DEVIL (2010)

[megladon8]

Shyamalan has written the story for a film to be directed by the Dowdle Brothers (Quarantine). (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/18/new-shyamalan-project-traps-you-in-an-elevator-with-satan/)

The film, tentatively called Devil, revolves around a group of people stuck in an elevator. One of them is Satan.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2043/satanperyvindhaagensenn.jpg

[Spinal]

It is also the coolest high concept I've heard in a long time. The plot of the Shyamalan-produced project was tightly under wraps, but some online sleuthing by Slashfilm this weekend uncovered some hints, including possibly the greatest log line of all time.

The logline: "A group of people are trapped in an elevator, and one of them is the devil."


This is high concept? :|

[megladon8]

Yeah I raised my eyebrow to that as well.

It's something we joked about in Script Writing a lot - there are many "writers" out there who seem to think that anything can be a "high concept" if you just reduce it down to one sentence.

[Qrazy]

Do you guys know what 'high concept' means?

[Dead & Messed Up]

I'd consider that "high concept" - it's an immediately vivid, simple idea. Whether or not it's clever, well-executed, et cetera, is not what "high concept" is about.

[Spinal]

Do you guys know what 'high concept' means?

Yes.

[Dukefrukem]

I don't. But I'll take D&MUs definition.

[Qrazy]

Yes.

Then why do you not find this to be high concept?

[megladon8]

I always understood "high concept" as being just a step up from a genre. At least that's how it was taught to me.

"Alien invasion", "a young man's coming of age story", "good vs. evil in a fantasy setting" - these would be closer to high concept.

A group of people stuck in an elevator and one of them is the Devil doesn't really work. Like I said, reducing a film's plot to one sentence doesn't automatically constitute "high concept".

I could be wrong.

[Winston*]

A crazy one sentence plot outline is how I've always heard high concept described.

[Grouchy]

I also think that's definitively an example of high concept. I always took the term to mean a simple concept that is used to pitch the movie and that can be told in one sentence. Sure, "alien invasion" is a high concept, but its vagueness or long-standing tradition doesn't make it any less high concept than "snakes on a plane", which is unusual, absurd and concrete.

And how is "snakes on a plane" any different from "the Devil in an elevator"?

High concept.

[Boner M]

I can think of few less enticing phrases than "written by M. Night Shyamalan".

[The Mike]

I can think of few less enticing phrases than "written by M. Night Shyamalan".
Was about to say something similar. The idea and directors interest me, but that might keep me away.

[Acapelli]

I can think of few less enticing phrases than "written by M. Night Shyamalan".
a story by m. night shyamalan, the script is written by someone else

[Dead & Messed Up]

I always understood "high concept" as being just a step up from a genre. At least that's how it was taught to me.

"Alien invasion", "a young man's coming of age story", "good vs. evil in a fantasy setting" - these would be closer to high concept.

A group of people stuck in an elevator and one of them is the Devil doesn't really work. Like I said, reducing a film's plot to one sentence doesn't automatically constitute "high concept".

I could be wrong.

From what I was taught, it refers to a specific descriptive sentence used to pitch a story that highlights the main conceit that's supposed to interest people.

One I created for class: "A boy and his dog switch brains, and they have to switch back before it's too late."

An awful idea, to be sure, but high concept. So "Four people are trapped in an elevator, and one of them is Satan" is a nifty high concept idea.

[Spaceman Spiff]

a story by m. night shyamalan, the script is written by someone else

Everything Shayamalan touches turns to shit. He's the anti-Midas.

[Acapelli]

Everything Shayamalan touches turns to shit. He's the anti-Midas.
i love his ideas, he just has a terrible ear for dialogue

[Morris Schæffer]

Well, if the elevator is stuck on the 130th floor of a skyscraper, it certainly wouldn't be low concept.

[B-side]

Well, if the elevator is stuck on the 130th floor of a skyscraper, it certainly wouldn't be low concept.

*rimshot*

[lovejuice]

Shayamalan needs to go back to the basic. stop being meta, and just do a damn good movie. even though i still haven't been inspired by anything of avatar, that's a kinda movie i'm talking about.

[number8]

Examples of low concept:

"During one summer, an autistic boy develops a paternal relationship with his next-door neighbor."

"When his best friend commits suicide, a journalist befriends the grieving parents to learn more about the life of his friend."

"A group of people stuck in an elevator discover what makes each other tick."

Examples of high concept:

"During one summer, an autistic boy develops a paternal relationship with a mob hitman on his last mission... to kill the boy's parents."

"When his best friend commits suicide, a journalist assumes his identity to learn more about the dark side of his friend."

"A group of people stuck in an elevator discover that HOLY SHIT ONE OF THEM IS SATAN THAT IS SOME MAJOR FUCKING DEVELOPMENT RIGHT THERE. SHIT."

[Spinal]

If Satan looks like he does in meg's picture, then the rest of the people in that elevator are morons for not recognizing him.

[Grouchy]

"During one summer, an autistic boy develops a paternal relationship with a mob hitman on his last mission... to kill the boy's parents."
I like this one.

[megladon8]

How much does everyone want to bet that the elevator is going DOWN.

Last stop? HELL.

And the whole movie will be about how each of the people earned their way into Hell.

[EvilShoe]

How much does everyone want to bet that the elevator is going DOWN.

Last stop? HELL.

And the whole movie will be about how each of the people earned their way into Hell.
Movie already exists: Vault of Horror.

[The Mike]

Movie already exists: Vault of Horror.True.

[Dead & Messed Up]

How much does everyone want to bet that the elevator is going DOWN.

Last stop? HELL.

And the whole movie will be about how each of the people earned their way into Hell.

This was my first thought as well, and knowing Shyamalan...probably accurate.

[Spun Lepton]

How much does everyone want to bet that the elevator is going DOWN.

Last stop? HELL.

And the whole movie will be about how each of the people earned their way into Hell.

DING-DING-DING.

[Dukefrukem]

trailer (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/devil/)

I like this trailer a lot...however I'm skeptical.... like most of you probably are too.

[Kurosawa Fan]

That trailer looks awful.

[Ezee E]

It's gotta be the black guy.

Omar Little will save the day though.

[[ETM]]

Yeah, when pretty much the entire film is in the trailer, it doesn't bode well.

[eternity]

Universal has balls for putting "from the mind of M Night Shyamalan" in a trailer. Foolish? Probably.

[Watashi]

Universal has balls for putting "from the mind of M Night Shyamalan" in a trailer. Foolish? Probably.
There's a lot of people who still like the guy.

His films make money.

[eternity]

There's a lot of people who still like the guy.

His films make money.
This is true, even though it seemed like half of my Facebook feed last week had to do with drawing and quartering him. Maybe a bit more than half.

[amberlita]

It's gotta be the black guy.

Omar Little will save the day though.

Man, you had me thinking I was gonna see him.

[Ezee E]

Man, you had me thinking I was gonna see him.
Sure would improve the movie wouldn't it?

[Wryan]

Shoulda set it during Christmas. Totally missed the boat.

[megladon8]

"Devil is a supernatural thriller with M. Night Shyamalan's signature touch."


Why don't they just say "it has a twist ending"?


EDIT: Jen says the twist will be that it was really JESUS pretending to be the DEVIL!!

MUAHAHAHAHAHA!! It's all falling into place...

[Sven]

I would like to know how the Facebook trailer is better put together than this one. Looks kinda interesting to me.

[Sycophant]

Trailer is better than 90% of trailers I've seen recently. I wanna watch this.

[Watashi]

You two are weird.

[Derek]

I would like to know how the Facebook trailer is better put together than this one. Looks kinda interesting to me.

Hmm, probably easiest to bullet point:

- The harp that kicks in at 15 seconds followed by the violin at 19 seconds is similar to what's used in at least 50% of thrillers to the point that it's been mocked in multiple fake trailers.
- First line: "Do I look like such a threat?" Ooh, but we end up finding out she may be a threat...IRONY!!
- Can we get more lame slo-mo shots linked together please?
- Quick zooms are usually a bad idea, but doing one through an elevator shaft to tell us that "Everything...Happens...For A Reason" is nothing short of risible.

Trailer gets a little better after the opening minute of awfulness though, but then they throw in another painful cliche like "One of these isn't who they appear to be!" And then the last 30 seconds, something unique and interesting finally happens with the elevator beeping amidst silence, so at least it gathers a bit of momentum at the end.

Overall, it's not an awful trailer, but not particularly good. Should I point out what's good or original about the facebook trailer in the other thread?

[Sven]

- The harp that kicks in at 15 seconds followed by the violin at 19 seconds is similar to what's used in at least 50% of thrillers to the point that it's been mocked in multiple fake trailers.

As though moody covers of pop songs that apparently have little to do with the movie have never been used before (referring to the Radiohead Children's Choir). Plus, pointing out formula is not a substantial criticism. Formula works--that's why it's called formula. How is this formula not elevated by the content, yet the Fincher film's trailer is? That is what I am asking.


- First line: "Do I look like such a threat?" Ooh, but we end up finding out she may be a threat...IRONY!!

You can't make a billion friends... without making a few ENEMIES! OMG, irony.


- Can we get more lame slo-mo shots linked together please?

I don't know how those shots are lame and super close-ups of Facebook for thirty seconds is not.


- Quick zooms are usually a bad idea, but doing one through an elevator shaft to tell us that "Everything...Happens...For A Reason" is nothing short of risible.

Thriller trailer. The footage is fine, the line is stupid. Again, I direct you to the tagline of the Facebook movie, which is certainly not a bastion of original thinking. You offer a critical tone with little actual reasoning.


Overall, it's not an awful trailer, but not particularly good. Should I point out what's good or original about the facebook trailer in the other thread?

If you want. I would love to be convinced that people are actually considering what these trailers are communicating and not simply riding out their prejudices. If you don't like it, cool, but my curiosity has not been satisfied.

Thanks for the response though. :)

[Watashi]

I think the Radiohead cover has a LOT to do with the movie rather than just a random song plugged over some cool visuals.

I've seen The Social Network trailer about 30 times already.

I've seen the Devil trailer... once.

[Sven]

I just realized that the "thanks for the response" comes off as very sarcastic. I did not intend it to be.

[Derek]

If you don't like it, cool, but my curiosity has not been satisfied.

Mine hasn't either. Your only response to any of my criticisms was that the facebook trailer did it too. So apparently you dislike them both equally?


You offer a critical tone with little actual reasoning.

As do you, although you don't even do me the courtesy of countering my points with reason. You simply say, like a petulant kid, "Facebook trailer did it" over and over. I was only attempting justify what did not work for me in the Devil trailer and you fault me for not defending the facebook trailer, so fine, I will write a defense of the facebook trailer and attempt to explain why it works better. Not tonight though.

[Derek]

I just realized that the "thanks for the response" comes off as very sarcastic. I did not intend it to be.

Did you also realize that "You can't make a billion friends... without making a few ENEMIES!" isn't an ironic statement?

[Sven]

Mine hasn't either. Your only response to any of my criticisms was that the facebook trailer did it too. So apparently you dislike them both equally?

I didn't think you shared my curiosity. In my defense, I originally asked "how is this one worse than the Facebook one?". I was pointing out that your bullet-points, being equally applicable to both trailers, were insufficient as an address to the query.


As do you, although you don't even do me the courtesy of countering my points with reason.

I am the one that asked for something to be proven. I was demonstrating that your points did not really address my question.

[Sven]

Did you also realize that "You can't make a billion friends... without making a few ENEMIES!" isn't an ironic statement?

The irony is that the friends are impersonal and exist on a digital interface, but the enemies are real.

Regardless, your criticism was about lameness, and historically, twisting a bromide around to fit your film for advertising purposes has proven a very lame tactic. Which was why I mentioned the tagline.

[monolith94]

This movie looks like it does a disservice to the Devil.

[Derek]

The irony is that the friends are impersonal and exist on a digital interface, but the enemies are real.

Regardless, your criticism was about lameness, and historically, twisting a bromide around to fit your film for advertising purposes has proven a very lame tactic. Which was why I mentioned the tagline.

I'm not suggesting facebook trailer's tagline is ingenious, but at least the irony you suggest it presents requires a bit of inferring. The irony is Devil's is presented through a poorly cut sequence (the girl saying "Do I look like such a threat" amidst ominous music and the suggestion that any of these people could be dangerous). This hampered again by the overuse of slow-mo. Then there's a thud as the man's hand stops the elevator just-in-time and a key-change followed by "BUT TODAY"...really? Another overused tactic worthy of mockery and as for the "everything happens for a reason", my complaint wasn't so much about the triteness of the phrase, but the way it's presented in the trailer in the quick shot through the elevator shaft.

As for what's good about Social Network, I would say the lyrics for Creep are clearly relevant to a film about social networking - the desire to be seen as more perfect than you are ("I want a perfect body"), subverting one's own true self in seeking acceptance ("I don't care if it hurts"), the need to have constant control of our image and the way we are seen by others ("I wanna have control") and the general self-effacing nature of social networking ("You're so fuckin' special, I wish I was special"). The lyrics fit the subject matter perfectly, yet not in a blatantly obvious way. They suggest the themes that will be presented and the cover hints at the melancholy tone the film will take on. Of course it's going to be laughable to a lot of people because it takes a subject that most would consider unimportant and attempts to get people to examine it closer. The cuts of Facebook images in the opening sequence along with the lyrics posit that what most consider innocuous may have its dangers, not just for the protagonist who is later introduced, but in our own simple interactions and the control we are given in creating an image or persona and the increasing importance and weight given to the end product, the complete profile. It is a wonderful combination of lyrics, images and tone.

As for the rest, I don't want write too much more, but essentially, it is very well-paced and crescendos with the song. I'm not suggesting that it's doing anything completely original, but that it's very effective in communicating what one can expect from the film as well as having weight of its own (ie, Wats watching it 30 times).

[MacGuffin]

Looks like crap. I'd rather just watch a handful of Twilight Zone episodes.

[Russ]

Omar Little will save the day though.


Man, you had me thinking I was gonna see him.
Off-topic, but..

Me too. However, we will get to see "Omar" in Todd Solondz's new film, Life During Wartime. He plays the same character that Philip Seymour Hoffman played in Happiness.

[Ezee E]

Off-topic, but..

Me too. However, we will get to see "Omar" in Todd Solondz's new film, Life During Wartime. He plays the same character that Philip Seymour Hoffman played in Happiness.
Yes. I've seen it. And that's the best scene in the movie for that reason alone.

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.empireonline.com/images/image_index/hw800/43405.jpg

[number8]

Okay, that's kinda clever.

[Watashi]

Okay, that's kinda clever.
Except the inverted cross doesn't have anything to do with the devil. It's the Cross of St. Peter that is grossly misunderstood by atheists worldwide.

[Ezee E]

Except the inverted cross doesn't have anything to do with the devil. It's the Cross of St. Peter that is grossly misunderstood by atheists worldwide.
Eh. I'll let it slide. Most people associate it that way anyway.

[number8]

I knew that, thank you. I mean, the pope sits in front of one. Atheists know this. It's rock stars and Satanists that don't.

The poster design is clever.

[Wryan]

Maybe it's not necessarily an inverted cross but rather a cross...going down.

[Mara]

If Satan looks like he does in meg's picture, then the rest of the people in that elevator are morons for not recognizing him.

Too late to post this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/maragirl/penguins_polar_bear1.jpg

[MadMan]

The poster is cool. The trailer, eh....but the movie could be decent. Who knows? Should I trust M. Night anymore? Probably not.

[Qrazy]

The poster is cool. The trailer, eh....but the movie could be decent. Who knows?

I know. It won't be.

[D_Davis]

This movie looks cool.

Reminds me a bit of Kitamura's Alive, as well as another Japanese film:


http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:3dtAu0N-xpcZiM:http://bt.avistaz.com/imagehost/images/809457hellevator.jpg&t=1

[MadMan]

I know. It won't be.Part of me is hoping that somehow this is a return to the pre-Lady in the Water/The Happening M. Night. The other half is telling me I'm a damn fool. Oh well.

[Qrazy]

Part of me is hoping that somehow this is a return to the pre-Lady in the Water/The Happening M. Night. The other half is telling me I'm a damn fool. Oh well.

He's not directing.

[[ETM]]

Classic MadMan again.;)

[number8]

Oh man, I love Hellevator.

[Skitch]

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:3dtAu0N-xpcZiM:http://bt.avistaz.com/imagehost/images/809457hellevator.jpg&t=1

First thing I thought of.

Maybe the twist is its actually Jesus' second coming...only this time...its personal!

[Dukefrukem]

First thing I thought of.

Maybe the twist is its actually Jesus' second coming...only this time...its personal!

Crucify this!

-WVBQfrQo38

[EyesWideOpen]

Except the inverted cross doesn't have anything to do with the devil. It's the Cross of St. Peter that is grossly misunderstood by atheists worldwide.

:rolleyes:

[Watashi]

:rolleyes:
Huh?

[Skitch]

Crucify this!

-WVBQfrQo38

Juuuuuuuuust drunk enough to laugh myself to tears. :lol:

[BuffaloWilder]

This looks to be a film with the passion of Tennessee Williams.

[Derek]

Huh?

I'm guessing it's the suggestion that atheists are the only ones who grossly misunderstand the Cross of St. Peter.

[Qrazy]

You'd think Christians could have picked something other than the cross to symbolize the religion... I mean yeah yeah we have to remember he died for our sins etc and so forth... but I mean does the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability use a mushroom cloud as their core symbol? I think not.

[Morris Schæffer]

Ah religion. I post one measly poster and watch those replies fly baby.

[Morris Schæffer]

The trailer certainly doesn't fill me with discouragement. Pending the reviews, I might see it.

[number8]

You'd think Christians could have picked something other than the cross to symbolize the religion... I mean yeah yeah we have to remember he died for our sins etc and so forth... but I mean does the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability use a mushroom cloud as their core symbol? I think not.

"Do you think if Jesus comes back, he'd even gonna want to see a fucking cross again? I mean, that's like going up to Jackie Onassis wearing a rifle pendant. 'Just thinking of John, Jackie. Just thinking of John. We love him.' Shit, that's probably why Jesus hasn't come back yet. He's up there going, 'Aw, shit, Dad, they're still wearing those damn crosses! They're totally missing the point. Fuck it, I'll help you plant those dinosaur fossils, dad. Fuck 'em.'"

[[ETM]]

The funny thing about the cross shape is that the Romans didn't really use it for crucifixion - it was most likely a T shape instead.

[Grouchy]

I'm surprised with all the nit picking none has mentioned that the tagline has pretty shitty grammar.

[number8]

"One of them is not what he or she seems" lacks punch.

[Sycophant]

They has pretty much effectively become a gender-neutral third person personal pronoun. Even many old grammar nazis like myself have come to accept that.

[number8]

They has pretty much effectively become a gender-neutral third person personal pronoun. Even many old grammar nazis like myself have come to accept that.

The use of "they" as a gender neutral pronoun is correct, but the "seem" makes it awkward because it's a plural verb and yet the subject is a singular "they." In short, if they wanted to retain the mystery of the gender's subject, this phrase shouldn't have been used at all.

[D_Davis]

They - Function: pronoun, plural in construction
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/they

They seem.

He seems.

One of them is not what they seem.

One of them is not what he seems.

Aren't both correct, depending on the context?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Better taglines, anyone?

"Going Down" has ominous underpinnings, but it also has the same problem as "Good Things Come In Bears."

[Dukefrukem]

How about;

"Floor 666 please.

[MadMan]

;278474']Classic MadMan again.;)

He's not directing.

I don't read the fine print! :P

It would actually be better if he was directing this instead of just writing it.

[transmogrifier]

Tagline is perfectly correct, grammar-wise.

[Henry Gale]

Tagline is perfectly correct, grammar-wise.

And yet, the trailers revise it in such a way that twists it to have a "who".

[Ivan Drago]

The trailer for this played before Scott Pilgrim last night. Didn't expect THAT much laughter.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I've noticed they've dropped Shyamalan's name from the TV spots. Smart move.

[Fezzik]

He's not directing.

He didnt even write the screenplay did he? Its just an idea of his that someone else adapted, if I remember right.

[number8]

Yeah, basically he's starting this line of movies where he comes up with the premise, hire other people to make it, then stamp his name in front of the finished product.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing he did for this movie is say, "So a bunch of people are trapped in an elevator... AND ONE OF THEM IS SATAN. Go."

[Dukefrukem]

This was cool.

[Ezee E]

Can someone just spoil this so I don't have to see it?

[Raiders]

Wikipedia as usual has a pretty detailed plot synopsis complete with all spoilers...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_%28film%29

... so glad I didn't bother.

EDIT: Lame. Both that they took it down and the actual twist that was revealed.

[Watashi]

Not anymore it doesn't.

Film is getting decent reviews. I want to see it. I think it's unfortunate that all the blame is going torwards to Shyamalan when all he did is just come up with the idea of the story.

[Ezee E]

I'm bummed that this is getting a wide release and that I'll probably never get to see Valhalla Rising or Enter the Void on a big screen.

[ciaoelor]

It's like the Saw movies, but PG-13, and instead of the characters getting tortured, they're just killed.

[Watashi]

Just read the ending...

Yeah. That seems mega-lame.

[Ezee E]

No idea, but they never show the old lady in the preview, so I say its her.

[Dukefrukem]

It's like the Saw movies, but PG-13, and instead of the characters getting tortured, they're just killed.

I'ts nothing like Saw...

[ciaoelor]

I'ts nothing like Saw...

Gather a bunch of strangers into one room, gradually they all learn that each of them were selected because they've all done wrong but haven't been punished until now... There are similarities

[Dukefrukem]

Gather a bunch of strangers into one room, gradually they all learn that each of them were selected because they've all done wrong but haven't been punished until now... There are similarities

and hey look! There's also a saw in both movies! The tone, the theme, the killer, and the overall morals of both films are vastly different despite those two similarities.