This new film by writer /director Ryan Coogler (from Black Panther and Creed fame) stars his muse and often starring man, Michael B. Jordan, in two leading roles.
Sinners is a smart and textured study of fear set in the 1930s. All kinds of fear, not just the stuff that goes bump, or in this case, sings in the night. The film tells the story of twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both brilliantly played by Michael B. Jordan). They have returned from Chicago to their rural hometown and are determined to reinvent themselves as juke joint owners.
They have the right booze, food, and musicians to make it a hit. That includes their young cousin Sammie Moore (Miles Caton). The son of a preacher, he has the gift of music. With his guitar and mournful song that pours out from his soul, he bends time and space and attracts an ancient evil with his singing. Everything in this film happens in one day and one long, terrifying, sexy, horrible night. Not everyone will survive this reckoning.
To call this film merely a “Vampire film” would not do it justice. This film studies all sorts of fear, from the supernatural to the fear that prejudice and hatred can wield. Also, the music and soundtrack to this film will appeal to anyone who loves the blues and Celtic music. Add to it the mind-bending visuals of cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw that will be discussed, studied, and hopefully remembered come awards time. And you have a film that is more than its genre, and most especially more than its appealing trailer.
Ryan Coogler has created movie magic, and his choice to shoot it using IMAX cameras makes this a film that needs to be experienced in a big theater to enjoy what he has given us fully.
I give Sinners 5 stars. It’s bound to be a cult classic. And the soundtrack to this film will make everyone’s favorites list. Sinners is the hit movie that will kick off the summer movie season. Also, please stay past the credits for two special coda treats.
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Written by: Ryan Coogler
Rated: R
Running Time: 2 hr 17 min
Supernatural, Horror, Drama, Action, Thriller
Wide Release: In theaters and IMAX on April 18th
Starring: Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld, Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, Saul Williams
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
