Entertainment
2023: In ‘Oppenheimer,’ Christopher Nolan Builds A Thrilling, Serious blockbuster For Adults
NEW YORK – Christopher Nolan has never been one to take a simple or obvious approach when developing a film.
He shoots the big-format film with large, bulky cameras to achieve the best cinematic look possible. He favors actual effects to computer-generated ones and real locales to soundstages — even if it means recreating an atomic explosion in the fierce winds of the New Mexico desert in the middle of the night for “Oppenheimer,” which will be released on July 21.
Despite internet speculation, they did not launch a nuclear weapon.
Regarding the biography that inspired Nolan’s latest picture, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s gripping, linear narrative “American Prometheus” was merely the starting point from which Nolan built a captivating maze of suspense and drama.
It’s why, in his two decades in Hollywood, Nolan has established himself as a franchise unto himself — the rare auteur writer-director who creates intellectually fascinating and lucrative pictures, grossing more than $5 billion at the box office. That mix is one of the reasons he can lure Oscar winners and movie stars not only to star in his films but also to appear in only a few scenes.
“We’ve all been so intoxicated by his films,” Emily Blunt, who plays J. Robert Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, stated. “That examination of large ideas in an interesting manner does not occur. It simply does not happen. That depth, the material’s depth, and yet on this vast epic scale.”
Nolan saw intriguing opportunities to experiment with genre and form in the enormous and complicated story of the brilliant theoretical physicist who directed the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic weapon during WWII. There was espionage, romance, home strife, courtroom drama, damaged egos, political maneuvering, communist fear, and the burden of developing something that could kill the world.
Christopher Nolan has never been one to take a simple or obvious approach when developing a film.
And then there was the man, revered by many but despised by many, who, after becoming an icon in American society, saw his reputation and sense of self decimated by the institutions that constructed him.
“It’s such an ambitious story to tell,” Matt Damon, who plays General Leslie Groves Jr., remarked. “When I read the script, I had the same reaction I had when I read ‘Interstellar,’ which was, ‘This is great.'” ‘How in the world is he going to pull this off?'”
It’s also not so dissimilar to Nolan’s previous works. In his book about the director, reviewer Tom Shone wrote, “Looked at one way, Nolan’s films are all allegories of men who first find their salvation in structure only to find themselves betrayed or engulfed by it.”
Cillian Murphy was cast to play Oppenheimer, a role that Nolan assigned to Cillian Murphy. Murphy had already appeared in five Nolan films, including the Batman trilogy, “Dunkirk,” and “Inception,” but this would be his first time in the starring role, which he had secretly desired.
“You feel a responsibility, but then a great hunger and excitement to try and do it, to see where you can get,” said Murphy, who worked closely with Nolan for six months before filming. “It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it.” When you’re on a Chris Nolan set, there’s this kind of frisson, this enthusiasm about the possibilities for what you’ll achieve.”
It would be a demanding part requiring some physical modification to match that notoriously slim silhouette. Oppenheimer was a complex, paradoxical figure who evolved from a somewhat awkward youth to become a renaissance man with equal passion for the Bhagavad Gita, Proust, physics, languages, New Mexico, philosophical problems about disarmament, and the ideally blended martini. On the other hand, Murphy knew he was in good hands with Nolan.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/oppenheimer-trailer-tout-050823-38591a027bde4b37ac4ff5441396af1c.jpg "2023: In ‘Oppenheimer,’ Christopher Nolan Builds A Thrilling, Serious blockbuster For Adults")
Christopher Nolan has never been one to take a simple or obvious approach when developing a film.
“He’s the most natural director with whom I’ve ever worked.” And the notes he offers to actors are extremely impressive. “It’s quite stunning how he can gently bring you to a different place with your performance in such a subtle, low-key, understated way,” Murphy remarked. “It can have a significant impact on how you look at a scene from one take to the next.”
To depict Oppenheimer’s subjective experience, Nolan scripted the film’s major timeline in the first person.
“We want to see everything through Oppenheimer’s eyes,” Nolan explained. “That’s a huge challenge for an actor to take on because they have to worry about the performance, the truth of the performance, but also keep that open to the audience.”
The other timeline is more objective and focuses on Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), a founding member of the Atomic Energy Commission and proponent of creating the more devastating hydrogen bomb.
“Oppenheimer” is Nolan’s first R-rated film since 2002’s “Insomnia,” which he is comfortable with after years of working exclusively in PG-13. It corresponds to the material’s gravity.
“We’re dealing with the most serious and adult story you could imagine — very important, dramatic events that changed the world and defined the world we live in today,” said Nolan. “You don’t want to compromise in any way.”
Much of the filming occurred in New Mexico, notably at the real Los Alamos laboratory, where hundreds of scientists, technicians, and their families worked for two years to construct the weapon. To help bring this world to life, Nolan enlisted the help of many of his frequent behind-the-scenes collaborators, including his wife and producer Emma Thomas, cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, composer Ludwig Göransson, and special effects supervisors Scott Fisher and Andrew Jackson, as well as some newcomers like production designer Ruth de Jong and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick.
“It was a very focused set — also a fun set, not too serious.” “But the work was serious, and the sweating over the details was serious,” Blunt explained. “Everyone needs to, or wants to, match Chris’ excellence.”
When it came to recreating the Trinity test, Oppenheimer’s chosen moniker for the first nuclear blast, art and life became inextricably linked.
“We wanted to put the audience right there in that bunker,” Nolan explained. “That meant really attempting to make these things as beautiful, frightening, and awe inspiring to the people at the time.”
Christopher Nolan has never been one to take a simple or obvious approach when developing a film.
Though no genuine nukes were used, many real explosions were employed to simulate the blindingly light atomic fire and mushroom cloud.
“To do those safely in a real environment out in the nighttime desert, there’s a degree of discipline, focus, and adrenaline, and just executing that for the film that echoes and mirrors what these guys went through on the grandest scale in a really interesting way,” Nolan explained. “I felt like everybody had that very, very tight sense of tension and focus around all of those shooting nights.”
The weather also “did what it needed to do, as per history,” Murphy added as the wind swirled about the stage.
“I’m rumoured to be extremely lucky with the weather, but this is not the reality. “It’s just that we decided to shoot regardless of the weather,” Nolan explained. “It was essential, central to the story in the case of the Trinity test, that this big storm rolls in with tremendous drama.” That it did. That truly brought the scenario to life.”
“The extremeness of it put me very much in the mindset of what it must have been like for these guys,” he added. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.”
Then there’s the sensation of viewing “Oppenheimer.”
“When you’re making a movie, you feel like you’re on the inside looking out,” Blunt explained. “Seeing it reflected at you, especially one of this magnitude, is overwhelming.” It was so strong that I thought my armor would break.”
The aim is that when “Oppenheimer” hits theatres, audiences will be just as invested and will seek it out on the biggest screen possible. The picture is playing at IMAX theatres across the country, which is unusual for serious, R-rated films during the popular summer season. This, however, is the fundamental Nolan impossibility. As more and more auteurs have had to compromise — to either go smaller or link up with streamers to receive the kind of funding they once had at studios, as Ridley Scott and Martin Scorsese have had to do this year — Nolan has continued to make his films on the biggest scale.
“Each of his films has been revolutionary in their own way,” Murphy says. “It’s an event every time he releases a film, and rightly so.”
SOURCE – (AP)
MINNEAPOLIS — After celebrating on the pitch and before popping bottles in the clubhouse, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli addressed his team with the following words: “Congratulations, enjoy it, but there’s still work to be done.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
Alex Kirilloff hit a home run and drove in three runs, and Minnesota held on late to claim its third division title in five years under Baldelli.
Baldelli stated, “We have much work to do.” However, tonight, we have joy. Tomorrow, we return to business.”
Pablo López (11-8) allowed three runs and five hits over six innings while striking out seven for the Twins. Jhoan Duran surrendered a run in the ninth but secured his 27th save by retiring Brandon Drury on a grounder with full bases.
“We came into today in charge of our own destinies,” said López. “We knew we didn’t need to check the scoreboard to see who was losing. We were aware that we had to win the contest. This is precisely what we did. Even when I wasn’t performing at my best, the offence picked me up immediately.”
After squandering an early 3-0 advantage, Kirilloff’s 10th home run broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning, and the Twins triumphed for the sixth time in eight games. Kirilloff became the twelfth Twins player this season to hit 10 or more home runs, establishing a club record.
With lines from a recent college football game still visible at Target Field, the crowd was anxious to celebrate the Twins’ extended fall. It is their 15th postseason appearance since the Washington Senators relocated to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961.
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
The injured shortstop is expected to be ready for the postseason. “It means a lot,” he said. “The first one to be held in Minnesota is truly unique. These are the objectives you set for yourself when you join a new team, and this is just one of them.”
Of course, Minnesota has yet to fare well in the postseason. The Minnesota Twins have lost 18 consecutive postseason games, including 13 to the New York Yankees.
Minnesota had not won a postseason game since 2004 when Johan Santana pitched a 2-0 victory in the Division Series opener in New York. Under Baldelli, the Twins were routed in two games in a first-round series against the Houston Astros in 2020 and three by the Yankees in the 2019 Division Series.
These Twins are acutely aware of their current drought. During a postgame interview broadcast over the stadium’s loudspeakers, Kyle Farmer vowed a playoff victory.
“Of course, why not?” The farmer stated. “If you don’t believe it, then you shouldn’t play.”
However, this team believes it is unique, partly because of the pitching and depth it has developed.
The Twins added four runs in the seventh inning, punctuated by RBI doubles from Farmer and Jorge Polanco.
“We did a lot of different things to build this club, and the team is really gelling,” Baldelli said, drenched in beer and champagne as he watched his team celebrate. “If you glance behind you, you will notice some gelling occurring. This is what you desire to see.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
John Davis Daniel (0-1) suffered the defeat in relief of starter José Suarez. Daniel was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the day, and in his second career major league appearance, he allowed three runs over four and one-third innings.
With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the injured list, Los Angeles has lost eight of its last nine games, concluding another disappointing season. Logan O’Hoppe launched his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning, a two-run shot.
“I want my guys to see that,” said Angels manager Phil Nevin of the Twins’ celebration of their division championship. “I truly do. That is where we want to be! Without a doubt. We have a solid young nucleus. And I noticed, yeah, I spotted O’Hoppe and (Zach) Neto and those guys out there looking at that.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
It is appropriate that López, acquired from Miami in a spring trade for Luis Arraez, was the winning pitcher for the Twins. This season, he has been a starting rotation member that has led the way for Minnesota.
López, who could start Game 1 of the postseason, rebounded after surrendering five runs in a loss to the Chicago White Sox in his previous start. His career-high 228 strikeouts rank second in the American League, behind only Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (232), and his 3.61 earned run average ranks tenth in the league.
Trout took strokes off a tee before the game to return from a left hamate fracture before the end of the season. … Left-handed pitcher Aaron Loup was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left shoulder, concluding his season with a 2-3 record and a 6.50 ERA in 55 games.
Infielder Royce Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left hamstring. Lewis has a batting average of 309 and 15 home runs and is prepared to return for the postseason.
Upcoming RHP Minnesota’s Sonny Grey (8-7, 2.80 ERA) starts Saturday afternoon. Grey ranks second in the American League in ERA, behind New York’s Gerrit Cole (2.75). The Angels had yet to name a starting pitcher. The team will likely employ an opener, with LHP Kenny Rosenberg (5.48 ERA) serving as the primary pitcher.
SOURCE – (AP)
Beginning early in 2019, Amazon Prime Video will include advertisements during TV programs and films, joining other streaming services that have added tiers of subscriptions.
The company announced on Friday that Amazon Prime members in the United States can pay $2.99 monthly to maintain their ad-free service.
Streaming services are engaged in fierce competition for viewers, and users are becoming increasingly proficient at joining and leaving these services, often based on price. The platforms risk losing consumers if they increase prices, but they also risk losing them if they fail to generate user-appealing new content.
Mid-October, Disney will begin charging $13.99 per month for ad-free Disney+ in the United States, 75% more than the current ad-supported service. Already, Netflix’s ad-free plan costs $15.49 per month, more than double the monthly subscription for Netflix with advertisements. Beginning early next year, The company will air limited advertisements during TV programs and films to “continue investing in compelling content and increase that investment over time.”
Live sporting events on Amazon Prime already include advertisements.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada will be the first to implement Prime Video advertisements in early 2024, followed by France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia later in the year.
The company has stated that it will not alter the pricing of Prime membership next year. Pricing for ad-free programming in countries other than the United States will be announced later.
The company stated it would send an email to Prime members in the United States with instructions on how to sign up for the ad-free option if they choose to do so several weeks before advertisements are introduced into its programs.
Prime Video is just one of the many benefits of an Amazon Prime membership. Members also receive free shipping on Amazon.com purchases, groceries, online audio, and more.
The Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon in June of engaging in a multi-year campaign to enroll consumers without their consent in Amazon Prime, making it difficult for them to terminate their subscriptions. At the time, a spokesperson for Amazon stated that the FTC’s claims were false.
SOURCE – (AP)
SEOUL, South Korea – Suga, a member of the K-pop supergroup BTS, began his mandatory military service as a social service representative on Friday, an alternative form of military service in South Korea.
Suga, age 30, became the third member of the group to begin performing military duties. The remaining two, Jin and J-Hope, are already serving in active duty at army bases.
“I will faithfully serve and return… Please remain healthy and we’ll see you all in 2025!” Suga wrote in a message posted to the Weverse online fan community.
Big Hit Music, the management agency for BTS, reported that Suga began commuting to a workplace designated under the alternative military service system.
Due to threats from North Korea, all able-bodied males in South Korea must serve in the army, navy, or air force for 18 to 21 months under a conscription system. For 21 months, individuals with physical and mental impairments can perform their duties at non-military facilities such as welfare centers, community service organizations, and post offices.
Local media reported that Suga’s alternative service in 2020 was presumably related to shoulder surgery.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x168:751x170)/suga-bts-military-091823-1-696220d0cdab4000ab4e9ccd198e9115.jpg "BTS Member Suga Begins Alternative 18 Month Military Service In South Korea")
Suga, a member of the K-pop supergroup BTS, began his mandatory military service as a social service representative on Friday.
Active duty soldiers must complete five weeks of fundamental military training at boot camps before beginning service. According to the Military Manpower Administration, those performing alternative service must complete three weeks of basic military training and have the option to choose when to do so.
Unknown was the facility where Suga began serving. In a statement released earlier this week, BTS’s management agency, Bit Hit Music, asked Suga’s admirers not to visit him at work during his military service.
Big Hit Music requested that warm regards and encouragement be conveyed only in their souls. “We ask for your continued love and support for (Suga) until he completes his service and returns.”
Last year, a heated public debate erupted over whether BTS members should be exempt from their mandatory military obligations. However, the group’s administration agency ultimately reported that all seven members would meet their obligations.
South Korean law exempts athletes, classical and traditional musicians, ballet dancers, and other dancers if they have contributed to the nation’s prestige. K-pop performers do not qualify for the special exemption.
SOURCE – (AP)
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