Atlanta Film Society's Chris Escobar connects the dots between hit films 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer'

During the summer of 2023, a cultural phenomenon emerged ahead of the theatrical release of films by Warner Brothers Studios and Universal Pictures. “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” arrived in movie theatres on the same day — July 21, weeks after people were referring to the event as “Barbenheimer.”

In Atlanta, film maven and friend of WABE’s “City Lights,” Chris Escobar, had some intriguing observations about the movies that may surprise you. The Atlanta Film Society executive director and owner of both the Plaza and Tara movie theaters joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to speak about his viewpoint.

“They both draw on a sense of nostalgia, albeit in different ways, just an interest and a look back to the past,” says Escobar.