I have sinned

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I could make this really short and simply say I enthusiastically recommend director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan's fifth outing together, "Sinners."

‘Sinners’ features two Michael B. Jordans. No complaints here. PHOTO FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES

If you won't take my word for it, take Pedro Pascal's. He posted a photo on Instagram from "Sinners" and captioned it with: "Shut the f*** up and go see this movie." 



The less you know about "Sinners," the better. I mistakenly thought this was some kind of period gangster thriller from the trailers. If it's Coogler-Jordan though, I'm on board, it was all that needed to be said. You can stop right here if you want the film to surprise you.



"Sinners" is, to quote Jordan, "so many things." It includes elements of history, lore, race issues, music, southern gothic and has horror, action, drama and even some comedy. There are twists and turns, and yet it successfully comes out as one cohesive, highly entertaining piece. 



The setting is the Jim Crow South, specifically 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return from Chicago to set up a juke joint.

The music, the vibe, the culture and the crowd draw all sorts of supernatural and malevolent forces. The film itself starts with stories about different cultures using the power of music to stir the soul and awaken the otherworldly. 



There's one scene many reviewers have described as "transcendent." You can't miss it — it includes African drummers, a DJ, the Monkey King, a 90's hip hop dude, blues singers and revelers at the club. You'll know it when you see it. James Thomas of the New York Times calls it "a visual expression of Black music's shared DNA."



The cast is outstanding. Jordan delivers (as if we had any doubt); newcomer Miles Caton, who plays the twins' musically talented young cousin, is a revelation; and Hailee Steinfeld (Marvel's Kate Bishop) gets to try something new. Jack O'Connell brings so much charm and humor to Remmick, a villainous vampire, I actually sympathized with him. O'Connor also gets to perform Irish folk music. Joining him are "Mozart in the Jungle's" Lola Kirke and Canadian rocker Peter Dreimanis of the band July Talk.



There's also Li Jun Li and Yao who play a Chinese shopkeeping couple. Grace (Li) handles the grocery for whites and just beside her, Bow Chow (Yao) sells to the blacks. Incidentally, Yao is quite the melting pot of a human being, he's Malaysian with a Chinese father and Filipina mother, a La Salle Singapore education and a current Brooklyn residence.



Fantastic as everyone was, the sublime Delroy Lindo kills it as a blues musician Delta Slim.



"Sinners" is incredibly rich in lore. There are truly more fascinating characters beyond those I mentioned — like the first nations vampire hunters. All the characters in "Sinners" have gone through the wringer of life and seen some things. I would love to learn more about them. There's so much here to turn into a series.



You will leave the cinema reminded there are worse things out there than vampires.



Tip: Stick around for mid-credits and post credits scenes, especially if you're a music fan.