The way we consume new movies has certainly changed over the last few years. It used to be that if you wanted to catch the latest Hollywood opus, you had to go to the theater but now flicks pop up on VOD and streaming channels within weeks (sometimes days) of their theatrical release. We’ve gotten really used to watching movies at home, which has its pros and cons.
On the plus side, you’re not dealing with obnoxious crowds and overpriced concessions. There are home theater systems that are better than the presentations at your local movie house. And for a lot of movies, you’re not missing much if all you want to do is kill a few hours. However, some movies demand to be seen in the theater. They deserve the full experience.
There are times when the story requires a bigger stage. It could be that the appeal of the filmmakers or the stars is undeniable. Maybe you need to be jolted by the megawatt sound and high-resolution presentation. But sometimes it’s all of those reasons combined with the buzz radiating from a packed room of mesmerized strangers. You need to be thrilled by the tale told by that giant digital campfire. Sinners is such a movie.
It has a tight story, solid acting, and top-notch effects, but its best asset is that it provides pure Hollywood spectacle. Kudos to Writer/Director Ryan Coogler, who has emerged as one of the best new voices in popular film after Creed surprisingly reinvigorated the Rocky franchise and Black Panther became the only MCU entry ever nominated for Best Picture. He is creative and confident, serving up eye-popping popcorn movies with style and substance.
Sinners is Coogler’s latest, starring Michael B. Jordan, who has been his onscreen alter ego since his very first film in 2013. Jordan is like De Niro (or Dicaprio) to Coogler’s Scorsese and together they always deliver riveting entertainment. In Sinners, he plays two roles onscreen at the same time. He’s both Elias and Elijah Moore aka the enigmatic Smokestack Twins. It’s 1932 and they have returned to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta to open up a juke joint after years in the military and questionable service in the Chicago underworld.
Beyond the technical wizardry enabling Jordan to play opposite himself in the same frame, he makes each character distinct. Smoke is all business while Stack is more reckless and carefree. It feels like you’re watching two different actors playing off each other. Coogler also limits the amount of time they’re onscreen together so this choice doesn’t get too annoying. It serves the story rather than just being pure novelty. Jordan is always watchable and never boring.
His swagger helps him stand out against the legions of bland leading men these days. In an age when most actors are just name brands feeding creators generating content, Jordan feels like an old-school movie star. Coogler knows how to use his strengths. Their recent collaboration is lush and bold. It’s a refreshing change from sequels and IP-infused pseudo-blockbusters. They have cooked up a moody period piece full of music, atmosphere, and blood.
The first half of the movie follows the Smokestack Twins and their young cousin, a sharecropper with a gift for playing blues guitar. They are on a mission to create an unforgettable opening night for their juke joint. There’s a rambunctious energy to these scenes as everything comes together. The twins want a place to drink, dance, and celebrate (and maybe make a few bucks while they’re at it) while their cousin, little Sammie, just wants to cut loose with his guitar.
They open the doors and the club is alive. Friends old and new mingle, including Stack’s old flame (Hailee Steinfeld all grown up since that True Grit remake and the Hawkeye show on Disney+). The music is smoking with local legend Delta Slim (scene stealer Delroy Lindo from Get Shorty and Gone in 60 Seconds), on piano and harmonica. Soon Sammie (actor and musician Miles Caton in his first big role) takes the stage and his guitar wails. It’s a transcendent moment.
His guitar solo is both performance and metaphor. Coogler takes us beyond the juke joint to weave in the origins of the blues and its influence on other musical genres. This scene is hard to describe and impossible to forget. It will be best enjoyed in a packed theater with awesome sound. Sammie’s music enthralls the crowd and attracts some unwelcome visitors. A trio of musical strangers arrive and ask to be invited in to join the jam session.
Smoke and Stack politely turn them away, but these newcomers linger outside. They claim that they are drawn to the music and offer everyone inside a sense of belonging that they will not find anywhere else. There’s something discomforting about these folks and the awkward tension around them builds until the big reveal. Vampires are trying to crash the party. This movie now shifts seamlessly from a bluesy historical drama to a flat-out horror film without missing a beat.
Sinners has elements of Night of the Living Dead with characters trapped inside while the menacing undead wait outside. It’s also reminiscent of From Dusk to a Dawn, the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino grindhouse masterpiece as things get gonzo. Coogler obviously takes inspiration from these flicks but creates something all his own. This vampire flick has teeth.
It’s much better than that tepid Salem’s Lot remake on (HBO)Max. Jack O’Connell (from Unbroken and the upcoming 28 Years Later) plays the leader of the bloodthirsty pack and he is strangely compelling. Unlike Salem’s Lot, which presented obnoxious baddies void of personality, O’Connell’s Remmick is a fully realized character. He’s not threatening, but disturbingly sincere, as he encourages others to join his brood.
Sinners is a modern Grand Guignol led by a charismatic cast and overflowing with images that should be consumed on the big screen. You deserve to savor it while munching on a giant tub of popcorn in a big reclining chair surrounded by a crowd of engaged moviegoers. It also contains one of the best mid-credits scenes ever. Don’t wait to see this one on your living room TV. Sinners was made for a premier night out at the movies.
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Author: Jeff Stanford
Nerd Dad who loves his family, coffee and movies.
