QUALITY ON SCREEN

Oppenheimer (2023) Dir. Christopher Nolan

June 30th, 2025

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023) makes for an event blockbuster viewing through its use of conventional Hollywood storytelling techniques, visual effects, and cinematic excess. The film relies on these specific Hollywood filmic elements to convey J. Robert Oppenheimer's development of the atomic bomb. In addition, they are used to convey his security hearing and complex, yet romantic relationships with psychiatrist Jean Tatlock and his wife, Kitty Oppenheimer. The use of cinematic excess in the film is an attempt to articulate the importance of the atomic bomb's construction. For example, during a montage sequence that involves Oppenheimer lecturing, the film intercuts between the blackboard and the students observing the lesson, with expressions of concentration and concern on their faces. This editing technique fills in for the scientific research and dialogue that would be expressed in a lecture, but, instead, Nolan uses filmic techniques to spoon-feed the importance of Oppenheimer's scientific discovery and the potential catastrophic repercussions that could occur if the project fails, ultimately fast-forwarding the development process. The use of montage editing is used as a lazy filmic and storytelling technique to allow the audience to witness the action quickly, and creates an opportunity for Nolan to bluff his way through one of the most important scientific projects throughout history, which the filmmaker decided to do.

Babylon (2022) Dir. Damien Chazelle

June 30th, 2025

Damien Chazelle's Babylon (2022) is a love letter to silent cinema and the rise of talking pictures. The film is set against the backdrop of these Hollywood periods. Throughout the film, Chazelle subliminally references costume pictures in the silent era as well as pays homage to Alan Crosland's The Jazz Singer (1927), and most prominently, Stanley Donen's and Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain (1952). However, the film relies on these Hollywood classics to convey its narrative. Thus, descriptions such as "references" and "pays homage" that allude to Chazelle's fondness for Old Hollywood would be classed as an understatement. It would seem that there is more than one layer to the filmmakers' fondness for Singin' in the Rain, as the structure of Adolph Green's and Betty Comden's screenplay is used as a template for Chazelle's latest film. In addition, fundamental sequences are replicated from the classic Hollywood musical, such as the complex production process of a talking motion picture wherein Nelly LaRoy (portrayed by Margot Robbie) struggles to meet the sound recording requirements, which results in an uproar on set with multiple takes and a tragedy occurring.

Materialists (2025) Dir. Celine Song

August 29th, 2025

Celine Song's Materialists (2025) is an innovative social commentary on modern dating, which examines the idea of humanistic qualities versus materialistic qualities. In addition, the film explores themes of wealth and class in relation to finding the perfect partner, as matchmaker Lucy Mason (played by Dakota Johnson) seeks out a partner who ticks each of her compatibility boxes. On the night of one of her clients' weddings, Lucy is charmed by a wealthy financier, Harry Castillo (played by Pedro Pascal). She is struck by his superficial qualities, wealth, and successful career, and systematically believes that he is her perfect match, as she ultimately agrees to a date with him. However, although he is theoretically “perfect” for her, there is one thing missing, and that one thing is a natural bond. That is something Lucy is conflicted with, as she has reconnected with her caterer/theatre actor ex-boyfriend, John Pitts (played by Chris Evans), and discovers that the natural bond they once shared continues to exist between them.

The Substance (2024) Dir. Coralie Fargeat

August 29th, 2025

Coralie Fargeat's body horror film The Substance (2024) makes for a solid social commentary on beauty standards, aging, and the male gaze. The film's metaphors and symbolism-relating to the themes previously mentioned-are prominent throughout the narrative, with the exploration of injecting a black-market substance being used as a metaphor for a temporary form of escapism from one's insecurities. As a result of this, substances of this nature will ultimately make you unrecognisable and could metaphorically turn you into a monster if excessively used.