Monday, April 21, 2014

13 Sins and 13 Bloody Challenges: A Movie Review

Director: Daniel Stamm.

Writers: David Birke and Daniel Stamm.

Cast: Mark Webber, Devon Graye, Tom Bower, Rutina Wesley and Ron Perlman.

13 Sins is an indie horror feature from The Last Exorcism (2010) director Daniel Stamm and a trio of production companies. The film takes it source material from a horror film from Thailand, titled: 13: Games of Death (2006). This viewer has not seen the earlier film, so comparisons cannot be made. On its own, 13 Sins is a solid thriller, with actor Mark Webber playing a troubled protagonist. Everything goes wrong for his character, Elliot. Fortunately, Stamm's directing style keeps events interesting as the protagonist fights against unseen forces. 13 Sins is a solid indie thriller, which offers lots of dark comedic bits.

The story is told through the eyes of Elliot. He is a man down on his luck. Recently, Elliot has lost his job and a new baby is on its way. He must also deal with a mentally disabled, younger brother and a cantakerous father. All of these elements are placing this central character in financial ruin. But, lo and behold, a mysterious caller comes around and offers Elliot thousands of dollars to perform benign tasks. He eagerly accepts the lure of easy money, but the caller demands that Elliot take greater and greater and bloodier and bloodier risks. Soon, Elliot is immersed in a bloodsport, with several other players and there can be only one winner!

13 Sins offers a few light moments of dark humour. For instance, Elliot is in a park with his fiancee, when he receives a new challenge. Elliot must make a young girl cry, within 5 minutes. This perceived door mat of a character steps up to the challenge. The result is troubling, but also comedic. Also humurous, Elliot is displayed on wanted posters for "child abuse," later in the film, for this incident. These are trumped up charges and worthy of a laugh. As well, Elliot is tasked with sawing a man's arm off, which he does with haste. He takes his victim to the hospital and drops off the man's arm with a ziplock bag and ice. The graphic display is unsettling, but also worth a chuckle. It seems Stamm and writer David Birke have found a way to make all of the horrifying bits comedic, too.

The film's tagline is: you don't play the game; it plays you and this snippet describes much of the film's plot. Elliot is so hamstrung by his financial situation that he has no choice on whether to the play the game or not. He has to play the game to pay the bills and look after his family. He is not a protagonist faced with a moral choice; he is compelled by his situation to participate. However, Elliot does manage to pull himself away from this dangerous game, near the end. Yet, like the Mafia, you cannot leave the family and this viewer wonders if Elliot can actually walk away from the game. A sequel might be needed to answer this open-ended question.

13 Sins is a well produced indie thriller, which is a little predictable. All of the shooting is well done and camera angles and ranges are diverse. All of the action is shot very well. Though, plot elements sometimes come across a little flat. Elliot must face an anonymous group of powerful manipulators. And, a confrontation between Elliot and his oppressors is coming, sooner rather than later. It would have been more appealing to see Elliot pull the curtain back, in order to reveal the antagonists. Still, the film delivers a few unusual moments, involving a Weekend at Bernie's (1989) scenario. Much of the action onscreen delivers excitement.

13 Sins was released through video-on-demand formats in March and the film is currently playing through a limited theatrical screening. Fans of indie thrillers will find something to enjoy here. Webber portrays the dilemmas of his character well. And, many of the scenarios are delivered with intensity. 13 Sins is a film in good company, with others involving treacherous games (The Game, Cheap Thrills). But, this incarnation could have used a few more surprises to set itself apart.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (good acting, well produced, some interesting scenarios, a little predictable).

A trailer for the film is here:

A 13 Sins Trailer on 28DLA


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