The great pistachio heist, the state of the Oscars, and Biden buzz: Weekend reads for March 9, 2024

Some writing worth your attention

With a week of major developments behind us at the Supreme Court, in Tuesday’s primaries, and at the State of the Union, we’re ready to spend some time in movieland — so we’re looking ahead to Sunday evening’s Academy Awards.

We hope you’ll join us in rooting for avid Ink reader America Ferrera to take home the Best Supporting Actress award, and in the meantime we’ve pulled together a bunch of intriguing film-related readings, from reflections on the best films of the past year, Oscar-nominated or not, to meditations on the wider world of cinema (and of course, on the politics of Hollywood). Scroll down for those, just past our ICYMI for the week.

Enjoy, and get your popcorn ready!

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In case you missed it

From Super Tuesday, to the continuing Congressional deadlock, to the State of the Union, it’s been a busy week. Catch up with what we’ve been covering right here:

Republicans are running an outright fascist in the North Carolina gubernatorial election.

Rep. Joaquin Castro told us about how the migrant crisis was shaped by U.S. foreign policy. 

Our take on Biden’s fiery State of the Union speech — on fairness, freedom, and looking to the future.

We hope the articles we’ve collected below for our subscribers to read challenge you to see the world in new ways. Thanks as always for reading The Ink and continuing to support us (and if you’re not a paid subscriber already, we encourage you to join our community).

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For your consideration: movie reads for Oscar weekend

The best films of 2023 (and many you might have missed)

“Do you guys ever think about dying?” Margot Robbie asked in Barbie, an existential question directed frequently at cinema in recent years. If the big screen could talk, in 2023 it would have shouted back “No!” [BFI]

The subversive subtexts of Barbie

The essence of womanhood, and humanity, doesn’t have anything to do with careers or outfits. It’s about a spiritual connection between women of different generations, passing down their hopes and dreams for a better world for those who come after them. By taking Ruth’s hand, Barbie becomes another link in this infinite chain of mothers and children. She becomes human. [Vulture]