The Conjuring

[CelticPredator]

Sinister wasn't a ghost story. It was about an evil force. Like The Evil Dead.

Also, just because something isn't scary, doesn't mean it's not a good horror movie. Horror movies shouldn't scare you at this point in your life.
This was a fun spook film, with great camera work, and good solid characters you cared about.

 

[JAWS]

Sinister wasn't a ghost story. It was about an evil force. Like The Evil Dead.

Also, just because something isn't scary, doesn't mean it's not a good horror movie. Horror movies shouldn't scare you at this point in your life.
This was a fun spook film, with great camera work, and good solid characters you cared about.

No but they can still put me on the edge of my seat, unsettle me, keep me guessing or make me jump.


Horror films at this point can still get under my skin if done right. The Exorcist still sits with me a few hours after I am done. No it doesn't make me jump or hide my head... But it makes me think and the images stick with me and in all honesty if I fall asleep I don't want to wake up with that on TV.

Conjuring had some moments. But then many of those moments were ruined by what James Wan finds scary..... All those moments do is take me out of the film and that is never a good thing.

Horror is my fav. genre so admittedly I am a bit harder on the films at times. I gave Conjuring a second shot and felt the same way as I did the first time.... A good story with good actors that had some good moments but nothing that stuck with me.

I have nothing against Boo scares either. If done right they are great. The ending to Carrie, the hospital Decapitation in Exorcist III, Ben Gardner's Head in Jaws.. etc... All great moments that stuck with me after the film.. James Wan telegraphs his Boo scares and then does it with Clown Make up (he must hate Clowns).

But overall it was a decent enough film just one that I fail to understand the praise heaped upon it.

That is why I brought up Sinister..... NOT because I was trying to compare it to a ghost flick but as a flick that I think is spookier and better then Conjuring yet gets much less love.

I know I am in the minority with Conjuring. That is fine. I was with Insidious also. I just don't think Wan and I share the same nightmares.

 

[CelticPredator]

Good thing I didn't expect this film to scare me. Dramatic films frighten me more today then any horror film can. Unless it's about aliens.

It was just a damn good solid film. And that's all I ask of this genre these days.

 

[JAWS]

Good thing I didn't expect this film to scare me. Dramatic films frighten me more today then any horror film can. Unless it's about aliens.

It was just a damn good solid film. And that's all I ask of this genre these days.

Dramatic films just tend to depress me. Never scare... Just depress.

I am happy that the Conjuring did well. Never hurts for an R rated Horror film to be successful at the Box office. At least he tries harder then most to make characters we care about. Once he learns more subtlety I think he will knock one out of the park. Well out of the park for me anyways. However due to the success of his films I am sure he will keep things the same and we will be seeing overdone clown Ghost for years to come.

 

[JAWS]

Lol Not a knock on those who like his films or The Conjuring.... It's just I noticed a trend with James Wan's films. Here are some shots from SAW, Insidious, Insidious 2, The Conjuring, and Dead Silence

What Scares James Wan?

Ghost is white face clown looking make up

Dolls that look like Clowns

 

[JAWS]

AND DARTH MAUL!!!

Oh and Scary old woman who still look kinda like clowns.

I will say this. Looking back at his films he does keep getting better. With the exception of Insidious 2 all of his Ghost related films have gotten better.



Now lets talk about a clown like make up that does give me the creeps

 

[CAhobbit]

Oddly enough, my reaction to The Exorcist is similar to your reaction of The Conjuring. I saw it in my early 20s after hearing so much hype around it (how scary it was, how horrifying it was, etc.), so I was really looking forward to finally watching it since I'm a big horror genre fan. My reaction to it....YAWN. I'm going to guess I got sucked too far into the hype and was expecting something more amazing then what I finally saw. I can appreciate what the film means to the genre but I frankly was bored and never found it tense, scary, disturbing, etc.

The Conjuring, on the other hand, I went in almost totally blind and came out loving it. It was nice to see a film within horror not relying heavily on the gore/blood/guts (not saying that doesn't have it's place/relevance of course in films within the genre), making me actually care about some of the characters, and all rolled in with an intriguing story.

 

[JAWS]

Oddly enough, my reaction to The Exorcist is similar to your reaction of The Conjuring. I saw it in my early 20s after hearing so much hype around it (how scary it was, how horrifying it was, etc.), so I was really looking forward to finally watching it since I'm a big horror genre fan. My reaction to it....YAWN. I'm going to guess I got sucked too far into the hype and was expecting something more amazing then what I finally saw. I can appreciate what the film means to the genre but I frankly was bored and never found it tense, scary, disturbing, etc.

The Conjuring, on the other hand, I went in almost totally blind and came out loving it. It was nice to see a film within horror not relying heavily on the gore/blood/guts (not saying that doesn't have it's place/relevance of course in films within the genre), making me actually care about some of the characters, and all rolled in with an intriguing story.

I remember seeing the Exorcist when it got rereleased in the theater's as "the Version you have never seen" Someone stood up and said "this sucks" and walked out with his friends. I was sort shocked but then thought.... How would I feel about this film had I not seen it so many years ago? My reaction may have been like his or yours.

Having seen the Exorcist way back when..... I think I was 13 (42 now) the films got under my skin.... Also touched my religious beliefs. The Crucifix scene still gets under my skin. However with time I actually like everything in the Exorcist leading up to the final Exorcism (the boring stuff ) much more then the final Exorcism which I find too over the top.

My issue with the Conjuring may have had something to do with it being a Witch that was the big baddie. Had it been just a demon or demons it would have got under my skin. I did not care for the Witch idea and did not like her goofy over done look (again just things that took me out of the film). Of course it would have just been The Amityville Horror in a different house... So I can see why it went a different path. HAd they not shown the witch I think I would have liked it better also.

I love the Scene where the young girl is pointing at the door saying there is someone there. That whole scene is great.

I think I am coming across as not liking this film at all. I did. I like the cast, I liked the overall look and feel. I just did not like those moments that took me out of the film.

PS - Have you watched the Exorcist again since being disappointed the first time.... You may enjoy it more now that it is not built up in your head so much. Really I don't see how it's anymore boring then the Conjuring and I mean that in a good way.

 

[CAhobbit]

I remember seeing the Exorcist when it got rereleased in the theater's as "the Version you have never seen" Someone stood up and said "this sucks" and walked out with his friends. I was sort shocked but then thought.... How would I feel about this film had I not seen it so many years ago? My reaction may have been like his or yours.

Having seen the Exorcist way back when..... I think I was 13 (42 now) the films got under my skin.... Also touched my religious beliefs. The Crucifix scene still gets under my skin. However with time I actually like everything in the Exorcist leading up to the final Exorcism (the boring stuff ) much more then the final Exorcism which I find too over the top.

My issue with the Conjuring may have had something to do with it being a Witch that was the big baddie. Had it been just a demon or demons it would have got under my skin. I did not care for the Witch idea and did not like her goofy over done look (again just things that took me out of the film). Of course it would have just been The Amityville Horror in a different house... So I can see why it went a different path. HAd they not shown the witch I think I would have liked it better also.

I love the Scene where the young girl is pointing at the door saying there is someone there. That whole scene is great.

I think I am coming across as not liking this film at all. I did. I like the cast, I liked the overall look and feel. I just did not like those moments that took me out of the film.

PS - Have you watched the Exorcist again since being disappointed the first time.... You may enjoy it more now that it is not built up in your head so much. Really I don't see how it's anymore boring then the Conjuring and I mean that in a good way.

I've watched it one and half times since my original viewing and my reaction is still the same...appreciation of what the film is but am utterly bored watching it. So unfortunate I know given it's standing within the genre.

 

[EVILFACE]

Since there is no such thing as ghosts, what does one look like? It's just a style choice. Maybe people in facepaint is what scares James Wan.

And none of those you posted look anything like a clown.

 

[JAWS]

Since there is no such thing as ghosts, what does one look like? It's just a style choice. Maybe people in facepaint is what scares James Wan.

And none of those you posted look anything like a clown.

How do you know there is no such thing as ghosts?????????

Obviously it's what scares Wan.... Otherwise he would not use the same look over and over again.

I only compare to clownes because of the use of White facepaint... large amounts of lipstick... And many tend to be smiling. They look more at home in a Carnival then a ghost movie.

But that was my point to showing what scare Wan... I don't share the same nightmares as Wan so I have been let down by his films.

Actually I think Carnival of Souls Might be a big inspiration to him and I don't care for that film at all.

 

[CelticPredator]

Or maybe you keep going into horror films to be scared. Unless you're 10 years old, it's not going to happen.

 

[CAhobbit]

Oh man! I love 'Carnival of Souls'! Sooo good!

 

[JAWS]

Or maybe you keep going into horror films to be scared. Unless you're 10 years old, it's not going to happen.

A good horror film can still keep me in suspense or on the edge of my seat... Or even give me the chills or leave me with a bad feeling.. Call me a puss but some films can make me uncomfortable and even give me a chill/ If that don't happen for you when watching any horror films then that is fine... I agree. Horror films don't have to be scary to be good. But The Conjuring was not either. It was OK. I gave reasons for this but as usual Celtic... You know more about why I like films or don't like films better then I do.

Perhaps you don't know what a good horror film is and you just like following the sheep.. Yeah that must be it
You are without a doubt the worst person to discuss films with because if they don't agree with you you don't follow up with logical arguments you just state the whole "you just don't get it" argument.

Don't like Iron Man III - Your a comic fan not a film fan
Don't like Riddick - You missed the point it's supposed to be cheesy
Don't like The Conjuring - Films can't scare you anymore get over it.


And this whole if you are under 10 crap... The Exorcist, JAWS, Psycho, hell even the conjuring scared plenty of adults.. Where are you coming up with "after a certain age horror films can't scare you anymore" garbage.

 

[JAWS]

Oh man! I love 'Carnival of Souls'! Sooo good!

You and I can't ne horror buddies

 

[CelticPredator]

A good horror film can still keep me in suspense or on the edge of my seat... Or even give me the chills or leave me with a bad feeling.. Call me a puss but some films can make me uncomfortable and even give me a chill/ If that don't happen for you when watching any horror films then that is fine... I agree. Horror films don't have to be scary to be good. But The Conjuring was not either. It was OK. I gave reasons for this but as usual Celtic... You know more about why I like films or don't like films better then I do.

Perhaps you don't know what a good horror film is and you just like following the sheep.. Yeah that must be it
You are without a doubt the worst person to discuss films with because if they don't agree with you you don't follow up with logical arguments you just state the whole "you just don't get it" argument.

Don't like Iron Man III - Your a comic fan not a film fan
Don't like Riddick - You missed the point it's supposed to be cheesy
Don't like The Conjuring - Films can't scare you anymore get over it.


And this whole if you are under 10 crap... The Exorcist, JAWS, Psycho, hell even the conjuring scared plenty of adults.. Where are you coming up with "after a certain age horror films can't scare you anymore" garbage.

LOL...............

 

[CAhobbit]

You and I can't ne horror buddies

I noticed. We seem to have different tastes within the genre. Thankfully horror is so diverse that there's all different kinds out there for folks to enjoy (should they want to watch horror films of course).

 

[CelticPredator]

The Exorcist is a powerful film. But it never scared me. Halloween is a really good slasher film, but never scared me. Jaws is one of the greatest films ever made, but it never scared me...cept for that head!

I grew up with knowing how movies worked. So it's hard for me to be scared this day and age. So I go for the entertainment factor of them. If they can keep me interested and worried about the characters, you did your job. Especially in this age of Saw crap and Paranormal Activity. Yuck.

 

[JAWS]

I noticed. We seem to have different tastes within the genre. Thankfully horror is so diverse that there's all different kinds out there for folks to enjoy (should they want to watch horror films of course).

I am sure there are some classics we agree on

 

[JAWS]

The Exorcist is a powerful film. But it never scared me. Halloween is a really good slasher film, but never scared me. Jaws is one of the greatest films ever made, but it never scared me...cept for that head!

I grew up with knowing how movies worked. So it's hard for me to be scared this day and age. So I go for the entertainment factor of them. If they can keep me interested and worried about the characters, you did your job. Especially in this age of Saw crap and Paranormal Activity. Yuck.

I get what you are saying. I really do. But there is sort of a contradiction in your comment I bolded. I mean why even be worried about characters if you know how movies work... Not saying you are wrong or poking holes in your argument just making a point. Worrying about characters is only a step or two away from being "scared" for the characters. Basically it boils down to getting into the story and getting lost in the moment.

However I understand some people are not effected by horror films

Films don't scare me either.... But they can give me a chill and a smile when I see something creepy. The Conjuring had some of those moments but then ruined them for me with my already mentioned examples... It's like watching a film and a really Bad CGI effect shows up... Even if I love the characters and I am really into the story... that Bad CGI effect can really ruin the mood. It also had it's fair share of cornball moments and plot holes that usually I can look past but overall I just ended up being disappointed.

Like You Celtic I also grew up knowing movies. I grew up on Famous Monsters and Fangoria... I got my hands on all the making of docs (basically just Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark) back then. I always bought the Making of books and Mags... Making of Alien was one of my first.

But I have always been able to loose myself in a film if the film was good enough. I still watch them with a technical eye... Noticing how shots are set up, director's choices FX, etc.... But I can still loose myself in the magic of film.

Otherwise for me there would not be much of a point if I could not get an adrenalin rush from an action film, a chill down my spine from a great horror film, a laugh from a comedy, or Ball my eyes out at that #@$(*&# movie Marley and Me.