The Conjuring

I love a good scare. The more facts, the more real, the more exciting a film is for me. I'd heard many great things about this film and from my research I've found out that this film is indeed based on real, true events during the 1970's. This 2013 Horror/Thriller written/adapted by Chad and Carey Hayes and directed by Malysian James Wan (whom you may remember directing 'Insiduous' and 'Saw') certainly made a wonderfully hair-raising film. Was it completely traumatic, alarming or chilling? For the majority of movie-goers, that would be a distinct yes. Wan has peaked his film-making abilities in being able to regurgitate in a most excellent way of evoking these fearful emotions. For me, however, sadly it was a distinct, definite and dreadful  let-down. 

The research, marketing, strategy of fear tactics as well as educational factors and great line-up of cast proved to be quite successful at the box-office. With a budget of a whopping $20 million USD, within the film's first 3 days in cinemas, they made back double with almost $42 million USD, and within a short month even larger than quadrupled with a gross of $131 million USD.

The detail to story, phenomenal chemistry and acting as well as snazzy film used and camera angles and techniques added to the thrilling entertainment for this movie's audience. Lovable Patrick Wilson whom you may remember from 'Insiduous', 'Hard Candy' and 'Little Children', piercing blue-eyed and extraordinary actress Ukranian-American Vera Farmiga whom you may remember from 'Source Code' and 'Up in the Air', gentle-faced Lili Taylor whom you may recall from 'Ransom' and 'The Haunting' and funny-man Ron Livingston from 'Office Space' and 'Swingers' lent their commitment and expertise on set. Joey King for me who plays young 'Christine' is the young up-and-coming actress that stood out for me, whose career has now been pivoted into the spotlight and may be soon known as a young Angelina Jolie.

Anything bizarre, unexplainable and different is seen as 'weird' or 'scary' in society and because of this I can see why many movie-goers found this one to be high on the scary charts. Despite this film's excellent story-telling, it did not deliver as much fear as I'd have liked. There were great tactics used for the climax of surprise, but not enough endurance or long-lasting petrifying effects that our classic horror films left us with. I'd give a silver star for effort and being worthy but there have been other films that have gotten me a lot more sensationally bothersome.

Oz, the Great and Powerful

There was a time I was fascinated by and in awe of the talent of James Franco, and his talent still exists but over the years his delivery has lost it's genuine charm. Franco, along with sweet Montana blonde Michelle Williams, Ukranian bright-eyed bombshell Mila Kunis and force-to-be-reckoned-with English Rachel Weiz and Zach Braff all team together with Disney to bring this family adventure to life.

Written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire our viewers are whisked into the visually- appealing fantasy world of Oz, where wizards, witches and fairy creatures are to be excepted but more importantly the film's message of 'Oz' played by Franco learning to become a better man when he realizes how to use more than magic to face the problems he has at hand.

Not as jaw-dropping or attention-grabbing as other fantasy films I've seen, but certainly inspirational and fun for the children audiences. I was impressed with new-comer angel-faced Joey King who played the 'Girl in Wheelchair' as well as the 'China doll girl' whom also stretches her acting chops in 'The Conjuring' out this month (July). Reminiscent of a young Angelina-Jolie; Joey King has got a solid acting career ahead of her if she plays her cards right.