The Conjuring (2013) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review)
Directed By: James Wan
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston
Rated: R/Region A/1:77/1080p/Number of Discs 2
Available from New Line Home Video
Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. Based on the true life story, The Conjuring tells the tale of how world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives.
I’ve said it more than one, but I’m not really a “haunted house” horror fan. That being said, I really liked The Conjuring regardless. If you are making a movie like this the jumps scares are a given. The way to make a good and entertaining ghost story is by keeping things interesting and by being as creepy as you can be. In those fronts is where, The Conjuring, really makes its name. The movie never does get dull and creepy stuff just keeps happening to make you remain wide awake while watching. You also get the jumps scares as well, but that is a given. Just keep in mind that the ones here really do work well. And, while all ghost stories seem to try to use the based on a true story line, this one has some credit to it and that only makes the film work as a horror film that much more.
James Wan really has cemented his name as perhaps the best horror director out there today. If you loved Insidious, I think you will also love this film. If I had to compare the two, I think I’d still give the nod to Insidious, but this one isn’t far behind that film. For someone to make a good haunted or possessed movie you have to have much more than just parlor tricks and jumps scares, this movie delivers much more and it shows. There is too much by the numbers/lazy horror films being made these days, but there isn’t nothing at all lazy about The Conjuring.
– A Life in Demonology
– The Conjuring: Face-to-Face with Terror
– Scaring the ‘@$*%’ Out of You
