Jonathan Ross has described Christopher Nolan's 2023 biographical thriller Oppenheimer as 'one of the most boring movies, one of the dullest experiences I've ever had at the cinema'. The award-winning broadcaster made the remarks during an interview with Metro, where he also discussed his love of film music, his reality TV stint on The Celebrity Traitors, and the changing landscape of cinema.
Ross criticises Nolan's writing while praising his filmmaking
Despite recently interviewing Nolan himself, Ross insisted he is 'not part of the cult of Christopher Nolan'. He said: 'I do enjoy some of his movies, but I thought Oppenheimer was one of the most boring movies, one of the dullest experiences I've ever had at the cinema.'
Ross elaborated: 'The final third of that movie… I was begging for release. It has some incredible moments in it, so his skill as a filmmaker is beyond doubt and unquestionable. But I do think, as a writer, I find him wanting sometimes. And that was possibly my problem with The Odyssey as well.'
Ross, a self-described lover of cult films, acknowledged that opinions are subjective. 'Ultimately opinions, of course, are all valid. I do often find that I'm very surprised by the movies that people rave about and the movies that get awards. Obviously, I like to think I'm right and everyone else is wrong, but I'm old enough to realise that's just vanity,' he said.
Ross praises Hans Zimmer and John Williams, but refuses to choose
Ross, who currently presents Classic FM's blockbuster film music programme and co-hosts the weekly movie podcast Reel Talk with his daughter Honey, shared his admiration for Nolan's frequent collaborator, composer Hans Zimmer. However, when asked to choose between Zimmer and John Williams, he laughed and said: 'I'm very angry that you've asked me this question.'
He added: 'I wouldn't want to never be able to hear the Harry Potter score again, or Star Wars, or Superman. But some of Zimmer's more interesting stuff, like his score for True Romance, The Thin Red Line, they were amazing. As well as his Disney work, and his stuff with Nolan. The Interstellar score is extraordinarily good, as is Inception. So, I wouldn't really want to choose.'
Classic FM's Movie Music Hall of Fame countdown, partnered with Metro, will air on Monday 31 August from 10am to 7pm across the UK and on Global Player. The grand finale will be hosted by Jonathan Ross.
Ross reflects on cinema's evolution and his favourite films of 2026
Reflecting on how much cinema has changed, Ross looked back at his youth growing up in London and joining a film club in Gants Hill at age 14. 'The world was such a different place. There weren't even VHS players when I was little, so you couldn't watch stuff on your own schedule,' he said.
Ross does not believe we are in the golden age of cinema in 2026. 'I remember in the 70s when you'd see such a weird and broad variety of movies, some which you'd never heard of, popping up at your local,' he explained. 'You'd get the big hitters like The Exorcist, Star Wars, Alien, but you'd also have films like Death Race 2000 from Roger Corman popping up, or Salon Kitty, or one memorable time I went to see a double bill, which was a kung fu film called When Taekwondo Strikes, coupled with a soft-core porn movie called Black Emmanuelle, White Emmanuelle. Now, I'm not saying either of them were classics, but certainly it was an interesting time to be a young person.'
Among his favourite films this year, Ross cited Obsession as a standout. 'I've watched it three times now. The acting is great, especially Inde Navarrette. It's just an interesting, immersive, unusual experience.' He also enjoyed The Odyssey, though he said he 'didn't rave about it as much as others, but I did think it was a fun night out at the cinema.'
Ross discusses his Celebrity Traitors experience and advising new contestants
Away from film, Ross was hailed as 'one of the greatest Traitors' during his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors last year. Playing a brazen game alongside Alan Carr and Cat Burns, Ross told remaining contestants during his banishment in episode seven that they were 'idiots'.
Despite the drama, Ross remains in touch with the cast. 'I still speak to all of them on and off. I'm meant to be having lunch with Celia Imrie quite soon. I organised a big Christmas lunch for all of us and we all got together. We had a really nice time,' he said.
Several new contestants for the upcoming season have reached out to him for advice. 'I spoke to quite a few of them before they went in. I had a brief chat with Michael Sheen. I had a longer chat with Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett, Maya Jama. Quite a few people called me and said they'd been asked to do it, and we chatted through what the experience was like,' he said. 'I'm always very honest because I did enjoy aspects of the experience and other things I really struggled with. It was quite tricky.'
