There’s this running gag in film communities about how if you join a film course in college and the teacher asks everyone their favorite director, 9 out of 10 students will answer Nolan or Tarantino. It’s a little cynical, since mostly the joke is aimed at people who cinephiles would say “like movies” but don’t really “watch movies”. In other words, they check out tentpole films and blockbusters but they’re not really digging into the community that much.
That’s all well and good, and honestly both Nolan and Tarantino have some great movies, so it’s not a bad thing! But that’s just two of many great directors out there, so I always find it a bit comical. Granted, one of my favorite movies of 2019 was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so I guess I’m falling into the trap, too!
Jokes aside, we’re just glad to be talking about another Nolan flick. He has a unique and easily recognizable style, and Carter and I dig right into that from the start. Through-out our spoiler free discussion, you can hear us talk about his tactical-spy-thriller with a sci-fi twist, it’s absurd level of complexities, and how the film’s generally great qualities are undermined by one detrimental issue. Then, join us for some spoiler-free trivia that details various aspects of production, from a funny story with Robert Pattinson talking to Christopher Nolan about his roll, as well as the very Nolan-esque way actors were permitted to read the script for Tenet. Then, in our last section, Carter and I talk about various spoilers within the movie, try to make sense of its extremely complex plot, and discuss a contentious topic among Christians: the doctrine of Predestination.
Tenet is Rated PG-13 for violence and intense action. It features John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Tenet is currently in theaters.
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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. He’s written fiction and nonfiction for over a decade with short stories featured on the Creepypasta Wiki and Wattpad. His novelette Ethereal Temptation, a teen drama with a tinge of magical-realism, can be read for free here. His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!
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