Sinners (what to expect)
Scorecard, Vampire showdown, Fantastic 4.
If you follow any film or film-adjacent social media, it would be next to impossible not to see Ryan Coogler being the cultural moment. He’s making videos that break down real film nerd stuff but making it cool, he’s hanging out with Lebron James and talking about how him and Kendrick Lamar are old pals. Hollywood, if you’re reading this, let the man make whatever movies he wants.
Concession Stand Scorecard: Sinners
Temp These Takes: Favorite vampire movies 🧛🏻
Watchlist Worthy: A fantastic trailer drop
This week’s movie - Sinners
Letterboxd Description:
Dance with the devil.
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.
Best Watched With
Your twin.
End credit thoughts
Word on the street is that Ryan Coogler was supposed to make the third Black Panther movie but had a passion project in him and felt if he didn't make it now, he never would. We owe a hug to whoever is responsible for greenlighting Sinners. This just may be the best movie of the year and definitely the best of 2025 so far.
Sinners is Coogler's first original story and fifth time collaborating with Michael B. Jordan—arguably sixth time since he's playing twins. MBJ gives us our favorite performances he's given on the big screen to date. The synergy between himselves is electric and palpable. He may be playing two halves of one brotherhood, but he gives us two different hues of the same vibrant color.
Every aspect of this vampire thriller is steeped in the 1930s Delta and the blues. The costume and set design breathe their life into each frame, the music invokes the spirit into every scene, and the cast's dialects and performances give the movie a pulse.
This movie will easily appeal to the horror crowd but ought to be watched by every demographic. Yes, there is fright to be experienced, yes, there is some blood and gore, but it's not overwhelming enough to make anti-scary folks stay away. It is rich and layered, leaving you thinking several watches are needed to digest fully.
See it on the biggest screen and loudest sound system. And if you’re lucky enough to live in one of these cities, please see it in these theaters who are playing it in the full 70mm IMAX large format:
And stay through the entire credits for two post-credit scenes.
What’s your favorite Vampire movie?
New Mexico Drew
Until I tried to narrow this list down, I didn't realize how much I love the vampire genre. Underworld and Blade make it close to the top, but my two favorite movies are From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Lost Boys. FDTD wasn't my first Tarantino movie, but it was the first one that made me fall in love with his style. But since the vamps don't show up until the final act, I'll give the top spot to The Lost Boys. I was obsessed with the entire vibe of this movie when I was a kid and wanted to be Kiefer Sutherland so bad. Vampire movies. Hell yeah.
Kelly
If Twilight isn’t your favorite vampire movie, that’s fine. We all have the right to be wrong.
Eric
I'm going to be honest. I'm not picking just one:
- Nosferatu (2024) was just a mother EFFING good time for me. It was so dark, and the climax (pun intended) was so twisted. I loved it - perfect Christmas time movie.
- Let the Right One In (2008) A terrifying love story that is also very sad. Imagine Twilight, but Edward is instead David (from The Lost Boys). Wait, that actually doesn't work. Anyways, this is a great, sad, eerie love story.
- Fright Night (2011) was such a fun time for me. I’m mainly adding it here because I never really am susceptible to jump scares like Josh Perez, but this movie had one (not sure if it was even intentional?) that LITERALLY made me jump up in the air and almost yelp.
Josh
Favorite vampire movie is tough so I'm listing more than one (If that's cheating, sue Eric). My gateway vamp flicks are Underworld (2003) and Blade 2 (2002). I watched these two too many times to count growing up so they have a special place in my vampire canon. The vampire movies I have watched the most amount of times are the Twlight Saga. And the most entertaining is actually not a movie but a show. What We Do In The Shadows (2019) is top tier. Super smart and a damn good time.
Sarah
Let Me In (2010) for the sole reason that it was filmed in my high school and hometown. Do I remember anything really about the storyline? Absolutely not. I just remember it was awesome to see my PE locker room on the big screen.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps By Matt Shakman
I’m just as skeptical as the next dork about anything Marvel is putting out these days, but if you give me Pedro and Quinn while appealing to my midcentury modern sensibilities? I’m interested. They finally released a full trailer and the more I see, the more I like. Plus, the Silver Surfer rules so you’ll find me there on opening night.
-NMD
Letterboxd Description:
Welcome to the family.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
Also Directed by Matt Shakman:
WandaVision (2021)
Tune in next week for | The Accountant 2
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