Sinners

Movie was so fire that my house’s fire alarm went off mid-way through. On a rewatch, I still can’t believe how much the vampires really seem like a bonus to me, given that this movie is essentially about everyday Black life in the South during the 1930s. Something about Coogler’s style of filmmaking and how they filmed the movie draws the audience in, whether that be through breathtaking full aspect ratio environment shots or the oner when we follow the Chows’ daughter from store to store. Moreover, I was so engrossed the first time I saw this movie that I only recognized the aspect ratio change during the final fight scene when in reality, they use it throughout the movie. I love every character, especially Smoke, Delta Slim, and Annie. Remmick’s desire to use Sammie’s blues music to reconnect with his ancestral culture is interesting because by turning Sammie into a vampire that basically becomes a zombie that can’t self express oneself, Remmick would be erasing Black culture. While Remmick preaches peace, love, and unity, he never mentions that they’d be sacrificing  their cultural identity, something that Coogler argues must be protected rather than relinquished. Coogler’s social commentary is so rich and complex that it’s unbelievable how effortlessly enjoyable this movie is to watch.