Monday, September 10, 2012

HERE COMES THE DEVIL: 5 Movies With "The Devil"

Are you excited about Adrián García Bogliano's new movie, Here Comes The Devil? We are!

Bogliano's film is the latest chapter in a particularly malevolent history of movies with "The Devil." And I mean that literally. The words "The Devil" are in the titles of the movies themselves.

Here are five other movies with "The Devil" for you to ponder.


1. The Devil Rides Out, 1967
Christopher Lee and his moustache must save his friend from being inducted into an evil satanic cult involving a charismatic leader named Mocata, portrayed by Charles Gray a.k.a. Blofeld a.k.a. The Criminologist from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. If that wasn't horrific enough, he must also contend with something known as the Goat of Mendes, which you must see to believe. Groovy Baphomet imagery and histrionics also included; this is a Hammer Production, after all.


2. Race with the Devil, 1975
Exploitation legend Jack Starrett directed this suspenseful tale of two couples who are vacationing in a giant R.V. when they "accidentally" witness what appears to be a satanic ritual. Scare quotes used, because come on: It was the '70s! They never saw The Devil Rides Out? Pffft. The aforementioned race ensues when all the Satanists get mad at the group for watching their little soiree and proceed to chase Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit, and Lara Parker for many miles. (It's actually a pretty great movie, but don't tell the Satanists.)


3. The House Of The Devil, 2009
Director Ti West (The Innkeepers, V/H/S) assembled an excellent cast in cult and horror legends Mary Woronov and Tom Noonan as well as amazing newcomer Jocelin Donahue for his tribute to previous Devil-themed fare. This note-perfect '80s-style horror flick is genuinely scary. You'll never forget the chilling line "Are you not the babysitter?" Trust me.


4. The Devils, 1971
Not just one Devil, but many. Ken Russell's legendary and controversial film has only recently been released on DVD in the UK (albeit absent its most infamous segment). It's as over-the-top as anything Russell ever created, featuring searing performances from Oliver Reed as a lusty, devout Catholic priest and Vanessa Redgrave as the world's nastiest nun. The Devils is forever relevant.


5. I Saw The Devil, 2010
This Korean film is not about satanic cults, but it is terrifying and violent. The way director Jee-woon Kim addresses murder, revenge, and morality elevates this unforgettable movie out of the oft-maligned "torture porn" genre and into something entirely different and far more profound. The Devil in question is perhaps the one inside of all of us.

We're not sure if any of these movies influenced Here Comes The Devil, but it's probably a good idea to see it anyway.

HERE COMES THE DEVIL screening times:
Tues., Sept. 11th, 6:00PM, BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA
Wed., Sept. 13th, 7:00PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3
Sun., Sept. 16th, 3:30PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 4

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