Oppenheimer

[Bungle73]

Just got back from seeing this at the Odeon Leicester Square. Another tour de force by Christopher Nolan - I've seen quite a few of his movies. Cillian Murphy and the rest of the cast were excellent. Glad they kept it realistic by having the sound lag behind the images during the explosions (light travels faster than sound). The main explosion made me jump when the sound came. The scene where they were discussing potential targets I found rather chilling.

I chose the Odeon (the other option was probably the BFI IMAX) because the new seats are sooooo comfy (huge leather recliners with foot rests) and it's such a long film. The 3 hours went by rather fast as it happens.

 

[westv]

I vaguely remember the BBC series so will try and compare when I eventually watch the film. As it lasts 3 hours I may wait until it's on streaming.

 

[MikeWM]

I very much enjoyed it, and I'd agree it didn't feel remotely 3 hours long. Perhaps the last 45 minutes or so could have been compressed slightly, but it all leads up to an excellent end.

Nolan is one of my favourite directors working today - even when the film doesn't quite work as well as hoped (eg. Tenet) there's still an awful lot of interesting things going on. I really like his insistence in filming on film stock, using a still camera for dialogue scenes (none of this modern shaky nonsense that just makes it look like they couldn't afford a tripod), on using real effects rather than CGI, and on using 'grand' cinematic formats such as IMAX.

They're also pretty much the only films nowadays that get exhibited *on film*, in those few places still setup to do so. Hoping to catch a repeat showing of this either on 35mm at the Cambridge Picturehouse or on 70mm at the central London Picturehouse, sometime in the next week.

 

[Bungle73]

I very much enjoyed it, and I'd agree it didn't feel remotely 3 hours long. Perhaps the last 45 minutes or so could have been compressed slightly, but it all leads up to an excellent end.

Nolan is one of my favourite directors working today - even when the film doesn't quite work as well as hoped (eg. Tenet) there's still an awful lot of interesting things going on. I really like his insistence in filming on film stock, using a still camera for dialogue scenes (none of this modern shaky nonsense that just makes it look like they couldn't afford a tripod), on using real effects rather than CGI, and on using 'grand' cinematic formats such as IMAX.

They're also pretty much the only films nowadays that get exhibited *on film*, in those few places still setup to do so. Hoping to catch a repeat showing of this either on 35mm at the Cambridge Picturehouse or on 70mm at the central London Picturehouse, sometime in the next week.

I specifically chose a 70mm showing at the Odeon as it happens. Apparently, it was the same stock that was shown at premier. When I booked we were promised a playing of the cinema's Compton organ prior to the film, but for some reason it didn't happen.

Tenet I really liked. I went to see that at the IMAX.

As a matter of fact I didn't even know about this film until I read an article about it in a recent issue of Empire magazine. When I saw Nolan's name attached to it that piqued my interest, and put it in my mind as a movie I'd probably go and see.

There's far too much CGI in movies now if you ask me. When I was a kid in the '80s, when having it in a movie was a bit of a novelty, I was well into it (being interested in technology and computers), but now it's just too much. Some movies end up looking more than a computer game than live action.

 

[nlogax]

Nolan is one of my favourite directors working today - even when the film doesn't quite work as well as hoped (eg. Tenet) there's still an awful lot of interesting things going on. I really like his insistence in filming on film stock, using a still camera for dialogue scenes (none of this modern shaky nonsense that just makes it look like they couldn't afford a tripod), on using real effects rather than CGI, and on using 'grand' cinematic formats such as IMAX.

Absolutely. Even with the occasional disappointment (some production elements in Dunkirk, audio on Tenet) I'm always excited for the release of each Nolan film. No other director's films inspire that same level of anticipation in me. Oppenheimer was top drawer stuff though I feel I need another watch or two to get to the points I missed first time around. That is pretty much my experience with every Nolan movie of the last fifteen years and it's not a complaint. Think I went to see Tenet three times and found something new with each viewing.

 

[wilbers]

I saw it yesterday at my [very] local cinema. Smaller screens than most multiplexes, but it has the massive advantage that its only 4 minutes walk from my house.

Informative as I didn't know most (apart from the obvious) details about Oppenheimer.

 

[MikeWM]

I specifically chose a 70mm showing at the Odeon as it happens. Apparently, it was the same stock that was shown at premier. When I booked we were promised a playing of the cinema's Compton organ prior to the film, but for some reason it didn't happen.

That's rather a shame, I don't think I've seen that played - not been to the Leicester Square Odeon for quite a few years now, certainly not since the refurb, rather too pricy for my liking at the times I'm available.

Tenet I really liked. I went to see that at the IMAX.

I think the last film I saw in IMAX was Interstellar, which really benefited from the format. I liked Tenet too, but less so than most of Nolan's others - probably because I'm trying to work out the timelines while watching, which distracts from enjoying the film. I'd say Inception is a better-executed example of an idea that makes you think but also doesn't distract you from actually watching the film.

There's far too much CGI in movies now if you ask me. When I was a kid in the '80s, when having it in a movie was a bit of a novelty, I was well into it (being interested in technology and computers), but now it's just too much. Some movies end up looking more than a computer game than live action.

Yes, I think this is a big problem with most modern films. And, as an old traditionalist person in many ways, I generally don't find digital projection to feel as 'real' as actual film somehow. Not sure that's a good description, but there's something about film (and spectacle that actually was captured in the camera rather than created on a computer) that feels right.

--

Absolutely. Even with the occasional disappointment (some production elements in Dunkirk, audio on Tenet) I'm always excited for the release of each Nolan film. No other director's films inspire that same level of anticipation in me.

Same for me. There are a few other directors I follow, but they are either more-or-less retired (eg. David Lynch) or seem to have lost their way a little recently (eg. Paul T. Anderson). There's something uniquely interesting in the current filmscape about a new Nolan film.

Oppenheimer was top drawer stuff though I feel I need another watch or two to get to the points I missed first time around. That is pretty much my experience with every Nolan movie of the last fifteen years and it's not a complaint. Think I went to see Tenet three times and found something new with each viewing.

Similar here - I think Dunkirk is the only one that I've only seen once, and I need to give that another whirl. Will definitely be seeing Oppenheimer again in the next week or so (as above, hopefully on film, but if I can't make that, I'll go to my local again).

 

[Urobach]

Fantastic film, though unlike others I did feel how long it was.

I'll be the one to bring up Barbenheimer , booked in to see Barbie as well later this week

 

[MikeWM]

I'll be the one to bring up Barbenheimer , booked in to see Barbie as well later this week

I enjoyed Barbie too, but unlike Oppenheimer I don't feel the need for an encore

Good to see the cinema doing well, after a number of box office flops and disappointments in the previous few months. Sadly it may prove to be rather fleeting, as the effects of the actors and writers strikes start to hit what is released.

 

[Snow1964]

Probably wait for next Monday (my local Odeon is £6 on Mondays, they charge rather more for same experience other days)

 

[Trackman]

The main explosion made me jump when the sound came.

What did it sound like?
Many films including test films are dubbed. Hope they got it right.

 

[Bungle73]

What did it sound like?
Many films including test films are dubbed. Hope they got it right.

I actually found some of the dialogue hard to understand, but that appeared to be due to the acoustics of the auditorium, which is odd, because I've watched movies there before, including Mission Impossible the other week, and don't recall any problems.

 

[Huntergreed]

A phenomenal production - one of the few that really has left me with much to think about after it ended.

I would agree that the final ~3rd of the movie could be a little more compressed, but it certainly didn’t feel like 3 hours!

I also agree that some of the audio was ever so slightly hard to understand, I wonder if this is a capture/mixing issue as opposed to an auditorium issue? Some of the delivery was quite fast.

 

[WatcherZero]

What did it sound like?
Many films including test films are dubbed. Hope they got it right.

A pop and air rush about a minute after the actual detonation due to observer distance. I was expecting the delayed noise so it didnt surprise me.

The movie was good (kind of Schindlers list with the soundtrack of Batman), they crammed in at least a cameo from every major physicist of the early to mid 20th century, kind of avengers assembled feel at times. What did surprise me was the focus of the film was more on Oppenheimer struggling to balance communist sympathies and patriotism/not committing treason rather than the Manhattan project itself which I didnt expect, the villains arent the Germans/Japanese per se (though it does refer to the holocaust and pre-war persecution) but the McCarthyites. They did downplay British involvement though, the only British person seen working on the project was the Soviet spy Fuchs (No mention of the americans Harry Gold and David Greenglass and they say in one scene there was no evidence of other Soviet spys) and the only other time British involvement was mentioned was a line that like the Soviets they had achieved nuclear fusion ahead of the US in bomb development experiments, they didnt even mention Tube Alloys or the weapons material supplied from Canada despite refinement being a major plot point.

Audio I had no issues with clarity but the films sound level was extremely loud (even for regular dialog) and I wasnt the only one to comment on that.

 

[MikeWM]

The movie was good (kind of Schindlers list with the soundtrack of Batman), they crammed in at least a cameo from every major physicist of the early to mid 20th century, kind of avengers assembled feel at times.

I did wonder if the film would be quite as interesting if you didn't have some prior knowledge as to who some of those people were or why they were important.

I liked the Gödel cameo for example, but most people probably don't know who Gödel is, or why he was hanging around with Einstein.

 

[Bungle73]

A pop and air rush about a minute after the actual detonation due to observer distance. I was expecting the delayed noise so it didnt surprise me.

So was I, but it still made me jump.

 

[westv]

I actually found some of the dialogue hard to understand, but that appeared to be due to the acoustics of the auditorium, which is odd, because I've watched movies there before, including Mission Impossible the other week, and don't recall any problems.

Maybe it's partly due to poor audio. The way on TV some programmes are muffled but the ads are always clear as a bell.

 

[RichJF]

Going to see this next Thursday at my local Everyman. Using my membership to get in.
Not been this excited about a new movie for a LONG time!

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Was absolutely incredible. Loved the film. Need to go and watch it again.

 

[RailWonderer]

I've booked to go see it at the London Science Museum on a 70mm IMAX print, which is the most authentic way to see it, as the print is a copy of what was in Nolan's camera when they shot it. Digital can never equal a bulb illuminating big celluloid onto a giant screen. Glad you enjoyed it, but I reccommend anyone to try watch it in 70mm.

 

[GS250]

Looking forward to this. Like some others have a bit of a morbid fascination with nuclear weapons even though there potential use would be catastrophic. Yes...surely they did their research and had the silent blinding light followed by the noise of the explosion later. They got this right in other films (T2, Indy 4) although the Day After was instantaneous sound with the light.

Was actually a good documentary on the Discovery Channel 10 or so years ago about Oppenheimer. Followed by one on Teller who developed the standard atomic bomb into the Hydrogen bomb. From what I remember Oppenheimer was against its further development.

 

[RailWonderer]

I'll be the one to bring up Barbenheimer , booked in to see Barbie as well later this week

Klaus Barbie and Oppenheimer?

 

[Mogster]

A pop and air rush about a minute after the actual detonation due to observer distance. I was expecting the delayed noise so it didnt surprise me.

The movie was good (kind of Schindlers list with the soundtrack of Batman), they crammed in at least a cameo from every major physicist of the early to mid 20th century, kind of avengers assembled feel at times. What did surprise me was the focus of the film was more on Oppenheimer struggling to balance communist sympathies and patriotism/not committing treason rather than the Manhattan project itself which I didnt expect, the villains arent the Germans/Japanese per se (though it does refer to the holocaust and pre-war persecution) but the McCarthyites. They did downplay British involvement though, the only British person seen working on the project was the Soviet spy Fuchs (No mention of the americans Harry Gold and David Greenglass and they say in one scene there was no evidence of other Soviet spys) and the only other time British involvement was mentioned was a line that like the Soviets they had achieved nuclear fusion ahead of the US in bomb development experiments, they didnt even mention Tube Alloys or the weapons material supplied from Canada despite refinement being a major plot point.

Audio I had no issues with clarity but the films sound level was extremely loud (even for regular dialog) and I wasnt the only one to comment on that.

I did wonder if they’d at least mention Tizard, Oliphant, Frisch–Peierls, George Thompson, the Maud committe and tube alloys etc. I assumed not as Hollywood has form for these sort of omissions regarding the UK-US and WW2. I’m still interested so will give it a go, I do appreciate Cillian Murphy as an actor.

 

[Bungle73]

Maybe it's partly due to poor audio. The way on TV some programmes are muffled but the ads are always clear as a bell.

Possibly

Was absolutely incredible. Loved the film. Need to go and watch it again.

I might watch it again, but I'll probably wait until I can watch it home.

I've booked to go see it at the London Science Museum on a 70mm IMAX print, which is the most authentic way to see it, as the print is a copy of what was in Nolan's camera when they shot it. Digital can never equal a bulb illuminating big celluloid onto a giant screen. Glad you enjoyed it, but I reccommend anyone to try watch it in 70mm.

I already said it was a 70mm showing. I specifically chose that. In fact we got told it was the same film stock that was shown during the premier. We even got given the name of the projectionist.

How does the Science Museum IMAX compare with the BFI btw?

Looking forward to this. Like some others have a bit of a morbid fascination with nuclear weapons even though there potential use would be catastrophic. Yes...surely they did their research and had the silent blinding light followed by the noise of the explosion later. They got this right in other films (T2, Indy 4) although the Day After was instantaneous sound with the light.

Was actually a good documentary on the Discovery Channel 10 or so years ago about Oppenheimer. Followed by one on Teller who developed the standard atomic bomb into the Hydrogen bomb. From what I remember Oppenheimer was against its further development.

Actually I'd like to find out more about exactly how a nuclear bomb works, as I'm still a bit unclear. I like finding out how things work, particularly technological and science stuff.

In case anyone's interested there's a fascinating documentary about Oppenheimer on Sky available to download atm. It features interviews with tons of people, including Christopher Nolan, and even Oppenheimer's grandson. Watched it the day after seeing the film when I learned about it.

I also just learnt a little bit of trivia over at the IMDb. Apparently black and white IMAX film stock didn't exist until this move was made. It was developed by Kodak specifically for it.

 

[Giugiaro]

I appreciated it.
I was sceptical of the practical effects used for the Trinity test, but it worked well.
And I was satisfied when the shockwave "took its time" to blast through the audience!

A note on my own experience:
I booked a seat in the IMAX theatre at MAR Shopping Matosinhos, and I wore my earbuds throughout the movie experience.
I heard everything throughout the movie run, even with the earbuds in my ears and noise cancelling turned on.

I've been very critical of the loudness of movie theatres in Portugal, and this recent experience just solidified my complaints.

 

[RailWonderer]

I already said it was a 70mm showing. I specifically chose that. In fact we got told it was the same film stock that was shown during the premier. We even got given the name of the projectionist.

How does the Science Museum IMAX compare with the BFI btw?

I didn't know the Odeon Leicester square played 70mm, only the Manchester Printworks, BFI Waterloo and Science Museum had them in the UK. You can see the list of 70mm projectors worldwide here: https://www.imax.com/news/oppenheimer-in-imax-70mm. The Czech Republic has one but France and Germany have none.
I'm seeing it in a couple of weeks time, everything before then was sold out (tickets are £18.50, £10 cheaper than the BFI Waterloo)

 

[Bungle73]

I didn't know the Odeon Leicester square played 70mm, only the Manchester Printworks, BFI Waterloo and Science Museum had them in the UK. You can see the list of 70mm projectors worldwide here: https://www.imax.com/news/oppenheimer-in-imax-70mm. The Czech Republic has one but France and Germany have none.
I'm seeing it in a couple of weeks time, everything before then was sold out (tickets are £18.50, £10 cheaper than the BFI Waterloo)

70mm and IMAX 70mm are two different things though. The Odeon shows the former.

 

[Trackman]

70mm and IMAX 70mm are two different things though. The Odeon shows the former.

Is IMAX upscaling the image?

 

[WatcherZero]

I dont really get why you need to see this film in IMAX, its mostly people talking in rooms, you can count the number of outdoor shots on one hand (horseback riding, nuclear test, talking to Einstein) im not even sure the security checkpoint at Los Alamos (which is used for a surprisingly large number of scenes) even really counts as outdoor location filming in the traditional sense

 

[Bungle73]

Is IMAX upscaling the image?

No, they're two entirely different formats.