Alexandria, VA – Action adventures and superhero stories have long been the box-office staple of summer’s start. This summer is instead blood red hot with screams. Beginning with last month’s monster hit, “Sinners,” and segueing into a summer-long celebration of “Jaws” at 50, it peaks with a return to Isla Nublar, the setting of “Jurassic Park,” in what may prove to be the most terrifying trip yet with “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
What’s better than Michael B. Jordan in one role? Two! He deftly portrays twins Smoke and Stack Moore in Ryan Coogler’s surprise blockbuster “Sinners.” This is Jordan’s fifth collaboration with Coogler, who wrote, produced, and directed. The film features original music by Ludwig Göransson.
As the title implies, “Sinners” is all about vengeance and redemption, but with a horror twist. At this point, it’s no secret that vampires crash the party while bringing salvation to some of the characters and, to a certain extent, the film. Vampire films are, by their very nature, formulaic. So it’s not about the suspense of what will happen, but WHEN???
Elements of “Sinners” are a wink and a nod to the Blaxploitation genre of the 1970s. Set in Depression Era Mississippi and rife with racism, the sets, cars, costuming, colloquialisms, slang, and diverse musical motifs are transformative for the audience, not just to the bloodsucking undead.
Jordan’s superlative dual performances and Coogler’s direction/adaptation share the star billing with Göransson’s haunting score..It’s all about the blues at Smoke and Stack’s jukebox joint. But notes of traditional southern Black music, folk, and even lyrical Celtic literature were carefully curated by Göransson’s wife, music producer and musician, Serena Göransson.
Much like characters who are bitten, the music and instruments have a rebirth, taking on a life of their own. The score was performed using an authentic 1932 Dobro Cyclops guitar, which Cousin Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore carries and plays from beginning to end. Be sure to stay for the entire credits roll, so you don’t miss the director’s post script and a final mo’ better blues. Sinners is a sizzling, sexy sleeper. After six weeks, the horror flick held the spot for the fifth highest box office earner of 2025, grossing $287 million worldwide. It has a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
If vampire lore and Jordan don’t thrill you, then perhaps it’s time to go back in the water. Stephen Spielberg’s little film about a big fish that precipitated the original summer blockbuster turns 50 on June 20th. Cue the Oscar-winning John Williams baseline…… Da Dum, Da Dum, Dadumdadum…..! Fun fact, in 2013, the iconic theme was used to play off interminable Oscar acceptance speeches. Another fun fact: “Jaws” grossed $260 million in its original theatrical run. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $1.5 billion.
Golden anniversary celebrations began in May with screenings across the country accompanied by live orchestral performances. On Mother’s Day weekend, the score was performed at Symphony Hall by the Boston Pops. You might not know that Williams was the 19th Boston Pops music director, conducting from 1980 to 1993.
Locally, the Alamo Drafthouse held sold-out “Jaws” parties complete with foam shark fin hats and bloody floaties in the drinks.
Over on Martha’s Vineyard, where it was filmed, the anniversary soirée kicks off Memorial Day and continues throughout the summer. Waterfront screenings, special guest speakers, and a themed exhibit are all on the calendar.
Appearances include Robert Shaw’s (Captain Quint) son Ian Shaw, an actor himself. He stars in a comedic theatrical production, “The Shark Is Broken,” based on behind-the-scenes drama during filming. “Jaws” author Peter Benchley’s wife, Wendy Benchley, will discuss her late husband’s writing process for the book and the making of the movie, in which he had a cameo as a news reporter.. She will also speak about their involvement in shark conservation.
Are you a “Jaws” FINatic like me? Martha’s Vineyard is the place to be. I was on island during filming in 1974. The scenes where swimmers race out of the water screaming bloody murder, presumably due to a shark attack, were actually a reaction to the cold South Beach ocean water. Most filming locations remained unchanged for decades, until recently, when a few properties were renovated.
If you can’t get to the Amity Homecoming Weekend from June 19 to 23, Universal Pictures is re-releasing “Jaws,” it will swim into 4K theaters from August 29 until September 4. You’re gonna need a bigger screen when the special extended 50th anniversary Blu-ray version drops June 17. Between immortal vampires, great white shark attacks, and megasaurus monsters roaming the earth, all I can say is “Encore!” The summer of scare is going to be JAW-SOME!!!
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