The Conjuring

The Conjuring...2013...rated R...112 minutes...starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston...written by Chad and Carey Hayes...directed by James Wan

Renown paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are asked to come to the farmhouse recently bought by the Perron family. The family has been afflicted with supernatural events that have escalated into moments of sheer terror. The mother, Carolyn, is desperate to find some way to protect her girls. So the Warrens agree to help, despite Ed's reservations that another case will be dangerous for Lorraine. Let's just say that Ed was right to worry.

When I wrote the review for "Insidious", which is another James Wan film, I said that it wasn't perfect but that it was damn good and I was very happy to find something damn good in this genre. In some ways, I think Mr. Wan topped himself with "The Conjuring". The opening sequence, where the Warrens are relating the details of another case, sets up the feel of the movie in short order. I was also quite pleased with something a friend of mine, Dan Marcel, pointed out: the effects on this movie were physically done for the most part. I've found...and of course, fearless reader, you may agree or disagree...that physical effects work better in horror movies than a plethora of CGI. The realism of the effects build a more believable atmosphere; a necessity when dealing with the supernatural.

The plot isn't exactly surprising, and runs in a fairly traditional manner. I didn't find this choice to be a minus; I was on the edge of my seat enough that a strange plot twist was not required. I did like the fact that the film actually had a bit of restraint at the end...there were a couple of moments where I thought that overused devices might happen, and was refreshed that the movie didn't follow those choices. The best sign for me that I was "in good horror hands" is that a scare moment is shown in the previews, I saw the moment coming, and while I didn't jump, I was still creeped out.

I think I've made my point...this movie is a great haunted house movie, perhaps a bit old-school. James Wan aptly demonstrates that he paid attention in those old-school classes.

4.5 games of "hide and clap" out of 5

The Amityville Haunting

The Amityville Haunting...2011...86 minutes...starring Luke Barnett, Casey Campbell, Devin Clark, and Steven Dell...directed by Geoff Meed

Oh, look! Someone found film footage about another family who decided to brave living in the Amityville house. I'm sure they settled in nicely and everything was nice and quiet. No? Murder and supernatural mayhem? I'm shocked...SHOCKED, I say.

I'd love to give this film a full review, but I honestly can't. If you've read my sporadic blog, or even just skimmed the titles, you'll know that I have a fairly strong stomach when it comes to bad movies. I've made it through some real hounds. But for the first time in recent memory, I actually stopped a movie and said "No more!" I think I made it in about half an hour or so before deciding I was done. I'm not a huge fan of the mockumentaries and found footage films, but they can be done passably well, and I get that they can be made on the cheap. This selection should be used as the example of how NOT to make one of these movies.

That's it. I can't even give it a 1-5 rating in all honesty, but really: no. Just no.