The Conjuring Review

The Conjuring Review, after a family move into a farm house they soon discover that the house is haunted and they seek help from paranomal investigators.

Director James Wan

Writer Chad Hayes - Carey Hayes

Cast

Vera Farmiga - Lorraine Warren
Patrick Wilson - Ed Warren
Lili Taylor - Carolyn Perron
Ron Livingston - Roger Perron
Joey King - Christine
Mackenzie Foy - Cindy
Kyla Deaver - April
Shanley Caswell - Andrea
Hayley McFarland - Nancy

New Line Cinema - Running time 112 minutes

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Shortly after a family move into a new farm house they begin to experience strange and unexplained phenomena, scared and not knowing what to do, they turn to Ed and Lorraine Warren husband and wife paranormal investigators for help. When Ed and Lorraine visit the family at the farm house, it doesn't take them long to realise that this is a genuine case. Ed and Lorraine must gain proof of the haunting before the Vatican will approve an Exorcism to rid the house of the evil forces that haunt the family.

The story may sound familiar, it sounds like something that we have seen before, and as over used as this story is I still love it and I still haven't got bored of it yet. Plus I had been hearing some good things about The Conjuring so it was always going to be on my watch list.

Even though the story is not exactly original, The Conjuring tells the story very well with good pacing and timing, there is enough differences during this movie to give it a fairly unique feel. James Wan has brought his own style to The Conjuring especially noticeable in the cinematography making this feel fresh, or relatively fresh anyway.

The acting is good throughout, especially Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) which are likable characters and they did a great job of capturing and drawing me into the movie and keeping my interest.

So how scary is it? of course this is just my personal opinion, it's definitely scary however I personally didn't find it as terrifying as I was expecting. Perhaps I was expecting too much, there are a few chilling moments and scares but it's not the scariest movie that I have seen in the last few years. I think that crown goes to Insidious.

Overall The Conjuring is a well made horror movie, if you're a fan of the haunted house style movie then this should be on your watch list.

7 out of 10

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 Review

Review of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 version. Great remake of the 1974 classic?

Director Marcus Nispel

Writer Kim Henkel - Tobe Hooper

Cast

Jessica Biel - Erin Hardesty
Jonathan Tucker - Morgan
Erica Leerhsen - Pepper Harrington
Mike Vogel - Andy
Eric Balfour - Kemper
R. Lee Ermey - Sheriff Charlie Hoyt
Andrew Bryniarski - Thomas Hewitt / Leatherface
David Dorfman - Jedidiah Hewitt
Lauren German - Hitchhiker

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A group of travelling friends get stalked and murdered by a deformed killer. The story starts off with 5 youths passing through Texas, during their journey they come across and pick up a traumatized girl, while in the back seat she pulls out a gun and shoots herself.

Lets start with the cinematography which is very effective creating an effective atmospheric feel, which builds tension nicely during the movie. The killing scenes themselves are very brutal and gory, they're some of the most graphic murder scenes I have witnessed in a movie. So many times I have been disappointed by horror movies, many turn out to be not very gory or even scary, so it's refreshing to watch a movie like this that doesn't hold anything back.

The actors give good believable performances especially Sheriff Charlie (R. Lee Ermey Hoyt) who is brilliant, offering some funny but disturbing comedy. He manages to be charismatic and terrifying at the same time.

Even if you have seen the original, this version tells the same story but in a very different way. This film is well made, it's graphic, gory and creepy. It's one of the best recent horror films and a great remake, some may argue it's better than the original, it's certainly a scarier film. I can highly recommended The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to anyone that enjoys a good gory horror film.

7 out of 10

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Review

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Review, set before for the first film, very gory slasher movie.

Director Jonathan Liebesman

Writer Sheldon Turner

Cast

Jordana Brewster - Chrissie
Taylor Handley - Dean A. Hill
Diora Baird - Bailey
Matt Bomer - Eric Hill
R. Lee Ermey - Charlie Hewitt
Marietta Marich - Luda Mae Hewitt
Allison Marich - Young Luda Mae
Leslie Calkins - Sloane
Andrew Bryniarski - Thomas Brown
Lee Tergesen - Holden
Kathy Lamkin - Tea Lady

New Line Cinema, Running time 91 minutes

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On August 7, 1939, after a mother dies giving birth to a deformed child and the baby is disposed of into a dumpster. A homeless woman discovers the baby and takes her to shelter. This deformed child becomes Leatherface.

In 1969 two brothers are going to enlist to fight in Vietnam, traveling through Texas with girlfriends they end up being cased by a biker with a shotgun. during the chase they crash into a cow and lose control of their car, this is when they come across the Sheriff (R. Lee Ermey). Things soon get a whole lot worse for the travelers.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning has a very similar feel to the 2003 remake, so if you liked that you'll like this. I think it's fair to say that this film is even more brutal and gory than the first film, they have taken things a step further with this movie making some of the scenes difficult to watch. I found myself turning away from some of the most brutal scenes.

R. Lee Ermey - Charlie Hewitt has a bigger part in this film which is definitely a good thing as he was one of the best things about the 2003 remake. He manages to be even more charismatic and even creepier then he was in the first film which is a great achievement. The rest of cast also provide good performances.

The cinematography is again brilliant, really adding to the atmosphere and tension. Combined with an effective score which really sets the mood and creates a great feel.

Overall this is a well put together movie that will scare and disturb you, if that sounds like your kind of thing then you'll definitely enjoy this.

7 out of 10