Re: Movie: SINNERS. Thoughts

Alter Ego · ‎03-12-2010

I saw it in the theaters about a month+ after it opened. Given the hype, I had very high expectations and therefore thought it started a little slow as it introduced the characters. I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but just a byproduct of high expectations. Had so many great scenes - teaching a girl her worth when asked to watch the truck, Smoke’s final scene, etc. I just watched a video discussing the various dance styles from Sammie’s juke performance - very interesting. Think I need to rewatch the movie for that scene alone. I was going to say the women were particularly fantastic, but really all characters were thoughtfully cast. Not one bad part. Would be nice to see some Oscar love, but it is still a vampire movie, so we’ll see.

Citrine1 · ‎03-09-2010

I'm watching the movie as I write this. The only thing that's holding my interest is being about to look at Michael B Jordan. He is yummy.

Luvitorleaveit1 · ‎03-09-2010

We watched it last night. It started off slow as they brought in all the main characters and then wham the action started! Sinners had my attention from beginning to end. I was thinking it would get too scary for me but I made it through. The song at the end with the credits was so soothing and nice.

CANDLEQUEEN · ‎03-09-2010

Haven't watched it yet! Plan to soon though...

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

First, I don't watch horror films. DH and DS do. So when DS came home for our family vacation they talked me into watching it.

DS had already seen it, more than once. He thinks it's one of the best movies he's ever seen. When I watch movies or TV shows I wouldn't ordinarily wouldn't watch we have a thing - he tells me when to close my eyes! In this movie the first time was when the snake was onscreen.

So we watched. I've been a fan of Michael B. Jordan since I saw him in Friday Night Lights. If he doesn't get the best actor award for this something is wrong!

I did close my eyes for some of it, and it was hard to watch some scenes. But the overall movie outweighed all of that. Ten minutes before the end I would have said, "OK - why did I watch this?" But after the last moments in the movie I am convinced it was an incredible movie!

FUN FACT: Jack O'Connell, who played "Remmick," played Louis Zamperini in Unbroken, another great movie IMO. It was hard seeing him play Remmick!

Citrine1 · ‎03-09-2010

@beach-mom I've posted with you long enough to know that i respect your opinion. If you can, please tell me why you and your husband found this movie so good.

It was really only so-so for me. I'm a huge Michael B Jordan fan, a huge horror film fan (although I didn't find it frightening) and a huge vampire fan. What am I missing??

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@Citrine1 wrote:
@beach-mom I've posted with you long enough to know that i respect your opinion. If you can, please tell me why you and your husband found this movie so good.

It was really only so-so for me. I'm a huge Michael B Jordan fan, a huge horror film fan (although I didn't find it frightening) and a huge vampire fan. What am I missing??

Hi @Citrine1 ! I didn't want to watch it. DS was home for vacation and raved about it. He wanted us to watch it. He told me it had good music in it (I like music a lot, but I wouldn't call all of it GOOD music.)

OK. But it's a horror movie. DH and DS love that genre. I do not - at all. And I definitely didn't want to watch a movie that has vampires in it!

DS told me the only thing that would upset me was the end. It also took place near in the South and where the music is incredible.

I liked the history throughout the movie, especially when we saw musicians from the past, present, and future. I liked the settings, costumes, and the whole feeling about the South in that era.

I already knew about the Asian influence in the South. After the Civil War, Asians (mostly Chinese) worked on plantations. Many left to open food markets. In the segregated areas, people saw them as neither black nor white, which is why there were two stores near each other. In the movie we see Grace running across the street to the two separate stores she and her family run.

DH really liked the music and the storyline.

Like you, I'm also a huge fan Michael B. It's hard to believe this sweet actor played these parts! He said he took the role because he had never done horror and didn't like it. It certainly wasn't typecasting!

I started thinking about the movie. It's basically the story of twins who want to return home to make a better life for themselves and improve living conditions in their area, with their young cousin of course!

I liked the end. Despite all of the vampire stuff (which I didn't like) I thought the ending was really great.

I wanted to spend time with DS, and he was so enthusiastic about it, that I gave in! He often challenges me to watch something I wouldn't ordinarily like, like The Last of Us.

Sorry this is so long! Although I would probably never watch this on my own, I'm glad I watched it.

Spoiler ahead!

Spoiler

I did close my eyes during the "last showdown" at the juke, so I missed what happened to Grace. I opened them when Smoke was with Annie at her end. From that moment I thought it was a really good movie. I liked the scene when Sammie started saying the Lord's Prayer and everyone joined in (but somehow I was surprised the vampires did - I thought they would not say those words, but then I haven't seen many vampire movies!) Sammie took care of things. I like how Smoke got revenge on the Klan guy who brought his minions to probably torture and kill Smoke and Stack. I liked it when Annie told Smoke to put out his cigarette and he could hold their baby. And I liked it when Mary and Stack found Sammie near the end of his life and offered him what he didn't want, then they kept their promise to Smoke and left Sammie alone. I also liked the very end when "Sammie" (Miles) played "This Little Light of Mine."

Citrine1 · ‎03-09-2010

Oh my gosh, @beach-mom , thank you so much for such an indepth response. You are actually making me look at this movie in a different light.

You know I, too, enjoyed some of those same things you mentioned -- the manner of dress, the history, the music. And I liked many of the characters. I'm having difficulty understanding why this movie fell flat for me. Maybe I expected more? Maybe I thought it would be scarier? I just don't know.

I'm thinking I should try watching it again, going in with a different attitude. LOL.

Thank you again for your detailed explanation. I'm glad you and your DS got to spend time together! And don't you love it when you don't expect to like something and end up loving it? That's always a plus!

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@Citrine1 wrote:
Oh my gosh, @beach-mom , thank you so much for such an indepth response. You are actually making me look at this movie in a different light.

You know I, too, enjoyed some of those same things you mentioned -- the manner of dress, the history, the music. And I liked many of the characters. I'm having difficulty understanding why this movie fell flat for me. Maybe I expected more? Maybe I thought it would be scarier? I just don't know.

I'm thinking I should try watching it again, going in with a different attitude. LOL.

Thank you again for your detailed explanation. I'm glad you and your DS got to spend time together! And don't you love it when you don't expect to like something and end up loving it? That's always a plus!

@Citrine1 - He DOES get me out of my comfort zone! LOL!

You didn't think it was scary enough??? LOL!

I almost want to watch it again too - now that I know what to expect. There's just A LOT!

But I'll enjoy the music again, even though I will squirm at the language and some of the "romantic" content!

Miles did an amazing job in his first performance. Maybe Best Supporting Actor nomination? It depends on how the Academy votes. These days it seems to be more of a popularity contest to me. And I don't think the Academy honors horror movies much, if at all. But I guess we'll see. Michael B. is certainly a good actor, but in this movie he's amazing. When he was first onscreen I had trouble recognizing him as "Smoke," but I could see him in "Stack."

There are a lot of Easter eggs that of course, I didn't pick up on. I continue to research it! Let me know if you watch it again!

DS has been at a mountain lake with his high school friends. He flies back down tomorrow. Maybe I can talk him into watching it again if they don't get home too late!!

Citrine1 · ‎03-09-2010

@beach-mom I agree about Miles Caton's acting abilities. I would certainly have guessed him to be an accomplished actor and was so surprised to find out this was his first role. He is a true talent!

And, yes, it's true I didn't find the movie that scary. Gory, yes, but not that jump-out-of-your-seat scary. hahahaha

I've got my grandson staying with me for a few days (he's too young to watch), but I will let you know if I end up watching the movie again after he leaves!