Movie Review: The Conjuring

The Conjuring (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.  Short synopsis of The Conjuring taken from IMDb.com

The Conjuring was pretty good for a mainstream Hollywood horror flick.  It builds at a slow but spooky pace, and doesn't rely on the over-the-top fright moments that are obviously there just to elicit "jump" scares.  For the most part, the lack of those adrenaline-based shock moments is nice. 

 

Then again, I should mention that I'm watching the movie in parts (due to other obligations interfering) and so these notes were written after only seeing forty-five minutes of the film, give or take.  But I have hopes for this one.  Like when the spirit medium woman looks into the mirror of the toy and sees the little boy in the reflection, the moment is done in a subtle way instead of the typical method of having the ghost/monster/demon/baddie RIGHT THERE behind her.  I liked this. 

The real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators featured in the film The Conjuring. / Source: flavorwire.com

Then again, the ghostly hands playing the clapping game right next to the wife's head was a bit of a jump scare, but the film doesn't seem to drown you in them as so many scary movies I've seen lately do, and that was nice.

*** Some time later.

After having finished The Conjuring, I will say that it worked for me.  The pace builds with slow dread, the story is engaging, the events happen in a logical manner (for a ghost story, that is).  There was a touch too much of the "based on real events" feel.  Like they were trying to sell you the plot by the final reel.  But it only was a little noticeable.  I'd recommend this one to anyone who is weary of over-done slasher remakes, or the getting-too-predictable Japanese horror films.  Though I wouldn't probably watch it repeatedly, The Conjuring was worth the Redbox rental.

That Hollywood prop version of Annabelle is scary, yes, but the real version send a little chill up my spine.  Those painted on features, that bright red yarn for hair, and the ruffles...  (whispers) ...the ruffles...  Oh, and coincidentally, our Hollywood prop version got her own film in 2014.  I haven't seen it, as of this writing.  Ya know, it just goes to show you.  If you are a talented, fairly two-dimensional Hollywood prop, and if you work really hard at being inanimate, you too can get your own spin-off movie. / Source: skeptic.com

Oh, and check out this link to a USA Today story on the "real" events behind the film The Conjuring.

The parting comment:


Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me.