Jonathan Ross has delivered a withering assessment of Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, branding it "one of the most boring movies, one of the dullest experiences I've ever had at the cinema".
The 65-year-old broadcaster made the remarks despite having recently sat down with Nolan for an interview.
"I'm not part of the cult of Christopher Nolan," he declared.
Ross reserved particular frustration for the film's closing act.
"The final third of that movie I was begging for release," he said, while conceding that the 2023 biographical thriller contains "some incredible moments" and Mr Nolan's "skill as a filmmaker is beyond doubt and unquestionable".
His reservations extend to Mr Nolan's writing abilities, which he suggested also hampered his enjoyment of The Odyssey.
"As a writer, I find him wanting sometimes," Ross added.
The veteran critic, who currently hosts a film music programme on Classic FM and co-presents the weekly podcast Reel Talk with his daughter Honey, does not believe 2026 represents a high point for the medium.
He fondly recalls the eclectic offerings of 1970s cinema, when major releases such as The Exorcist, Star Wars and Alien shared screens with obscure fare from the likes of Roger Corman.
"Certainly it was an interesting time to be a young person," he reflected, recalling a memorable double bill pairing a kung fu picture with a soft-core film at his local cinema.
Ross grew up in London and joined a film club in Gants Hill aged 14, long before home video existed.
As for 2026 releases that have impressed him, the independently produced horror Obsession stands out.
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"I've watched it three times now," he said, singling out the performance of Inde Navarrette.
Speculation over the next 007 is dominating film conversations, although Mr Ross confesses he is not particularly enthused by the prospect.
"I must admit, I'm not terribly excited about seeing it," he said.
Rather than backing any of the rumoured frontrunners such as Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi or Jack Lowden, the broadcaster offered an unexpected alternative.
"I wouldn't mind seeing Timothée Chalamet," he suggested.
Mr Ross also revealed a long-held wish for the franchise to explore a different era entirely.
"I've always wanted to see a Bond that was shot in post-war Britain, the period when the books were written," he explained.
The suggestion of Chalamet, a French-American actor best known for arthouse and prestige pictures, marks a distinctly unconventional choice for a role traditionally associated with British leading men.
Beyond the world of film, Mr Ross earned acclaim as a reality television contestant on last year's Celebrity Traitors, where he was dubbed "Big Dog" and widely regarded as one of the show's finest ever players.
He served as a traitor alongside Alan Carr and Cat Burns, playing with audacious confidence before being banished in episode seven, at which point he memorably branded the remaining contestants "idiots."
His flamboyant wardrobe choices even managed to upstage host Claudia Winkleman during his time on the BBC show.
Despite the on-screen theatrics, Mr Ross insists there is no lingering animosity with his fellow cast members.
"I still speak to all of them on and off," he said, adding he has a lunch planned with Celia Imrie.
He also organised a group Christmas dinner for the entire cast, which he described as "a really nice time".
Several celebrities lined up for the forthcoming series have already sought Mr Ross's counsel ahead of filming.
He confirmed having conversations with a number of the new intake, including Michael Sheen, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett and 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, noting his conversation with Mr Sheen was brief while he spoke at greater length with Mr Ranganathan and Mr Beckett.
Mr Ross said he gave each of them a candid account of what to expect.
"I'm always very honest because I did enjoy aspects of the experience and other things I really struggled with," he admitted. "It was quite tricky."
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