Day: October 3, 2016

Director: Daniel Stamm

Writer: David Birke, Daniel Stamm (Screenplay) Chookiat Sakveerakul, Eakasit Thairaat (Source Material)

Starring: Mark Webber, Devon Graye, Tom Bower, Rutina Wesley, Ron Perlman, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Clyde Jones

 

Plot: A cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his luck salesman. The game promises increasing rewards for completing 13 tasks, each more sinister than the last.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Intense Thriller

 

Story: 13 Sins starts as Elliot Brindle (Webber) about to get married to Shelby (Wesley) and start his own family but because he isn’t as ruthless in his salesman job he loses his job making it difficult to supporting his mentally disabled brother Michael (Graye) and his bitter father (Bower).

Running out of options a chance phone call promises him money for doing something as simple as killing a fly once complete Elliot gets a second phone call with the promise of more money for a task. With two challenges down Elliot get offered a chance to enter into a game to complete in 11 more challenges to get more money that could change his life forever.

When the challenge starts to become very twisted it grabs the attention of Detective Chilcoat (Perlman) but just how far will Elliot will go for the money.

13 Sins gives us a horror thriller that pushes our character to the limit which is why I do think this is a very enjoyable. I will say it starts out slow and puts the character in a position that you would expect them to take the challenge by not knowing how far they would be pushed. This helps us think this would be hard to say no to. I will say this really pulls you in but I do think the certain moments at the end feel forced.

 

Actor Review

 

Mark Webber: Elliot Brindle is a down on his luck salesman who is about to get married, have his own child all while supporting his mentally disabled brother and alcoholic father. When he gets phone call he gets a chance to end all of his money troubles by completing a set of challenges, this will test Elliot to the very limits leaving us to wonder how far he will do. Mark is great in this role making us feel like he really is an average man struggling.

Devon Graye: Michael Brindle is the mentally disabled brother of Elliot who is about to find himself back in a home if his brother doesn’t find money to support him. Devon seems like an important character that just seems to get forgotten through the final outcome of the film.

Rutina Wesley: Shelby is the fiancée of Elliot who is getting ever so upset with Elliot on the day of the challenges because he is coming off distant but her relationship is important to everything that is happening. Rutina is basic in this supporting role because we don’t get the screen time.

Ron Perlman: Detective Chilcoat takes the case that Elliot finds himself causing him to discover what has been happening for years. Ron is solid in this supporting role that has a moment that is worth the wait nearer the end.

Support Cast: 13 Sins has a supporting cast that is included in the game in ways you have to figure out how they are involved.

Director Review: Daniel Stamm – Daniel gives us a thriller that is shocking in places as we just have to see how far we see our character go.

 

Horror: 13 Sins has gore moments that shock but filled with suspense around the gore.

Thriller: 13 Sins keeps us on edge as we wonder what will happen next in the game.

Settings: 13 Sins doesn’t have the most iconic locations which helps make us think it is in a small city but with the bigger picture of the game doesn’t work.
Special Effects: 13 Sins has great special effects used throughout with the gore factors.

Suggestion: 13 Sins is one for the horror fans to watch. (Horror Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: Final twist.

Worst Part: Slow starting.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Similar Too: Would You Rather, Cheap Thrills

 

Oscar Chances: No

Budget: $4 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

Tagline: You don’t play the game. It plays you.

Overall: Surprisingly entertaining horror thriller keeping us guessing throughout.

Rating

 

Director: Bernard Rose

Writer: Bernard Rose (Screenplay)

Starring: Carrie-Anne Moss, Xavier Samuel, Tony Todd, Danny Huston,

 

Plot: A married couple of scientists create a modern-day monster.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Brilliant Re-Imagination

 

Story: Frankenstein starts by jumping straight into Viktor (Huston) and Marie (Moss) creation Adam (Samuel) in a modern day hospital as they deal with the same issues all new born have to. When Adam becomes infected with a disease and his suffering becomes apparent the scientist decides to do what is best and have him put down, but Adam doesn’t stay dead awakening with inhuman strength.

Adam escaping the compound learns about his sense along in the wilderness. Befriending a stray dog Adam finds people but because he has been taught anything his interactions get a negative acceptance from the world leading to him not being accepted.

Frankenstein is a story we all know well a scientist makes creature that gets rejected by the world. This time we get a modern spin on this where most of the science is ignored because let’s face it we just don’t need this anymore, but this time we get to see the creatures point of view which is fresh feeling to the story meaning we only need to start the story when he awakens. While certain aspects are just re-workings in the modern day they all come off intriguing from start to finish.

 

Actor Review

 

Danny Huston: Viktor Frankenstein is the scientist that has created Adam using all the latest technology on his side. He tries to treat Adam like a subject rather than a son which makes it easier when tough decisions need to be made. Danny is good in this supporting role.

Carrie-Anne Moss: Marie is the wife of Viktor who treats Adam like a son which helps his development at the early stages but she quickly disowns him once he becomes sick. Carrie-Anne is also good in this supporting role.

Xavier Samuel: Adam is the monster created, born to be the perfect creation with no imperfection but soon the decomposition comes around to take over his body making him look like the monster we all know. He travels the world alone not understanding his own strength while trying to learn about the world that doesn’t want to accept him. Xavier really is the star of the show here where he truly does shine through this performance as we see the story from his point of view.

Tony Todd: Eddie is the blind homeless man that is the first to befriend Adam because he doesn’t know the full monstrous side to Adam. He tries his best to accept him teaching him things about the world. Tony is good in this supporting role which you can see he has a lot of fun with.

Support Cast: Frankenstein has a small supporting cast with on Wanda a hooker getting that many lines as we see her learn the true shock of the body of Adam.

Director Review: Bernard Rose – Bernard gives us a brilliant twist on the Frankenstein story that brings the story into the modern era.

 

Horror: Frankenstein uses the kills that are brutal for the horror elements.

Thriller: Frankenstein does keep us on edge as we follow Adam’s story.

Settings: Frankenstein throws Adam into a modern day LA to trying and make it on his own which works to show how difficult it could be for any stranger.
Special Effects: Frankenstein has brilliant make up to make Adam look like the monster even if the final shot comes off slightly weak CGI.

Suggestion: Frankenstein is a film that I think most people will enjoy and I will be recommending for any horror fans out there. (Horror Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: Beating the shit out of the cop who killed Adam’s dog for no reason.

Worst Part: Some people will want to see more on the scientific side.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

Tagline: Man is the true monster.

 

Overall: Refreshing re-imagination of the classic that is brutal when needing to be.

Rating