Sing Sing

Best movie I have seen in some time. Cast was extraordinary. Colman Domingo is incredible. The filmography is very unique and really sets the tone. The plot was well crafted and paced. I was very moved by this movie. Definitely worth watching on the big screen. Movie is based on a true story about the theater program Reformed Through Art at Sing Sing. Many characters are played by former members of the program. The emotional range of the characters in this movie is extremely compelling. I was moved to tears several times throughout this movie. This movie is touching and heartwarming-it explores hope and grief and redemption. Just profoundly lovely.

Caught this film last night at a blind preview at our local theater complex. Probably wouldn't have opted to see it if I'd have known what it was but I'm grateful I did. Moving, honest portrayals by some of the participants in the program it depicts (particularly Clarence Maclin and Sean Johnson) and the work of Colman Domingo are it's strengths. The cinematography and direction add to the sincerity of the performances by not overwhelming them and taking an approach that feels like the viewer is witnessing the conversations and events instead of consuming them. Thought provoking. Understated. Sincere. Not flawless but really well done.

While this new independent film distributed by A24 is set inside a prison in New York, it is less of a "prison movie" in the conventional sense and more of an emotionally impactful and inspiring drama about how art--particularly theater--can rehabilitate people in need of rehabilitation. The film's depiction of this issue is genuine and heartfelt, and forms the cornerstone to a generally engaging story. Colman Domingo plays the protagonist, who is incarcerated but helps lead the prison theatre group.

The film takes a bit of time to truly get going, but it still remains gripping and engaging. Domingo's performance is great, showing understated emotion in a way that makes a strong impact on the viewer, while also radiating a deep sense of compassion. The supporting actors are all excellent as well, and many of the supporting cast members apparently have been formerly incarcerated. The incorporation of the theatre program into the narrative creates comic relief, but also pathos and powerful bonding between the inmates and the program director. "Sing Sing" isn't perfect, as the character development of the supporting characters could have been improved, but its beating heart and thoughtful, humane tone is genuinely moving and memorable. Gladly recommended. 8/10.

"We're here to become human again." Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Occasionally a movie comes on the scene, and not usually in the summer, so naturalistic and unadorned, so brimming with humanity and the restorative nature of the arts, that it cries out, "Don't forget me at Oscar time!" Such is Sing Sing, set in 2005, when John H, Richardson's Esquire article The Sing Sing Follies was published.

Notorious as the prison was, its theater activity, like the therapy program at Folsom prison, provided a ragtag group the chance to mount theater productions aimed at elevating their spirits and their very souls. The sterling docudrama, headed by Oscar-winning Colman Domingo as founder Divine G, and real-life Clarence "Divine Eye" Macklin as Divine Eye, is so authentic and artful, that nothing this year can quite compare. Most of the cast either are alumni or current residents of the prison, where "Kill or be Killed" was a disturbing mantra, changing now as: "To put on nice clothes and dance around. To enjoy the things that are not in our reality."

The troupe creates a bizarre production, Breakin' the Mummy's Cord, that includes among others Shakespeare, time travel, and Freddy Kreuger. The transformative element is best exemplified by Divine Eye, who discovers an artistic side that far eclipses any success he may have had as a covert art dealer.

Never during the film does even the muted violence of many other top-rated tales like Shawshank or Alcatraz appear, assuring the elevation of spirit that accompanies the arts. "Sing Sing" is itself a work of art crying out to be considered the best movie of the year so far and one of the finest prison movies ever offered on the screen.

"I don't write comedies. I write satires," Divine G.

Saw this movie as one of those Mystery movies where you do not know what you are seeing until you get there. I enjoyed this movie even tho this wouldn't of been a movie I would of watched in the theater. I had a couple tear jerking moments and realizing half the cast was the actual prison theater crew is impressive. I was almost going to walk out when I found out it was Sing Sing but the movie Grabbing my attention and kept me in my seat till the end. Again the the cast was most of the prisoners that was part of the theater group and they actually did a really good job considering they only exp they had was in Prison.