The Conjuring is a Solid Film, and One of the Scariest Films in Years

The Conjuring (4 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by James Wan (Saw, Insidious)

Written by Chad Hayes, Corey Hayes (The Reaping, House of Wax)

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, and Lili Taylor

I rarely like or see horror films, I think this is one of the hardest genres, if not the hardest "to get it right."  There are few horror or suspense films, which are both scary, and good films, have character development, or any of a variety of elements which make a film good.  The last "scary" movie I saw in the movie theatres was The Woman in Black.  The film fit too much of a formula, and the scary moments felt predictable or planned.  While The Conjuring does not break new ground within the world of possession or exorcism, the film is both scary, and measures up within every other aspect.

The Conjuring follows two families, the first is a family who moves into a new house after some hard times financially, and the second is a family with two "demonologists."    The film opens with Ed (Wilson) and Lorraine (Farmiga) Warren the two demonologists who laughingly describe their titles in a variety of manners, and are meeting with two young girls and their friend after they encounter a demonic possession in a doll they found.  Let me tell you, Chucky is a Barbie compared to merely the look of this doll.  This encounter along with one with a their explanation of what an exorcism or possession look like set the scene for the role this plays within this specific case within this film.

The second family is the Perron family, led by father Roger (Livingston), mother Carolynn (Taylor) who have five daughters.  As the family has moved into their new home they start to notice little things that appear odd or out of the ordinary.  Without giving much away these families paths soon meet, and there is an intense exploration of demonic possession, and what that means, in general and for this family.

Again without giving the plot away, this film succeeds at connecting you with the characters, their lives, and making you feel true terror for everyone involved.  The actors are great, make a note horror directors/writers/producers getting better actors can help elevate the material (not a guarantee).  Farmiga, Wilson, and Taylor are major stand outs, each of them adding to their character, and the plot of the film.  Farmiga and Wilson not only make you believe in their characters, the script uses them wisely, never over doing the fact that this paranormal activities expert (Ed), and  his clairvoyant wife could be crazy ghost busters.

Wan who directed Insidious, and Saw steps further into the "haunted house" genre, but never gets weighed down by the script or the material.  The film is set within the 1970s and Wan balances the quick cut horror edits with a well paced story development to add to the thrill.  The script, and direction adeptly blend the stories of these two families, and the times of the early 70s well.  There was a paranoia surrounding this era, and the combination of these families mixes well to create one of the scariest stories to date.

As stated above creating a truly scary well made film is tough, and most of the time its about being "the first" Halloween, Carrie, The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby all of these were popular films which scare, and haunt dreams.  Most of them were not the first of their kind, but they became the benchmarks.  The Conjuring may set a benchmark, but it lives up to the creepy well told story within all of these films.  Mr. Wan allows the shock, and thrill to exist creating the perfect aura for this film.  To put it bluntly, this is one scary movie.

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

I feel as though I say this every year (but I don't), the roles for women in television have only gotten better.  If you look at these six women, they represent a wide variety of women, and represent different character distinctions along with having their own journeys.  Some of these women are working mothers, bad ass CIA agents, spies for other governments, or fixers.  

Kerri Washington is the first lead African American actress to be a part of this category in all of the years I have watched dramas (or should be a part of this category.)  Washington's Olivia Pope is one of the few strong lead African American or black actresses to be a major lead on any television series cable, basic or pay.  This is odd considering the way television has grown, but I think this is a great advancement, and should be recognized.   Take note television it's time for more representation, and not just the supporting characters!

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland 

Danes performance was made fun of mercilessly by Ann Hathaway on SNL this past year.  While the dig was funny, I think one thing is true, Danes intensity has created on of the most fantastic characters on the air. Watching Carrie grapple with her suspension, and then get sucked right back into the CIA game.  There is no greater performance than watching her go after Brody, attack him using her more together prowess then interrogate him and use him as an agent of the agency.  The episode Q&A proves just how great Danes is within this role, and beyond the romantic connections, she plays every movement, tick, anxiety ridden instance with ease.

Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates in Bate's Motel

I have to say from the first time I saw previews of this show, and heard they were doing a modern take on Psycho, I was against it from the start.  I watched the show, and caught up on most of it, and while I still am not a fan, Farmiga makes me want to tune in, week after week.  Farmiga's dark motherly ways make this one twisted relationship, and give an interesting context to the Psycho story.  Was it needed, no, but Farmiga gives one of the best performances of the year, making a so-so show even better with her strong performance. While Highmoore is great as Norman, it's Farmiga and Norma who week after week make this show something of a great character study.

Julianna Marguiles as Alicia Florick in The Good Wife 

After four years not many characters stay relevant, or as fresh as when they started, but Alicia is one of those characters who continues to develop.  While Robert and Michelle King have a lot to do with that development, Alicia would be nothing without Marguiles.  Alicia fighting for partner, dealing with her mother, her growing children, her husband's gubernatorial election, betrayal of a new friend, her love for Will, and striking out on her own in a new firm with Carrie.  What a year!  Marguiles has created one of the most dynamic female characters in television history; she is so complex, and does a fantastic job with this role.  Marguiles is a pro, and she is fantastic as Alicia! 

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning (and many more) in Orphan Black

What can I say about this performance, that critics, bloggers have not said.  Maslany plays Sarah Manning and many girls who are said to be clones.  Maslany kicks ass, is a soccer mom, a cop, and many more roles; she is a true chameleon within each of these of these different roles, none of them feel the same, and that's an incredibly hard accomplishment to achieve.  While the show is solid it's Maslany's performance which keeps you hooked; she takes each of these roles with ease, and looks like is having a blast doing this.  I burned through an entire season of this show because I was enthralled by Maslany, and I can't wait to see what she does with this role, when the show returns.

Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in The Americans

Watching Russell play the other half of the married couple pretending to US citizens while really being Soviet Spies is impressive.  Russell is incredibly stoic, while being vulnerable as she deals with the trials and tribulations of finding the balance in being a mother and spy.  While Rhys has gotten more credit (I agree during the evolution of the show he is better), Russell battling the thought of her rape, and dealing with this as she approaches the man who took advantage of her was one of the most intense scenes.  Russell is dynamic in this role, proving she can stretch her acting muscle to newer levels.

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in Scandal

I know I may get shit for this one because of the "soapy" nature of this show, but Washington is a force to be reckoned with, and after a roller coaster year dealing with her married lover's assassination attempt (yea he is the President too), and being forced to admit her own fault in helping rig the election; she is was off the charts great.  Washington is no victim, and even though most of her emotional choices may be driven by her love for Fitz she is one strong woman, and fights back in some of the most realistic ways.  Washington's performance is real, and that's one of the major reasons people tune into this show week after week!

Runner Ups: Elisabeth Moss as Peggy in Mad Men, and Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher in Shameless

Tune In or Tune Out: Bate's Motel (A&E)

Bate's Motel (A&E)

Created by Anthony Cipriano (The Journey of Allen Strange)

Starring: Vera Farmiga, and Freddie Highmore

There are certain films, which should remain untouched, Psycho is one of them.  Psycho is a classic thriller from the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, and I do not care to explore the life of young Norman Bates and his mother in present time.  With that said I left my bias behind and sat down to watch the pilot of the show last night.

The basic premise of the series starts with Norman (Freddie Highmore) finding his father dead; he rushes to his mother (played by Vera Farmiga with shock, although she doesn't look shocked. After his fathers death Norman and his mother move into the that infamous house from the Psycho film with the Motel right down the walkway.  

Much of the first part of the episode is centered on teenage Norman dealing with with girls and the typical high school aged experiences.  In the episode Norman appears to be a normal red blooded teenage boy with no signs of anything wrong.  Yet the seeds of discontent have been planted.  Norman's mother Norma has smothered this boy, and you can almost see the fear and pain within him as he fights for the affection of taken girl at his school.

There is a lot homage to the original film, which is nice to see, Norman's mother walking out of the shower when her husband is killed, Norman's love of black and white movies, and even his friend's fathers interest in taxidermy. While these things set the scene nicely, and the build on the intensity, are they too heavy handed or placed in too neatly?  This is like my complaint with the F/X show The Americans, just because you throw in something that looks 80s doesn't mean I meant to believe the show feels like its set in the 80s.

This show succeeds on creating a moody, tense atmosphere with some great acting.  While Highmore has some growing to do to get to the level of Anthony Perkins he is not bad; he has that potential to do and be great within this show.  Farmiga is the powerhouse, and I have always enjoyed watching her performances from The Departed to Up in the Air; she is a great actress, and it's her Norma that draws you into the darker world.  

Farmiga is a very talented actress, but and the role is great but the writing seems like its trying to be too David Lunch a la Twin Peaks.  I get that that they are going for a quirky, suspenseful beginning, because let's face it, Norman Bates coming from a world like Twin Peaks makes sense  Yet there is something off about this show, while the tone is right, the intensity is there, the show feels forced.  After giving this show a try I have to say, I will only be visiting the Bates Motel once.

Tune Out: Farmiga is not enough to save this show