Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominated the box office and dethroned A Minecraft Movie over the holiday weekend with a $45.6 million opening.
Oh, and just for the record – $61 million worldwide!
Read our review of the film EVERYONE is buzzing about below – written by our resident movie guru B. Gunn!
‘Sinners’ Review
It goes by many names. Some regions of Africa call it Adze and Obayifo. In different areas of Asia, it is referred to as Jiangshi or Iso Onna.
It is prevalent in the folklore of almost every culture on Earth. Here in America, we even acknowledge this evil, bloodthirsty, undead demon.
Our title for it – Vampire.
Yes, these nightwalkers have lived amongst us since the dawn of time, waiting, planning… feasting.
We are constantly warned about them through novels and movies, each one more sinister than the other.
Our appetite for vampire narratives is just as insatiable as their lust for hemoglobin.
In the new movie Sinners, director Ryan Coogler attempts to take the inhuman leeches on a journey during a vile moment in our nation’s history.
Does this film inject new blood into vampire stories, or will it drive a stake through the hearts of audiences? Let’s go!
Born sinner! The opposite of a winner, remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner!
Sinners stars an ensemble cast featuring the talents of Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, Li Jun Li, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Jack O’Connell, and introduces Miles Caton.
It is directed by the exceptional Ryan Coogler and once again teams him up with his partner in cinematic crime, Jordan.
Set in 1930s Jim Crow Mississippi, twin brothers Smoke and Stack come home to start a juke joint for the local Black community.
Upon its grand opening, the joint attracts much attention, including the wrong attention, but not just from the usual hooded enemies.
No, supernatural forces want to dance as well, and they will stop at nothing for an RSVP.
Anticipation for this Jordan/Coogler collaboration rose higher than the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 as soon as the first movie trailer debuted.
Upon watching this film, I came away with a bold declaration: Mr. Coogler, please take your seat on the throne of divine cinema, sir. You are worthy!
Many vampire films have been made. Not one vampire film will ever come close to this. Ever.
The cast, director, composer, cinematographer—hell, everyone—conspired against us regular folks to construct one of the most emotional, memorable horror films containing bloodsuckers in recent memory and dared us not to love it.
They triple-dog dared us! From beginning to end, you are immersed in total enjoyment.
Never has music led a film to such meteoric heights UNLESS it was a musical.
This is not a musical, but on everything I love, most musicals must bow down to this!
Performances astound at a level that a lot of actors can only dream of.
Jordan playing dual roles will make you a believer in his true talent.
His performance reminds you of how spectacular he was in Fruitvale Station.
His timing, impeccable. His delivery, flawless.
Forget about a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he needs a star in the cosmos.
Each character gets adequate character development, thanks in part to a strategic 1st act that is deliberately paced at getting the audience to acquire feelings for them.
By the time the 2nd act begins, we love Smoke and Stack, we love Mary (Steinfeld), we love Annie (Mosaku), we love Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller), Delta Slim (Lindo), Grace Chow (Li Jun Li)—dammit, we love everybody!
Who we praise, however, is Sammie “Preacher Boy”, played by Miles Caton.
This is his very first feature film, y’all. A star is born.
Caton’s performance makes me jealous!
Around a cast of heavyweights, he knocks them out. He portrays Sammie so well that it’s a sin. You will remember him.
The protagonist Remmick (Jack O’Connell) is what every villain should strive to be.
Sure, we hate this man for what he’s done, but can we sympathize with his reasoning?
He creates a dichotomy in us that may even have us hating ourselves for thinking about having empathy for him.
Like, really?? I hate you for making me feel this way!
Sinners is a genre-mixing masterpiece. How is it possible to have horror, action, drama, comedy, and a period piece all coexist in perfect harmony?
I’ve never seen this done, y’all, and I’ve seen A LOT OF MOVIES.
Cultural messages sneak up on you like a vampire in the night.
The musical score by Ludwig Göransson… cot-toe-mighty! Long live Blues music.
I must mention, there is a scene involving Sammie performing at the juke joint; it will bring tears to your eyes.
Mesmerizing is an understatement. This movie is very sensual (Good Lawd!!), horrific, intense, and redeeming.
These characters have sinned, but so have we all.
And with those sins, I’m giving Sinners… a CLASSIC CO-SIGN!
There is a mid-credit and end-credit scene, so stay, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this in IMAX.
It was filmed for that very reason. Music makes the world go round, until the sun goes down.
Vampires are watching, so like Wu-Tang said, protect ya neck…
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