How To Out-Do A Classic

The Conjuring:
            If you happen to see a door at the end of a long hallway open by itself would you be the one that everyone in the theater yells at to stop walking toward it? That's pretty much how it goes down in James Wan's latest film and is the same reason it is as frightening as walking down that hallway in real life. The Conjuring, a more realistic Exorcist, takes what Linda Blair put on the table 40 years ago and ups the ante to another level of horror that sets it a part from other movies we've seen in the same genre.

           A family moves into an old house out in the country. Subtle, weird things begin to happen at night. A professional is called in to make the monster leave the closet... Sound familiar? Sound like every horror movie you've seen, right? Oh, but this is a story based on actual events. Now the tables have turned. That one little detail always seems to amplify the terror in any movie for some reason and that tagline alone is why movies like this do so well in the box office. Another reason could be that James Wan is beginning to build a name for himself with the other white-knucklers such as Insidious, Saw, and Saw 3 that he all directed as well. His use of suspense with tactics such as having the camera follow the character around a dark corner or the lack of the super loud noises every time there's a ghost is how he is taking a different path in this industry of fear and standing out from other current directors.

            Ed and Lorraine Warren are the leading paranormal researchers and demonology experts that have a new fish to fry in the form of a presence that can't get enough of terrorizing the Perron family. Meanwhile, Carolyn and Roger Perron just want the best for their 5 daughters (sounds like a nightmare already, huh?) but there's something getting in the way of their success and it's taken up residence in whatever room has an empty bed. Throughout the process of the Warrens helping the Perrons, you will find yourself wanting to look away as each door slowly creaks open or as the melody stops playing in a certain small antique music box but the riveting silences are really what divert your eyes at the last moment before the scare happens. Also, I think anyone who sees this may become a little sensitive the next time you hear two solo claps. Just an observation, though.

             Patrick Wilson (Insidious) and Vera Farmiga (The Departed) are quite an effective devil-studying couple on screen with their own past playing well with the unorthodox methods they perform on a daily basis at the office. Lili Taylor (Born on the Fourth of July) gives one of the most terrifying performances and Linda Blair a run for her money along with her husband Ron Livingston (Office Space) who's just trying to figure this ordeal out. It should be obvious now that Wan delivers in this highly-anticipated flick with the history behind it doesn't let up either. Grade: 7.7/10