It's been a very long time since I've seen a quality horror film. We've all gotten used to the cheap thrill that enters and leaves a theater faster than Charlie Sheen on a hooker. Any horrors that have stood out tend to nestle into the comedy genre. The Conjuring is a spooky draft of fresh air.
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| The Conjuring Starring: Vera Farmiga,Patrick Wilson, Lili Tyler Directed by James Wan My Opinion: Do it, and do it now while it's still in theaters |
It's hard to pin down what's so terrifying about this film. Sound design balances on the less-is-more notion. The camera stalks the happenings in the house at an even pace, never showing you too much at once. The acting is perfectly grounded, completely absent of the cringe-worthy acting of most modern horrors.
Directer James Wan essentially holds your hand in a clammy death grip throughout the film, guiding you to the darkest corners in the house that he has created. Not only does Wan's film conjure pure terror from the viewer - the kind of terror that makes the audience actually scream - but his film is beautiful.
Indeed, this movie is nearly flawless. The only problem? There is no actual conjuring, but it's a small quibble for a movie like this.
