(https://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/sinners.jpg?w=1200)
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Written & Directed by Ryan Coogler. Shot in IMAX 70mm.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.
Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler
Making IMAX History with Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Ryan Coogler
Anyone see this yet?
Me. There's a lot to like and admire about it. I was surprised at how much of a slow burn it is – for more than half of its runtime, it's a musical drama that's closer in spirit to O Brother, Where Art Thou? than your run-of-the-mill horror-action blockbuster. Some exhilarating, if slightly silly, dance sequences. The production values are first class.
I'll say this – even though they shot it on film and so therefore it looks ten times more beautiful than most studio projects these days, it is another example of modern cinematographers and directors seemingly not knowing how to fill the frame compositionally when using a widescreen format; aside from the odd moment, most of it is a series of cross-cut close-ups or medium shots of the characters on their own in the centre of the frame surrounded by dead space, with no visually arresting blocking within shots or depth of field. So, it's pretty but a bit monotonous on the eye.
Still, it is an admirable big swing of a movie, emphasising atmosphere over action in a way that would seem almost entirely counterintuitive to the modern concept of tentpole cinema. Worth seeing if you're at all interested in the blues, musicals or horror (in that order).
Forgot to mention: cast are all very good, especially Jordan, Lindo, Steinfeld and O'Connell.