The Conjuring 2 (2016)

With my day at Universal Studios behind me, and Islands of Adventure on tap for tomorrow, I decided to kick back and catch up on some of the movies I have watched in the past few weeks. Next up on the schedule is the 2016 true story, The Conjuring 2.

Plot/ Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a malicious spirit.

This was one of the few movies that I decided to catch when it came out. More importantly, I was able to catch it at the drive-in, something that just helps create even more atmosphere than usual. Fortunately, that just took this one to a different level. I will admit that this was one sequel that was better than the source material. Everything worked really well with a strong cast, a tight storyline, and some solid atmosphere that permeated through the entire film. The casting is perfect. Unfortunately, I did not find this one as scary as many proclaimed. While I love the true aspects of the tale and wanted to be scared, for me, it played it too safe. In the end, this was a fun sequel and interesting story that fit perfectly within the Conjuring mythos, and it was a movie that should be seen.

Annabelle (2014)

Ok, as I continue to battle though this stomach ailment, I have been able to watch a couple flicks in between naps. I am just glad I am feeling somewhat better, although work did beat me down earlier today. Oh well, keep battling and it will pass, hmmm. Next up for review was one of the bigger hyped movies of 2014, Annabelle.

Plot/ A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Having enjoyed The Conjuring, I thought I knew what I was getting into with Annabelle. Unfortunately, I was wrong, as everything I loved about The Conjuring was missing in this one. Yes, the story is loosely based on a true story, but that did not cause the overuse of cliché and lack of originality. Honestly, there were no scares; the characters were flat and unbelievable, and it was slow. Even my 10-year old thought it was “boring.” Yes, some of the performances were decent and the subject matter interesting, but that did little to rescue it from the vast amount of clichés that permeated throughout. In the end, this may not be the worst of its genre, but it is far from the top of the list. If you are a fan of The Conjuring or a horror fan in general, stay away… There are many better choices out there.

The Conjuring (2013)

After a fun first-week back teaching after my two-week break, I started my weekend by going to the drive-in. There is nothing better than to experience a horror or Sci-Fi flick outside in elements, where the wind through the trees, the moonlight, the fireflies, all ad something to the atmosphere. This double feature was awesome, which makes it even better. The first flick on the docket, the classic supernatural true story, The Conjuring.

Plot/ Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

I rarely tell people to run out and see a movie in the theater, but that is exactly what I am going to do with this one. Go see it! I was lucky enough to have some added atmosphere by seeing it in the drive-in, but this film did not need it. The storyline is awesome, the realism incredible and the solid cast works perfectly and keeps you drawn in throughout the movie. More importantly, cinematography creates an eerie atmosphere, which adds to the fact that this is based on a true story, and legendary paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren sit at the heart of this film, making the scares even more alive and realistic. There are some uneven moments, but those are rare. In the end, this may be the best paranormal themed movie to hit the screen in some time and will likely have the same effect on viewers today as The Shining had on me when I saw it at the drive-in so many years ago. Check it out!