Sinners

JP Liz V1

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan unite for a horror

https://youtu.be/zRhfv5ARuY8

JP Liz V1

18th of April release

https://youtu.be/4oqCwr_bzHI

JP Liz V1

Sinners currently is 100%, Rotten Tomatoes

El Duda

Booked the BFI iMax for this

It better be good!

El Duda

https://twitter.com/TheMovieBadger/status/1912123855625245118

Can't wait

santana75

I like the look of this. Getting "Assault on precinct 13"/"From dusk to dawn" vibes

Xofpod

Very good reviews too. Reckon I'll go to see it at the weekend.

But what the hell is with this current trend of actors playing multiple characters in the same movie?

Xofpod

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/17/my-heart-broke-director-ryan-coogler-on-mourning-chadwick-boseman-rebooting-black-panther-and-his-new-movie-sinners?CMP=share_btn_url

Good interview with Ryan Coogler

Shred

I haven't even watched the trailer but like what I've heard and the bits I've read, I think I'll go to see it tomorrow.

Fysh

I knew I would want to see this from the director & cast list alone, so I only just watched the trailer this evening after catching a screening this afternoon.

The trailer, at least the first one in this thread, does a decent job of giving a good idea of the general setup and tone while still retaining a bit of mystery.

As to the film itself - I enjoyed it, but I think it's a bit uneven and perhaps over-crowded in the things it wants to focus on, although I admire the ambition. There's some great music in it, the performances are all at least pretty good - I like Jordan and think he's generally good but there wasn't really a strong enough sense of each brother being a distinct individual, either in terms of identity or physical performance, but whether that's him or the characters as written is another question. However, Jack O'Connell definitely out-performs him in a role that could easily have devolved to scenery-chewing.

Unfortunately the pacing isn't quite right, so you end up with a film where there are a number of very good scenes in it rather than one where everything comes together.

A personal bugbear is that the opening scene is one that, to me, betrays a lack of confidence in the film - it sets up a couple of utterly cheap jumpscares, then flashes back to the previous day. Not a big deal in itself, but I feel it's always unfortunate for a film to start on a bum note.

One more thing to note - stay put for another couple of minutes when it first looks like the credits are starting, as there's a short coda scene that follows the first few top billing credits. It's hardly world changing stuff, but you may as well still be seated for it.

Since it's only just out I will put some last thoughts and comparisons in spoilers, but while I think it has some issues I would say you're better off watching first:

Spoiler Warning

The obvious comparisons for me are Midnight Mass or From Dusk Til Dawn, because the antagonists are vampires. This is, in part, where the uneven-ness creeps in - like From Dusk Til Dawn the film is almost an hour in before we find that the Klan are not the only, or the worst, threat to the characters.

There are also quite a few characters, and I wouldn't have minded seeing more of their stories on screen - which would necessitate a series rather than a film (hence the comparison to Midnight Mass).

One thing I do want to praise is the excellently psychedelic scene around the halfway point where Sammie brings the house down and inadvertently attracts the vampires - it's filmed in a way that really sells the idea of a transcendent experience, and that scene in particular reminded me a lot of Benson & Moorhead's films, particularly The Endless and Synchronic.

Shred

I saw it earlier, there's a lot to process but I did very much enjoy it. It's certainly reminiscent of From Dusk Till Dawn; while FDTD is fun, Sinners is a more interesting films in its subject matter I think.

I saw Warfare straight after it too and the juxtaposition in style and subject matter almost had my head spinning 😁; both well worth a watch though.

Sudden Valley

Its a good film but perhaps not as good as similar movies mentioned already. Loved the music in it especially the Irish music they briefly played. The acting was top notch but the script and pacing were a bit off.

Jack Daw

Just saw this today, very good film i thought, I particularly enjoyed the sense of time and place in the film and being transported back to 1930's Mississippi.

BTW keep watching until after the credits roll, there's a an after credit scene worth watching.

The 1922 Committee

There is a scene in the Juke Joint where they start jamming which is magical and evidence of a self-assured Director.

johnny_ultimate

Easily the best original blockbuster genre effort in a minute - though granted it’s increasingly rare to see original ideas executed on this kind of scale. Indeed, based on some reporting I’ve seen the favourable deal Coogler worked out for this has some studio execs freaking out (good).

You can see a lot of Coogler’s thematic preoccupations reappear here (in particular around the generational legacy of culture, trauma and Black identity), but formally it’s an undeniable step up for him. Fruitvale Station and Creed were gritty and low-key by design, while the Black Panther films - though very impressive by MCU standards - were hamstrung by the demands of the Marvel house style (especially when it comes to action). This, though, is just full of exhilaratingly crafted sequences, with several show stopping setpieces.

Don’t need to point out the highlights for those that have seen it - one temporally and spatially unmoored dance sequence is among the most audacious I’ve seen in a big budget modern genre film. But the imagination and musicality of the staging and editing is impressive throughout. Really appreciated that it took its time laying the groundwork too. Spends just enough time establishing a surprisingly large ensemble to allow the inevitable carnage to hit harder than it otherwise would. It’s violent, sexy and smart - adjectives most blockbusters are allergic to.

Perhaps have a few minor quibbles - I appreciated the scope and intention of the ending, though maybe was a bit rushed in execution. But they’re only minor. Overall thought this was a bold and successful use of a director’s hard-earned blank cheque - both an expansion of their work to date and a major step forward stylistically. A real pleasure to watch.

Spoiler Warning

Oh, and the Rocky Road to Dublin surprise appearance? chef’s kiss

santana75

Saw It last night and it's ok, nothing great. I feel there's a lot of waffle in there, scenes that really didn't need to be in the final cut. It is similar in ways to "Assault on precinct 13" but that movie was a lean mean tight machine, while Sinners is a bit on the fat side. Jack o connell is pretty terrifying as the main bad guy and michael B jordan is also solid enough. Like I said, its ok but pretty forgettable all the same

Dogsdodogsstuff

I really wanted to like this so much more.

Maybe it was because I had to stand up and tell the two morons behind me to Shut up 40 mins into the movie (after I had already asked them politely). They didn’t make a peep after but I spent most of the movie ready to get up and f**k them out.

People are thick as sh*t. A cinema is not a cafe, f**k off somewhere else if you want to have a chat with your mate during a movie.

Good reminder to me why I usually wait until a movies been out awhile before going. Way too many muppets who lack respect and cinema etiquette.

santana75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123375296#Comment_123375296

At the risk of dragging the thread off topic, sadly I see this kind of thing more and more. Just before christmas I went to see that movie Red one and it was literally insane what happened in that cinema in terms of anti-social behavior. Waiting a couple of weeks before seeing a film shouldnt be a thing but its getting to the point where its becoming a necessity.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123373776#Comment_123373776

This is pretty much spot on for me too.

I really enjoyed it, it was a long film but I do agree the ending felt a bit rushed alright. I thought the casting was terrific. Miles Caton (Sammie) was excellent can't believe it is his debut, really soulful.

I hope it continues to do good box office.

Xofpod

Loved it. Great genre movie but just pretty great as a movie in general. No problem with the measured pacing at the start, cast was great, music was fantastic.

sleepyman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123374674#Comment_123374674

I felt the same-elements I enjoyed were the music,cinematography and some of the performances.Felt the first 40/45 minutes dragged a bit and didn't need to be drawn up.

Also would have preferred if they'd hired another actor to play Michael B Jordan's brother.

My enjoyment was also hampered by the 2 girls behind me talking throughout in Rathmines and a lad vaping/messing with his phone.

Man Vs ManUre

Very good film. It reminded me of From Dusk till Dawn meets Near Dark. Some great music scenes in it. Jack O’Connell is a brilliant actor.

sonic85

I thought it was very average. The bones of a good movie were there but it was a bit all over the place in terms of execution. It seemed to me at least half the movie seemed to be the logistics in getting the joint up and running!

The performances were good though - I enjoyed everyone in their roles. As someone mentioned earlier though - I don't know if there was enough of a difference between the SmokeStack twins to establish them as two individuals

I'd definitely be in the minority here but I'd love to see a prequel film about the twins. How they became feared and their time in Chicago. Could be good

Gusser09

Poor enough. Random Irish songs at different intervals with a poor explanation about the link. Took way too long to get into the action too.

A 6.5 out of 10 for me.

Toranaga

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123391204#Comment_123391204

I don't think it was explicitly explained but it was clearly a nod to tensions and also parallels in America between the black experience and the Irish experience.

I don't think it's a film for someone looking just for action.

I was hooked fairly well until the final act where I thought it got a bit messy, however the music was spectacular.

I wish they'd recorded more versions of the Irish songs as their take on the 2 in the film were amazing.

howdydoo83

When I look back upon this film

It's always with a sense of shame

It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin

It's a sin.

1/5.

Surprised it's getting so many good reviews, diabolical in every aspect. Especially the script and dialogue

sydthebeat

Thought there was nothing really new with this movie, very much "seen this story before" feeling from it.

But as a 'switch your brain off at the door' piece of entertainment it was ok.

I enjoyed the music

murpho999

Really enjoyed this last night. A very different take on vampire genre.

Loved the music and dancing parts and the set up of getting the joint up and running and introduction of characters.

I went in knowing as little as possible , as I try not to watch trailers nowadays as they often ruin films so I just knew it had great reviews and was horror genre.

Also , a good few people left as soon as "Sinners" came up on screen at the end missed the all important final scene.

Finally, one thing bugging me but do vampires lose sense of time or how to read a watch as why where they still outside when the sun began to rise? Made ending all too convenient for me.

El Duda

Sinners – 9/10

Dusk till Dawn meets Puss in Boots 2.

It was Ryan Coogler’s 10-minute format masterclass that convinced me to make the trip to London to see this. I’d managed to avoid most of the promotional material but knew that I could expect Vampires at some point. 

Almost everything about this film was surprise. I had no idea that Michael B Jordan played twins, which is something that I usually find distracting. We recently had The Alto Knights in cinemas, where De Niro plays two competing gangsters, but at no point during that film do you forget that you are watching two De Niro’s. Here it’s seamless. They both have distinct and separate characterisation that you buy into almost instantly.  

The biggest surprise was the scale/scope of the story and the way it genre hops so fluidly. It combines Louisiana bayou superstition, Irish colonialism, immigration, racial segregation, the history of black music, cunnilingus, Vampires, and all set against a 1930’s prohibition-era Western backdrop. Not only does it cram all these things into the narrative, but it also features plenty of homages, from the obvious ones at the top of this review, to the likes of The Thing, Salem's Lot and Night of the Hunter.

The history of black music scene should be enough, almost on its own, to garner Coogler a best director nomination. It’s virtuoso filmmaking at its finest and seeing that scene on iMax 70mm almost made me levitate out of my seat. Seeing it a second time was just as good. Right in the **** soul. 

There are other scenes where Coogler’s directorial skills flourish, such as the tracking shot where we follow the young Asian girl as she crosses from the black/Asian side of the street to the white as the camera then switches to follow her mother back across the divide. Telling a story of how racial segregation across generations has become commonplace, without uttering a single word. 

There’s some inspired casting going on here too. Miles Caton, who plays ‘Preacher Boy Sammie’ is a natural despite having no acting experience at all. He was picked up on the basis of his skills as a blues/jazz musician. Delroy Lindo is another great choice and someone who more than understood the assignment. Perhaps he will finally get his dues with an Oscar nomination for this?

Having worked within the constraints of the MCU factory for so many years, I wonder if his inclusion of a mid-credit’s scene was some kind of criticism. In marvel films, post credits scenes exist solely to promote future instalments. Here, it serves as an epilogue and (with a little help from Buddy Guy) completely recontextualizes everything you’ve just seen. That’s what these scenes should always be doing. It’s just a shame that the cinema half emptied out both times. Fools the lot of them. 

Another wrinkle that I picked up on is Ruth E. Carter on costume design duties. She does great work here (again, an Oscar nomination will surely be in the post) but she also gets one of the biggest laughs in the film with what I assume is a very deliberate callback to her work on Do The Right Thing.

It’s the best reviewed original film of the decade and it has had the lowest second week drop off in modern box office history. It deserves every bit of praise that comes its way. More importantly, if you know your Hollywood onions, then you will know that up until very recently it was unthinkable that a film like this would get made. 

Man Vs ManUre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123400383#Comment_123400383

Fantastic post. I was gonna reply on some earlier post that said nothing but seen before and point out that dance scene with the various different spirit characters, it was completely unique, but I could not have described it the way you have. The performances of the 2 Irish folk songs was brilliant also. It was a fantastic movie, I described it was a dusk till dawn meets near dark. Let the right one in is probably the best vampire film in many years, but this was completely different and equally brilliant. There was so much going on in this film you need to have your level of understanding to appreciate it fully.

Dial Hard

Saw it last night, loved it. The only criticism I have is that I personally think having Smoke and Stack played by two actors would have added another layer to the characters.

But the soundtrack, the production, the staging - all amazing. The time-spanning music scene had definite American Gods undertones for me.

I also wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near as funny as it was. Tremendously enjoyable.