Oppenheimer, because idk about you but I’ve already rewatched it once.
CATEGORIES
• Most Rewatchable Scene
I loved this scene and the effect in general of cutting to little atomic and quantum reactions as a part of how Oppenheimer perceives reality.
• The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
The same from the scene above.
“The important thing isn’t whether you can read music. It’s can you hear it.”
• What’s Aged the Best?
The take that Oppenheimer was a troubled man who should ultimately feel vindicated.
• What’s Aged the Worst?
Naked people talking in a room.
• The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
This has to go to Robert Downey Jr for sure.
Haven’t seen that kind of intensity since Al Pacino got heat checked in Heat.
• The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Tempting as it is to give this to Benny Safdie, I’m instead giving it to David Krumholtz. I immediately thought holy shit, it’s that guy!
• The “Ruffalo/Hanna/Rubinek/Partridge” Overacting Award
I’m giving this one to Dane DeHaan and his infinitely soft voice.
• Casting What Ifs
This is Nolan’s first film since Insomnia not to feature Michael Caine. Now I’m just wondering what role Caine might have played if we got to swap him for anyone. Maybe swap him with Gary Oldman?
• Half-Assed Internet Research
The earliest version of this movie would have been directed by Sam Mendes. Oppenheimer is best described as a biopic with the structure and pacing of a thriller. I can only imagine what the subject matter would have looked like from the director of American Beauty.
• Probably Unanswerable Questions
We can take a deep dive into what happened to Oppenheimer after the movie, but Nolan left the ending deliberately vague. He can’t help but leave us with a spinning top.
• Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All Black Remake
Limited series for sure. This could be great almost exactly as is but just split into six episodes.
• Apex Mountain
It’s definitely Apex Mountain for movies about the development of the atomic bomb, as well as Oppenheimer as a subject. Neither are anywhere close to the first swing. Both have been featured in several movies and TV shows, so this is a significant home run in the history of the subjects.
Is it Apex Mountain for Robert Downey? Nahhhhh. His mountain was Avengers: Endgame.
Cillian Murphy may be on his Apex Mountain. This is a huge milestone for him in a leading role for Nolan.
It’s 100% Apex Mountain for sunscreen.
• Who Won the Movie?
Quantum mechanics
• Picking Nits
Not exactly any nits to pick, except with those who were picking nits over the scenes where the two are sitting naked and having deep thoughts.
• The “Den of Thieves Benihana” Award for Scene Stealing Location
The city they build for everyone working on the Manhattan Project. They wanted to use the original Los Alamos, but their main street now has a Starbucks.
• The “Great Shot Gordo” Award for Most Cinematic Shot
Though I’d say big bombs have been featured with more spectacular visuals in other movies, the explosion in this one is beyond majestic.
• The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?
Yes. Okay so when Oppenheimer starts lying about being asked to commit treason. Bro…
• The “Big Kahuna Burger” Award for Best Use of Food and Drink
OMG it has to go to the apple he poisoned with cyanide.
• The “Butch’s Girlfriend” Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
Maybe just me, but I found the multiple timeline structure to be so ambitious as to sometimes be hard to follow. I say that as a fan of the structure and this movie.
• The “Ron Burgundy Flute” Award for the Best Time for a Pee Break
As soon as you see the ravishing couple naked in the chairs, it’s okay to run out. You can assume what they talk about.
• Is There a Better Title for this Movie?
BOOM Goes the Dynamite
• The Steven A. Smith Hottest Take Award
According to Richard Brody, the movie-listings editor at The New Yorker, “I was tempted to call it a movie-length Wikipedia article. But, after a look online, I realized I was giving Wikipedia too little credit—or Christopher Nolan, the movie’s writer and director, too much”.
• The Teddy KGB Award for the Actor in a Completely Different Movie
Benny Safdie lol what is he even doing when he’s slathering his face with sunscreen straight out of a RoboCop 2 commercial.
• Hall of Fame Plaque
This won’t be seen as the example of Nolan at the peak of his powers. I think that will almost certainly go to Inception for a long time to come.
• Just One Oscar
I’d give it to Downey Jr. The man delivered.
I’d also give one to Cillian Murphy. Terrific performance. I say these without considering who their competitors are, so let me just suggest nominations.
• Best Double Feature
Watch it with The Aviator.
• Best Race Horse Name from this Movie
Quantum Combustion
• What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
A small sample of graphite from what was used to make the bomb. Just like a little jar of the particles is fine.
• The “Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo” Award for What Happens the Next Day?
I’m not sure about this one.
• The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson
Chain reactions can be literal or figurative while both deliver literal outcomes.
• The “Slow Ride” / “Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness” Award for Best Needle Drop
When Lewis Strauss finds out whether he received enough votes to receive a Cabinet position.