Movie Review - Sinners

Director: Ryan Coogler
Genre: Horror/ Drama/ Action
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connoll, Delroy Lindo, Omar Benson Miller, Wunmi Mosaku
 
Description: Trying to leave their troubles lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
 
Review: In 1932, the immaculately dressed twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both portrayed by a fantastic Michael B. Jordan, return from Chicago to their home in Mississippi, where they hope to turn an old sawmill into a juke joint. A place where people can have a few drinks and listen to good live music. Their cousin Sammie is an aspiring musician, so they bring him along. Together with Delta Slims, who plays his music at the train station.

This town is not an easy place to live, since its earth is still blood-soaked from the atrocities of the Ku Klux Klan. But music is everywhere, blues is everywhere. The twins manage to open their juke joint and their opening evening already seems very successful. But after about an hour, when the party in the juke joint reaches its climax, the film suddenly breaks loose. And I won’t spoil much for you, but all hell breaks loose. There is a comparison to a Robert Rodriguez movie that I can definitely see, but “Sinners is much more powerful and grandiose, and the horror cuts much deeper than you think.

“Sinners” is without a doubt one of the best films that 2025 has brought us so far. All praise for director Ryan Coogler!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Trial by Fire

Director: Edward Zwick
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade, Chris Coy, Jeff Perry, David Wilson Barnes

Description: The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham (Jack O’Connell), was sentenced to death in Texas for killing his three children even after scientific evidence and expert testimony bolstered his claims of innocence.

Review: A renowned director and some fine actors, accompanied with a strong story: you would think that such a film would find its way to the general public. “Trial by Fire” was released in 2018, but it’s only just now that people are all watching it, since it was added to Netflix.

The film tells the story of Cameron Todd Willingham, a man living in the slums of Corsica, Texas. He looses his three young children in a house fire. After an investigation, Willingham is found guilty of the crime and is sentenced to death. As Willingham is dragged though a rough an tough and unfair trial, he always maintains his innocence. In doing so, he gets the help from Elizabeth, who wants to proof that Willingham was wrongfully accused of murder.

The film is based on a true story and an article written by David Grann. It’s a sad story, you wish has a happy ending. It’s just crazy that this actually happened, and of course in Texas. The state with the most people receiving the death penalty.

Really strong story, well-performed by both Jack O’Connell and Laura Dern and a fulm you really should watch.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Jungleland

Director: Max Winkler
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Jack O’Connell, Jessica Barden, Jonathan Majors

Description: Two brothers (Charlie Hunnam, Jack O’Connell) try to escape their circumstances by traveling across the country for a no holds barred boxing match that becomes a fight for their lives.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 24: A MOVIE WITH A ONE-WORD TITLE
 
Review: We meet two brothers: Stan, a man who once had a charming charisma, but lost it and owes some shady characters a lot of money. And Lion, a boxer who seems to be depending on Stan. But little by little it becomes clear that it’s probably the other way around.
The poster and synopsis of the film make you think it’s yet another boxing movie. It technically is, but the focus is much more on the two brother then on the actual sporting event they are trying get to. We see their lives togethers, how they are always together. Their lives have never been easy, they had to be on their own when they were very young. The result is that they never really got to the point they wanted to be at. It looks like Lion can’t be without Stan, but it’s actually Stan that can live without Lion. Everything Lion does, is because of Stan. Most situations and problems they get into, are due to Stan. Lion’s life would probably be better without him. And a girl named Sky entering his life, makes him disconnect from Stan for the first time.
Charlie Hunnam plays Stan and is the highlight of the film. His performance is powerful and he knocks it out of the park. He doesn’t overshadow Jack O’Connell, who I strong too, but he has the upper hand.
Missed opportunity though is not using the song “Jungleland” by Bruce Springsteen, when there is another song by the Boss playing at the end.
“Jungleland” is a solid drama, carried by Charlie Hunnam.

Rating: 3,5 / 5