By John Corrado
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is one of the most acclaimed and financially successful films of the year, finding that sweet spot as a critically lauded original blockbuster that took off with general audiences as well. The film is now available on 4K Ultra HD.
Michael B. Jordan stars in the dual role of twin brothers who go back to their Mississippi hometown to open their own juke joint. The cast is rounded out by Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld and Delroy Lindo, with Jack O’Connell as the villain.
The story mainly unfolds over the course of a day, with Coogler slowly building tension and seamlessly melding genres, from 1930s period drama to horror. I was a fan of this one when I caught up with it in theatres (you can read my full review right here), and the 4K disc offers a compelling at-home viewing option.
The film was shot on 70mm, and the 2160p resolution does justice to Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s frequently stunning cinematography. The 4K disc also maintains the film’s shifting aspect ratios as it was presented in IMAX, expanding from 2.76:1 to 1.78:1 during specific scenes (including that stunning musical sequence). All in all, a solid physical media release for one of the year’s best films, and an early Oscar frontrunner.
Film Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)
Bonus Features (4K Ultra HD):
The 4K disc comes with a number of bonus features, including a healthy amount of behind the scenes material and a selection of deleted scenes. A code for a digital copy is also included in the package, which ships with a matte slipcover.
• Dancing with the Devil: The Making of Sinners (32 minutes, 39 seconds): Coogler is joined by his wife and producing partner Zinzi Coogler to talk about bringing the film to life, from delivering the initial script to Warner Bros. in just two months, to working with the cast and crew, shooting on IMAX film cameras, and pulling off that one-take musical sequence.
• Blues in the Night: The Music of Sinners (13 minutes, 47 seconds): Composer Ludwig Göransson talks about composing his exceptional Delta Blues-inspired score, and developing the musical aspects in the film.
• Thicker Than Blood: Becoming the Smokestack Twins (10 minutes, 47 seconds): A closer look at how they pulled off the twin effect of Jordan’s dual role, through a mix of split screens, a body double, visual effects, and digital facial replacement.
• Spirits of the Deep South (8 minutes, 0 seconds): Looks at the real life African-American practise of Hoodoo, and how it informed the film.
• The Wages of Sin: The Creature FX of Sinners (10 minutes, 53 seconds): Looks at the prosthetic makeup effects used in the film, from gnarly bite wounds to vampire teeth.
• Deleted Scenes (Play All – 18 minutes, 32 seconds): Several moments that were cut for length, as well as extended versions of scenes in the final film.
• Farmhouse Dinner (1 minute, 43 seconds)
• Juke Building Montage (2 minutes, 42 seconds)
• Sammie and Slim Talk at Piano (1 minute, 25 seconds)
• Slim Plays “My Preachin’” (4 minutes, 27 seconds)
• Mary and Annie Talk About Gumbo (1 minute, 24 seconds)
• Joan Watches Cornbread (56 seconds)
• Jed Sermon and Steal Away (6 minutes, 16 seconds)
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