With the release of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan has added another blockbuster to his roster of popular films. While he is most known for his more sci-fi productions, Oppenheimer takes a turn into historical fiction more similar to Dunkirk. Of course, he put his own twist on portraying Oppenheimer’s life, focusing on the inner turmoil and spectacle of the atom bomb
Christopher Nolan has captivated audiences worldwide with his mind-bending narratives, stunning visuals, and meticulous attention to detail. His films have consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling, earning critical acclaim and amassing a loyal fanbase. Let’s go over some of our favorite Nolan films here at Hollywood.com!
Memento (2000)
Release Date: September 5, 2000
Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
Memento tells the story of Leonard Shelby played by Guy Pearce. Shelby has extreme short-term memory loss seeking while vengeance for his wife’s murder. He lives life 5 minutes at a time before what just happens slips away from him.
One of the most memorable things about this film is Shelby’s tattoos. He adds a new tattoo as he pieces together the past. At the beginning of the film, he is covered in enigmatic notes to himself.
The narrative unfolds in reverse order, reflecting Shelby’s condition and challenging viewers to piece together the puzzle. With its non-linear structure and psychological complexity, Memento was critically acclaimed for its innovative storytelling, earning Nolan widespread recognition as a director to watch.
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)
Release Dates:
Batman Begins (2005): June 15, 2005
The Dark Knight (2008): July 18, 2008
The Dark Knight Rises (2012): July 20, 2012
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Nolan’s epic Dark Knight Trilogy redefined the superhero genre. It follows the journey of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as he transforms into Batman and battles iconic villains like Joker (Heath Ledger) and Bane (Tom Hardy).
The trilogy combined thrilling action with complex characters, exploring themes of morality, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between hero and villain. The Dark Knight, in particular, received immense praise, thanks to Ledger’s unforgettable performance.
Inception (2010)
Release Date: July 16, 2010
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Elliot Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception delves into the realm of dreams. Skilled thief, Dom Cobb, infiltrates people’s minds to extract valuable information. However, he is offered a chance at redemption by performing inception – planting an idea instead.
Inception was a tentpole film of the 2010s. It really set the pace not only for sci fi films, but cinema as a whole during that time. With its complex narrative layers and stunning visual effects, Inception mesmerized audiences and critics alike. It became a box office hit, solidifying Nolan’s reputation for crafting intellectually stimulating blockbusters.
Most notably, the sound design and soundtrack was very unique for the time thanks to Hans Zimmer’s synth heavy tracks. Zimmer weaves heavily punctuated strings and electronic drones as the characters float in and out of the minds of their targets.
Another interesting musical aspect is the use of Edith Piaf’s Non Je Ne Regrette Rien not only as music that exists in the film, but as a signifier of the need to exit their target’s mind. This made the song not only important to the characters, but also stick out in the audiences mind. Nolan was not the first to use a song this way, but he did make it even more popular as a cinematic trope.
Similar to how the visionary director duo, The Wachowski Sisters broke new ground with their innovative action sequences using slick camera tricks and practical effects, Inception furthered the use of unique visuals. Scenes such as the iconic fight in the hotel room, where characters are floating is done with practical effects where the hallways and elevator are actually spinning in real life.
Interstellar (2014)
Release Date: November 5, 2014
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine
Interstellar takes us on an awe-inspiring space odyssey, where a team of astronauts embarks on a mission to find a new habitable planet for humanity.
Exploring themes of love, time dilation, and the human spirit, the film combines scientific accuracy with emotional storytelling. Its breathtaking visuals and thought-provoking plot resonated with audiences, although opinions were divided on the complexity of its scientific concepts.
Dunkirk (2017)
Release Date: July 13, 2017
Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Lee Armstrong, Cillian Murphy
Dunkirk is an interesting film in Nolan’s catalog as it takes a side step from cerebral sci fi, and veers into historical fiction. The film chronicles the heroic evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches of Dunkirk, France.
During World War II, Germany advanced into France. This trapped Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Dunkirk focuses on Tommy, a young British soldier, who is the sole survivor of a German attack.
Dunkirk was met with critical acclaim and box office success. It received eight nominations for the 2018 Oscars. It then took home three awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.
Tenet (2020)
Release Date: August 26, 2020
Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson
Tenet was a return to Nolan’s sci-fi roots, exploring the concept of time inversion, or reversing the flow of time. Starring John David Washington, Tenet follows a former CIA agent who learns how to reverse time to stop a future attack that threatens to annihilate the present world.
With so many interesting films under his belt, we wonder what’s next after Oppenheimer. What is your favorite Christopher Nolan film?
