ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE // A REVIEW OF "THE CONJURING"

BY LIZ WHITTEMORE

Harrisville, RI  and an 18th century farmhouse seem like the beginnings of pretty tame paperback book you find in a doctor’s office. Unfortunately, for the Perron Family, it is the setting of a most horrifying experience. Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger (Ron Livingston) move their five daughters into a house with some history. Moments after unpacking, they discover that the house has a basement that has been boarded up. Board up rooms are usually boarded up for good reason. When faced with a range of unexplainable experiences, Carolyn tracks down some help, which comes in the form of Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) Warren.

THE CONJURING is based on true events and has the Warrens, famed paranormalists, intervene on the behalf of the family. With a demonic force that has attached itself to the family, things only get worse before they get better. The Warrens bring a 2 man crew in the house with them. Each room is rigged with cameras and ghost hunting technology of the time. But the most memorable moments come from Farmiga and Wilson, whose on-screen chemistry is extremely charming. Director, James Wan, with films under his belt like Saw and Insidious, has timed out each scare impeccably. He uses numerous continuous shots to draw you into what you know will end up making you jump and wet your pants just a little.

While you want the Perron to make it out alive, I have to be honest when I say I was more interested in The Warrens. So much so, when I got home from the theater, I immediately Googled them. In the closing credits, you get to see actual photos of each individual as well as newspaper clippings reporting their investigations. In the film, you see their home. They have a special room where they take demonically possessed objects. Some, for very good reasons explained in the film, are locked in glass boxes. On the whole, The Conjuring is frightening and I say it’s a must see for any haunted house enthusiast. A little tip for parents; this is not a kid friendly film. I’m talking to you, crazy ladies who brought their 8 year olds. Welcome to nightmare city. You brought it upon yourselves.

Written by Chad and Carey Hayes  Directed by James Wan  Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor Rated R Now Playing Nationwide

Liz's Grade: A

Bottom Line: “Based on true events” should bring any ghost hunter into the theater. Try not to cover your eyes, it’s worth the anticipated scary dreams.