For all its faults, I'm still so glad that we can be out here on the internet, discussing these strange but captivating ideas. I'm always happy to hear your thoughts on the latest movie, Houston. Thanks for another great video!

[@pjgs4933]

“I don’t know if I believe in God but I know that I miss him” Never heard that before but really resonates

[@EvelenaThiessen]

I might be wrong but I think the quote is from Charles Templeton, a former associate of Billy Graham’s. If anyone cares to know: Templeton rejected his faith and became a self-proclaimed atheist after being unable to reconcile his former belief in God with the painful aftermath of warfare. As the story goes, he was interviewed on his deathbed and quoted saying “I miss him” about Jesus, despite not changing his mind about God’s existence. I thought this was interesting 🤷‍♀️

[@krishacz]

i'm very much an atheist (borderline antitheist tbh) but this is a very interesting and good analysis, also GRETA GERWIG IS MAKING NARNIA??????

[@CrimsionVision]

Houston would be amazing at analyzing Neon Genesis Evangelion

[@myleswelnetz6700]

There is no media out there that does NOT reference the Bible in some way.

[@CarloCopier]

Extremely interesting analysis. Despite the fall of man being one of my favourite literary themes, I barely picked up on any of this.

[@murph_mustela]

God, I love your channel, would you please post more again? Or within reason anyway, i mean, whatever you can do. I am only asking as a way of expressing how much I like your content.

[@StewartLittle-c5t]

Haven’t seen Barbie but you gave me a new perspective on it, love the creation comparisons. It’s crazy how the nature of how God made things peeks through in everything he’s made. Especially when it’s through what the people he made make, like the Barbie movie. Thanks Houston

[@zacharyduval8265]

The quote that I think made me both laugh and cry a little at how beautiful it was is when Ken says "To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn't just about horses, I lost interest." I love that Greta does not discredit his desire to love the things he does, but urges the audience to be aware that he does not need to attach his entire identity to ideologies that conflict with the person he is who can genuinely love horses and not use them as a prop to show others how tough he is.

[@JuannGarciaa]

Don't correct his Tolkien pronunciations Don't correct his Tolkien pronunciations Don't correct his Tolkien pronunciations Don't correct his Tolkien Don't correct his Tolkien pronunciations pronunciations Don't correct his Tolkien pronunciations DON'T

[@nuraorooji5994]

I love how thoughtful and truly original your analysis are. As a person who loves to analyse and overthink things, every time I click on your newest video I find myself thinking: there's no one that does analysis quite as fully. Thank you for all the thought and effort that goes into these video essays - it is keenly felt and aplreciated. As for me, I had decided not to watch the barbie movie from the start as something just felt off about it...but this has convinced me to give it a try.

[@AdmiralThumbs]

This is such an astute observation and exploration of themes! Love these kinds of videos. As for God's plan and whether the fall caught Him by surprise: The Bible makes it clear that He had this plan of redemption planned out from before the beginning of time. The movie's equivalent would be Ruth Handler saying "I always knew you'd one day introduce the patriarchy to Barbieland and that it'd overcome that trial to become better.". Here's a further thought: in the movie, Babie is provided salvation from sin (the patriarchy) through the work of Gloria and Sasha having endured the consequences of sin (living in the real world with the patriarchy) awakening the hearts of Barbies, who were unable to save themselves, though hearing the good news. There's a whole salvation message here too! Though to make it a bit more theologically accurate, it'd be great if Sasha was Ruth's child or had some other connection... Wait. Sasha was a sort of child of Ruth by working at the company that Ruth had founded, descended from the heritage of her work. Boom, salvation theming confirmed!

[@houston-coley]

I love these thoughts! I hadn’t even thought about that “telling everyone the good news” parallel. Great stuff.

[@robbiebrown7938]

Show this to me mom (she loved it) and she said her favorite line in the movie is “we’re all being played with”

[@cucumberjosie]

Fantastic video! You never fail to bring interesting ideas to the conversation : ) Felix Culpa is such a beautiful concept - I first learned about it through the incredible Kings Kaleidescope song of the same name. If you haven't heard it before, it's definitely worth a listen.

[@houston-coley]

Woah! I love King’s K but I didn’t know that had a song about this! I’ll have to check it out.

[@misseli1]

Speaking of interpretations about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad: Some time ago I watched a lecture by Dr. Justin Jackson on The Genesis Story. He said it's possible God planned to have Adam and Eve eat the fruit at some point in the future. But they took it before they were ready, and therefore they gained that knowledge prematurely and in the wrong manner. He also argued that God exiled them from the garden so that they wouldn't take from the Tree of Life, because gaining immortality in their broken state would have been Hell for them.

[@houston-coley]

I remember my youth pastor growing up mentioning this interpretation, and I’ve been fascinated with it ever since. Thanks for bringing it up, I’ll have to check out the lecture!

[@CenterRow]

Really loved this analysis.

[@friendlyfiddler5727]

Just saw the movie last night, and I did spot the parallels and was glad to see that Greta seemingly holds a similar interpretation to me with the Genesis narrative: That it is about growing up, with life becoming suddenly less perfect/magical and more complicated, and how that's actually a good and necessary thing, as much trouble and pain it may also cause. It has always felt like the only way for that story to have a positive message, as an atheist, but love that can be thus undertood by believers as well ^ ^ Also the "I don't want to be the thing that's made, but part of the ones that make" was likely my favorite line too, although there's plenty that are great.

[@friendlyfiddler5727]

PD: Also, and sorry for the long commejts, I'm interested to see if Great can pull of Narnia well while also making some of it's too-on-the-nose-and-judgy moments (ehem the Last Battle) better. And also I would LOVE to see her do a full on musical after this, as I think I saw you comment on the former bird app recently.

[@defnotkevin]

Fascinating video, I haven't seen anyone else engaging with the movie in this way. Really well done!

[@FinelinePictures]

Definitely didn't have "theology of Barbie" on my bingo card, and never expected to entertain a really interesting theological thought experiment from a video essay about the Barbie movie. Maybe I'll actually get around to checking it out.

[@ThePonderer]

Fascinating stuff! I gotta show my mom this video.

[@gubblebubble3976]

My favorite line from Barbie is "I'm Kenough", because damnit, I AM ENOUGH!

[@karieberry1070]

The Barbie film was DeLIGHTFULL! Thank you for seeing how MUCH is loaded into this film !! Great insights!! Someone could teach this entire movie for an entire college semester ! I’m impressed you wore pink too. Extra credit !

[@ocenwereji9353]

Awesome video Houston. I especially appreciate the way you analyze the film from a religious perspective, exploring concepts like creation, free will, self-affirmation and true devotion. All jam-packed into a Barbie movie. Can’t wait for Greta Gerwig’s take on Narnia.

[@musicmayer2043]

Jonathan Cahn Prophetic: The Mystery Of Barbie, Ishtar, and Smashed Babies! (on youtube)

[@tannerriley7485]

WOWZA! Terrific video featuring good analysis, excellent art (film, paintings, literature), Felix Culpa, Edenic dynamics, the goodness of Embodiment, and humans as sub-creators (if you as a creative haven't read Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle, DO!) It's interesting that you mention free will at the end of your video, because in my mind, Felix Culpa seems a bit more in line with a Reformed/Calvinist view of God's providence. I've been looking into Reformed theology lately... I love the focus on God as the primary actor--it's all grace. Grace upon grace. Favorite quote from the movie? Maybe Gloria saying "That’s life. It’s all change." ALSO, here's a bonus poem by Richard Wilbur: On Having Misidentified A Wildflower A thrush, because I'd been wrong, Burst rightly into song In a world not vague, not lonely, Not governed by me only.

[@rafaelurgert8224]

Wow, this is the most interesting perspective of the movie I've seen! And agreed, your video makes me so excited for Gerwig's Narnia. Also, if you could, please talk more about Narnia. I know you have 1 or 2 videos about it, but I searched for youtube channels talking about that franchise and compared to LOTR and GOT there aren't many Narnia fan/lore channels. I found your channel because I was looking for Narnia videos and I was very satisfied with your thoughts on the Narnia Netflix stuff! So please, I'd love it if you would talk more about it:)

[@EternityinOurHearts316]

"Some would say Eve is created as the helper"? How about the Bible?

[@gubblebubble3976]

Hey Houston! My partner and I love watching your videos together! I was wondering if you could make a video on like a "gift guide for film lovers" as I feel like y'all both have extremely similar taste in movies and I want to get them something unique aside from Criterions or Blu-rays, maybe you don't even have to make a whole video, do you just maybe have some suggestions of what you'd enjoy as a gift to kinda help better guide me loll? :))) thanks!

[@TravisD.Barrett]

How's the labri documentary going? I know a gal who went there and have been excited to hear any updates on the project!

[@houston-coley]

It’s going well! Post-production has a long way ahead, but the trailer will be dropping on this channel in the next month or so!

[@TravisD.Barrett]

@@houston-coley Also, I stumbled upon your piece in the Rabbit Room. Solid work, keep it up!

[@blessonezra7381]

Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-writen video that does justice to the Bible's theology as well as Greta's intentions for the film. Consider me persuaded but more importantly encouraged by the parallels that you drew, makes appreciate the biblical narrative all the more beautiful. Keep up your great work!

[@pjgs4933]

Little Women greatest movie of all time

[@danielklein5829]

I'm not a believer but I did study history at university and I love a good biblical analysis. This is really additive to the movie for me, I think you're spot on with it being subversive that the introduction of patriarchy forces the Barbieworld to grow for the better. I think that the second "day" where Barbie wakes up and everything begins to go wrong, somewhat demonstrates to me that Barbieworld is actually quite hellish (yes hell) at the beginning of the film, everyone begins with the same greeting as the day before - the exact same, the music starts, Barbie begins her routine. Its sterile, and grotesquely unoriginal - hell indeed. I would say I think that the implication at the end of Barbie that things haven't actually gotten that much better for the Kens, except superficially, is quite interesting too. I'd say that my favourite line is "Allans have been in the real word before, no one's noticed! NSYNC? They're all Allans! Even that one!"

[@tcinqo1]

Very intuitive and interesting video! Thank you! I think the concept of Kate McKinnon's "Weird Barbie" is also a beautiful example of how God uses what we consider to be worthless or broken to bring restoration and new life.

[@GustavoCaucayo]

Omg I'm so excited for your documentary! Best of luck getting to the finish line 💪🏽😁

[@carriageofnoreturn.1881]

Very thought provoking - thank you. I've not seen the film, and probably won't until it appears on something like Netflix (I live in the middle of nowhere with no cinemas nearby), but you've made me want to make the effort to seek it out in light of your comments. Thank you.

[@JetteK-zd1cx]

I love what you said about Adam and Eve going off script with their sin, and I’d like to add a bit to it. You’re right. They absolutely did mess up God’s original plan, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t know they would do it. He gave the humans free will, had a perfect plan laid out for them, watched them ruin it like he knew they would, and then provided Jesus as a way to reconcile us to him

[@thebookwormninja9193]

Legit haven't stopped thinking about the philosophical aspects of this movie since i saw it almost two weeks ago. I never even thought about Greta putting in religious themes, I just thought that was me reading into it. But like... kinda sick. There's so much tying to not only creation, paradise, perfection, purpose, meaning, even Ecclesiastes type stuff. I loved your point about how though the "original sin" brought a negative thing, it also brought heightened the characters' awareness-- particularly for Ken, for a desire to be respected and listened to, which was so powerful to me in this film. Milton's Paradise Lost does such a good job at revealing a story where before the fall, the characters were unmarred by sin, but also so naive. They enjoyed what they had, but it never would have meant as much to them if not for the fall-- as you point out. The gospel is redemption, wherein despite the evil of sin, the salvation of man becomes so much more meaningful because of the fall. Cannot say what you said any better, but it resonates so much!! The most strange and sad thing is... for a movie that says so much and is so nuanced, many people miss that because they refuse not to take it at face value. Either they think it's just on the nose feminist consumerism, or they think it's hating on men, etc.,-- which is sad because it really is an interesting movie with a lot to say. They just didn't want to listen because they went in with preconceptions. This video rocks. Thanks for bringing up so many interesting thoughts!

[@AidanKedzierski]

My favorite line was when Barbie said “I’m not a fascist! I don’t control the railroads! Or the flow of commerce!”

[@marybentley4926]

But I do really appreciate your thoughtful analysis .

[@kingly4900]

One loose end that I think the movie needed to spend more time on was the idea of Barbie going into the real world to help whoever is playing with her and with this interpretation maybe there’s something in there about God connecting with us more through a human body to mutually benefit the heavens and the earth. Which I’m just spitballing here so idk how much this fits sort of makes Barbie similar to Jesus here, becoming fully human understanding she has to die. I don’t think her being Jesus is the right metaphor but its a connection I made lol

[@Awntry]

I am someone who appreciates art in creating narratives (even though I am not good at it) and I love you are unapologetical and open in your theological approach to art and how it adds to your appreciation of art and yet are completely uninterested in convincing others about that appreciation and are instead curious to see what others see in them. We don't follow the same religion so what you share is what I rarely get exposed to, looking from the outside and your videos have always been fascinating and illuminating to me There's a lot of things I want to share about how I interpret art and the things I see around me, even narratives from real life but I find it really hard to trust people enough to share them, especially when it comes to spirituality or theology. But I've been struggling a bit more lately and I realize that between phases of apathy and despondence, this appreciation is what keeps me going. After a few close calls, a few of my really close friends convinced me to trust them with my thoughts without judgement and engaging in that and then hearing their interpretation and mixing it all together has been really helpful I'm glad that you get to have this outlet for yourself and have this freedom to feel and express

[@JetteK-zd1cx]

That thing you said about not really believing in God but missing him anyway is so profound. I think everyone can relate to that on some level

[@kingly4900]

Another layer to this is then how all this beautiful stuff about creation and humanity is being used for capitalist interest and ideological bickering. Might be the definitive reading of the movie and now I need to rewatch it lmao

[@guyr3618]

So what I'm getting here is that Greta Gerwig should do a Silmarillion adaptation.

[@marybentley4926]

Your take on this movie is the mirror opposite of the one that was on the video I wanted you to watch . I guess it’s crazy of me to make up my mind without seeing the film . I still lean more toward the ideas of Jonathan cahn however .

[@deboragracecoley2844]

i'm always surprised by how wise my husband is... i also really enjoy the paintings in your tv idea :)

[@Merina2222]

This is amazing. Really made me think.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Wonderful stuff. I was expecting it to be the kind of reading that changes the way I look at the film, but really it’s really just all the stuff that I already felt but with some extra theological richness that goes some way to explain just how narratively satisfying it is. Feels well within the possibility that a lot of these comparisons and parallels were on Gerwig’s mind.

[@matthewneugebauer4325]

This. Every word of this.

[@RickMacDonnell]

HOUSTON, THIS WAS SO GOOD

[@glorymusick7731]

Definitely "a podcast with two wise trees" and "a choir of a thousand young fathers"

[@houston-coley]

Man, we need to make that podcast happen

[@uriahgabrielvenida]

"where did you get those paintings tho?" is my question after watching the video. they're very beautiful!

[@houston-coley]

Ahaha thank you! The Haunted Mansion print is from eBay and the Andor poster was given away at my local AMC!

[@davidsrq]

Amazing as always, but you still manage to surprise me! I love how you expanded my view of the film with this one. Thank you for introducing me to the idea of Feliz Culpa, seems really interesting!!! Did you see that behind the scenes picture of the board with some unused ideas? There's a picture (presumably a deleted scene) titled "barbie land creation". That would probably have even more Genesis parallels! Your way of speaking about the theme of not returning to the status quo and you mentioning the garden city makes me think you've been listening to the BibleProject podcast, which I love. If you haven't, it sure is a nice moment of connected thoughts.

[@houston-coley]

I hadn’t seen that picture, that’s great! I’ve been a pretty huge proponent of the garden/city idea for years now but I was really happy to see The Bible Project giving it so much spotlight recently. As always, they’re putting so much gold out there.

[@BrickIt_]

THANK YOU FOR BUYING THE BARBENHEIMER SPLIT YOURE MY GOAT 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@houston-coley]

DUDE THANK YOU FOR MAKING AND SENDING IT!!

[@BrennanJ96]

This was great!

[@JustBenNotBenjamin]

I am not religious and never have been. I started watching you 4ish? 5ish? years ago, and I don't remember you talking much about theology or your Christianity then. It's been really interesting watching your content from the last year or two because it's absolutely a different perspective than I have on things. I really believe you when you say that you're not interested in changing minds, you just want to discuss the bible and its themes as a creative work. My mind hasn't been changed from this video or any of your recent ones, of course, but it's always just a very fresh perspective and you always explore themes and parallels that I never would have identified on my own. I really appreciate it, and your tone and genuine passion/curiosity is infectious. I hope you keep making these!

[@houston-coley]

So glad to have you here, especially for so long! I’ve always been nervous that longtime subscribers would dip out when I started talking about weird theology nerd stuff, but it’s really gratifying to see when that’s not the case. Yep-I’m not really a “changing/converting minds” person, but if I can talk about what I’m passionate about, get other people to talk about it, and stimulate some interesting conversations in the process, I’m happy.

[@ShohamYitzchaki]

this is so amazing

[@emmanicholls4464]

Love this.

[@aidanmetz1308]

Make a podcast please, honestly it's a really good idea. I'd listen

[@houston-coley]

I have one! link is in the pinned comment and description!

[@brianchilds]

i'm not going to lie, I was never interested in seeing Barbie, but this video definitely made me more curious seeing it through this lens.

[@redrabbitjohnson]

This is great work. The intersection of theology and pop culture is just about my favorite genre.

[@Sk8Grom]

One of the first quotes in the movie that moved me was when Barbie looks at the old woman on the bench and tells her she is beautiful. The old woman smiles and says " I know." This is a wonderful moment and also mirrors the response the barbies give in barbieland when given a compliment.

[@jmgonzalez4]

The movie seems to have such mixed messaging regarding babies and pregnancy: smashing baby dolls at the start, making fun of and alienating the pregnant barbie, but then ultimately Margot Barbie ultimately acknowledging & embracing her reproductive organs. Is there an allegorical justification for this particular narrative thread? The last part certainly works as when God ejects Adam and Eve from Eden he says that women will be burdened with the pain of labor ... so Barbie having a womb and starting the journey of procreation aligns with the Genesis allegory. But what about the the attitude towards pregnancy and babies specifically?

[@AdmiralThumbs]

Don't forget Sasha's idea for "ordinary woman Barbie" who's a mom. But I don't view any of this as mixed messaging, just nuanced messaging. The movie seems to be saying that motherhood is wonderful and honorable, but condemns the idea that it is the only thing girls can/should look up to becoming. I think the jokes surrounding Midge are just acknowledging the felt irony around how Barbie dolls were meant to provide other aspirations for little girls than just caring for a baby, but then later they became the thing they sought to defeat.

[@rottensquid]

@@AdmiralThumbs Well put. I thought the point was that having the choice is what matters. This problems come with this all-or-nothing idea that if you don't want to be a mom, you're saying that having a baby is objectively bad. People don't seem to understand the basic idea that what's right for you isn't necessarily right for everyone.

[@ATron-d8l]

That was great! Thanks for the breakdown!