13 Sins (2014)

That was an excellent one.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I was not surprised when I saw that this movie was kind of a remake from an Asian movie that was released in 2006. Only Japanese horror movies can get as gore as this. I liked the idea a lot, when everything is falling apart, you will take whatever is put in front of you. The ending was special with a very good plot twist like a cherry on the top. The gore scenes were pretty well made, altho there were some flaws with the police acting like the police in GTA, as stupid as it can be, but still, a pretty good movie. Scary and entertanining. 7/10

A voice on the phone takes people on a life and death ride for cash prizes. Elliot Brindle is a meek nice-guy salesman expecting a promotion but gets fired instead. He cares for his mentally handicapped brother Michael. He's in debt and his girlfriend Shelby is pregnant. He's forced to take in his angry racist father who is getting evicted. He gets a phone call claiming that he's on a hidden camera show. The voice tells him that he could win prizes for completing 13 challenges. At first, the tasks are relatively easy and the money is real. Soon, manipulations force him to continue the dangerous game and any failure would take away the money already won. Police detective Chilcoat (Ron Perlman) takes on the seemingly random series of petty crimes by the same man.This is a Blumhouse production and a remake of a Thai horror. It needs a bigger name in the Elliot lead. Also, Elliot is too deliberately oblivious. With the threat to take away his money, he should play it safe by taking out the cash and closing his account. Of course, the voice can come back by upping his credit card charges. At least, he needs to show the brains to try to resist. It's an intriguing high concept idea but little nagging issues do persist. It's not really about the 13 challenges but rather a changing personality. In that sense, I do see the concept bearing some fruits.

A man down on his luck finds a telephone in his car. It rings. They offer him a deal. Kill a fly for $1000.And when he does, he goes home to check his bank account. It's there. So he does the next challenge. He eats the fly for just over $3500.Now he's told he's been chosen for a game. And that he will be required to fulfill 13 tasks, for which he will be compensated in ever greater quantities, the further he goes.Things get a little out of hand too...he sets a church on fire, gets arrested, breaks out of jail, shooting a cop in the process...among other things...Eventually, he finds out, he's in this game against another player...and only one can win the millions at stake.But things get too real for him, and he decides to quit...while trying to stop the other player from going any further.But it's the last challenge...and the very well might be up against each other.There are a couple twists thrown in there...some work well...some kind of unnecessary.But it's an entertaining film all around- with lot's of gore and some dark humour to top it off.Certainly worth a watch.5.5 out of 10.

13 SINS is the American remake of the Thai horror film 13: GAME OF DEATH, which is well worth watching for anyone interested in the subject matter. It goes without saying that this remake is by far the inferior movie, although those who haven't seen the original might enjoy it regardless. The story is about a down-on-his-luck guy, struggling financially, who finds himself tasked with performing a series of tasks in return for money.The stakes start off low but gradually build to more and more extreme situations. The budget for the film is low but the events staged are quite convincing, although it's unfortunate that some of the better tasks from the Thai original are skipped over. The main actor isn't particularly good but Ron Perlman is effective as the dogged cop investigating the case. The usual gamut of shocking scenes, bad taste moments, and gore are enough to keep this little story watchable.