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Archives for : The Conjuring

Movie Review: “High School Possession” is Nothing to Fear

Lifetime isn’t really known for their “scary movies.”  But once in a while, they tend to deliver a film that successfully spooks you while watching.  High School Possession, however, is not one of those films.

Lauren (Janel Parrish-Pretty Little Liars) and Chloe (Jennifer Stone-Wizards of Waverly Place) are best friends.  But recently, Chloe is having trouble and spiraling out of control at home and at school.  Her mother has taken her to countless doctors, and none of them can clearly diagnose her.

While on assignment for the school newspaper, Lauren interviews Olivia (Shanley Caswell-The Conjuring) and her church youth group known as “The Chosen.”  But after the interview, she accidentally sees them performing an exorcism on a girl.  Lauren is horrified but intrigued.  So she begins to investigate, and it seems to have really helped the girl.  Now she wonders if Chloe might be possessed, and the only way to save her is through an exorcism.

You would think this film would take advantage of its demonic elements, and go for some attempt at making its audience scream.  This is meant to be released on the week of Halloween for a reason right?  Well, that’s too bad, because this might have been the lamest Lifetime thriller yet.  I have seen scarier and more interesting episodes of Pretty Little Liars.  I wasn’t sure if the direction was aiming for teen horror or family friendly.  Though High School Possession fails to deliver, the film’s set up of a possible sequel, surprisingly has some potential.

High School Possession premieres Saturday, October 25, at 8pm ET /PT on Lifetime.

Movie Review: “A Haunted House 2” Is An Example of How A Spoof Should Be Done

Before I dive right into the hilarity of this film, I want to mention that I am fully aware of how ridiculous and dumb movies like A Haunted House 2 appear.  But I have to review this film for what it is, and it is a spoof.  Believe it or not, it’s a good spoof; one that doesn’t highlight so much product placement that you lose all focus of the story.  And let’s face it; this is what the past years of parody disasters have produced.

Of course there shouldn’t be too much worry when you have comedian, Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie, White Chicks) behind the screenplay.  Wayans is able to combine various horror film plot lines into his 87 minute spoof without going completely off track of his main premise.  This is a task that is usually failed in films like Meet the Spartans and Disaster Movie.

A Haunted House was a great display of how Paranormal Activity and The Exorcist should be made fun of.  In this sequel, the film picks up right where it left off.  After having exorcised the demons of his ex and trying to leave that terrifying supernatural experience behind him, Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) is starting fresh with his new girlfriend (Jaime Pressly) and her two children. But once they move into their dream home, Malcolm once again encounters bizarre paranormal events.

In comparison to the first, A Haunted House 2 is an overall bigger production.   There are more characters, more horror films that are being spoofed and even more racist jokes.  What is probably one of the most comical parts of the film is how Malcolm’s relationship with his new white girlfriend, Megan, differs so much from his first girlfriend, Kisha (Essence Atkins).  Racial stereotypes are a long running joke in both films, and are presented in an enjoyable and tasteful manner for audiences.

I will admit that there are still plenty of moments in this movie that might be a little too much, or a scene that could have been shown in half the time.  However, the continuous plot and constant references from the first film keeps you engaged enough in the story to forgive any over exaggerated scenes.  What is so frustrating about the Scary Movie franchise is that it started out as this outrageously funny story of Anna Faris’ character.  But as it went on, it was as if the films before never even happened.  I hope that if A Haunted House continues to produce sequels, Wayans will maintain a solid story that will eventually come full circle for all the main characters.

Expect to see some of the most popular scary flicks parodied, like The Conjuring, The Ring, and Insidious.  Cedric the Entertainer is even better the second time around as Father Williams, and even though she is only on screen for a limited amount of time, Essence Atkins is still the most entertaining “crazy bitch.”  If you enjoy spoofs and even mildly liked the first film, A Haunted House 2 will surely satisfy.

Rating: 3.5/5

A Haunted House 2 Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

CONJURING a Record Breaking Open!

NEW LINE CINEMA’S “THE CONJURING” HAS RECORD-BREAKING OPENING 

The Warner Bros. Pictures release conjures up $41.9 million weekend

 

BURBANK, CA – July 22, 2013 – New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring,” from director James Wan, rode a wave of strong critical and audience acclaim to an extraordinary $41.9 million opening weekend at the domestic box office.

The film broke records for:

·         The largest opening for an original horror film

·         Warner Bros.’ largest 3-day opening for a horror film

·         The largest opening for director James Wan, who created the “Saw” franchise.

In addition, “The Conjuring” earned an A- CinemaScore, one of only three horror movies in the last 10 years to earn such a high mark from moviegoers (with no horror movie ever receiving a higher grade).

Based on the true life story, “The Conjuring” tells the tale of how world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse.  Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives.

From New Line Cinema comes a feature film drawn from the case files of married demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.  “The Conjuring” stars Academy Award® nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” TV’s “Bates Motel”) and Patrick Wilson (“Insidious”) as the Warrens, and Ron Livingston (“The Odd Life of Timothy Green”) and Lili Taylor (TV’s “Hemlock Grove”) as Roger and Carolyn Perron, residents of the house.

Joey King, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Mackenzie Foy and newcomer Kyla Deaver play the Perrons’ five daughters, and Sterling Jerins is the Warrens’ little girl, Judy.  Rounding out the cast are Marion Guyot, Steve Coulter, Shannon Kook, and John Brotherton.

James Wan (“Saw,” “Insidious”) directed the film from a screenplay by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes (“The Reaping”).  The film is produced by Tony DeRosa-Grund, Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Walter Hamada and Dave Neustadter serving as executive producers.

New Line Cinema presents a Safran Company / Evergreen Media Group Production of a James Wan Film, “The Conjuring.”  The film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

This film has been rated R for sequences of disturbing violence and terror.

www.theconjuring-movie.com