Sinners2025-04-28
Vancouver, BC
Going into this, knowing that Warner Bros had backed up the Brinks truck for it, banking on Ryan Coogler like a first overall pick, my expectations were pretty high. Somehow, this exceeded them! I was probably most curious to see how this played out as a cinematic spectacle, with it being heavily promoted for its presentation in premium formats, especially because it simply being a horror film makes it so distinct from the kind of film that normally gets this kind of buzz. Thinking films belonging to familiar IPs, or are backed by the direction of a household name like Christopher Nolan, recent examples of course being Dune: Part Two and Oppenheimer, respectively. So pleased to see that this totally warranted all the technical hype; just seeing the aspect ratio expand in real-time is so awesome.
The storytelling here is top notch -- I've always been a fan of films that take place in one day and/or night (After Hours, Collateral), and this one fits right in with that kind of sub-genre. The set-up throughout the daytime is killer. As night falls, and the film starts to settle in, there's a ten minute or so section that feels like the Coogler and co are absolutely flexing their film-making muscles. The kind of stuff that reminds you why movies are just so damn awesome. You'll know it when you see it.
While I do think it trudges along a bit when it starts to enter a kind of Knives Out-esque claustrophobic familial dispute (or more accurately, fraternal dispute). But it kicks right back up again when it goes full horror mode. Maybe it could use a bit more gore? But I get it, don't want to go full on body horror and scare away the casuals.
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Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, in IMAX. A real shame that there's really no option for Canadians on the West Coast to see any kind of limited event 70mm run like this one had, but it was still a phenomenal experience in digital IMAX. Full house on a $5 (or like $10 in this case) Tuesday!
The storytelling here is top notch -- I've always been a fan of films that take place in one day and/or night (After Hours, Collateral), and this one fits right in with that kind of sub-genre. The set-up throughout the daytime is killer. As night falls, and the film starts to settle in, there's a ten minute or so section that feels like the Coogler and co are absolutely flexing their film-making muscles. The kind of stuff that reminds you why movies are just so damn awesome. You'll know it when you see it.
While I do think it trudges along a bit when it starts to enter a kind of Knives Out-esque claustrophobic familial dispute (or more accurately, fraternal dispute). But it kicks right back up again when it goes full horror mode. Maybe it could use a bit more gore? But I get it, don't want to go full on body horror and scare away the casuals.
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Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, in IMAX. A real shame that there's really no option for Canadians on the West Coast to see any kind of limited event 70mm run like this one had, but it was still a phenomenal experience in digital IMAX. Full house on a $5 (or like $10 in this case) Tuesday!