Discover 8 Hidden Gems Recommended by Director Christopher Nolan!

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There’s no one better equipped to express thoughts on exceptional movies than filmmaker Christopher Nolan. This is because he has a knack for creating box office sensations. With global earnings exceeding $6.6 billion, he ranks as the seventh-highest-grossing director ever. Moreover, his accolades include two Oscars, a Golden Globe Award, and two British Academy Film Awards. It’s no wonder he’s successful given that he began making short films at just seven years old, as detailed in the book, Christopher Nolan: The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work.

Known director, often drawn to science fiction, publicly acknowledges his fondness for films such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Star Wars”. It’s also mentioned in the text that he favored the legendary George Lucas film more during his youth, repeatedly watching it and studying Lucas’ cinematic methods. However, it’s important to note that Christopher Nolan appreciates more than just box office hits. He has a soft spot for a few underappreciated movies – either overlooked by awards or failing to earn substantial profits, or both.

8
‘The Hit’ (1984)

In movies, informers often face retaliation, either receiving stitches or attempts to make them so. In the movie “The Hit“, a man testifies against his criminal associates to the authorities, but during his trial, he is sung Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” as he leaves the witness box. As predicted, they eventually capture him years later with plans for execution in Paris. However, will their plan unfold without complications?

Will the Intended Hit Happen?

‘Nolan stated to Criterion that only a few films have taken as big a risk with a straightforward depiction of the relationships among desperate individuals, referring to Stephen Frears’ underestimated crime film featuring Tim Roth. Contrary to the saying ‘if you want to shoot, just shoot, don’t talk,’ these gangsters converse more than they pull triggers. Remarkably, this conversational style is effective. The memorable dialogues will linger in your mind, as does the soundtrack by Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia.’

7
‘Bad Timing’ (1980)

In Nic Roeg’s film, Bad Timing, we encounter Dr. Alex Linden, a psychiatrist residing in Vienna, who leads a somewhat mundane existence until he encounters the free-spirited Milena Flaherty (Theresa Russell). Enamored by her carefree demeanor, Alex finds himself falling for her, despite being married. However, their happiness is short-lived as Milena accidentally overdoses, and Alex becomes a prime suspect.

Bad Time To Fall in Love

This British psychological drama not only stirs strong emotions within you but also imparts valuable insights about dos and don’ts in relationships. Be aware that it contains scenes of rape and sexual assault. Due to its highly controversial nature, the film was initially refused release on home video in America until 2005 by its distributor, the Rank Organisation, who labeled it as “a film created by unwell people for unwell people.

Although some may question the content of the movie “Bad Timing”, it’s undeniably a film with stunning cinematography. This is something that director Christopher Nolan admires about it. In an interview with Criterion, he stated, “Nic Roeg’s films are renowned for their structural ingenuity, but what makes them truly special is their exceptional photography.

6
‘Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence’ (1983)

During World War II, the movie “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” features David Bowie portraying a British soldier who is taken captive by Japanese forces and imprisoned in a POW camp. Throughout his confinement, he maintains his resistance, and as tensions escalate, a translator endeavors to foster harmony between the warring factions.

Arguably Bowie’s Greatest Performance

Nolan, being a huge fan of David Bowie, went as far as including him in the film “The Prestige“. His admiration stemmed from both his music and his performance in “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence“, which is not typically associated with the top ’80s war movies. However, Nolan acknowledged that “not many films have been able to encapsulate David Bowie’s charm as effectively as Oshima’s wartime drama does.” This movie was particularly suited to showcase his talents.

The standout aspect of the movie is undeniably David Bowie’s performance, and he himself admitted that this was made possible by Oshima giving him complete creative freedom. As Bowie put it, while Oshima closely supervised everyone else, his directive to Bowie was simply “Feel free to do whatever it is you artists typically do.

5
‘Mr. Arkadin’ (1955)

In the film titled “Mr. Arkadin“, the wealthy character, Mr. Gregory Arkadin (Orson Welles), denies any memory of events prior to the late 1920s. He then recruits the former convict, Guy Van Stratten (Robert Arden), to investigate his past. The results are astounding as it seems there have been an unusual number of premature deaths associated with Mr. Arkadin. Why are these fatalities linked to the enigmatic figure of Mr. Arkadin?

Orson Welles at His Finest

Mr. Arkadin, while not as widely acclaimed as other works, is still appreciated by director Christopher Nolan for its portrayal of Orson Welles’ genius. The film effectively highlights Welles’ skills, including his innovative use of ambiguous narrators and non-linear storytelling techniques. Notably, it’s visually stunning, given that it was filmed in various beautiful locations like Costa Brava, Valladolid, Segovia, Madrid, the French Riviera, and the Château de Chillon in Switzerland.

4
‘Greed’ (1924)

In Frank Norris’ 1899 novel McTeague, the movie Greed revolves around Trina McTeague (played by ZaSu Pitts), a housewife whose life takes a turn for the worse following her lottery win. The relationship between Trina and her dentist husband, John (portrayed by Gibson Gowland), becomes strained due to Trina’s increasing paranoia and manipulation from her friend, Marcus (Jean Hersholt).

More Money, More Marriage Problems

Under the visionary direction of Erich von Stroheim, the film “Greed” is hailed as a “masterpiece” by Nolan. Von Stroheim was passionately invested in its creation. Notably, he filmed an astounding 85 hours of footage on-location in and around San Francisco, which was unprecedented at the time, giving the film a unique, cinematic feel distinct from other Silent Era productions. Furthermore, Von Stroheim utilized advanced techniques such as montage editing and deep-focus cinematography, which adds to its appeal. It’s no wonder Nolan admired it.

3
‘The Right Stuff’ (1983

The movie “The Right Stuff,” inspired by Tom Wolfe’s 1979 book, offers a journey through the initial fifteen years of America’s space exploration program. This film focuses on the seven individuals who were chosen to be astronauts for Project Mercury, the United States’ first manned space mission.

The Right Movie

The movie “The Right Stuff” failed to draw large crowds at the cinema, however, its visual appeal cannot be overlooked. This is largely due to the filming at multiple air bases and the employment of real aircraft. Christopher Nolan acknowledges this film as a significant inspiration for his work on “Interstellar”. He stated to IGN that while it’s impossible to ignore the influence of “2001”, another influential film in the creation of “Interstellar” was “The Right Stuff”. Nolan shared a print of the movie with his crew before production began, emphasizing that it’s a rarely seen cinematic masterpiece on the big screen. He considers it one of the great American films, although many may underestimate its greatness due to its length of nearly four hours.>

2
‘Insomnia’ (1997)

In the gripping Norwegian mystery titled “Insomnia“, a detective finds himself in turmoil as he unwittingly perpetrates the very crime he’s been tasked with solving. While probing a murder in an Arctic town, the peace officer unfortunately discharges his weapon, striking his partner. Desperate to hide the truth, he attempts a cover-up. This act leads to relentless insomnia and deep regret engulfing him.

So Good Nolan Remade It

As a cinephile, I find that the perfect blend of semi-noir and psychological discourse creates an unforgettable cinematic experience. The movie “Insomnia” is a prime example; it makes you ponder, even when the main character seems lost in thought. Its twists are so surprising they’ll leave you applauding. Christopher Nolan was so captivated by this film that he chose to remake it – an unusual move for him as he typically focuses on original works. He shared with State Hornet that remaking “Insomnia” was a liberating experience, allowing him to approach the material from a fresh perspective as a director. On one hand, coming in at a later stage offered him a clear, objective view of the story before diving in. On the other, he inherited challenges left by another’s creative process.

1
‘The Hitcher’ (1986)

A ride with “The Hitcher” will instill doubts about trust and make you hurry past any person trying to flag down your vehicle. In this movie, a guy driving a car towards San Diego unknowingly picks up a hitchhiker named John Ryder (played by Rutger Hauer). Unfortunately, he learns that this hitchhiker is a ruthless serial killer. He manages to free himself from the killer’s grasp, but after witnessing him massacre an entire family, he vows to track him down. Will his pursuit lead to a positive outcome?

Rutger Hauer Is a Menace

The movie was created with a budget of just $7.9 million, but it didn’t even earn that much. Looking back at it now, it seems that 80s audiences missed out on something special, as this film is widely regarded as one of the best road horror movies ever made. It showcases thrilling car chases reminiscent of “Death Proof,” some genuinely frightening moments, and a standout central performance. Christopher Nolan has even endorsed it.

In his conversation with Film Comment, Nolan shared that as a teenager, he didn’t find the plot of the 80s horror movie illogical, but now it appears to be rather random. Nevertheless, it showcases Rutger Hauer in one of his best and most impactful Euro-psychotic roles, surpassed only by his performance in Blade Runner. Impressed by Hauer’s acting, Nolan went on to cast him as the CEO of Wayne Enterprises in Batman Begins.

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2025-02-02 05:33