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https://blackgirlnerds.com/smoke-and-stacks-ties-to-al-capone-in-sinners-were-more-than-possible/
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a recently released vampire horror movie set in the 1930s, is absolutely killing it at the box office. Having earned more than $300 million worldwide at the time of writing, Sinners is now ranked the #6 horror movie in the past five years, and the highest-ranking horror movie this year, at least thus far. Sinners follows two twins, Smoke and Stack (masterfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan), who return to Clarksdale, Mississippi, after eight years in Chicago, with the intention of opening their own juke joint.
Beyond its vampires, which account for the horror element of the film, Sinners is actually steeped in the 1920s and 1930s American history. Because of that, the film also depicts the brothers’ troubles with systemic racism plaguing the entire country, while also referencing a few real historical figures. These include the father of the Delta Blues Charlie Patton and the iconic Chicago gangster Al Capone. The mention of the latter heavily implies that Smoke and Stack were, or at least set out to become, associated with the notorious Chicago Outfit.
The first half of the movie is largely dedicated to Smoke and Stack buying a sawmill from the racist landowner Hogwood to open their own juke joint for the local Black community. The movie then follows the two as they make arrangements for the opening night of their new business. One of Clarksdale’s residents recognizes Smoke and asks why he isn’t in Chicago working for Capone. This is a brief mention that’s easy to miss, but it implies that Smoke and Stack’s success resulted from gang affiliations and association with Capone’s criminal empire.
Al Capone, the infamous gangster, led the Chicago Outfit, a powerful Italian American crime syndicate, alongside Johnny Torrio in the 1920s, until his imprisonment in 1931. At its peak, the syndicate was involved in a wide array of criminal enterprises, including bootlegging, illegal gambling, prostitution, loansharking, extortion, political corruption, and drug trafficking. While its leadership was mostly Italian American, the broader operation was far more diverse than pop culture often suggests.
The truth is that Al Capone regularly employed people and groups of many backgrounds, including Black, Polish, Jewish, and other ethnicities, as trusted associates and essential cogs of his crime machinery. This inclusivity didn’t stem from political correctness or any sense of moral enlightenment. Instead, it was rooted in pure pragmatism, as Capone’s vast bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering empire needed a wide network to keep the operation running smoothly and profitably.
Furthermore, Scarface (Capone survived a knife to the face) was known for working with just about anyone who could help expand his power and profits while leading the Chicago Outfit. So, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Smoke and Stack were associated with the mob during their time in Chicago. The mere mention of Al Capone adds a ton to Smoke and Stack’s backstory and signals that the twins’ time in Chicago involved direct contact with the city’s underworld, likely as associates of Capone’s Outfit.
Sadly, the movie never actually reveals whether or not it was true Smoke and Stack worked with Capone during their time in Chicago. Given that the narrative is set in 1932, one year after Capone was convicted for tax evasion, it’s entirely possible that they returned home following Capone’s downfall as the head of the Chicago Outfit. However, it’s also possible that the resident who engaged Smoke simply assumed that the brothers, who had gained a reputation even before they went to Chicago, were, at least at one point, associated with the criminal organization.
We also have to take the fact that the brothers returned to Clarksdale with plenty of cash and a truckload of Irish beer and Italian wine, which further implies that the twins had gang ties in Chicago. Now, just how they got their hands on that liquor remains a mystery. It’s entirely possible that they took the opportunity in the midst of Al Capone’s arrest to derail a shipment of alcohol their way.
One thing the film doesn’t fail to specify is the brothers’ good business sense (Smoke especially), but given their ties to a world of vice, it becomes quite obvious that they didn’t come by the money and booze to open the juke joint through any honest means. And opening the joint fast and getting rid of the alcohol by serving it to patrons could just be another way of dealing with the evidence of their crimes. Whatever the case may be, the opening night eventually comes, and everyone’s having fun while Sammie, an aspiring guitarist, plays his music.
The music ends up attracting the attention of the Irish-immigrant vampire Remmick and his minions, and from there on, the night turns into pure supernatural chaos. But perhaps the most damning (pun fully intended) bit of evidence suggesting Smoke and Stacks connection to Chicago’s most famous gangster would be Stack’s use of the Tommy Gun towards the end of the movie. As this weapon was nearly synonymous with Chicago gangsterism back then, it’s quite possible that this smoking gun (pun not intended here) is what makes the final connection to the gangland itself.
In the end, Sinners is a beautifully detailed movie; it’s a blend of several genres ultimately bathed in blood and horror. While its historical context and the mention of a few historical figures are integral to the film’s plot, its crime drama, historical realism, and horror teach us that the true terror lies not in fantasy monsters but in human cruelty and white devilry, as we’ve previously discussed.
The post Smoke and Stack’s Ties to Al Capone in ‘Sinners’ Were More Than Possible appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a recently released vampire horror movie set in the 1930s, is absolutely killing it at the box office. Having earned more than $300 million worldwide at the time of writing, Sinners is now ranked the #6 horror movie in the past five years, and the highest-ranking horror movie this year, at least thus far. Sinners follows two twins, Smoke and Stack (masterfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan), who return to Clarksdale, Mississippi, after eight years in Chicago, with the intention of opening their own juke joint.
Beyond its vampires, which account for the horror element of the film, Sinners is actually steeped in the 1920s and 1930s American history. Because of that, the film also depicts the brothers’ troubles with systemic racism plaguing the entire country, while also referencing a few real historical figures. These include the father of the Delta Blues Charlie Patton and the iconic Chicago gangster Al Capone. The mention of the latter heavily implies that Smoke and Stack were, or at least set out to become, associated with the notorious Chicago Outfit.
The first half of the movie is largely dedicated to Smoke and Stack buying a sawmill from the racist landowner Hogwood to open their own juke joint for the local Black community. The movie then follows the two as they make arrangements for the opening night of their new business. One of Clarksdale’s residents recognizes Smoke and asks why he isn’t in Chicago working for Capone. This is a brief mention that’s easy to miss, but it implies that Smoke and Stack’s success resulted from gang affiliations and association with Capone’s criminal empire.
Al Capone, the infamous gangster, led the Chicago Outfit, a powerful Italian American crime syndicate, alongside Johnny Torrio in the 1920s, until his imprisonment in 1931. At its peak, the syndicate was involved in a wide array of criminal enterprises, including bootlegging, illegal gambling, prostitution, loansharking, extortion, political corruption, and drug trafficking. While its leadership was mostly Italian American, the broader operation was far more diverse than pop culture often suggests.
The truth is that Al Capone regularly employed people and groups of many backgrounds, including Black, Polish, Jewish, and other ethnicities, as trusted associates and essential cogs of his crime machinery. This inclusivity didn’t stem from political correctness or any sense of moral enlightenment. Instead, it was rooted in pure pragmatism, as Capone’s vast bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering empire needed a wide network to keep the operation running smoothly and profitably.
Furthermore, Scarface (Capone survived a knife to the face) was known for working with just about anyone who could help expand his power and profits while leading the Chicago Outfit. So, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Smoke and Stack were associated with the mob during their time in Chicago. The mere mention of Al Capone adds a ton to Smoke and Stack’s backstory and signals that the twins’ time in Chicago involved direct contact with the city’s underworld, likely as associates of Capone’s Outfit.
Sadly, the movie never actually reveals whether or not it was true Smoke and Stack worked with Capone during their time in Chicago. Given that the narrative is set in 1932, one year after Capone was convicted for tax evasion, it’s entirely possible that they returned home following Capone’s downfall as the head of the Chicago Outfit. However, it’s also possible that the resident who engaged Smoke simply assumed that the brothers, who had gained a reputation even before they went to Chicago, were, at least at one point, associated with the criminal organization.
We also have to take the fact that the brothers returned to Clarksdale with plenty of cash and a truckload of Irish beer and Italian wine, which further implies that the twins had gang ties in Chicago. Now, just how they got their hands on that liquor remains a mystery. It’s entirely possible that they took the opportunity in the midst of Al Capone’s arrest to derail a shipment of alcohol their way.
One thing the film doesn’t fail to specify is the brothers’ good business sense (Smoke especially), but given their ties to a world of vice, it becomes quite obvious that they didn’t come by the money and booze to open the juke joint through any honest means. And opening the joint fast and getting rid of the alcohol by serving it to patrons could just be another way of dealing with the evidence of their crimes. Whatever the case may be, the opening night eventually comes, and everyone’s having fun while Sammie, an aspiring guitarist, plays his music.
The music ends up attracting the attention of the Irish-immigrant vampire Remmick and his minions, and from there on, the night turns into pure supernatural chaos. But perhaps the most damning (pun fully intended) bit of evidence suggesting Smoke and Stacks connection to Chicago’s most famous gangster would be Stack’s use of the Tommy Gun towards the end of the movie. As this weapon was nearly synonymous with Chicago gangsterism back then, it’s quite possible that this smoking gun (pun not intended here) is what makes the final connection to the gangland itself.
In the end, Sinners is a beautifully detailed movie; it’s a blend of several genres ultimately bathed in blood and horror. While its historical context and the mention of a few historical figures are integral to the film’s plot, its crime drama, historical realism, and horror teach us that the true terror lies not in fantasy monsters but in human cruelty and white devilry, as we’ve previously discussed.
The post Smoke and Stack’s Ties to Al Capone in ‘Sinners’ Were More Than Possible appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
“The Church on Ruby Road” gave us a really cute Christmas special starring the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday. We met Ruby’s delightful family, including her loving adoptive mum Carla and her witty gran Cherry. Her neighborhood is also delightful, including her neighbor Mrs. Flood, played by Anita Dobson. The special teases an ongoing mystery about Ruby’s biological family but something strange is also going on with Mrs. Flood, too. She breaks the fourth wall at the end of the Christmas special as well as the season finale and it makes us all wonder what’s going on with her.
We may discover something wild about her in season two (more on that later) but we probably won’t get an explanation for why she’s breaking the fourth wall. As RadioTimes reports, Russell T Davies spoke with SFX and said that Mrs. Flood breaking the fourth wall does have a reason but he may decide to keep it under wraps. “That hasn’t been explained, and it might never be, frankly,” said Davies. “It’s very interesting, within the Doctor Who offices, we know exactly why that happens and yet I’m showing no sign of putting that on screen.” He said an early draft of “The Star Beast” explained why, but he doesn’t feel the need to explain it at this point. Well, that sure is something…
Who is Mrs. Flood in Doctor Who? Let’s dig into how she appears throughout season one and what we could see in season two.
Near the beginning of the Christmas episode, Ruby Sunday comes home with two handfuls of groceries. We watch her neighbor Mrs. Flood argue with Abdul, another neighbor, about a large object that she’s sure he put on the sidewalk. That object is none other than the TARDIS. Abdul insists he knows nothing about this blue box. Ruby comes up and Mrs. Flood, who calls her Rubes, complains to her as Ruby looks at the box with lots of curiosity. She asks Mrs. Flood what it is and her neighbor says it is a police box. She admits she hasn’t seen one on the streets of London in around 50 years… and doesn’t want to see one now.
Later in the episode, Mrs. Flood is walking home when she witnesses the TARDIS dematerializing. Of course, she’s in shock and drops her shopping bags. After the Doctor returns from saving baby Ruby in the past, he parks the TARDIS on the other side of the street. Mrs. Flood is rather chipper and waves hello to him. When he comes back out, they have a short conversation, including Mrs. Flood asking who he is. Predictably, the Fifteenth Doctor just says he’s passing through and she tells him to take care. At the end, Ruby comes out to inquire about the Doctor and Mrs. Flood points her to the TARDIS. Strangely, she calls her Ruby and wishes her good luck. Mrs. Flood is even nice to Abdul, who is shocked to see the TARDIS disappear. She then turns directly to the camera and says “Never seen a TARDIS before?”
Further along in the season, we see Mrs. Flood in “73 Yards.” Ruby returns home after the Doctor’s disappearance and devises a plan with her mom to figure out who the mysterious lady is and why she’s following Ruby around. Mrs. Flood comes out of the house, asking Ruby if she’s “having a good time” and questioning why she’s standing in the street talking to her mom on the phone. She says “nothing to do with me” and then scurries away. Again, she doesn’t seem to be perturbed by anything weird going on around her.
Her last appearances in the final two episodes are even stranger. Mrs. Flood volunteers to look after Ruby’s grandmum while Carla goes with her to UNIT to figure out more about Ruby’s birth mom. While there, she’s quirky until everyone leaves. Then, she goes dark, saying that she will not be getting Ruby’s grandmum a cup of tea. She tells Mrs. Sunday that she’d be very careful because there’s a storm coming in. She breaks the fourth wall again and says “he waits no more,” which we now know is Sutekh.
As they disintegrate, Mrs. Flood says that she has been hiding away and had “plans.” What kind of plans?!
Does Mrs. Flood Have a Connection to Clara Oswald or Others Like the Rani in Doctor Who?
When Fifteen saves everyone, she calls him a “clever boy,” which is a phrase that fans recognize from back when Clara Oswald was his companion. She called him a clever boy and that’s interesting considering Mrs. Flood’s wardrobe with sweaters and collared shirts looks a lot like what Clara would wear. Quite a few fans are picking up on this.
What Is Going on with Mrs. Flood in Doctor Who?
In the very final scene of the finale, she turns into a narrator of sorts, saying Ruby was having a happy ending but the Doctor’s end would be full of absolute terror. She’s wearing a white fur jacket with a hood and gives us a menacing “night night” before the episode ends. This outfit looks a lot like what Romana, a Fourth Doctor companion who was a Time Lady, wore before. Mrs. Flood hints that she’s been hiding herself away. Is she the Rani (an anagram of “rain,” which can cause a flood)? She’s been hinting at hiding herself away and the Rani, a renegade Time Lady and nemesis of the Doctor, hasn’t been seen in a long time.
So, what’s up with this lady? Is Mrs. Flood is a villain? Maybe. She could be yet another god that this Doctor must face. And that would make Ruby’s story all the more interesting considering a great threat lived next door to her. Who knows what Russell T Davies has in store.
Mrs. Flood Returns in Doctor Who Season Two
In the Doctor Who season two trailer, we saw Mrs. Flood (or at least someone who looks and sounds just like her) at an interstellar song contest. She’s sitting beside an alien and says that she loves a good show. So it is pretty clear that she’s much more than just some friendly and weird old lady next door.
Speaking of being the old lady next door, the first episode of Doctor Who season two features Mrs. Flood, who also seems to be Belinda Chandra’s neighbor. She seems to be shocked by the robots abducting Belinda but then switches gears and wishes her a cheerful “bye-bye.” The Doctor arrives and Mrs. Flood purposely hides, breaking the fourth wall again and saying “You ain’t seen me!”
In the next episode, she appears at the end after Belinda and the Doctor save a theater full of people (and the world) from Lux. She encourages a few of them to watch the TARDIS disappear, saying that it’s a great show that will end in May. This certainly means that she has something to do with why Belinda and the Doctor cannot return to Earth.
And, in episode three, which takes place many thousands of years in the future, she appears on a screen at the end. She’s supposedly Squadron Leader Chinchappa, the commanding leader of the research team they encountered. During a debrief, a survivor of the events speaks to Mrs. Flood and tells her what happened and about the Doctor’s TARDIS. Mrs. Flood even asks about the Vindicator, which thickens the plot. In the following episode, Mrs. Flood appears in a flashback/vision of a hard day in Belinda’s life, but doesn’t really do anything.
Why is she so hellbent on following the Doctor and taking him down. How is she everywhere? Welllll….
Mrs. Flood is the Rani in Doctor Who Season Two, Actually
Mrs. Flood is the Rani, that’s how. She’s a renegade Time Lady who is back after many years away. To read more about her, check out the below article.
Originally published December 25, 2023.
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Tucked inside of Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District, is Vista Parkside Market, a dynamic multi-concept space that’s home to standout brands like Sip & Sonder, the trailblazing Inglewood-born coffeehouse, and Seoul Sister, a bold Korean-fusion eatery that defies expectations. Together, these concepts are doing more than serving great food and drinks, they’re reshaping what inclusion looks like at one of the most iconic destinations in the world.
Sip & Sonder, the beloved Black women-owned coffeehouse rooted in the soul of Inglewood, has arrived, bringing with it more than just expertly crafted coffee. Its presence at Disneyland isn’t just a business expansion; it’s a statement. Blending rich flavors with even richer heritage, Sip & Sonder is amplifying Black excellence in a space where joy, imagination, and storytelling reign.
Lindell Skinner, General Manager for Downtown Disney spoke with media at a private event to discuss not only the milestone celebration the park is having right now, but also immense transformation Disney has had and how it’s impact has continually evolved to reflect the world around it.
“One of the most exciting reflections of that progress can be found right here at Vista Parkside Market, a vibrant, multi-concept space that celebrates culture, innovation, and community. From the rich brews of Sip & Sonder — led by two dynamic Black women redefining coffee culture — to Seoul Sister’s Korean-style patisserie and GG’s Kitchen’s crave-worthy comfort food, this space is a microcosm of modern creativity. With views of the Southern California sky, flyovers in the evening, and music that fills the patio, it’s more than a market, it’s a movement. And with new concepts on the horizon and more Black-owned excellence making its mark, now’s the time to show up, sip slow, and celebrate what’s next.”
Sip & Sonder’s presence at Disneyland is more than a business milestone, it’s a cultural statement woven into the fabric of a space that has long been seen as a symbol of dreams. By bringing Black excellence, community-rooted entrepreneurship, and authentic storytelling into the heart of the magic, Sip & Sonder reminds us that representation matters in everyday experiences like grabbing your morning coffee. As Vista Parkside Market and Downtown Disney continue to evolve, this moment marks a meaningful shift: where inclusion isn’t a trend, but a standard. So next time you’re here, take a moment to slow down, savor something bold, and recognize the power of what’s brewing.
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