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Nolan continues to be particular about the medium of film, even on home release

The director's preferred format of Oppenheimer was available to view in only 30 theaters around the world

Director Christopher Nolan was notoriously particular in his desired format for screening Oppenheimer, his latest epic depicting the embattled father of the atomic bomb. Now, upon the film’s release on home media, Nolan continues to have a specific vision for those who wish to watch it at home.

“…in the case of ‘Oppenheimer’, we put a lot of care and attention into the Blu-ray version (…) and trying to translate the photography and the sound, putting that into the digital realm with a version you can buy and own at home and put on a shelf so no evil streaming service can come steal it from you,” said Nolan at a screening event for the film, as reported by Variety.

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Oppenheimer is unique among its peers in that it has been released simultaneously on Blu-ray as well as on video-on-demand rental platforms, but notably not on any streaming platforms. This falls in line with the director’s desire for viewers to see the film in its highest possible visual and audio fidelity, which would invariably be compromised if streamed. As such, Nolan urges for those interested in watching the film to purchase it on Blu-ray.

“I’m known for my love of theatrical and put my whole life into that,” conceded the acclaimed director. “But, the truth is, the way the film goes out at home is equally important,”

 

The following was originally published June 8, 2023:

Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film ‘Oppenheimer’ will premiere in theaters next month, but only 30 theaters worldwide will be able to play it as Nolan intended.

“IMAX film brings images to life. From resolution and color to sharpness and overall quality, there is nothing compared to using IMAX film cameras. The IMAX film format is the Gold Standard of motion picture photography,” the director said.

Nolan is referring to the 70mm film IMAX format, which is the medium the director had the movie shot on, and how he intends it to be watched. The 70mm film IMAX format allows the image to be displayed in a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, meaning no cropping to the original picture. The issue is that theaters equipped to display the format are extraordinarily few and far between.

[Image: Reddit]

Viewers who see the film at IMAX theaters that don’t support the 70mm film will still enjoy an enhanced viewing experience, but will be limited to a digital laser or Xenon format, invariably cropping some of the picture and losing some resolution.

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The following list of theaters, courtesy of flatpanelshd, support the 70mm film IMAX format:

US Theatres:

Arizona

– Harkins Arizona Mills 25 & IMAX – Tempe, AZ

California

– AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX – San Francisco, CA

– Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood & IMAX – Universal City, CA

– TCL Chinese Theater IMAX – Hollywood CA

– Regal Edwards Ontario Palace & IMAX – Ontario, CA

– Regal Irvine Spectrum 21 + IMAX – Irvine CA

– Esquire IMAX – Sacramento, CA

– Regal Hacienda Crossings & IMAX – Dublin, CA

Florida

– AutoNation IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Georgia

– Regal Mall of Georgia & IMAX – Buford, GA

Indiana

– IMAX Theatre at Indiana State Museum – Indianapolis, IN

Michigan

– Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre, Michigan Science Center – Detroit, MI

– Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX – Grand Rapids, MI

New York

– AMC Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX – New York, NY

Pennsylvania

– Regal UA King of Prussia & IMAX – King of Prussia, PA

Rhode Island

– Providence Place Cinemas 16 and IMAX – Providence, RI

Texas

– AMC Rivercenter 11 & IMAX – San Antonio, TX

– Cinemark 17 & IMAX – Dallas, TX

Tennessee – Regal Opry Mills & IMAX – Nashville, TN

Canada

– Scotiabank Chinook & IMAX – Calgary, AB

– Scotiabank Edmonton & IMAX – Edmonton, AB

– Cineplex Cinemas Langley & IMAX – Langley, BC

– Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga & IMAX – Mississauga, ON

– Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan & IMAX – Woodbridge ,ON

– Kramer IMAX, Saskatchewan Science Centre – Regina, SK

UK

– BFI IMAX, British Film Institute – London, UK

– Vue Manchester IMAX & The Printworks – Manchester, UK

– The Ronson Theatre at the Science Museum – London, UK

Australia

– IMAX, Melbourne Museum – Melbourne, AU

Czech Republic

– IMAX Theatre, Palac Flora – Prague

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