31 Days of
Drafts and Darkness: VOL 2!
"Devil" (2010)
We don't often think about it, but marketing can really kill
a film well before its release. While tonight's feature was getting
previewed in theaters, it was known more as a laughing stock than scary movie. But this had
nothing to do with the premise.
The mockery came only from the bold
"Produced by M. Night Shyamalan" that displayed at the beginning of
each "Devil" preview. YouTube couldn't get enough of moviegoers
trashing the film based solely on Shyamalan's involvement.
Personally, I think "Devil" deserves a second
look. It's not fair that the film was dismissed as quickly as it was, because there are some neat story elements at play. While not the perfect thriller, "Devil" offers up an intriguing mystery that doesn't resort to rampant bloodshed to be
creepy. The premise and plot are simple on
the surface but keep you guessing right up until the climax.
Of course there's a twist. But you'll never see it coming.
The Plot:
"Devil" starts out with twin plot threads that
slowly merge. We begin our tale with Detective Bowden
investigating an apparent suicide off a Philadelphia skyscraper. Having
recently lost his wife and son to a drunk driver, Bowden's struggling to start
life up again. This is one of his first cases back on the force, and will turn
out to be one of his darkest.
In that same apartment building, an elevator breaks down,
stranding five passengers aboard. None of them know each others, but each
seems a bit shady. When the security guards take notice over the security cam, strange things begin to happen to the trapped passengers. Lights
begin to flicker on and off, and one of the trapped woman winds up with a
strange bite on her back. Everyone aboard begins turning on one
another while the guards consult detective Bowden.
Turns out, one passenger isn't who they seem. The suicide
was no random occurrence. Neither is the elevator's breakdown. Every attempt to
repair it results in a progressively more violent calamity.
Four souls walked
into the elevator, each with a dark past. Passenger number five has their eye
on those souls, looking to have some fun before sending each to hell.
The Flavor:
In my opinion, this film gets an unfair reputation.
"Devil" may have a corny moment or two, but most
of the film is built on very effective dread. The slow breakdown of what seems
a mechanical issue to something more nefarious is gradual. We learn that each
person aboard has something to hide and are constantly switching our guess as
to who the hidden devil could be. The film is very good at throwing out red
herrings. Just when you think you know who's lying, something will happen to
immediately alter your suspicions.
The elevator is a cage, and its resident animals are slowly
picked off. Whenever the lights go out, you can bet something nasty is about to
happen. The sense of panic during these moments is real. As an audience member,
you're only left to hear what's going on in these moments Scuffling, screaming,
then silence. Once the lights return, someone is dead.
With murders going on, the pace is swift. You'll find
yourself thinking rapidly alongside Detective Bowden. As the story unfolds, his
investigation reveals more and more info about who each rider is and why
they're at the building. We eat up this information, connecting the dots as
they slowly emerge, hoping to find an answer before there's no one left to
save.
There are moments of violence, but nothing in the way of
gore. "Devil" draws its scares from paranoia rather than ick-factor. The
real hook of the film is its "Ten Little Indians" vibe, though with
some demonically-raised stakes. It may not be terrifying, but it's certainly
thrilling.
Best Paired with:
If you're feeling a Halloween film with more intrigue than
bloodshed, "Devil" provides an energetic ride. Best seen in a group,
this is the sort of movie that'll have everyone throwing out theories during
its run time. Don't be surprised if you pause the movie often, 'cause there are
a lot of plot and character details that come up.
This may sound annoying, but it's really quite fun. "Devil" turns into its own murder-mystery game, challenging its viewers to play
along from scene to scene. Thus, I'd recommend playing the film in a party
setting. Just make sure everyone's quiet enough to pay attention to all the
little hints.
Accompanying Brew:
Too easy.
Name: Hop Devil
Brewery: Victory
Where Brewed: Downingtown, PA
ABV: 6.7%
Style: IPA
I had to sum up Hop Devil in one word, it'd be 'bold'. This brew
doesn't play around, it goes full-throttle on the hoppy side.
Color: Heavily golden
in color, almost to the point of being orange.
Aroma: Not shockingly, hops are at the forefront of this
brew's scent profile. They have a very fresh and slightly-citrus character to
them. Perhaps a bit of pine, as well.
Taste: Hop Devils delivers its namesake flavor in one big,
hoppy punch. The bitter character certainly takes the forefront here. Specifically, spicy
and piney hop flavors are boldly pronounced. A bit of citrus flavor is also in the
mix, but it's more forward on the nose than tongue. Those less used to
hops may find themselves overwhelmed here. The flavors are intense. For
anyone who's a fan of IPAs, Hop Devil certainly doesn't skimp on the potency.
There's also a bit of sweetness in the background.
Aftertaste: This brew has a very strong taste that sticks to
the tongue and proceeds well into the aftertaste. A full minute or two
after a sip and you'll still find the bitter hop flavors alive and well on
the back of the tongue. Nicely, a lot of the pine character sticks around with
the bitter, giving the aftertaste depth. The sweetness fades away after moments.
Body: This brew's got a heavier body than I would've
expected. There's a mouth-coating quality to it that really
distributes the hop flavors all across the tongue and top of the mouth. Though
not what I'd call an Imperial IPA with only 6.7% ABV, Hop Devil certainly feels
like it's getting close to that territory. This packs more of a bite than many
IPAs I've tried in recent months.
Pair: Hop Devil isn't
about subtly. Rather, it seeks to blast you with as much hop flavor per sip as
possible. If you're a hop person, you'll be in Heaven. Pair this brew up with
sweet and savory flavors, as the hoppy beer with reset the palate in between
each sip.
No comments:
Post a Comment