MOVIE REVIEW: SINNERS

 

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Genre: Action, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 2h 17m

Review:

Sinners echoes more than a few beats from 1997's From Dusk Till Dawn but Ryan Coogler elevates the pulpy material with his lush visuals, a multilayered script and stellar cast.  Coogler's trek through the Jim Crow era south instantly pops off the screen with its distinctive look and feel as we follow identical twins, Smoke and Stack, return to Mississippi.  He slowly weaves musical elements into the narrative to create something truly special exemplified by a time blending set piece that marks one of the film's highlights.  It’s a slow burn early on, as he gives his characters and actors time to breathe before moving into the film's gleefully gory final act. Coogler takes full advantage of the collection of immensely talented cast led by Michael B. Jordan in dual roles.  Jordan is pitch perfect in both roles, giving each of the twin’s distinctive personalities paired with a believable sense of fraternal affection for each other.  Each character carries so much subtext intertwined with each interaction that is makes for another fascinating performance from Jordan proving again that Coogler knows how to bring out the best in him.  Miles Caton making his screen debut as Sammie Moore, the twins’ younger cousin, leaves an impression throughout thanks to his baritone voice and musical talents which are on full display.  Hailee Steinfeld and Delroy Lindo both make the most of their screentime with memorable supporting turns that leave you wishing the film had used them more.  Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson are both solid but their character's feel like they needed a tad bit more fleshing out to really leave a more substantial impact.  Jack O'Connell makes for an intriguing villain as the Irish vampire who unleashes the vampiric plague on the unsuspecting town.  O'Connell gives the character an unpredictable feeling with him being able to turn from understated to menacing in an instant.  There's plenty packed into his backstory much like the Sinner's story overall which leaves you with plenty to chew on even after the credits roll.   

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: BABYLON

 

Decadence, depravity, and outrageous excess lead to the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers in 1920s Hollywood.

Director: Damien Chazelle

Cast:  Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Tobey Maguire

Release Date: December 23, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Drama, History

Rated R for strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity, bloody violence, drug use, and pervasive language.

Runtime: 3h 9m

Damien Chazelle's Babylon is a frenetic, overstuffed film that's engaging but terribly unfocused.  Chazelle opening sequence plays like Eyes Wide Shut through Baz Luhrmann's lens but with a lot more bodily fluids.  It’s a kinetic introduction to primary characters and setting overall.  The excess on display is indulgently, outrageous on multiple levels but there's a tangible sense of energy and melancholy pulsating through the screen.  The impressive thing is that Chazelle keep that energy going for the better part of the film even though you get the sense that it would have benefited from some selective editing.  A tighter film would have focused its characters, themes and story particularly in its uneven and off kilter final act.  Even though the film loses itself on multiple occasions the cast makes it an easier pill to swallow by delivering impressive turns across the board.  Brad Pitt is excellent as the fading silent film star who used to be the biggest name in Hollywood. Pitt easily carries the earlier portion of the film with his charisma which works perfectly for his character however his more nuanced and subtle work in the back half of the film is much more impressive. Margot Robbie is equally impressive as the overnight starlet who’s destined to flame out in short order.  Robbie's manic energy is perfectly suited for her character who can best be described as a squirrel on cocaine.  It’s hard to take your eyes off her when she's onscreen but we never get under her skin as she remains an enigma who's just out of reach.  Diego Calva's wide-eyed Manny exemplifies that as he serves as the film's beating heart.  Calva has a likable onscreen presence that plays well even when he's onscreen with his bigger name stars.  Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li both deliver fascinating supporting turns, but their characters are underserved to the detriment of the overall film.  It’s a glaring misfire since the film has more than enough time to focus on their characters than it ultimately does even though their story threads are just as important as the others.  Ultimately, Babylon the kind of film that's trying to say too many things at once.  There are a few moments in its final act where the characters vocalize the themes Chazelle is trying to address but his lack of focus keeps them from landing the way they should.

B+