tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post8080768894984640260..comments2024-03-17T11:29:35.743-04:00Comments on Final Girl: Film Club: The ConjuringStacie Ponderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07784074536271206501noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-39237851989629193472013-11-22T13:26:18.610-05:002013-11-22T13:26:18.610-05:00As usual, I found this review considerably more en...As usual, I found this review considerably more entertaining than the film. I don't get Wan. At all. I've never enjoyed a film he's made. I really like Patrick Wilson, and even he can't make me like these. It has to be some kind of generational thing. I wasn't 13 enough when SAW came out to think this guy is a master of horror. <br /><br />I didn't grow up in the '80s, but my local video store sure did. My taste is rooted in the classic slasher franchises (you know the ones), alongside the Evil Dead trilogy, Phantasm, Hellraiser, NOTLD and other such things. It pains me that slashers have gone the way of DTV dreadfulness (the bad kind of dreadfulness, Silent Scream 2005 dreadfulness) and supernatural horror is dominated by stale exorcism/possession/haunting jobs. And I won't even start on zombies (Stacie's Survival of the Dead review sums it up pretty well). <br /><br />If The Conjuring has one thing going for it, besides Patrick Wilson standing in front of spooky things, it's that it isn't found footage or SOV. Cinematography is a real thing. I'd like to see more of it in the genre these days. Dead In Hellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04426312288937714574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-64704116334294408692013-11-19T15:35:49.944-05:002013-11-19T15:35:49.944-05:00The first half was great and I think what helped e...The first half was great and I think what helped elevate it above the usual modern horror fare was the performances of the actors. There seemed to be some kind of heavy Matriarchal type theme in there - what with the whole Witch, Carolyn and Lorraine character triangle? But yeah - they showed the ghost way too early and the build up to, and execution of, the exorcism was a bit silly. Agreed on the demon vs/ ghost point, too. Ed negates what he says about the Anabelle demon when he describes a demonic presence as being something that has never walked the earth but then labels the witch as a demonic presence when she is just a ghost. I think that the "you have a lot of spirits in here but this is the one I'm most worried about because it is so hateful." line will go on to become famous. It was good in the theatre because lots of teenagers were terrified :)Beaucoup Buckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00850298005005837480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-13306262654593334472013-11-19T15:18:44.865-05:002013-11-19T15:18:44.865-05:00
I actually went ...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I actually went to one of the Warren’s lectures many years ago when I was in college. I found them fascinating so I’m disappointed to hear they come off boring in the movie. They had some great stories and the pictures of things they’d kept from various hauntings creeped me out - especially the doll that supposedly inspired Chucky (I’m a sucker for Chucky). They might be sheisters but they were a hoot! I’m still going to check out the movie (I, too, am a recluse so I have not seen it).Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03524741867471118263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-27125126635471075332013-11-13T18:19:59.258-05:002013-11-13T18:19:59.258-05:00I liked the whole aspect of it playing like a grea...I liked the whole aspect of it playing like a greatest hits of horror. I also liked that it was more of an old-school horror approach. I saw it with a sold-out crowd and it played like gangbusters. Some movies work better that way, some don't. I haven't watched it alone yet, but I remember seeing the first "Paranormal Activity" alone at home on a computer and it was pretty intense, then seeing it with a packed crowd later and thinking it was actually kind of boring, so maybe that is a big factor. I'm just glad they're making more movies like this, as I was getting awfully tired of the whole "torure porn" thing. Here's my original review of "The Conjuring," in case you (or anyone else) is interested: http://studentmedia.uab.edu/2013/07/the-conjuring/<br /> Mark Trammellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12204786081267977327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-85430089371307526922013-11-13T12:31:32.174-05:002013-11-13T12:31:32.174-05:00I liked it. It creeped me out and I thought the pe...I liked it. It creeped me out and I thought the performances were good. James Wan's stuff works on me. His "scary people" are scary and I share his fears of fucked up dolls and screaming women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-64357816176139176292013-11-13T11:07:17.725-05:002013-11-13T11:07:17.725-05:00What agreat review of this movie! I didn't re...What agreat review of this movie! I didn't review it on my blog because I didn't want to support it, but I linked to your review because it's perfect!<br />http://www.postmoderntrashaeology.thezombified.com/?p=1113Deadthymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971478748123372615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-35798619747859539702013-11-13T03:47:39.344-05:002013-11-13T03:47:39.344-05:00It's a very well-made movie. And it would be t...It's a very well-made movie. And it would be terrifying to someone who hadn't seen the trailer.<br /><br />Also, I generally dislike any spooky movie that still goes for the 'Based on a True Story' nonsense. Where I work I remember a few of the other staff watched the trailer for this on an iPhone and freaked out. It was capped off by the owner of said phone saying "And it was based on a true story..." with something like awe. <br /><br />Just goes to show that bullshit still sucks in some (a lot of) people.CashBaileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13593976245341180685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-42300613459736276792013-11-13T03:10:01.717-05:002013-11-13T03:10:01.717-05:00I like to think they purposefully didn't show ...I like to think they purposefully didn't show too much of the Warrens and their backstory to make us all Google them after the movie - because www.warrens.net is probably the most amazing how-is-this-even-serious?? website I think I've seen. Jae Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10011510156005963683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-48579461774838205922013-11-13T00:05:45.617-05:002013-11-13T00:05:45.617-05:00Good review Stacie. Was scary in bits and pieces, ...Good review Stacie. Was scary in bits and pieces, but overall, the type of flick that's better to see in a huge crowd, just because of the fun feel you get from being all jumpy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-19737516145300586152013-11-12T20:52:23.394-05:002013-11-12T20:52:23.394-05:00TrG, Thank You! This was when they lost me 100% a...TrG, Thank You! This was when they lost me 100% and became the bad guys. It was compounded by the fact that they claim that Salem "witches" were actual witches working for Satan instead of the victims that they truly all were. As a Wiccan, I was disgusted. I totally ranted on my friend who recommended the movie to me; why on Earth would he think I'd enjoy a movie that falsifies history for its own agenda? Ugh. The whole "Based on a true story" thing slayed me. Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02651995287429347277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-32886846767902535382013-11-12T20:14:01.697-05:002013-11-12T20:14:01.697-05:00Whenever something gets tied into religion, it fai...Whenever something gets tied into religion, it fails to scare me... especially exorcism films. Dead horse.<br /><br />I will say the first ten minutes or so with the doll got me good, and the creepy house kept me invested, but once the stage was set for the paranormal investigators to hit the scene, I was ready for a nap.<br /><br />Great review. Wish I hadn't beaten you to this film by a week, I'd have measured my expectations accordingly.Bleed For Me.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07388318194892629292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-53999204334697712542013-11-12T19:06:02.269-05:002013-11-12T19:06:02.269-05:00I have to say I agree with you. I liked the film ...I have to say I agree with you. I liked the film to a point, particularly the first half, but it really fell apart and dragged on far too long. Also, they totally lost me with the whole possession thing. The Conjuring kind of reminded me of Amityville II: The Possession in that it starts out as a haunted house flick and then becomes a knock-off of The Exorcist.Ryan Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962087298048295960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-21205901909341599992013-11-12T19:03:54.305-05:002013-11-12T19:03:54.305-05:00Don't worry about linking this - I liked the m...Don't worry about linking this - I liked the movie quite a bit, but on a second viewing, I found that I just don't have that much to say about it. A friend of mine was right, the movie's almost completely free of subtext. Still, I wrote a few ideas about it <a href="http://letterboxd.com/andrewbemis/film/the-conjuring/1/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Andrew Bemishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06097037829531087694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-11975636274563972672013-11-12T19:03:33.960-05:002013-11-12T19:03:33.960-05:00I'd almost written something about how I love ...I'd almost written something about how I love Lili Taylor in everything, but then I remembered The Haunting. Even my love for her cannot overcome the hatred.<br /><br />I thought it would have been better/tighter/whatever if we didn't even meet the Warrens until Carolyn goes to their lecture. They were the "stars", but I still don't really know anything about them, so all their other scenes feel tacked on.Stacie Ponderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07784074536271206501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-10583879942304915312013-11-12T18:18:45.982-05:002013-11-12T18:18:45.982-05:00I totally agree that it was horror porn! That'...I totally agree that it was horror porn! That's an excellent analogy. I went home totally satisfied from seeing this, but it hasn't really stayed with me -- I had to google the plot after reading your post, because I had forgotten the witch mythology altogether. What I liked most was Lili Taylor being scared in the house. The rhythm of the Warrens' arrival felt really off to me -- they came in sooner than I expected -- but I loved Annabelle and the idea that these superhero-ghost people were vulnerable too. <br /><br />I hadn't thought about the fact that it's a Protestant exorcism -- timwburke makes an excellent point. Such a thing would definitely not have the same feel as a Catholic exorcism! But I wasn't wild about any of the possession scenes -- somehow "is she going to kill her child?" is considerably less scary than "is there something down that dark hallway?" <br /><br />Funny how your last couple posts have been about Lili Taylor movies. She needs to do more horror! I really loved her in this -- she's such a natural, down-to-earth presence that she looks good against a supernatural setting. You think "crap, if Lili Taylor's afraid, I better be too." Or at least I do.AEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02961200742501382827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-20293003438102561522013-11-12T18:08:44.521-05:002013-11-12T18:08:44.521-05:00Like it was written from my own brain. When they w...Like it was written from my own brain. When they were all "She was a witch who sacrificed her baby to Satan!" I was all like what?!?! (Tire screech. Record needle scratch.) Witches don't do that. Therefore, these folks are cons. Therefore, they can't be the heroes of the movie. Even if Patrick Wilson is rocking those sexy 70s sideburns like nobody's biz.timothy granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09178816364209218617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-77879417507842561332013-11-12T17:09:31.554-05:002013-11-12T17:09:31.554-05:00I wish I'd been blinded by the 70s-osity! It&#...I wish I'd been blinded by the 70s-osity! It's the best decade, no doubt.<br /><br />I will say, I enjoyed the music/sounds that played over the end credits very much.Stacie Ponderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07784074536271206501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-69654817260263690182013-11-12T16:19:19.234-05:002013-11-12T16:19:19.234-05:00Maybe I was blinded by the 1970's of it all, I...Maybe I was blinded by the 1970's of it all, I dunno. But I agree with some of your larger criticisms, even though I enjoyed the film more than you did. <br /><br />Verdant Earlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139591223231428391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-17454331935932854872013-11-12T16:12:59.459-05:002013-11-12T16:12:59.459-05:00The sister whispering "It's behind you!&q...The sister whispering "It's behind you!" was indeed some good stuff, and any film featuring The Warrens most definitely could've been worse. But my overall reaction by the end was like that after senior prom. "I got all dressed up for that!?" Followed immediately by a bottle of Strawberry Hill.Steven and Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17580795575166076801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-31529143084186719002013-11-12T15:42:47.528-05:002013-11-12T15:42:47.528-05:00Some stuff just catches on, I guess. I can see how...Some stuff just catches on, I guess. I can see how this would have been fun in a theater full of people that are really into it, screaming and yelling. Beyond that, though...hmm. I guess it's more shocking that so many genre fans are goo-gooing over it, since basically the same thing has been done many times before (and, on occasion, much better). I just didn't find much meat on dem bones.Stacie Ponderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07784074536271206501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-62360246499476150022013-11-12T15:41:44.114-05:002013-11-12T15:41:44.114-05:00Haven't seen it yet, but that exorcism sounds ...Haven't seen it yet, but that exorcism sounds like a Protestant snake-wriggler casting-out instead of the Catholic Method. You may know that independent Protestants (Pentecostals, Indy Baptists, etc) allow anyone struck with the Spirit to do God's work (these are the guys with 6 year old street preachers). Love your blog!<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870.post-57017075393071109112013-11-12T15:31:18.306-05:002013-11-12T15:31:18.306-05:00Totes with ya, Stacie! I reviewed this forever and...Totes with ya, Stacie! <a href="http://mynewplaidpants.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-hoodoo-that-you-do.html" rel="nofollow">I reviewed this</a> forever and a day ago and we share a bunch of the same grievances; I saw it a few months before it came out and then when it came out and everybody went crazy and it made all of the money I was pretty confounded. I mean I won't begrudge it some popularity, it certainly adores the horror genre, but I don't think very much of it works.Jason Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18254334131909339157noreply@blogger.com