Sinners Proves Cinema’s Future Is in the Past

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As a movie enthusiast, it’s thrilling to see “Sinners” making waves at the box office. However, it’s concerning to imagine the misguided lessons that big studios might draw from this film’s success. Could it be that every studio is now eager to emulate its 1930s setting? Or perhaps we’ll see a resurgence of vampire movies, as if we’ve just exited the shadow of “Twilight” again. History shows that Hollywood often learns the wrong lessons from a hit film like “Sinners,” and there’s no shortage of questionable ideas they could adopt.

It’s clear that audiences have shown a preference for the unconventional, as demonstrated by the success of “Sinners.” Unlike some films, it wasn’t generated by an algorithm; instead, it was a unique creation born from writer/director Ryan Coogler’s mind. One key takeaway from this success would be to continue exploring more unexpected and distinct ideas in Hollywood. Another lesson? The profitable 70mm screenings of “Sinners” suggest that the future of American cinema might lie in revisiting or at least emulating the cinematography standards of yesteryear.

Why Do So Many Modern Films Look Weird?

Using digital cameras for photography isn’t inherently negative; many excellent films with remarkable cinematography have employed these tools. However, the widespread adoption of digital cameras as the standard in Hollywood has arguably lowered our expectations for what constitutes a “good” movie. Early movies like “28 Days Later” and “The Social Network” used the portability of digital cameras to capture shots and angles that would have been difficult or impossible with traditional equipment. Unfortunately, modern motion pictures are often recorded in a rudimentary fashion with poor lighting and stale staging. Their visuals lack the depth and richness that can be achieved when capturing stories on film.

Netflix’s original films, primarily shot on digital cameras with an overly clean and clinical visual style, have accentuated certain aesthetic issues. These images are often devoid of the natural warmth and lived-in quality, giving productions like “The Gray Man” and “The Adam Project” a sterile, artificial appearance that contradicts their high production costs. Regrettably, this trend has influenced many Hollywood films, causing cinematography in both theaters and at home to blur the lines between big-screen and small-screen experiences.

If you catch a brief 15-second ad for titles like Love Hurts, Novocaine, Flight Risk, or numerous other 2025 movie releases on social media, it could be challenging to determine whether they’re premiering at your local AMC or on Hulu. The vivid yet musty visuals in these short ads may not convey the feeling of “must see this in a theater,” even when presented in longer trailers. Since cinema is primarily a visual medium, if a movie doesn’t instantly appear polished and theatrical upon first glance, it could create problems. People generally don’t flock to cinemas to watch movies that resemble The Gray Man in terms of visual quality. The emergence of new cinematography standards for streaming and theatrical films has likely dampened some viewers’ excitement for the theatrical experience.

A typical movie-goer may not be versed in 70mm cinematography, but they might take notice when learning that the film “Sinners” was filmed in this format, or even more so if they come across an entertaining video online of Coogler discussing the different ways to watch “Sinners “. Additionally, the fact that “Sinners ” appeared as a movie even in its shortest commercials strengthened the conviction that this horror film deserved to be watched on the big screen. Movies shot on 65 and 70mm were predominantly produced in the 1950s and 60s, during a time when Hollywood was trying to maintain its edge against increasing TV viewership. Nowadays, this format is playing a role in validating the importance of theatrical cinema for films like “Sinners “.

Keep Up The Old-School Filming Techniques

Regardless of whether you watched it on an IMAX 70mm screen or not, Sinners was still an enjoyable experience due to its exceptional quality on film. The visual appeal of Sinners remained consistent across various venues because it was beautifully captured. Even the intricate cinematography of contemporary blockbusters like The Gray Man can’t surpass this level of quality, regardless of the format it is projected in. In contrast, the traditional shooting style of Sinners made it stand out remarkably well under any circumstances. This characteristic allowed Coogler’s film to distinguish itself from streaming content even in brief advertisements and satisfy its viewers.

Modern films aren’t limited to embracing cutting-edge technology; they often revisit and rejuvenate techniques from the past. For instance, last year’s movie “The Brutalist” was shot using VistaVision, a method not seen in a live-action film since “One-Eyed Jacks” in 1961. On the big screen, it was breathtakingly beautiful, and even still images from the movie exuded an allure that made theater viewing essential. Similarly, “Oppenheimer” in 2023 took advantage of stunning 70mm screenings to breathe new life into this format. Upcoming movies like “One Battle After Another” are also adopting film stock and VistaVision cameras to generate images markedly distinct from their streaming counterparts.

In today’s media-saturated world, it’s crucial that theatrical films maintain a high level of quality and refinement to stand out among the multitude of streaming platform originals. One key factor setting them apart is the striking visual difference between movies like “Sinners” and “The Gray Man.” This distinction immediately communicates to potential viewers that this is a cinematic experience best enjoyed on the largest screen available. Additionally, notable filmmakers such as Ryan Coogler, Brad Corbet, and Christopher Nolan demonstrate an infectious enthusiasm for employing traditional, awe-inspiring camera techniques, which further enhances the allure of these films.

This passion is irresistible and conjures images that instantly feel unique, whether you’re quickly glimpsing scenes from movies like “Sinners” or “The Brutalist” in a YouTube ad. Unfortunately, over the past decade, American cinema has experienced a disheartening drop in cinematography standards. However, films such as “Sinners” provide an enticing glimpse into what’s to come. Today’s talented filmmakers can leverage advanced tools from the past to generate powerful imagery that will captivate tomorrow’s cinephiles. At times, moving forward requires looking back. The use of 70mm filmmaking in “Sinners” is a clear demonstration of this principle and something that Hollywood should emulate again in the future.

Sinners is now playing in theaters.

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2025-04-30 04:41