The Conjuring

[Zombie_Officer]

Is anyone excited for this, or is it just me?:confused:

[Michael-Myers]

I'm going to see it but don't have high expectations :confused:

[Kandarian Demon]

I saw the trailer a few days ago, which does look very interesting, but as we all probably know - more often than not, when you've seen the trailer you've already seen all the movie has to offer.

I will definitely watch it.

[Zombie_Officer]

I saw the trailer a few days ago, which does look very interesting, but as we all probably know - more often than not, when you've seen the trailer you've already seen all the movie has to offer.

I will definitely watch it.



That is so true, just like the Paranormal Activity movies... I expect more and receive nothing...

I guess i'm excited because it looks like another Insidious type movie. It's really hyped up too.

[maumaufilm]

Well I'm hoping for a good horror film it has good reviews and it's from the director of Insidous

[RJ Bland]

The reviews so far have been very positive. Even critics who just think it's an average movie all admit that it's pretty damn scary at least!

[LastNightOnEarth]

I'm def looking forward to it. Based on a case of Ed & Lorraine Warren's. So if you believe in ghosts/demonology it should be pretty interesting. Sure there's a lot of "altering of actual events for dramatic effect" but still scary and entertaining based on "actual" events.

[sfear]

Looks interesting.

[LastNightOnEarth]

Just saw "The Conjuring", I really enjoyed it. I'm a big fan of "true" haunting stories and this was the first film about The Warrens. Kind of started out pretty slow but really picked up once the haunting started. Not gonna give any spoilers, but it did make me jump a couple of times but not overly scary but very interesting as it gave some background on The Warrens. Didn't know Ron Livingston was in it (played the father of the family being haunted), and I am a big fan of his. Lily Taylor was awesome as well. Kind of like "Poltergeist" if it was set in the early 70's, had some funny moments too and some very disturbing sequences. It built tension well and nodded to "The Amityville Horror" at the end of the film, as wasn't a surprise as The Warrens investigated that case as well.

[Angra]

Most anticipated movie of the year for me.

That one and Insidious 2. But mostly this one.

Wan is the man.

[LastNightOnEarth]

It was really good and both films star Patrick Wilson with Wan directing, good stuff bro!

[SpiderCupcake]

I watched it yesterday. And for me it seemed like people built it up a bit too much..So many people told me it was scary and I sat in the dark watching it expecting to at least jump once or twice. Didn't happen. It was a pretty descent movie over all. Just wasn't as scary as I was lead to believe.

[metternich1815]

I watched it yesterday. And for me it seemed like people built it up a bit too much..So many people told me it was scary and I sat in the dark watching it expecting to at least jump once or twice. Didn't happen. It was a pretty descent movie over all. Just wasn't as scary as I was lead to believe.

I guess it all depends on what scares you personally. So often people assume that there is a universal standard of being scary and I do not think that is true. Personally, I did not consider it as scary as The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity 1-3 to name some films, but was still pretty scary. Overall, I found it a pretty enjoyable film: 8/10.

[MichaelMyers]

Watched The Conjuring tonight and really enjoyed it! Even though I can't help but think all of these type of films are derivative of The Exorcist, this one is genuinely unnerving. A strong contender for horror of the year! Two thumbs up.

[Kandarian Demon]

I definitely enjoyed it too, it's a VERY well made movie and one of the best haunted house movies in years... although honestly, I didn't think it was that scary, but it's hard to be scared in a theater full of people anyway. The only thing that bothered me was the ending... which I obviously won't spoil, but for a movie that was so extremely well done all the way through, it surprised me when the movie seemed to end before it was really done... If I had watched it on DVD, I would have checked to make sure I didn't skip a scene.

[TheFext]

I thought the movie was pretty good. Altho this sub genre feels a little played for me right now. Might be because ive seen many haunted house movies lately. Some cool stuff in it tho. Im not gonna bash it.

[The Hunted]

I enjoyed it, one of the better ones to come out this year if you ask me ;-)

[krysia_z]

Has anyone seen "The Conjuring"? Is that worth-seeing movie? ;)

[metternich1815]

Personally, I enjoyed it. The story was pretty strong. The acting was pretty good, especially the people who play the Lorraines. I found the movie generally scary, but not terrifying. It could have been better, but I still enjoyed it.

[krysia_z]

Ok, thank you :) I will watch that movie :)

[adamhenderson]

I watched it yesterday. And for me it seemed like people built it up a bit too much..So many people told me it was scary and I sat in the dark watching it expecting to at least jump once or twice. Didn't happen. It was a pretty descent movie over all. Just wasn't as scary as I was lead to believe.

Agree with this 100%. I was expecting (maybe the right word is actually 'hoping') to be scared silly, and I came away without jumping in my seat once. There were a few effective scenes, which I will expand upon below.

Highlight below for spoilers:

1. The creepy ghost-woman on top of the cupboard was pretty well done. I jumped a fraction of a bit.

2. The clapping game was also effective as a suspense builder (though I have read it is derivative of a film called The Orphan-- which I haven't seen.)

3. I thought the end scene with the sheet over the mother was pretty frightening.

Apart from these though, I thought it was maybe hyped up a bit too much. I also think that hype is particularly harmful to horror movies, because if I go in expecting to be scared, I'm usually not. Yet when I go in thinking the movie won't be that scary, I usually do get scared (most recent example of this is Paranormal 3-- the only good one in the series, imo).

Anyway, that's the end of my two cents.

[Kandarian Demon]

I also think that hype is particularly harmful to horror movies, because if I go in expecting to be scared, I'm usually not. Yet when I go in thinking the movie won't be that scary, I usually do get scared (most recent example of this is Paranormal 3-- the only good one in the series, imo).


I think it's harmful because it makes us feel disappointed about, or maybe even dislike, movies that it's possible we WOULD have enjoyed at some level if it hadn't been for the hype.

I mean... it's not like every horror movie we watch is "the scariest horror movie of all time!". I think most of us are probably able to enjoy a movie that is just "ok" for what it is... not a masterpiece, but still entertaining. I might even tell my friends that the movie was pretty good.

But if I watch a movie believing the hype, maybe just a little bit, and then it turns out to be "just ok", I will leave the theater feeling disappointed, and I will probably tell my friends not to waste their time.

I do happen to think that "The Conjuring" is actually a VERY good movie, though... even if it is a little hyped.

[adamhenderson]

You're right Kandarian Demon! I remember not hearing anything about 'The Strangers' when it came out and deciding to see it on a whim and being terrified because I wasn't expecting it.

'The Conjuring' definitely is wheat as opposed to chaff. Did you think the doll was a little bit too movie-ish to work though? I read that the real doll was a Raggedy Anne (sp?) doll, which would have been much scarier in my opinion. But I'm all about realism in my horror-- the more realistic the props, setting, characters, etc, the more I'm willing to suspend disbelief. I think I was spoiled by 90s horror, which saw a movement away from the imaginative/creative horror of the 80s (Child's Play, Freddy Kruger, etc).

[Kandarian Demon]

The Conjuring' definitely is wheat as opposed to chaff. Did you think the doll was a little bit too movie-ish to work though?

I am probably the wrong person to ask - I'm very easy to scare when it comes to dolls :D For some strange reason, Chucky never scared me... haven't seen the remake yet. But in general, living dolls creep me out.

The only thing that really bothers me as far as realism goes is when a movie has too much CGI. For example, I recently watched "Mama", and was pretty disappointed to see a "monster" that was so clearly NOT in the same room as the characters. I realise that you can do a lot more with a CGI creature, but even the most unrealistic looking rubber monster will always look better than obvious CGI - if you ask me.

[adamhenderson]

No we're in total agreement on the CGI. I think it works in epic movies (where armies are pitted against each other and the like), but CGI and horror should be kept in separate corners.

I also found Mama disappointing in that regard!

[neverending]

Perhaps part of the problem here is equating a jump with being scared. They're not the same thing at all. Getting someone in a movie audience to jump is really quite easy- it's just mechanics, and has nothing to do with plot or characters, and actually instilling a feeling of dread in a viewer. This is a major problem with both modern horror films and horror audiences.

[ChronoGrl]

Hrm.

I was expecting to really like this movie but it didn't really 'click' for me I guess... I thought that the first third was incredibly well-done, a good solid creepy haunting... But when the movie shifted into more of a possession/exorcism movie, it just lost me, probably because it's not really my favorite sub-genre. I can see why people liked it I suppose but I got bored toward the end and just switched it off. :-/

[Kandarian Demon]

Perhaps part of the problem here is equating a jump with being scared. They're not the same thing at all.

I totally agree! I do think that jump scares used in moderation and in appropriate scenes can be used as a tool to make a scary scene even more scary - but they are not scary on their own. They're not going to stay with you once they're done - unlike those truly scary scenes that you will think back on years later. I've heard some people say that they find them physically unpleasant, but that's not the same thing either.


Getting someone in a movie audience to jump is really quite easy- it's just mechanics, and has nothing to do with plot or characters, and actually instilling a feeling of dread in a viewer. This is a major problem with both modern horror films and horror audiences.

Again I agree - but to be fair, some jumps are actually pretty cleverly done. As a life-long horror fan, I can predict most of the jumps before they happen. But sometimes, if they are totally unexpected, they can be pretty effective.

One scene that comes to mind is one in the original Spanish version of REC - where that body suddenly drops from the top of the stairs, and you absolutely didn't see it coming. That combined with the fact that the image itself was disturbing and that, at least to me, the movie was quite scary, made that jump scare work very well.

[neverending]

I was commenting on adamhenderson's statement that he hadn't been scared because he didn't jump even once...

[EmilyBibbFilms]

I still really need to see this movie! Keep hearing such mixed reviews about it, but it does look creepy! And I keep hearing about freaky that doll is aha

[NightOfTheLiving_Sam]

Yeah there's been mixed reviews here and there but I enjoyed it. I've seen a lot of paranormal movies and this one is worth watching. Seen many in the past and they always disappointed me, but this one really did surprise me. The opening scene was awesome and I love the score from the movie. Music is very important to me and it has lots of creepy music in it. The opening theme is the best though- by far!

[scarybrenda]

Sorry, I didn't like it. It was too religion-based. Not real.

I waited for it and thought it would be better than it was. I just didn't like it much. Probably won't watch it again. :(

[dblockdedicated]

Thought it was done extremely well.

[Crude]

I found it good but not great probably like a 3/5 star rating for this one.

[Fearonsarms]

I did enjoy it but I wasn't amazed by it. Had some good ideas but it just didn't blow me away. I'm glad I watched it but doubt I'd watch it again.

[Yogobro298]

I did enjoy it but I wasn't amazed by it. Had some good ideas but it just didn't blow me away. I'm glad I watched it but doubt I'd watch it again.

Agreed,It was good,but as a Horror movie?I'd have to say not so much.It had a good story,but the scares were fairly predictable.I hope in the sequel they do better with the scares.

[Fearonsarms]

Agreed,It was good,but as a Horror movie?I'd have to say not so much.It had a good story,but the scares were fairly predictable.I hope in the sequel they do better with the scares.

I did like it, it had some good ideas but you're right it wasn't very scary at all.

[Whych_Doctor<3]

I really enjoyed this movie, wasnt scary but i loved the idea, considering it was based on true events also, that does make it a little more scary!
Lots of love for this film ::smile::

Whych_Doctor<3

[Scarecrows]

I thought it was a friggin good horror movie..9/10

[DickLaurentIsDead]

Finally saw this.
I thought it was excellent on all levels.
9/10

[Straker]

Watched this one a few nights ago, wasn't that impressed if I'm honest. Surprising lack of atmosphere and character development. I found that blur/ trail camera effect a bit irritating too..... Probably being a bit harsh on it, wasn't that bad really, I just never got into it.

[shadyJ]

I like The Conjuring, the setup techniques for all the big scares are perfected. It isn't a very original movie, but it feels like someone wanted to perfect an old formula. The timing is just right, the camera angles are just right, the lighting, the editing, all is just right for the sort of movie this is.

The only thing that stops me from placing it among the all time best haunted house movies is the movie lays on christian mythology a bit thick, also there isn't much of a character arc for anyone. The best stories are all about how people change, but that just doesn't happen to a great degree in The Conjuring. I guess the father becomes a believer, but the movie wasn't about him. The mother overcomes a trauma, and the family's love is renewed by the end, but those weren't such dramatic changes that the story or the audience is informed by them, anyways that wasn't main focus of the film's drama.

For me, the best haunted house stories happen when the protagonist and the haunted house setting (the haunting itself is arguably a character as well) realize some sort of destiny within the story. Some examples; The Haunting ('63 version of course), The Innkeepers, The Shining, The Changeling, The original Woman in Black (and to a lesser extant the remake), and there are others. The Conjuring just doesn't have this sense of inevitability, it's more about set-piece scares, however those scares are extremely well mounted. To sum it up, a great rollercoaster ride but not a great drama.

[Monkey Astronaut]

Just caught this on HBO for the first time. While this movie has some really tense scenes it felt a bit formulaic. However it really picks up steam about mid way through to deliver some genuinely terrifying moments and some pretty cool visuals. Vera Farmiga's performance as Lorraine Warren was quite good as was Lili Taylor's performance when possessed. Definitely worth checking out for fans of haunting movies as well as fans of James Wan.

[LittleItalian91]

I like this film. It is made very well and the protagonists of the film are interpreted so sublime. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are very capable and he is beautiful ( she also more ) ::love::

[horcrux2007]

Great movie. One of my favorite recent horror movies. I've seen it 3 times now.

[Damn Heathen]

'Twas a good movie, but a one-and-done for me. Still, I'm glad I saw it at the theater. The forthcoming Annabelle looks to have a higher scare factor.

[Solarmist]

Just caught this on HBO for the first time. While this movie has some really tense scenes it felt a bit formulaic. However it really picks up steam about mid way through to deliver some genuinely terrifying moments and some pretty cool visuals. Vera Farmiga's performance as Lorraine Warren was quite good as was Lili Taylor's performance when possessed. Definitely worth checking out for fans of haunting movies as well as fans of James Wan.

Great post - I really liked it, and thought it delivered a good paranormal story with some pretty good scare sequences along the way. I'm not really into exorcism type movies, but I genuinely liked this one. I'm a huge Vera Farmiga fan which made it all that much better ... for me anyway.

[tfantasy]

'Twas a good movie, but a one-and-done for me. Still, I'm glad I saw it at the theater. The forthcoming Annabelle looks to have a higher scare factor.

I recently seen the poster and story line for Annabelle and it sounds pretty damn awesome! I hope it carries the "creepy" effect that it appears to portray.