Ryan Coogler's “Sinner” deserves photos and director Oscar nods

Along with Ryan Coogler, author and director of one of Hollywood's quietest earthquake forces, stepping into the academy's long-standing genre and reshaping the game again. A slow-burning psychological horror movie The Sinner is not only a hub for Coogler, but also an announcement.

For more than a decade, Coogler has been a quiet revolutionary in Hollywood, symbolizing the black community, a character similar to our own Christopher Nolan. From documenting the last few hours of Oscar Grant’s life in “Fruitvale Station,” to restoring the “Rock” with “Creed”, to breaking the barriers with “Black Panther” of the culture, Coogler blends personal and political storytelling, bringing personal and political storytelling together, as appealing as a few others.

Now it's Sinners, a certified box office hit single and key babe that can redefine Coogler's career and academy's stale border around horror. And, if there is any justice, it will engrave his name on the shortlist of the best directors of all time - an elite, shameless little list that includes John Singleton, Lee Daniels, Steve McQueen, Barry Jenkins, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee.

Horror has always been the poor stepson of the academy, too loud, too bloody, too strange. "Psycho" (1960) and "Baby of Rosemary" (1968) were left out when they were supposed to rule. There are only rare monsters, such as the Best Picture Champion "Silence of the Lamb" (1991) and the original script Victor "Get Out" (2017) - once broken. But, in a “substantive” world where body horror can win five nominations, “sinner” doesn’t feel like a gamble, more like a moment.

Coogler's long-time muse Michael B. Jordan, shamelessly neglected by "Fruitvale Station" and "Black Panther," now requires Oscar's attention. With him, newcomer Miles Caton tear the screen apart at Sammie's "Missionary Boy" Moore, evoking the gritty charm that once leapt Daniel Kaluuya into mainstream.

Delroy Lindo is one of Hollywood's most overdue actors, bringing a thundering soul, a show worthy of his own flowers, especially after his shocking snub of "Da 5 Bloods" (2020). Surrounded by an ensemble with life: Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li and Hailee Steinfeld. Such actors should force the SAG Awards ceremony to clear space in its top category, and this ensemble validates the Academy’s brand new Best Foundry Oscar. Playing director Francine Maisler will be the ideal number one winner.

Releases of early releases, such as “Dune: Part Two” (2023) and “Previous Life” (2022), remind us that greatness is not seasonal and that “sinners” may wield. Black Panther’s own Oscars began in February, and the calendar is no longer the king as long as the quality can support it.

Coogler’s outstanding craftsman combination – production designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. For Carter and Göransson, a rare Oscar winner might be their future.

Then there is photography of Durald Arkapaw in the fall, each frame soaked in the uneasiness and miserable beauty of the 1930s. Like the TV's "Loki", her glowing frame is dazzling and nominated for an Emmy, she offers amazing works that could eventually lead to a woman taking home the best photography. Only three women were nominated: Rachel Morrison ("Muddy"), Ari Wegner ("The Power of Dogs") and Mandy Walker ("Elvis"). Skeptics wonder if we will win in our lives; after seeing the “sinner”, I believe the answer is yes.

The achievement of "sinners" is seemingly radical. It regards horror as shock, but as soul. It requires the audience not only to fear, but to feel it. It stands at the intersection of survival and memory, the film is personal, both human and haunted. All of this mingles with the red-eyed vampire spirit, haunting the characters on the screen.

For Kugler, the Oscar is by no means the final game. They are at best a byproduct of doing harder things: telling stories, challenging the world harder, deeper and longer. "Sinner" does not require the college to vote. It requires reflection. For some of us, this is one of the movies that should be judged this year.