INDIE REPORT – DEVIL’S MILE
Devil’s Mile
***1/2
Review by Justin T. Bowler
@IndyFilmTwittic
“Devil’s Mile” is inventive, well-crafted and innovative (unlike the idiots who are running the PC game platform, Steam (by the Valve Corporation)).
Hollywood is constantly trying to re-create itself. The same stories are told over again and again and again. The successful ones are retold in a new fashion that adds to it in some way (keep the quality storytelling and give us something new and meaningful, too). A great example is “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014). It is a spectacular film (90% on Rotten Tomatoes). It is a recycled story from the past, one of eight films in the franchise, yet, not only was the story great, but also, through the use of new technology that didn’t exist in any previous time, Andy Serkis brought a humanity to Caesar that never existed before. It’s an old story, but not the same old product (I wish all the companies in my life would apply this logic to creating new innovative products). Innovation can also be illustrated in the storytelling. A great example is “Memento” (2000). It is also a spectacular film (92% on Rotten Tomatoes). The movie is a simple story about revenge that has been told a hundred times before, but, half of the story is told in reverse order. It’s an old plot, but not the same old product (movie studios, and companies all over the planet, need to adopt this idea. They must evolve and grow their products with their target audience or they will be doomed to push the same schlock crap forever (I’M TALKING TO YOU, MAKERS OF PC GAMES!)). All of that being said, “Devil’s Mile” happily adopts this philosophy.
Right off the bat, the first ten minutes of “Devil’s Mile” gives you so much more than the average horror film (most horrors are low budget, linear, and almost never surprise you). Told in a non-linear story line, this movie cuts straight into a scene that grabs you, while intercutting with the set up to the story and the opening credits. It cut away from every scene before I got bored, BRILLIANT. I knew it was going to be good filmmaking. From the gate, they were ahead of the curve and…
Two days before I watched “Devil’s Mile”, the Valve Software Corporation gave me the metaphorical middle finger (well, specifically, the “Customer Service” team at Steam, the gaming platform and distribution wing of the Valve Corporation, gave it to me) (Here’s the thing, it was more than just a middle finger. It was a middle finger after they had tricked me into letting them rape me) (The worst part is, and yes it gets worse, I don’t think they were even smart enough to know that they were doing it to me) (Seriously, they were a special kind of ignorant). Hmmmm.
Ten minutes into the story, we know three things. First, we know two girls have been kidnapped (the kidnappers’ plan has not been going well because they are not exactly a “cohesive team”). Second, we know a few things about later on that seem VERY different than the present. Third, we know it’s a horror story and the Devil and a mile MIGHT have something to do with it (after all, the title is “Devil’s Mile”). But, the most insightful clue is…
Two years ago, I bought a PC game from Target: Total War: Shogun 2. First, I registered that game under my Steam account at the time. Second, two weeks ago, when I tried to play that game, it wouldn’t finish installing because “the game was registered to a different account.” Third, if the name of this review was called Devil’s Computer, you would have more information. Hmmmmm.
David Hayter, you might know as a writer (“X-Men”, “The Scorpion King”, “X2: X-Men United”, “Watchmen”) or you may be like me and know him for his voice in video games (anything in the Metal Gear series, Star Wars: The Old Republic). He plays the no-nonsense dick of the kidnapping group. He has wonderful comical and dangerous moments throughout. I especially liked…
Two weeks ago, I contacted Steam Customer Support (only to find that name is more of an ironic nickname… kind of like calling a big guy “Tiny”). I filled out a form online (this technology company didn’t have live chat). I received an automatic reply informing me, someone would get back to me in 24 hours. I was not contacted for three days. Then, their response did not address my problem. Hmmmm.
Maria del Mar (she has been in a ton of stuff, but I knew her from ’24’) plays the been there/done that kidnapper with a checkered past. She has a conscience, but, only to a certain degree. The moments that some actors would consider intimidating, she shines best. Specifically, she…
Eleven days ago, I sent another message to Steam “Customer Service” (ironic nickname) regarding my problem. Once again I received an automatic reply that said they would get back to me in 24 hours. A pattern emerged: three days later I got a response. Their response, once again, did not address my specific problem. Hmmmm…
Casey Hudecki (known mostly for stunts according to IMDB) was the standout in the group. I was surprised that I hadn’t seen her before, because she was dynamite. As the unofficial lead, she carries the film and acts as the audience’s ears and eyes. It’s her journey we are on. She was incredibly well cast: believable in every moment (which can be difficult to do in a horror film), never too casual, or indicating… she was just a wonderful discovery. We will be seeing more of her, no doubt. Marvel could use her as…
Seven days ago, I checked the online forums, and found directions on how to prove that a game was mine. So I submitted the proof to “Steam Customer Service” (they just as truthfully could be called the “Leprechauns of Dreamland” because they provide neither customer service nor insight into the Steam platform). Once again, I got an automatic e-mail that said someone would get back to me within 24 hours (this repetitive pattern won’t end). Two days later, I got another response from “Leprechauns of Dreamland” telling me how to reset my account and password. Once again, it DID NOT HELP my situation. Their software was still claiming that the game I purchased from Target was registered to someone else. Hmmmm.
With a great cast in place and a simple story, our director takes us on a new and innovative journey. Because writer/director Joseph O’Brien writes in a non-linear fashion with almost esoteric cutaways, it creates a Fellini feel right in the middle of his horror film. It’s greatly to be admired. Those extra shots…
I wasn’t sure if my PC game’s problems stemmed from the Valve Corporation having a lack of leadership, a lack of new ideas, and a lack of ingenuity, or if this was a problem due to lazy lower-level employees. Clearly, this was not a well-planned dynamic of a modern organization. This seemed like an archaic attempt to keep me on an endless touch tone phone menu. WTF?
However, I have to note that O’Brien is crafting something much more intricate than a mere homage to a great filmmaker. It is only later, one sees those cutaways, however esoteric, are not only called for, but, absolutely necessary to complete this vision. The payoff is…
When I have problems with my Xbox membership, I can go to Live Chat immediately. Someone takes care of the problem instantly. How is it a software company DOESN’T EVEN HAVE LIVE CHAT? WTF?!
I certainly recommend “Devil’s Mile” to horror fans and filmmakers alike.
This was despite the fact that I sent the proof according to Steam’s guidelines, and they STILL did not fix the problem. ARRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, like many horror films, “Devil’s Mile”, at its base, has been done before, but, O’Brien has crafted a meticulous project that most filmmakers could learn from. Furthermore, Hollywood loves this idea. Take something the audience knows, and innovate it for modern times. With this in mind, I am sure it is only a matter of time before O’Brien will be doing much larger films for studios. Legendary Pictures should…
No wonder PC game makers are not doing as well as console game makers. They still have the customer service that they had in 2005. Meanwhile, their audience and the rest of the world, has grown more sophisticated. And more demanding. Steam has not evolved, so they are left with a sub-standard product and nicknames that are not flattering: “Valve time”. If you don’t know about it, click here:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Valve+Time
What I know is… I spent money on a game for my PC, I was forced to register that game (PS and Xbox don’t even make you do that), and now, I cannot play it, and the people who distributed the game won’t/can’t/are-not-smart-enough-to help me overcome this problem that they created.
3.5 out of 4 stars for horror fans (you should see “Devil’s Mile”)
3.5 our of 4 stars for filmmakers (you should see “Devil’s Mile”)
0 out of 4 stars for the Customer Service of The Valve Corporation (DON’T BUY ANY PC GAMES FROM THEM)
Your indie film reviewer,
Justin Bowler
@IndyFilmTwittic
PS. No wonder Steam is being sued.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/29/service-valve-australian-consumer-watchdog
“Devil’s Mile” is available on VUDU, Google Play and AMAZON
