The Conjuring is a great film!

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2013)

I just came back from viewing The Conjuring. It is a fantastic horror movie. Here's why...
Director James Wan (along with his team of writers), are not afraid to take it back to basics. Back to a day when those things that go "bump" in the night actually scared you. The shadows. The unexplained noises in the dark. The creaky doors that open on their own. Objects that are moved or fall off the walls. All of which are elements of true horror movies.
It seems that these days the kids want senseless gore, blood and porn in horror movies. But to me, that's not true horror. James Wan & Co. decided to not "Hollywoodize" this film and let the story and events creep you out. I had friends watch it opening night with an audience that laughed, full of teens of course. To me, that's a big distraction to fully take in and appreciate the dialog, atmosphere, cinematography and soundtrack, all of which are genius. I always choose the late screenings to avoid the annoying texting teens and chatty Kathy's. And boy am i glad i did.
There are a handful of horror movie classics that have elements i love, such as the under lighting of people casting weird shadows in 'Rosemary's Baby'. Or the same lighting, but the sounds and creepy shadowy atmosphere of 'The Exorcist'. Or the little tricks Mr. Wan enjoys such as the Flashbulbs used by paranormal investigators. But most importantly, it's the lack of CG creatures, monsters, cheesy special effects.
Mr. Wan instead chooses great actors to execute great scripts. And in that process, the characters become believable, the story becomes believable... and it all becomes creepy to the nth degree. Filmmakers should take note and make movies like this... better horror movies where less is actually more. And that is what i love about this film. It kept me still in my seat with an uneasy feeling from the opening shot until the very end. Excellent writing and directing along with a great cast of excellent actors. I highly recommend this movie. After you watch it, and only after you watch it, i recommend looking up the real people involved and the story which inspired this film of true events.
***** 5 out of 5 Stars!!!!