MOVIES

Barbie isn’t just a movie star now — she’s also a virtual social media influencer. The explosive public response to the upcoming Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling demonstrates the sheer power of nostalgic marketing for contemporary consumers. The Barbie movie made headlines last summer over its hefty US$100 million budget. Part of this budget went into its decadent set, which reportedly contributed to a global shortage of pink paint, as well as a massive marketing push that has seen partnerships with Airbnb, Xbox, Forever 21 and a multitude of other brands in numerous sectors. Branded characters and mascots like Barbie are tied to powerful childhood memories for many. Yet in the age of the metaverse these characters aren’t remaining dolls or television characters. T...

‘Barbie’ is, at its core, a movie about the messy contradictions of motherhood. Editor’s note: This article contains plot spoilers for “Barbie.” The wildly popular “Barbie” movie has been touted for its celebration – and critique – of femininity. As a mother and a media scholar, I couldn’t help but see “Barbie” through an even narrower lens: as a film that, at its core, is about mothers and daughters. The film’s plot centers on a life-size doll, known as “Stereotypical Barbie,” played by Margot Robbie, who begins to malfunction: Her feet go flat, and she can’t stop thinking about death. So she leaves her perfect plastic life to embark on a quest to restore the boundary between the real world and Barbieland. Along the way, she learns that the real world is nothing like her girl-power won...

Barbie is — and has always been — a material girl. That’s one message from scholars as the first live-action “Barbie” film opens Friday amid a fresh wave of merch, product collabs and advertising that highlights her characteristic consumerism. That consumption also isn’t all Barbie represents, they say, pointing to controversies over her problematic proportions, her potential to empower as a single woman without children and her evolution to reflect American culture’s changing tastes. Barbie’s Corvette convertible, tricked-out Dreamhouse and revolving door of pink outfits in the film say as much about the titular character as any dialogue in a movie that features three recent Oscar nominees — director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (Ken). One tween in the...

Who knew the Nickelodeon cutie who showed up in Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps when he was 15 would one day grow up to be a meme, and yes, an Oscar nominee, too. Of course, Mr. Man is referring to the Ontario hottie Ryan Gosling. After popping up in various Canadian kids’ show, he nabbed his first regular gig at the age of 17, playing Sean Hanlon in the TV series Breaker High from 1997-1998, followed by one as Hercules in Young Hercules from 1989-1999. Switching his focus to the big screen, his first Hollywood flick was Remember the Titans (2000), followed by the lead role of Danny Balint in The Believer (2001). Want Free Access To Ryan Gosling Sexy Pics & Clips? Click Here! Three years later, his star shot into the stratosphere when he played Noah in The Notebook (2004...

‘I’m just Ken’ – a brief history of Barbie’s boyfriend, from all-American boy to movie star. As first boyfriends go, you could do worse than Ken Carson. Introduced in 1961 by Mattel, the Ken doll was the epitome of the all-American boy next door. Clean cut, athletic and with a sharp haircut, he was the perfect counterpart to his more famous girlfriend, Barbie. Ken’s first item of clothing was a pair of red swimming trunks, indicating his sportiness and reflecting the modern American lifestyle of leisure and penchant for outdoor recreation. Created by Barbie’s inventor Ruth Handler, Ken was a boyfriend designed by women for girls. Just as Barbie was named after Handler’s daughter, so Ken was named after her son. And so the safe, boyfriend-friend dynamic of Barbie and Ken’s relationship ...

Is the Barbie movie a bold step to reinvent and fix past wrongs or a clever ploy to tap a new market? After a months-long marketing blitz, the much-hyped Barbie movie is released this week. From a Malibu Barbie dreamhouse listed on AirBnB, an AI tool that transforms selfies into Barbie movie posters and multiple Barbie-themed brand collaborations ranging from nail polish to roller skates, Barbie is everywhere. She has even gone viral as a fashion trend known as Barbiecore, exploding across social media with people embracing vibrant pink hues and hyper feminine aesthetics. A Barbie world is upon us. Although some have criticized this saturation strategy, it is a very deliberate marketing ploy to revitalize and redefine a brand with a contested position and history. As well as attracting...

Richard Madden grabbed Mr. Man’s attention when he bared his beautiful backside during one of the many fleshy scenes of fornication on the HBO fantasy Game of Thrones (2011-2019). Indeed, we consider ourselves winners whenever any game includes Madden’s naked T&A! But before the skinternational star was causing havoc in the mythical land of Westeros, he flashed his gams and pecs on the British sitcom Sirens (2011). Dick gained even more fame on the big screen when he played the Prince in the Disney hit Cinderella (2015); Lieutenant Joseph Blake in the WWI epic 1917 (2019); and Ikaris in the superhero flick Eternals (2022). In between, he and his arousing abs could be seen in the TV movie Lady Chatterley's Lover (2015). Want Free Access To Richard Madden Nude Pics & Clips? Click H...

K.J. Apa is an actor best known for his work in Shortland Street, Riverdale, and A Dog’s Purpose (2017). Born and raised in New Zealand, K.J. is of Samoan, Scottish, and English ancestry. He started performing at an early age. Want Free Access To K.J. Apa Sexy Pics & Clips? Click Here! While still a kid, he would take his guitar and stand on street corners playing for tips. He recorded his first album at 14. While he still plays music and writes songs, K.J. now focuses on acting. He made his onscreen debut as Kane Jenkins in the New Zealand medical soap opera Shortland Street. K.J. shows off his mesmerizing muscles in the CW crime drama series Riverdale. Loosely based on the characters of the Archie comics, this dark series takes a look at the twisted goings-on in the town of Riverdal...

Vanessa Morgan is best known as Toni Topaz on the CW's delectably dark, dangerous, and overwhelmingly erotic Archie Comics TV adaptation, Riverdale. Born of Scottish and East African descent, Vanessa Morgan is a Canadian cutie who stole America’s heart. She studied philosophy at Queen’s University and proved to be Disney royalty when she starred in the movie My Babysitter’s a Vampire (2010) and its spinoff series (2011-2012). No stranger to winning, the former Junior Miss America finished third in The Amazing Race Canada (2013). She was also named Rising Star by the Planet Africa Awards in 2014. The title seems apt since Va-Va-Vanessa makes Mr. Skin’s big dipper rise! With the MTV teen drama series Finding Carter (2014-2015), ambitious ingenue Vanessa Morgan revealed her acting chops and...

Originally from Virginia but having grown up in Kansas, while he definitely didn't get his looks from him, Jason probably got his comedic timing from growing up with George Wendt, AKA Norm from Cheers as his uncle. Now, everybody knows Jason's name, and would love to scream it all night long! Since living a normal life was never in the cards for Jason, after dropping out of college he did sketch comedy all over the country, eventually landing a gig writing on Saturday Night Live in 2003. He joined the cast in 2005, and became an instant fan favorite for his celebrity impressions and impressive ability to play obnoxious A-holes. Jason isn’t known for doing nude scenes, but he has done some stuff that will prove to you the former Weekend Update actor can get you weak in the knees, includin...