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The Conjuring (2013) - James Wan



James Wan and Patrick Wilson worked together pretty heavily on a number of projects that all seem to be coming from the same place. Insidious had that type of fear that I really liked up until the Darth Maul looking demon showed up. The Conjuring is a tad better than that one.

The Conjuring is based on a true story. In fact it is based on the case files of Ed & Lorraine Warren and their involvement in the haunting of the Perrone family during the 1970's. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as the Warrens a pair of paranormal investigators hired to rid the family of their problem. Horror veteren-ess Lili Taylor and Office Space's Ron Livingston portray the Perrones.

The events in the movie are questionable. However, the investigation actually happened. Even the doll Annabelle, introduced in this movie, exists in a weird creepy museum. Check out the picture at the end of this review.

The special effects are right up my alley. It has it's big budget action sequences and jump scares. However, it is leveled out with some really subtle stuff. A lot of ghostly activity and poltergeist-y type shenanigans are used as the build-up. Lili Taylor and Patrick Wilson turn in the best performances. Even though it just feels like Patrick Wilson is playing the same character as he did in Insidious.

The movie is pretty decent. It is really similar to Insidious, which I liked too. I just liked this movie a little bit more. Not to say that I would recommend it though. The movie is great just not spectacular. Hopefully director James Wan is going somewhere with both of these similar franchises. Like, maybe the demon from Insidious will appear in the 2014 movie Annabelle which is a direct sequel to The Conjuring.

Director: James Wan

Country: USA

Style: Psychological Non-Fiction

Did ya know...
When the movie was shown in the Philippines, some cinemas had to hire Catholic priests to bless the viewers before showing it. This is due to some viewers having reported a "Negative Presence" after watching the film. The priests also provided spiritual and psychological help to the viewers. Was shot in chronological order. Marks the third collaboration between James Wan and Patrick Wilson. The pair also worked together in Insidious (2010) and Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). Here's a picture of Patrick Wilson with the real Annabelle.




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