A Christoper Nolan Retrospective/Appreciation Post

I make no secret that Christopher Nolan is my favourite director ever. Call me unworthy of a cinephile card, miseducated or just a fangirl, but before you unfairly throw those labels out, here my story of just why it is that I love the guy.

On July 30th, 2008, my friend and I went to see The Dark Knight. We were both super excited to see it, even though I hadn't even seen Batman Begins (and I didn't for another two years). I could tell you everything about that day until the very last detail. Mainly because it was an awesome day that ended with an awesome film. I hadn't had expectations for it, so I came out completely shocked by this new breed of superhero film. And when that title hit at the end...that's my favourite thing I've ever experienced in cinemas. I was obsessed with that film from the time I saw it, even bringing it along to school for everyone to watch. I was even more interested in the way it swept across the film nation, bringing everyone together in the harmony of Heath Ledger's masterful performance. Little did I know that at age 12, I'd inadvertently been introduced to the man that would change my cinematic life forever - none other than Christopher Nolan.

I became obsessed with the guy in 2010 when I was anticipating Inception like it was the air I needed to breathe. The funny thing was, at the very start of that obsession I had only seen The Dark Knight, which I backed up with The Prestige. Before I saw Inception, I saw every film of his apart from Insomnia, which I got for my birthday. However, the period in which Inception took over my life has to be one of my favourite periods of time in these near 17 years I've been alive. As you'll probably know, I saw the film three times in cinemas, and 14 other times on DVD. Those three times were magical, but I wish I could go back and see it for a first time again. Just the sheer brilliance of it, how shaken I was after it (I couldn't even eat my Burger King), and how my friend and I tried to sort out the plot on the whiteboard in maths the following day. Plus, I count the time I went to see it with most of my friends as my favourite birthday ever (well, it was two days after).

16 Days of Birthday, Day 1: My Undying Love for Christopher Nolan

What's this '16 Days of Birthday' business? Well well, seeing as this time in 16 days, I'll officially be 16 whole years old (or as we all like to call it, 'legal'), I thought that I might celebrate. Because, after all, I've been waiting to be 16 since bloody ages ago. Why? When I'm 16, I'll be able to get out R16 movies. But how will I be celebrating, especially on the blog? By giving you a special post each day for the next 16 days, ending the marathon on my birthday. Each day I'll pick something new to talk about. This new topic will be something cool that I've found in my love for movies...consider this like my premature autobiography. So, who's ready for 16 days of rambling? Come on, don't all rush in at once!

Today's topic is that of my main man, Christopher Nolan. As some of you may or may not know, I quite like the man and his work. 'Obsessed' would have been a more apt term to describe my admiration for him this time last year, with the release of Inception and all. This year, I've toned down my love for him quite a bit, but I still enjoy the occasional rewatch. No, I'm not one of the obsessors who feels the need to post about every little piece of news that comes out of The Dark Knight Rises. Even I admit, apart from the recent Ane Hathaway and Tom Hardy set pics and, I suppose, the slightly disappointing trailer, I roll my eyes at just about every little detail that is surfaced on the web. It will only be when I see Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard on set, plus a better trailer that I will actually start shitting bricks over it.

Alas, I do quite enjoy the films he has made that have been released. So much so that three of his films are in my top 5 (though there has been a bit of shuffling around since I did my last list, so I wouldn't know where his films stand now), which a lot of you seemed to frown upon. I'm sorry that I'm a simple girl with simple taste, and I guess I am 'brainwashed' into liking Nolan films.

Let's take The Dark Knight, for example. I saw this in the cinemas with my friend mainly because I loved Heath Ledger dearly and this was his final completed film. It actually took me just about two years after watching this to watch Batman Begins. But even with my zero interest in Batman or anything like that, I still thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Knight. This is probably because I thought all superhero movies were meant to be as cheesy as anything, looked cheap and were pretty much brainless. The Dark Knight, however, was the complete opposite to my pre-conceived thoughts. There were times in that first screening when I was completely lost in the screen, forgetting that I was in a cinema, and even better yet, I forgot that it classified as a superhero movie.

Another thing I remember about The Dark Knight was how well-received it was as soon as it opened. I remember seeing it shoot straight up to number one on IMDb's Top 250...a move which puzzled me and still puzzles me to this day, but I'm still proud of what it achieved in such a short time. Especially seeing as it was a sequel. I think it improved so much on the first, which came down to many things: everything getting a shade darker, Maggie Gyllenhaal arriving on the scene, one of the best performances ever by Heath Ledger...it really changed things, as you've noticed a whole lot of superhero movies trying to be dark and moody, but ultimately failing to do what Christopher Nolan achieved.

One thing that never fails to piss me off, though, is how this film was forgotten over the more 'Oscar-bait' movies. Yes, there were some good movies made in 2008. But the Academy made all sorts of stuff ups everywhere. The Dark Knight was nominated for many technical awards, winning one for Sound Editing. Heath Ledger was justly given a posthumous Oscar for his amazing performance. However, the movie was missing from the Best Picture, Director and Screenplay races. Had the Best Pic race been opened up to 10 back then, TDK would have got in. But I'm sure people have already forgotten about the likes of Frost/Nixon and The Reader. TDK lives on, in it's small way, influencing other superhero movies and giving people the smart movie they need. I just need to think of the closing speech and I get goosebumps.

Oh well, there's just something about Chris Nolan and the Oscars. I was at the head of the hate crew when he got snubbed this year for his work with Inception. I was also at the head of the hate crew when his screenplay, which was pretty much the definition of 'original' didn't get picked and The King's Speech, with it's 'original' screenplay did. Anyway, those wounds have healed, and I've moved on. Especially since some great directors never won an Oscar in their lives...even though everyone knew they were the best.

I don't really know why I love Chris Nolan so much. I just find his movies something...special. Following was a marvel, considering it was made for $6000 and was still completely awesome. Memento, probably my favourite movie of all time, always feels new every time I watch it...it's like I've lost my memory, just like Leonard. That is truly Nolan's masterpiece. Insomnia, though a remake and not written by Nolan, had a very insomniac kinda feel to it. Batman Begins began the new way superhero movies were supposed to be, kick-ass while still being intelligent. The Prestige is exactly like a magic trick: once you know the outcome, everything becomes blindingly obvious (seriously, that movie is trippy). The Dark Knight...well, we've already talked about that. Inception, of course, is exactly like a dream. Finally, someone has come along and injected his original ideas into a dying Hollywood. He's playing the game that the likes of Michael Bay is playing, but he's doing it so much better.

2012, The Dark Knight Rises will be hitting cinemas. Can Nolan really cap off such an epic trilogy with style and make it be as good as the other two? Who knows. But I've got to say, I completely trust Nolan. He's a guy who doesn't think the sun shines out of his ass, who doesn't seem to think much of his immense talent, who has a profound knowledge of cinema, who knows his limits, and who is just an amazing bloke. Is that why I love him? Probably.

So, have you got any film-making idols you just think are all-out amazing? Do tell!

5 Reasons Why I Love Rebecca Hall

I watched Dorian Gray today for only one reason: it has Rebecca Hall in it. For many people, the name Rebecca Hall isn't familiar. But I can guarantee you that she has been in at least one movie you've seen. Unless you completely missed The Prestige or The Town in which case you are totally missing out on something special.

Anyway, Rebecca Hall is one of my most favourite actresses. I just think she's the cat's pyjamas. And like last week's entry Cillian Murphy, Hall is severely underrated. Which is probably why I love her so much.

1. Her performance in The Town.

The Town is largely an ensemble piece featuring some brilliant performances across the board, especially from the Oscar nominated Jeremy Renner. Sure, Renner has a stand-out performance, Blake Lively was particularly interesting with her different sort of role and Pete Postlethwaite was terrifying in his few short scenes. But the person I loved the most out of all of them was my girl Rebecca Hall. She didn't have a very flashy role, but she was quietly compelling and proved that she was a very good leading lady. Now, let's all hope that after this movie she'll get more great offers like this, because, after all, she is so awesome.

2. She's a stage actress.

There's something about a stage actress which I really like. I don't know what it is, but acting on stage takes a hell of a lot of talent, considering the whole thing gets done in one night. Rebecca has been in a lot of stage productions in her career, particularly because her father is a renowned stage director. Which is cool, because it certainly does sound like she's achieved a lot on the stage, and she's also managed to juggle a good film career into that.

3. She's a very natural looking actress.

You know how there are some actresses who always look like actresses - all glossy with their hair looking perfect and make-up smothered over them? When I look at Rebecca, she's always struck me as a naturally beautiful girl. To be honest, she is very plain, but she's so well defined, I'm actually quite jealous of her. She's quite statuesque, she has quite a large mouth, her eyes are a beautiful brown and her hair is so nice and relaxed. I wouldn't say that she looks like a 'movie star', but just a nice, plain actress.

4. Her body of work is goooooooood.

Rebecca hasn't starred in a lot, but as I've said, it's hard to miss a movie with her in it, because she's been in some good ones. She started her film career with Brit comedy Starter for 10, which also starred other brilliant Brits James McAvoy and Alice Eve. In that same year she went straight to the top with a supporting role in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige. And you all know how amazing Chris Nolan is, so this role was pretty huge for her. Two years later she scored a Golden Globe nomination for her leading role in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Even though I didn't much like the film, this is where I completely fell in love with her. Following that was Frost/Nixon, Dorian Gray and also Red Riding, which got her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. Of course, 2010 brought The Town, and also the lovely indie comedy Please Give, where she plays one of the nicest characters on Earth. And rounding out her boomer career (for the time being) is Everything Must Go, co-starring Will Ferrell. Seriously, you have no reason not to watch her. It's not like her films are hard to find, or anything.

5. I'm sure she radiates niceness.

Seriously, every time I see her, she looks like she could be the kindest person ever. I was just watching some interviews with her, and she seems like she's a lovely person, so sweet and so relaxed. Her smile probably has enough wattage to light up Dannevirke. This could just be me comparing her to her lovely character in Please Give (who is an incredibly selfless person, someone who I envy greatly), but I find it impossible not to love her. She's a gorgeous, genuine actress, who spreads happiness around all of her movies. My goodness, I love her.

Please tell me I am not the only one who loves Rebecca Hall! Have you seen any of her movies? Were you impressed by her in any of them?

Obsession of the week: Christopher Nolan

Okay, so it's not an obsession.

Because thats just creepy. But its like I have just discovered what a genius this guy really is. I mean, I always knew it after seeing The Dark Knight, but there is more to Christopher Nolan than some really epic bat film.

Now, I have only seen two of his movies: TDK and The Prestige, so does that make him eligible to be my favourite director ever? Well, Sharlto Copely is one of my favourite actors and yet I have only seen District 9. So I'm sure you can make the exception.


The Dark Knight is one hell of a great movie. It could have been just a simple superhero movie with some really ludicrous situations and special effects, but its not. It is a great espionage thriller, with some terrific performances, especially from this guy here:

Now, tell me you don't like this film. Go on. I bet you can't, because everyone loves this film. I have this thing where I start to hate films that get lots of money at the box office...but not this one. Whatever Christopher Nolan does, I love. This movie made absolutely sure of it.

The Prestige, too, was really great. It was so trippy, I never knew what was going to happen and to be perfectly honest I didn't entirely get the movie, but with a second watch everything makes sense. I love movies like that, where you have to search for all the clues instead of having it served out to you on a silver plate. The Dark Knight is also like that-it gets better with every single watch.

I'm getting a copy of Memento sometime soon!

I'm as excited as a six year old having a birthday party. I feel so guilty for not having watched this movie before, but then again it's not entirely my fault because the video store doesn't have it. Like most good movies. I have been reading a bit about the movie (no spoilers, I promise), and it sounds so trippy. My goodness, this has to be a movie made for me!

Inception is out next month! I am still counting down the days!

I am just as excited about this movie. How do you top a movie like The Dark Knight? Well, you just have to be Christopher Nolan. As promised, a post of Inception coming soon. Until then, keep watching the trailer. I haven't got sick of it yet.

Christopher Nolan is my new director idol. No, I haven't forgotten about Quentin Tarantino, I've just been momentarily distracted. I don't know how one man can be such a genius.

Chris Nolan, you are amazing.