Christopher Nolan is known for directing films with themes of deception, authority, identity, memory, time, and obsession with the death of female characters. He often uses techniques like close-ups of objects, reverse narratives, flashbacks, black and white/mirrors and reflections, and slow motion. Many of Nolan's films like The Dark Knight Rises and Inception feature overlapping casts including Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, and Michael Caine.

1. Auteur Christopher Nolan
Themes
Memento Dark Knight Rises Inception
Deception Deception Deception
Authority Authority – Defy Dreams/Sleep
Identity Identity Time
Memory Revenge Obsession –Female death
Time Time White male protagonist
Obsession –Female death Obsession –Female death Mental Stability
White male protagonist White male protagonist Group dynamic
Mental Stability Mental Stability Secondaryfemale character
Death Death Death
Reality ClassWarfare Reality
Relationships Justice Family
Revenge Authority -
corrupt/untrustworthy
Memory
Politics
Fear
Techniques
Memento Dark Knight Rises Inception
Close up of objects Close ups Close up of objects
Reverse narrative ShakyCam Non-linearnarrative
Flashbacks Flashbacks Flashbacks
Black andwhite Lighting Birdseye view
Mirrors and reflections IMAX Mirrors reflections
Slow motion
ShakyCam
For me anotherway inwhichyou can tell a filmisthat of ChristopherNolan isthe bylooking
at the cast andcrew and youwill findthatmanyof themlinkover.For example withlooking
at the three filmshere youcansee thatin bothInceptionandDarkKnight
Risesthe followingcastmemberswere presentinboth
 Tom Hardy
 CillianMurphy
 JosephGordon-Levitt
 Marion Cotillard
 Michael Caine

2. Auteur J. J. Abrams
Themes
Mission Impossible 3 Star Trek Super 8
Damsel indistress Openswiththreat/danger Grief
Openswiththreat/danger Authority Cinephilia
Family Family Family
Time Time Time
Deception Sci - fi Deception
Defyauthority Diverse groupof people Defyauthority
Sci – fi Cycle of life anddeath Sci -fi
Group dynamics Group dynamics Group dynamics
Spy loyalty Loyalty
Mysterybox Mysterybox Mysterybox
White male protagonist White male protagonist White male protagonist
Secondaryfemale character Secondaryfemale character Secondaryfemale character
Deathof a parent
(mentioned)
Deathof a parent Deathof a parent
Techniques
Mission Impossible 3 Star Trek Super 8
Shakycam Shakycam Shakycam
Close up - reactionshots Close up Close up – onobjects
Slowmotion – LessSound Slowmotion – Lesssound Lensflare
Colourand lighting Remove/lesssoundformore
emotional impact
Artificial light
Match cut Lensflare Fast cutting
Fast cutting Artificial light
Lensflare
Artificial light