The Conjuring

Movie Title--  The Conjuring

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 51 Minutes

Director--  James Wan

Cast--  Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingson, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, John Brotherton, Sterling Jerins

When a dark presence terrorizes a family that has just moved into a new home, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren help to release the family from the evil within.

Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor) move their five daughters, Andrea (Shanley Caswell), Nancy (Hayley McFarland), Christine (Joey King), Cindy (Mackenzie Foy) and April (Kyla Deaver) into a dilapidated farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island in 1971.  The initial move in goes well except their dog Sadie refuses to enter the house.  In the evening while the girls are playing, one of them goes into the closet and accidentally knocks down a board, revealing a cellar that has been boarded up.  Roger tells the girls that no one is to go into the cellar until he has had the chance to go down and make sure it is safe.  As they go to bed that night, Carolyn asks about Sadie who is chained up next to the house and Roger tells her that Sadie will be fine for the night outside.

The next morning, Carolyn discovers a mysterious bruise on her arm and April, the youngest daughter find Sadie dead next to the house.  While playing, April also finds an old music box.  The family discovers that all the clocks have stopped at 3:07 A.M. while they were all sleeping.  Over the next few days, more paranormal activity occurs, culminating with Nancy and Christine being attacked by an unseen force one night after being waken from sleep.

Roger, a truck driver, goes on a trip to Florida and the strange events continue to happen to the female family members while he is away.  Carolyn hears a child giggling and clapping and after she witnesses the pictures on the wall fall and shatter, she follows sounds into the cellar and is locked inside.  At the same time, Cindy sleep walks into Andrea's room and after Andrea put Cindy in her bed, the wardrobe opens.  When Andrea goes to investigate, Cindy sits up in the bed and they both see a spirit on top of the wardrobe and it jumps down, attacking Andrea.

After these occurrences, Carolyn seeks out paranormal investigators, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga).  Ed is reluctant to take the case but Lorraine is interested in helping and urges him to let them take the case.  Together, they go and meet the family and see the house.  Ed explains to Roger that there is a dark force in the house and that it needs an exorcism but goes on to say that sometimes it takes time to push an exorcism through the Catholic church.  Lorraine is worried about the family so she promises that they will everything they can to help before it is too late.

So, I REALLY liked this film.  It was excellent although it is creepy.  The fact that it is based on a true story only helps to make the whole feel of the story that much creepier.  There isn't much to say about this film that won't give things away, I just have to say watch this one for yourself.

The acting in this film is excellent, from Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the investigators to all the girls as the Perron daughters.  Everyone in the film did a great job but I believe to be in a horror film, the actors have to do a good job or it won't be a very believable film.

I think that you are a fan of horror films this is definitely one that should go on your list.  Turn the lights off for extra creepiness and Don't Forget the Popcorn!