Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, takes place at 8:00 PM online via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend.

Cinema Lounge is moderated by Adam Spector.

Upcoming Discussions:

On Monday June 16, 2025 at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.

TOPIC: Can Sinners Save Original Big-Budget Movies?

In only a few weeks Ryan Coogler's Sinners surpassed all box office expectations, with $257 million to date ($339 million worldwide). Sinners box office only dropped 5% from week 1 to week 2, illustrating exceptional word-of-mouth. The success came after nearly universal critical acclaim. Best of all, Sinners is not a sequel or a remake. It's not based on any existing intellectual property (IP). For an original film to achieve such success is a minor miracle in 2025.

Why did Sinners defy the odds? How did Coogler's fusion of the Jim Crow South, blues music, and vampires strike a chord with so many people? In a Hollywood so stuck in franchises, mining IP, and self-cannibalization, will Sinners portend a return to big-budget, director-driven creativity, or will studios just try to make their own version of Coogler's masterpiece?

Please RSVP to atspector@hotmail.com and you'll get the Zoom link 1-2 days before the discussion.

The Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, meets the third Monday of every month (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00pm online via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend. Cinema Lounge is moderated by Adam Spector, author of the DC Film Society's Adam's Rib column.