Take 12: Sinners
Sinners reunites director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan for a genre bending film that blends action, horror, and the supernatural. Jordan is pulling double duty, playing twins Smoke and Stack who are returning from Chicago to open up a jute joint in 1930s Mississippi. Among the people they had select to make the joint a success are their cousins Beatrice (Tenaj L. Jackson), who dabbles (slightly) in charms, blues playing Delta Silm (Delroy Lindo), and their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) who plays a mean, and I mean MEAN guitar which attracts ALL sorts to the junk joint for a night that those in attendance will not forget, if they survive….
I definitely liked the film, no question, but probably not as high on it as everyone else seems to be. It is shot BEAUTIFULLY. Coogler paints a gorgeous landscape both in terms of of the visuals which are breathtaking, and in rich characters. Visually, it’s stunning. And inventive. There is one scene on the floor of the juke joint that needs to be scene for yourself. He really takes his time fleshing them all out in the first hour. We understand them pretty well very quickly and are worried about them as we head to an ominous outcome hinted by the opening scene of the movie.
Where is does such a great job with visuals and character development, I felt that the horror could have used as much detail. The villains are scary enough and work best when they are being ominous and speaking in dark riddles. By the time they make their movie, it just doesn’t hit a as hard as I had hoped. There are a maybe two moments that are legit scary but I was expecting more, especially for movie toted as a horror. It seemed like there was going to be a heavy supernatural element involved and I was really hoping for more of that but it doesn’t every really come. And I REALLY wanted it. There is action and we know that the villains are threatening and there are lots of heartfelt casualties so a toll is definitely taken, but is still seems a little too easy.
Its adult as heck. The language and subject matter are definitely not subtle for kids but not everything needs to be. And it is BLACKITY BLACK. It has a unique voice and something to say. The only knock I have is the unevenness. Had we gotten a little more horror and supernatural, I would be even higher on it.
My score: 9
It would be a really SIN if you read this and didn’t take the time to comment…
