MATLAB 2014b Kubuntu graphics

I just installed MATLAB 2014b on my Kubuntu 14.04 machine. When I open a file dialog box, MATLAB opens the OS file open dialog. The problem is that the normal grey (default KDE) is now black. I can't see any of the normal file tree or link bar. I can barely make out the folder icons themselvs. Also, 9/10 times the program hangs and needs to be killed with SIGTERM. Can this be remedied with certain settings? What java version is required? Is there an OpenGL setting that needs tweaking?