Barbie is kicking it old school during her Barbie Truck Totally Throwback Tour, which rolls into San Antonio on Saturday, February 8. The truck will park at the Shops at La Cantera, not far from Barnes & Noble, so fans of all ages can peruse merchandise and mingle with other Barbie lovers.
As mentioned, this tour is a "throwback" and promises a '90s theme and "retro-inspired merchandise," a devastating thought for those of us who grew up in the 1990s and still can't quite grasp that the decade is now considered "retro."
Attendees can swing by the bright pink truck and snag Barbie-themed merchandise, including limited-edition upcycled jackets, denim "dad caps" and jackets, T-shirts, cosmetic bags, and necklaces.
In keeping with the retro theme, the Barbie van will also features '90s fashion staples such as vinyl iridescent fanny packs and boombox-shaped totes, embroidered patch sets, and cassette tape wallets. According to a release, the items available for purchase are priced between $12-$75.
The San Antonio stop is part of a three-year tour across the U.S., a trek that began in Los Angeles last fall. After San Antonio, the truck rolls on to Plano.
Mattel, the company behind Barbie, has faced increasing backlash in recent years as the discussion on body type, race, and gender inclusivity continues. According to a release, the tour is an integral of the brand's 60th anniversary celebration and likely part of Mattel's attempt to redefine the iconic brand for a new generation of American children and their parents.
The truck is free to check out and will be open at La Cantera from 10 am-7 pm. And do note that the Barbie truck may be retro, but it only accepts credit and debit cards.
Jackets, bags, and more merchandise are available for purchase.
Photo courtesy of the Barbie Totally Throwback Tour
Jackets, bags, and more merchandise are available for purchase.
In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also got nominated for an Oscar for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.
Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).
Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.
Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.
Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.
Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.
Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.
Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.
