If, as you say, Barbieland narratives are really about "setting up the right readers—the novel’s target audience—for an enjoyable experience in line with their narrative expectations," I would argue that you could put most horror movies in the lower right quadrant of your 2x2. The plots rarely revolve around "big and weighty" themes (although it is funny reading the critics as they squirm around trying to extract a big takeaway from some of them); they are usually highly contrived situations designed to appeal to the fans' tastes.
"It was delightful being back at the movies, seeing non-franchise films succeed"
Barbie is a franchise tho...
About covers: I was in an indie bookstore in Albuquerque and it was amazing how much it changed. Instead of heavy dark shelves full of yellow and brown, it was open-concept tables full of bright primary colors and dazzling "design."
Now, I actually really like -- prefer, even -- the greater detail and colorfulness of book cover art as opposed to the dingy old norms. But the oversaturated market drew attention to the faddishness overall and exposed the question of whether the things are supposed to be read -- or displayed.
If, as you say, Barbieland narratives are really about "setting up the right readers—the novel’s target audience—for an enjoyable experience in line with their narrative expectations," I would argue that you could put most horror movies in the lower right quadrant of your 2x2. The plots rarely revolve around "big and weighty" themes (although it is funny reading the critics as they squirm around trying to extract a big takeaway from some of them); they are usually highly contrived situations designed to appeal to the fans' tastes.
Would invest in a “Brand it as if I was a man” t-shirt campaign.
"It was delightful being back at the movies, seeing non-franchise films succeed"
Barbie is a franchise tho...
About covers: I was in an indie bookstore in Albuquerque and it was amazing how much it changed. Instead of heavy dark shelves full of yellow and brown, it was open-concept tables full of bright primary colors and dazzling "design."
Now, I actually really like -- prefer, even -- the greater detail and colorfulness of book cover art as opposed to the dingy old norms. But the oversaturated market drew attention to the faddishness overall and exposed the question of whether the things are supposed to be read -- or displayed.
This too will pass.