Review: "GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS" Does Too Much

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 15 of 2024 (No. 1959) by Leroy Douresseaux

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for sequences of monster action violence and destruction, and for some language

DIRECTOR:  Michael Dougherty

WRITERS:  Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields; from a story by Max Borenstein and Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields (based on characters owned by Toho Co., Ltd.)

PRODUCERS:  Jon Jashni, Alex Garcia, Mary Parent, Brian Rogers, and Thomas Tull

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Lawrence Sher (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Bob Ducsay, Roger Barton, and Richard Pearson

COMPOSER:  Bear McCreary

SCI-FI/ACTION/MILITARY

Starring:  Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford, Sally Hawkins, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O'Shea Jackson, Jr., David Strathairn, Anthony Ramos, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, CCH Pounder, and Joe Morton

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a 2019 monster movie and action film directed by Michael Dougherty.  Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, this film is the third entry in the “MonsterVerse” film series, which began with Godzilla (2014).  Godzilla: King of the Monsters pits the monster-monitoring agency, Monarch, against a legendary monster, and the only hope for the world is the missing Godzilla.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters opens five years after the events depicted in Godzilla (2014).  The world is now aware of the existence of giant monsters called “Titans.”  Monarch is the U.S. government agency that monitors and studies the Titans (which it once called “MUTOs” or “massive unidentified terrestrial organisms).  It has bases (bunkers) around the world where its scientists struggle to find a way in which humanity and the Titans can share the planet.

In a bunker located in the Rainforest of Xishuangbanna in China's Yunnan Province, Monarch scientist Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) has developed a device, called “ORCA,” that can emit frequencies that can attract Titans or alter their behavior.  However, her research has attracted the attention of Alan Jonah (Charles Dance), a former British military officer turned eco-terrorist, who wants control of ORCA.  He kidnaps Emma and her daughter, Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown).

Monarch scientists, Dr. Ishiro Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Vivienne Graham (Sally Hawkins), approach Emma's estranged husband and Madison's father, Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler), to help track down Emma, Jonah, and ORCA.  However, Jonah has already forced Emma to use ORCA to awaken the legendary “Monster Zero,” the three-headed dragon known as King Ghidorah.  Now, Serizawa must convince the U.S. government and military that the only Titan capable of stopping Ghidorah is “Gojira,” a.k.a. “Godzilla.”  But where is Godzilla?  Also, where do newly awakened Titans, “Mothra” and “Rodan,” stand in this battle royale of monsters?

The “MonsterVerse” is an American multimedia franchise that includes movies; a streaming live-action television series (Apple TV+) and a streaming animated series (Netflix); books and comic books; and video games.  It is a shared fictional universe that includes the character, “Godzilla” and other characters owned and created by the Japanese entertainment company, Toho Co., Ltd.  The MonsterVerse is a reboot of Toho's Godzilla franchise.  It is also a reboot of the King Kong franchise, which is based on the character, “King Kong,” that was created by actor and filmmaker, Merian C. Cooper (1893-1973).

The fifth film in the MonsterVerse series, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, is due to be released sometime in March 2023, so I have decided to watch and review the previous four films:  Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters (which is the subject of this review), and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021).

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the ultimate giant monster smack-down.  With the wizardry of digital VFX and supernatural CGI, King of the Monsters is a monster mash infused with visual splendor.  This movie is non-stop action, practically from the start.  It is so much an action movie that if you could cut it, King of the Monsters would bleed fire and brimstone.  To add the craziness, each new monster reveal is mind-blowing and even mind-bending...

...but after about 75 minutes, Godzilla: King of the Monsters wore me down.  The writers and actors have fashioned a cast that has almost twenty characters with dramatic potential.  The Russell family subplot about the loss the son, Andrew, is only used to sell dysfunctional family contrivances, which is a shame.  The monster movie theatrics get bigger and bigger with each minute of this story, but the drama and story shrink with each minute until they are flimsy like wet toilet paper.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is as exciting as any other blockbuster.  Few, if any, monster movies will ever be as epic as it is when it comes to big monster fights.  Few monster movies will ever be as gorgeous as it is in terms of cinematography, special effects, production values, and visuals.  This is “cinema of sensations” writ large and out of control, and that's a shame.  Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a monster of a movie, but I wish its human element was just as awesome.

[This film has one scene after the end credits.]

B

6 of 10

★★★ out of 4 stars

Thursday, March 21, 2024

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "THE CONJURING: The Devil Made Me Do It" is Crazy and Scary as Hell

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 1 of 2022 (No. 1813) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Running time:  112 minutes (1 hour, 52 minutes)
MPAA – R for terror, violence and some disturbing images
DIRECTOR:  Michael Chaves
WRITERS:  David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick; from a story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan (based on characters created by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes)
PRODUCERS:  Peter Safran and James Wan
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Michael Burgess (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Peter Gvozdas and Christian Wagner
COMPOSER:  Joseph Bishara

HORROR

Starring:  Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ruairi O'Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, Julian Hilliard, John Noble, Eugenie Bondurant, Shannon Kook, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Keith Arthur Bolden, and Sterling Jerins

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is a 2021 supernatural horror film from director Michael Chaves.  The film is a direct sequel to 2016's The Conjuring 2 and is the third film in The Conjuring series and also the eighth film in “The Conjuring Universe.”  Once again, actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga play fictional versions of real life, American paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren.  In The Devil Made Me Do It, the Warrens investigate a murder linked to demonic possession.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It opens on July 18, 1981 in Brookfield, Connecticut.  Noted paranormal investigators, Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), are assisting in and documenting in the exorcism of eight-year-old David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard), which is being performed a Catholic priest.  The exorcism is also attended by David's parents; his sister, Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook), her boyfriend, Arne Johnson (Ruairi O'Connor).  During the exorcism, the demon transports itself into Arne.  Ed witnesses this, but suffers a heart attack and falls into an unconscious state before he can warn anyone.

The following month, Ed wakes up at the hospital and reveals to Lorraine that he witnessed the demon enter Arne's body.  Meanwhile, Arne and Debbie have returned to their apartment located above Brookfield Boarding Kennels where Debbie works.  After feeling unwell, Arne murders the kennel's owner, Bruno Sauls (Ronnie Gene Blevins).  Arne is facing a capitol murder charge that could earn him the death sentence.  The Warrens insist that Arne's attorney defend him by claiming demonic possession as a defense.  Meanwhile, the Warrens have to find evidence that helps prove that Arne was possessed when he killed Bruno.  However, Ed and Lorraine are about to discover that in this investigation, they have both a human and a demonic adversary.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is based on the events surrounding the real life murder trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson in Connecticut in 1981.  The film's narrative may also correspond with The Devil in Connecticut, a 1983 book about the trial written by Gerald Brittle.  Brittle is currently suing Warner Bros. and other parties, claiming they infringed upon his 1980 book about the Warrens, The Demonologist.

One thing that I have found is that The Conjuring film series is super-scary even when I don't focus on the Warrens' real-life investigations in which these film are supposedly based.  And The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is no less scary than the previous films in the series.  In fact, The Devil Made Me Do It may be the darkest entry in the series because it deals with horrendous human evil.  Director Michael Chaves wrings bone-chilling, heart-stopping terror from the horrific set pieces that make up The Devil Made Me Do It's narrative.  There is a sequence in a funeral home that had me glued to my chair, but I won't say more.  The fewer spoilers I offer, the more terror you will feel, dear readers.

Once again, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson give excellent performances as the Warrens.  They have the gift of making the Warrens seem like two eccentrics who are not only a loving couple, but are also ass-kicking demon fighters.  The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is the kind of supernatural horror film that is as frightening as the best slasher horror films – with less bloodshed.  I hope The Conjuring series returns for a fourth time... and many more after that.

8 of 10
A

Tuesday, January 11, 2022


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "THE CONJURING 2" is One Hell of a Scary Movie

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 38 of 2021 (No. 1776) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Running time:  134 minutes (2 hours, 14 minutes)
MPAA – R for terror and horror violence
DIRECTOR:  James Wan
WRITERS:  Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes, and James Wan and David Leslie Johnson; from a story by Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes, and James Wan (based on characters created by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes)
PRODUCERS:  Rob Cowan, Peter Safran, and James Wan
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Don Burgess
EDITOR:  Kirk M. Morri
COMPOSER:  Joseph Bishara

HORROR

Starring:  Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor, Lauren Esposito, Benjamin Haigh, Patrick McAuley, Simon McBurney, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Simon Delaney, Frank Potente, Bob Adrian, Robin Atkins Downes, Bonnie Aarons, Javier Botet, Steve Coulter, Abhi Sinha, Daniel Wolfe, and Sterling Jerins

The Conjuring 2 is a 2016 supernatural horror film from director James Wan.  The film is a direct sequel to 2013's The Conjuring and is also the third film in “The Conjuring Universe.”  Like the original film, The Conjuring 2 stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as fictional versions of real life, American paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren.  In The Conjuring 2, the Warrens travel to North London to help a single mother and her four children who are being plagued by a supernatural spirit.

The Conjuring 2 opens in 1976.  Noted paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), are involved in the investigation of the haunting of the house in Amityville, Long Island, New York, the case that came to be known as “the Amityville Horror.”  During a seance, Lorraine is drawn into a vision where she relives the murders committed in the house by Ronald DeFeo, Jr., in which he killed his mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters.  The spirit of one of the killed children lures Lorraine to the basement, where she encounters a demonic figure that looks like a nun.  Lorraine also witnesses a horrifying fate for her husband, Ed.

The Conjuring moves forward to 1977.  In Ponders End, the southeasternmost part of the London borough of Enfield, there is a council house on Green Street that is the “Hodgson Residence.”  Here, Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) lives with her four children:  daughters, Margaret (Lauren Esposito) and Janet (Madison Wolfe), and sons, Billy (Benjamin Haigh) and Johnny (Patrick McAuley).  Peggy's husband, Richard, has abandoned them, and she struggles to support her family.

In addition to financial problems, the family has another strange problem.  Janet starts to sleepwalk and to converse in her dreams with an entity in the form of an angry elderly man who sits in the family's armchair, insisting that the Hodgson Residence is really his house.  Eventually, Janet's mother and siblings begin to witness the paranormal events surrounding her.  A media firestorm ensues and a representative of “the church” asks the Warrens to travel to London and to investigate the Hodgsons' claims.  Lorraine, however, fears that this confusing case may cost Ed his life.

As much as I liked The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2 is one of those cases in which the sequel surpasses the original.  The sequel is really scary, and is certainly a superior cinematic ghost story.  Not only is it spine-tingling, but it also made me feel tingling all over my body, especially in my thighs (TMI?).  The Conjuring 2 has some wild scenes that frightened me so much that I felt my butt checks really clinching (again, too much information?)  So, yeah, I'm trying to tell you that The Conjuring 2 is just plain scary.  It scared me so much that I was too afraid to finish it the first time I watched it.

Where I found the sequel to be superior is its emotional component in the form of Ed and Lorraine Warren.  As good as it was in the original film, in the sequel, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson's screen chemistry is uncannily convincing, at least as I see it.  Their performances seem so genuine and honest that they make their version of the Warrens come across as a real, longtime, loving, married couple.

Farmiga and Wilson make The Conjuring 2 so fresh and surprising, when in many ways, it is like another spin on the really scary 1979 film, The Amityville Horror.  I have confidence that going forward the (dark) fate of The Conjuring film franchise rests in the hands of its (romantic) leads.

8 of 10
A

Thursday, June 3, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 13th to 19th, 2019 - Update #27

Support Leroy on Patreon:

TELEVISION - From Variety:  One of the pilots that NBC has ordered is a comedy, "Saving Kenan," starring "Saturday Night Live" veteran, Kenan Thompson."

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PIXAR - From Deadline:  Two-time Oscar-winner, Lee Unkrich ("Toy Story 3," "Coco") is leaving Pixar.

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STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix and Shawn Levy are rebooting the true crime/paranormal TV series, "Unsolved Mysteries."  The original series ran for 14 seasons between 1987 and 2010, and the late Robert Stack is the host most associated with the series.

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CELEBRITY - From HuffPost:  Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding son, Joseph Baena, recreates his father's iconic 1976 bodybuilding pose.

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BOX OFFICE - Newsarama:  The winner of the Wednesday, January 16, 2019 daily box office is "Dragon Ball Super: Broly" with an take of just over $7 million.

From BoxOfficeMojo:  The box office chart for Wednesday, January 16, 2019, the day "Dragon Ball Super: Broly."

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COMICS-FILM - From Newsarama:  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson challenges Chris Hemsworth to a Marvel Studios/"Fast & Furious" crossover film.

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MUSIC - From Variety:  Sony Music has parted ways with controversial R&B recording artist, R. Kelly, who has been dogged by sexual misconduct allegations for the past two decades plus.  Kelly's catalog/back list will remain with Sony/RCA.

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OSCARS - From Variety:  Kristopher Tapley offers his final Oscar nominations predictions ahead of the Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019 announced of the nominations for the 91st Academy Awards.

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  The J.R.R. Tolkien biographical film, "Tolkien," is set for release May 10, 2019.  Nicholas Hoult will play Tolkien, the creator of "The Lord of the Rings."

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Lionsgate and Hasbro's film based on the game, "Monopoly," will star Kevin Hart and be directed by Tim Story, who directed Hart in the "Ride Along" films.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  The race to win J.J. Abrams and his "Bad Robot" company may be close to an end.

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  Jason Reitman reportedly will direct the next installment of the "Ghostbusters" franchise, this one set in the "original universe" of the 1983 and 1989 films.

From Newsarama:  Jason Reitman's "secret Ghostbusters" project already has a teaser trailer.  Reitman's father, Ivan Reitman, who directed the original 1980s "Ghostbusters" films, will produce the new film (which is set for 2020), which is apparently set in the "original universe" of films.

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AWARDS - From Variety:  2019 USC Libraries Scripter Award nominations have been announced.  "Black Panther" is one of the nominees.

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TECH - From Wired:  MacKenzie Bezos and the Myth of the Lone Genius Founder

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MOVIES - From THR:  Jon Bernthal ("The Punisher") and Vera Farmiga ("The Conjuring") joins "The Sopranos" prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark."

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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist:  Director David Cronenberg is prepping a sequel to his most excellent 2007 film, "Eastern Promises," with star Viggo Mortensen returning.

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TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO is rebooting the classic TV series, "Perry Mason," and have tapped Matthew Rhys ("The Americans") to play Mason.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Liza Minnelli giver a rare endorsement of the biographical musical about her mother, Judy Garland, entitled "Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz."  Of course you know that Garland was Minnelli's mother.

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STAR TREK - From Deadline:   "Star Trek: Discovery's" Philippa Georgiou (played by actor Michelle Yeoh) is getting her own "Star Trek" TV spin-off.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 1/11 to 1/13/2019 weekend box office is "The Upside" with an estimated box office haul of $19.59 million.

From Variety:  "Bumblebee" leads the international box office with a $35.6 million.

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TELEVISION - From TheWrap:  HBO announces that April 14, 2019 will be the premiere date for first episode of the eighth and final season of "Game of Thrones."

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AWARDS - From Variety:  The winners of the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Roma" wins "best picture" and "best director" awards.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow") is set to direct Eddie Murphy in "Coming to America 2,"  Brewer just completed "Dolemite is My Name," which also stars Murphy.

OBITS:

From Variety:  Tony Mendez, the CIA officer portrayed by Ben Affleck in the Oscar-winning best picture, "Argo," has died at the age of 78, Saturday, January 19, 2019.

From People:  Iconic Broadway star, Carol Channing, has died at the age of 97, Tuesday, January 15, 2019.  Channing is known for her role in iconic Broadway musicals, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Hello, Dolly!" (for which she won a Tony Award).  She received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

From Variety:  Filmmaker and choreographer, Jo Andres, died at the age of 64, Monday, January 7, 2019.  Andres, who was married to acclaimed actor Steve Buscemi for 31 years, choreographed actor Stanley Tucci's directorial effort, "The Imposters" (1998) and directed the film, "Black Kites" (1996).

Third "Annabelle" Movie Now Filming; Due July 2019

Evil Comes Home as Production Begins on the Next Terrifying Chapter in New Line Cinema’s Annabelle Series

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography is underway on the third installment of New Line Cinema’s hugely successful “Annabelle” films, starring the infamous sinister doll from the “Conjuring” universe. Screenwriter Gary Dauberman (“The Nun,” “IT” films, “Annabelle” films) helms his first feature in the $1.5 billion “Conjuring” franchise. The new horror film is once again being produced by “Conjuring” universe creator James Wan through his Atomic Monster production company, and by Peter Safran, who has produced all the films, through The Safran Company.

Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her “safely” behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest’s holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target—the Warren’s ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends.

The film stars McKenna Grace (TV’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Gifted,” upcoming “Captain Marvel”) as Judy; Madison Iseman (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween”) as her babysitter, Mary Ellen; and Katie Sarife (TV’s “Youth and Consequences” and “Supernatural”) as troubled friend Daniela; with Patrick Wilson (“The Conjuring” and “Insidious” films, upcoming “Aquaman”) and Vera Farmiga (“The Conjuring” films, upcoming “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” TV’s “Bates Motel”) reprising their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Dauberman also wrote the screenplay from a story by Wan & Dauberman. The executive producers are Michael Clear and Michelle Morrissey. Dauberman’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Michael Burgess (upcoming “The Curse of La Llorona”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Annabelle Creation,” “The Nun”), and costume designer Leah Butler (“Annabelle Creation”).

From New Line Cinema, the film is set to open in theatres July 3, 2019 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 8th to 14th, 2018 - Update #18

Support Leroy on Patreon:

MOVIES - From THR: Scarlet Johansson drops out of playing trans character after backlash.

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EMMYS - From YahooET:  Sandra Oh becomes the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated in a lead actress category, either comedy or drama, at the Emmys.  She has been nominated for her role in the series, "Killing Eve."  The 70th / 2018 Emmy Award winners will be announced, Monday, Sept. 17th.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Chadwick Boseman will produce and star in STXfilms  "17 Bridges."

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MOVIES - From DreadCentral:  The bloom has steadily degraded on Neill Blomkamp's rose with each film succeeding his stunning debut, "District 9."  After the cancellation of his "Aliens" revival, Blomkamp is now attached to MGM's "Robocop" revival.

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TELEVISION - From YahooTheWrap:  Angela Kang, the new showrunner for "The Walking Dead" talks about Season 9.

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SCANDAL - From ThePlaylist:  New sexual assault allegations have been levied against French director and filmmaker, Luc Besson.

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CELEBRITY - From TIME:  Sarah Palin apparently got punked by Sacha Baron Cohen in an interview.

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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:  Ava DuVernay's Netflix 'Central Park Five' Limited Series Casts Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga And John Leguizamo

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COMICS-FILM - From SlashFilm:  Joaquin Phoenix apparently has really agreed to play "The Joker" in a film based on the antics of Batman's arch-villain.

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CELEBRITY - From TheWrap:  Shine with Reese Witherspoon.

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DISNEY - From JoBlo:   "Indiana Jones 5" has been moved to 2021.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  A source says that Jeremy Renner has joined Blumhouse's film, "Spawn," which will star Jamie Foxx and is being directed by Spawn's creator, Todd McFarlane.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 7/6 to 7/8/2018 weekend box office was Disney/Marvel Studios' "Ant-Man and the Wasp" with an estimated take of $76 million.

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CELEBRITY - From Variety:  "Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot visits a children's hospital dressed as Wonder Woman."

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COMICS-FILM - From BleedingCool:  Margot Robbie confirms that the Warner Bros./DC Comics film, "Birds of Prey," starts shooting in January 2018.

OBITS:

From YahooEntertainment:  Nancy Sinatra Sr. has died at the age of 101, Friday, July 13, 2018.  Sinatra was the first of legendary singer/actor, the late Frank Sinatra's four wives.  Nancy gave birth to Frank's three children, Nancy Jr., Frank Jr. (who died in 2016), and Tina.

From THR:  The actor Roger Perry has died at the age of 85, Thursday, July 12, 2018.  Perry was a guest star in the first season episode, "Tomorrow is Yesterday" in the original "Star Trek."  Perry played a 1960s Air Force pilot who finds himself aboard the USS Enterprise.  Discovered by Lucille Ball, Perry appeared as an actor and guest in numerous television series.

From Variety:  Actor, singer, and gay icon, Tab Hunter, has died at the age of 86, Sunday, July 8, 2018.  One of Hollywood's leading men in the 1950s, Hunter appeared in "Damn Yankees" and "Battle Cry."  He had a #1 pop single, "Young Love," in 1957.  In the 1980s, he experienced a career revival after appearing in John Water's film, "Polyester" (1981).  He came out as gay in the biography, "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star" (2005).

From SeattleTimes:   Former NBA player, Lonnie Shelton, has died at the age of 62, Sunday, July 8, 2018.  Shelton was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1976 out of Oregon State University.  In his first season with the Seattle SuperSonics, Shelton was the starting power forward and enforcer on the Sonics 1978-79 NBA World Championship team.

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"Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams" Debuts on Amazon Jan. 12th

Amazon Prime Original Anthology Series Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams Debuts on Friday, January 12, 2018

All ten episodes—featuring an all-star cast including Steve Buscemi, Bryan Cranston, Greg Kinnear, Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard, Maura Tierney, Janelle Monáe, Richard Madden, Liam Cunningham, Vera Farmiga, Juno Temple, Essie Davis, Benedict Wong, Annalise Basso, Mireille Enos, Rachelle Lefevre and Executive Producers Ronald D. Moore, Michael Dinner, David Kanter and Bryan Cranston—will be available globally in select territories on Prime Video

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon announced that its new sci-fi anthology series Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams will premiere on Friday, January 12, 2018, exclusively on Prime Video. Based on various writings from author Philip K. Dick, each of the ten standalone episodes are set in a different and unique world – some which lay in the far reaches of the universe, and others which are much closer to home.

While the stories may be worlds apart, central to each is the poignant and warm exploration of the importance and significance of humanity. From five to 5000 years in the future, each compelling tale will both illustrate Philip K. Dick's prophetic vision and celebrate the enduring appeal of the prized sci-fi novelist’s work. Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams will be available as a Prime Exclusive Series in the U.S., as well as in select territories globally, including Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Spain and Turkey, among others. Dick’s Emmy award-winning The Man in the High Castle, the most-watched scripted series in the history of Prime Video, will begin its third season in 2018.

    “We’re excited to share the fantastical world of Philip K. Dick as it’s never been experienced before”

Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams features an all-star cast, including Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Greg Kinnear (Heaven is For Real), Maura Tierney (The Affair), Janelle Monáe (Moonlight), Mireille Enos (The Catch), Anna Paquin (True Blood), Terrence Howard (Empire), Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Holliday Grainger (The Finest Hours), Mel Rodriguez (Last Man on Earth), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Jack Reynor (Macbeth), Essie Davis (The Babadook), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), Geraldine Chaplin (A Monster Calls), Juno Temple (Vinyl) and David Lyons (Revolution), among many others.

Each episode is inspired by one of Philip K. Dick’s renowned short stories and has been adapted by leading American and British writers and directors, including Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander), Michael Dinner (Justified, Sneaky Pete), Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Matthew Graham (Doctor Who), David Farr (The Night Manager), Dee Rees (Bessie), Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim), Jessica Mecklenburg (Stranger Things), Francesca Gregorini (Humans), Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, Mad Men) and Peter Horton (Grey’s Anatomy, The Shield).

“We’re excited to share the fantastical world of Philip K. Dick as it’s never been experienced before,” said Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide TV Content Acquisition, Amazon Prime Video. “With the combined creative genius behind this series, as well as the stellar cast and visually compelling locations, every episode of this sci-fi anthology is sure to be an entertaining experience for our Prime members.”

Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and Maril Davis of Tall Ship Productions (Outlander) and Michael Dinner of Rooney McP Productions (Justified, Sneaky Pete), alongside Bryan Cranston and James Degus of Moonshot Entertainment (Sneaky Pete), Isa Dick Hackett, Kalen Egan and Christopher Tricarico of Electric Shepherd Productions (The Man in the High Castle), David Kanter and Matt DeRoss of Anonymous Content Entertainment (13 Reasons Why), Lila Rawlings and Marigo Kehoe of Left Bank Pictures (The Crown) and Don Kurt (Justified) and Kate DiMento (Justified), in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The entire first season of Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams will be available to stream and members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership. The series will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video for members to watch via the Prime Video app for popular smart TVs, Fire TV, Fire Tablets and Android and iOS phones and tablets. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free 30-day trial at amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship, and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 130 channel subscriptions that Prime members can add to their membership, including HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more. To view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels.
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers.
•     Instant Access: Customers can instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on compatible TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content.

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalog with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more, visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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New "Godzilla" Movie Has Begun Filming

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse Kicks into Gear as the Next Godzilla Feature Gets Underway

Director Michael Dougherty helms the film in which stars Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe and Zhang Ziyi take on the King of the Monsters…and more

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the global success of 2014’s “Godzilla” and this year’s “Kong: Skull Island,” comes the next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic MonsterVerse: an epic action adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history.

The film, which begins principal photography, is being directed by Michael Dougherty (“Krampus”), and stars Oscar nominees Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” “The Conjuring” films), and Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) and Sally Hawkins (“Blue Jasmine”), both reprising their “Godzilla” roles; Kyle Chandler (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Manchester by the Sea”); Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”) in her feature film debut; Bradley Whitford (“Get Out”); Thomas Middleditch (HBO’s “Silicon Valley”); Charles Dance (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”); O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Straight Outta Compton”); Aisha Hinds (“Star Trek Into Darkness”); and Golden Globe nominee Zhang Ziyi (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Dougherty directs from a script he wrote with Zach Shields. The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Brian Rogers and Thomas Tull, with Barry H. Waldman, Zach Shields, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira serving as executive producers and Alexandra Mendes co-producing for Legendary.

Behind the scenes, Dougherty’s creative team includes director of photography Lawrence Sher, whose past credits include “War Dogs” and “Godzilla,” for which he handled additional photography; production designer Scott Chambliss (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”); editor Roger Barton (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” the “Transformers” films); costume designer Louise Migenbach (the “X-Men” and “Hangover” films); and Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Guillaume Rocheron (“Godzilla,” “Ghost in the Shell,” and part of the Oscar-winning team behind “Life of Pi ”).

Filming is taking place mainly in Atlanta, Georgia. A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, the film is currently scheduled for release in March 2019, and will be distributed in 3D and 2D and in select IMAX theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.

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"The Conjuring 2" Conjures a Box Office Victory

New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring 2” Scares off the Competition in Its Opening Weekend

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One of the most anticipated movies of the summer, James Wan’s sequel to 2013’s record-breaking supernatural thriller summoned up $90.350 million at the worldwide box office, making “The Conjuring 2” #1 in its opening weekend in North America and expecting to be #1 internationally, outside of China. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “Once again, James Wan has proven himself a true master of the scare, building an onscreen world that not only frightens his fans in the best way possible, but remains with them when they leave the theater. We anticipate strong word-of-mouth will carry the film through the summer corridor.”

Coming off of a strong Thursday night total of $3.4 million domestically, the film took in $40.350 million in North America, marking the largest domestic horror opening since 2013’s “The Conjuring,” which went on to gross $319 million in theaters worldwide. Internationally, the film took in a sensational $50 million, doubling “The Conjuring” in the same opening markets. These early successes, along with an A- Cinema Score and a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicate the “The Conjuring 2” is poised to scare up excellent numbers as it expands into additional territories in the coming weeks.

In making the announcement, Kwan Vandenberg stated, “Once again, James Wan has proven himself a true master of the scare, building an onscreen world that not only frightens his fans in the best way possible, but remains with them when they leave the theater. We anticipate strong word-of-mouth will carry the film through the summer corridor.”

New Line Cinema’s supernatural thriller “The Conjuring 2,” with James Wan once again at the helm following the record-breaking success of “The Conjuring,” brings to the screen another real case from the files of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Reprising their roles, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up In the Air”) and Patrick Wilson, star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, who, in one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The film follows the phenomenal worldwide reception of Wan’s “The Conjuring,” which marked the largest opening ever for an original horror movie. It went on to make more than $319 million worldwide and still remains the second highest grossing original horror movie of all time, second only to “The Exorcist.”

Rounding out the cast are Frances O’Connor as the single mom, with Madison Wolfe and newcomers Lauren Esposito, Patrick McAuley and Benjamin Haigh as her children; Maria Doyle Kennedy, Simon Delaney, Franka Potente and Simon McBurney.

The screenplay is by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes & James Wan and David Leslie Johnson, story by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes & James Wan. Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, who previously collaborated on “The Conjuring,” produced with Wan. The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada and Dave Neustadter.

Collaborating with Wan behind-the-scenes were Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“Forrest Gump,” “42”) and, reuniting with the director from “The Conjuring,” production designer Julie Berghoff, editor Kirk Morri, costume designer Kristin M. Burke and composer Joseph Bishara.

New Line Cinema presents a Safran Company/Atomic Monster Production, a James Wan film, “The Conjuring 2.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated R by the MPAA for terror and horror violence.

www.theconjuring2.com

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"The Conjuring 2" Begins Shooting in Los Angeles

James Wan Begins Shooting New Line Cinema’s Highly Anticipated “The Conjuring 2”

“The Conjuring” stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite with Wan for another chilling chapter from the Warren case files

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography has begun in Los Angeles on New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring 2,” with James Wan (“Furious 7”) once again at the helm, following the record-breaking success of “The Conjuring.” The supernatural thriller brings to the screen another real case from the files of renowned demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Reprising their roles, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (“Up In the Air,” TV’s “Bates Motel”) and Patrick Wilson (the “Insidious” films), star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, who, in one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The film follows the phenomenal worldwide reception of Wan’s “The Conjuring,” which marked the largest opening ever for an original horror movie. The film went on to make more than $319 million worldwide and still remains the second highest grossing original horror movie of all time, second only to “The Exorcist.”

Rounding out the cast are Frances O’Connor (TV’s “The Missing”) as the single mom, with Madison Wolfe (TV’s “Zoo”) and newcomers Lauren Esposito, Patrick McAuley and Benjamin Haigh as her children; Maria Doyle Kennedy (TV’s “Orphan Black”); Simon Delaney (TV’s “Roy”); Franka Potente (TV’s “The Bridge”); and Simon McBurney (“Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation”).

In addition to directing the film, Wan wrote the screenplay with Carey Hayes & Chad Hayes, and David Leslie Johnson.

Peter Safran, Wan and Rob Cowan, who previously collaborated on “The Conjuring,” are producing.

Collaborating with Wan behind-the-scenes is Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“Forrest Gump,” “42”). Reuniting with the director from “The Conjuring” are production designer Julie Berghoff, editor Kirk Morri, costume designer Kristin Burke, and composer Joseph Bishara.

Scheduled for release on June 10, 2016, “The Conjuring 2” is a New Line Cinema presentation and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Review: "The Conjuring" Conjures Goose Flesh

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Conjuring (2013)
Running time:  112 minutes (1 hour, 52 minutes)
MPAA – R for sequences of disturbing violence and terror
DIRECTOR:  James Wan
WRITERS:  Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes
PRODUCERS:  Rob Cowan, Tony DeRosa-Grund, and Peter Safran
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  John R. Leonetti (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Kirk M. Morri
COMPOSER:  Joseph Bishara

HORROR

Starring:  Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy, Kyla Deaver, Shannon Kook, John Brotherton, and Sterling Jerins

The Conjuring is a 2013 supernatural horror film from director James Wan.  The film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as fictional versions of real life, American paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren.  In The Conjuring, Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

The film opens in 1971.  Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) and his wife, Carolyn (Lili Taylor), move into a dilapidated farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island with their five daughters:  Andrea (Shanley Caswell), Nancy (Hayley McFarland), Christine (Joey King), Cindy (Mackenzie Foy), and April (Kyla Deaver).  Strange things begin to happen almost immediately upon the family moving into the farmhouse.

Soon, what can be called paranormal disturbances, occur, and the family soon finds itself under various forms of physical attack.  Carolyn seeks the help of noted paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga).  The couple reluctantly agrees to conduct an initial investigation, but soon finds that the Perrons are in more peril than they imagine.

The Conjuring is an old-fashioned scary movie, using mood, atmosphere, imagery, lighting, and sound effects to elicit scares.  The plot is always ratcheting up the dread, as if the story is proud of its heritage that harkens back to films like The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror, and Poltergeist.  It is gleefully creepy, as I found myself laughing and shivering, often at the same time.  It’s also a howler, as some of the scenes in which the “bad spirit” gets physical with the Perrons are funny and scary.  Watching someone dragged across the room by an unseen force made me laugh and squeal.

The filmmakers smartly deliver the scares, but the movie never takes itself too seriously.  The Conjuring does things that made me freak-out, and those are often things that other horror movies have done, but those other movies made me roll my eyes in disdain.  The acting is good, if not great.  The actors, adults and children, are quite good at making you sympathetic of their respective causes.  I felt like I was right there with them – suffering through supernatural shenanigans.

The Conjuring works, and I think it may remain a Halloween favorite for some time to come.  Or it may be just what the voodoo doctor orders when you need a scare or two.

7 of 10
B+

Thursday, February 06, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

New Line Cinema Still "Conjuring" Box Office

New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring” is a Global Box Office Phenomenon

Supernatural Horror Thriller Tops $300 Million Worldwide

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring” has surpassed the $300 million mark at the worldwide box office, it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

James Wan’s supernatural horror thriller has earned a staggering $306.6 million at the worldwide box office, taking in $137.2 million in the U.S., and $169.4 million overseas. Domestically, the film had the biggest opening weekend ever for an original horror film and has gone on to become one of only three horror films to gross more than $100 million in the summer. Internationally, “The Conjuring” has surpassed all expectations for the genre, becoming the highest grossing Warner Bros. Pictures horror release within the past 15 years internationally, second only to the 1973 release of “The Exorcist.” It is also the highest grossing horror film ever in territories such as Belgium, Korea, Mexico and Australia.

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “These incredible results prove that regardless of genre, a compelling tale, well told, will continue to draw audiences even in this highly competitive marketplace.”

Kwan Vandenberg added, “The international response among audiences of all ages is nothing short of phenomenal. We’re thrilled to see this outstanding film resonate even in markets that don’t traditionally favor the genre.”

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.

www.theconjuringmovie.com

"The Conjuring" Crosses $100 Million Box Office Mark

New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring” Crosses $100 Million at the Domestic Box Office

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One of the most talked about hits of the summer, New Line Cinema’s “The Conjuring” has surpassed $100 million at the domestic box office on only its third weekend in theatres, it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. The film crossed the $100 million mark on Saturday, August 3, and has earned an estimated $108.6 million domestically to date, and still climbing.

“The Conjuring” is also off to a great start internationally, opening in just 13 markets thus far. The film opened in the UK this weekend, taking the #1 spot on Friday and Saturday, and it is also holding extremely well in other early release markets, particularly in Australia and Spain. The international total to date is an estimated $28.6 million, with many major markets yet to open, including France, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Mexico.

The terrifying supernatural horror thriller, from director James Wan, opened to rave reviews from critics, as well as audiences, a fact that was reflected in the film’s A- CinemaScore—an extremely rare mark for the genre. “The Conjuring” had an extraordinary $41.9 million opening weekend at the domestic box office, the largest opening ever for an original horror film.

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “James Wan has created a film that stays with moviegoers long after they leave the theatre, resulting in terrific word-of-mouth that should carry it through the rest of the summer. Surrounded by tentpole summer movies, ‘The Conjuring’ has become the must-see film of the season.”

Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, added, “‘The Conjuring’ is performing beyond all expectations, breaking barriers as not just a great genre film, but a great film of any genre. The phenomenal results in the U.S. are also starting to be seen globally as ‘The Conjuring’ expands its reach, with tremendous worldwide potential. We congratulate James Wan, the remarkable cast and everyone involved in the film.”

New Line Cinema President and COO Toby Emmerich stated, “We’re excited that ‘The Conjuring’ continues to have such a big impact on fans and that they are sharing their enthusiasm with friends and family. James Wan made a fantastic movie and audiences clearly agree, as is evident in the film’s great CinemaScore, social media engagement and theatre attendance.”

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

Review: "Safe House" is Full of Thrill Rides

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 56 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux

Safe House (2012)
Running time: 115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violence throughout and some language
DIRECTOR: Daniel Espinosa
WRITER: David Guggenheim
PRODUCER: Scott Stuber
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Oliver Wood (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Richard Pearson
COMPOSER: Ramin Djawadi

ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Rubén Blades, Nora Arnezeder, Robert Patrick, and Liam Cunningham

Safe House is a 2012 action thriller and espionage film from Dutch director Daniel Espinosa. Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, the film follows a young CIA agent and a former CIA agent turned criminal on the run after their safe house is attacked. Safe House is an excellent action thriller, but that’s all it is.

Safe House is set in South Africa, where Matthew James “Matt” Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a low-level CIA agent. He is the “housekeeper” (essentially the manager) of a CIA safe house in Cape Town, South Africa. Matt is about to have his biggest guest, Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington), an ex-CIA agent turned international criminal. Not long after Frost is brought to Matt’s safe house by a CIA special operations unit, mercenaries attack the house. Matt manages to escape with Frost in his custody, but things only get worse. Matt suspects that there is a security leak at the CIA from someone who wants something that Frost apparently has. Now, Matt has to keep one eye on Frost and the other on the people trying to kill them both.

Safe House is an expertly directed action thriller. Every chase scene is riveting; each one will hold onto your attention with a steely grip. But that’s it. You don’t really get to know the characters, although many have interesting back stories. Characters are either good guys or bad guys, and many are also corpses-to-be. Denzel doesn’t do anything that you haven’t seen him do before, but Ryan Reynolds really sells the idea that he is a young man dealing with something way beyond his pay grade. He shows fear, desperation, and desperate determination in his eyes. He does this with enough intensity to make you believe that he is a serious actor and not just the latest lucky young white guy in Hollywood.

I really enjoyed Safe House. It’s like the Jason Bourne movies, but more meat-and-potatoes action than smart (which the Bourne movies are). I think Safe House should also be noticed for a small role by Rubén Blades, the fine actor, singer/songwriter, and Latin jazz musician. He should be in more movies. In spite of a thin script, that’s what Safe House does: offer surprises and thrills that make you glad you watched it. If you are looking for more, you will need to watch another movie.

7 of 10
B+

Monday, July 09, 2012

Review: "Running Scared" Overdoes it on the Gritty (Happy B'day, Paul Walker)

TRASH IN MY EYE NO. 143 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux

Running Scared (2006)
Running time: 122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)
MPAA – R for pervasive strong brutal violence and language, sexuality, and drug content
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Wayne Kramer
PRODUCERS: Michael Pierce, Brett Ratner, and Sammy Lee
CINEMATOGRAPHER: James Whitaker
EDITOR: Arthur Coburn

CRIME/THRILLER/ACTION

Starring: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Vera Farmiga, Karel Roden, Johnny Messner, Ivana Milicevic, Chazz Palmiteri, Michael Cudlitz, Arthur Nascarella, and Alex Neuberger

In Grimley, New Jersey, Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker) is a low-level employee for the Italian Perello mob. The first real disaster of his decade-long connection with the Perellos arrives when a drug deal goes bad, and Perello family scion, Tommy “Tombs” Perello (Johnny Messner) kills a dirty cop. Ignoring Tommy’s explicit instructions that he get rid of the gun he used to kill the corrupt cop, Joey keeps it as “insurance” against the Perello mob that he might need in the future, but his decision immediately puts his family in danger.

Joey’s son, Nicky (Alex Neuberger), and his son’s best friend, Oleg (Cameron Bright), are hiding in the basement when Joey hides the weapon, and Oleg secretly steals the gun. Oleg later uses it to shoot his abusive Russian stepfather, Anzor (Karel Roden), a drug-addict who operates a backyard crystal method lab, before running away. That one act of self-defense puts everyone of Oleg’s trail: the Russian Yugorsky mob to whom Anzor belongs, Tommy Perello and his goon, Sal “Gummy Bear” Franzone (Michael Cudlitz), and nefarious Detective Rydell (Chazz Palmiteri), a dirty cop hell-bent on exploiting the tension between the Perellos and Yugorskys to collect two million dollars in blackmail money from Tommy Perello.

Meanwhile, Joey with the help of his wife Teresa (Vera Farmiga) and Nicky embark on a frantic all-night search for Oleg and gun, not only to protect the frightened boy from those who would kill for the gun, but also to save their own lives should the Perellos discover that Oleg has the gun Joey was supposed to destroy.

In the field of gritty urban thrillers, Running Scared, seems determined to out gritty them all. The film is supposed to harken back to days of the 1970’s adult thrillers, according to this film’s writer/director Wayne Kramer (The Cooler). However, Running Scared seems firmly entrenched in the school of Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 seminal crime film that became the most influential film of the rest of the 90’s and still casts a shadow on crime flicks to this day. Running Scared also belongs to the classic Film-Noir tradition of sober and stark black and white crime movies, except it’s in color. Color films like Pulp Fiction technically aren’t noir, but their combination of noir and the pulp crime fiction that was so popular during the middle 20th century has created something that can be called “pulp noir.”

Kramer’s Running Scared is edgy and violent, and obsessed with the extreme fringes of criminal society and the low life. Kramer so convincingly creates this world that he’s also able to turn pretty boy movie star Paul Walker into a cheap, dangerous thug. This is probably Walker’s least superficial performance to date, and that’s say something about an actor who clearly comes from the Kevin Costner/Keanu Reeves school of stiff acting. Kramer also makes the most of promising young actor Cameron Bright (Oleg Yugorsky), who has an emotive face. There’s something about his performance that reflects what the other performers are trying to do. Against Cameron’s character, the other characters reveal their true selves.

Well-written and thrilling, Running Scared does have a singular, fatal flaw – Kramer’s stylish photographic look for this movie. Kramer and his cinematographer, James Whitaker, who worked with Kramer on The Cooler, use elaborate steadicam and crane shots to create constantly moving camerawork. Then, they combine that with manipulation of camera shutter speed, image destabilization, and use of a hand-cranked camera. The entire film is also shot in moody lighting. It’s all supposed to create an atmosphere of menace, adrenaline, and nerve-wracked emotions, yet in the end it just got on my nerves.

These are the kind of artistic or visual choices that can hamstring, if not outright ruin, a good film. Kramer’s has as exciting story, colorful characters, interesting situations, an appealing setting for a crime film, and a plot line that could hold the attention of kid on a sugar high, but it’s mostly spoiled by visual flourishes that are exactly that – just flourishes. They don’t add as much to the storytelling, or at least not as much as Kramer thought they would. It’s a shame, really. Running Scared is a worthy choice for lovers of crime cinema – the razor’s edge in mob flicks. It could have been a contender for greatness…

6 of 10
B

Sunday, July 02, 2006

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Review: Solid Performances, Excellent Directing Shape "UP IN THE AIR"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 45 (of 2010) by Leroy Douresseaux

Up in the Air (2009)
Running time: 109 minutes (1 hour, 49 minutes)
MPAA – R for language and some sexual content
DIRECTOR: Jason Reitman
WRITERS: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (based on the novel by Walter Kirn)
PRODUCERS: Jeffrey Clifford, Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman, and Jason Reitman
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Eric Steelberg (director of photography)
EDITOR: Dana E. Glauberman
Academy Award nominee

DRAMA/COMEDY

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, Danny McBride, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliot, Zach Galifianakis, and Marvin Young (Young MC)

When I first heard all the praise for the 2009 film, Up in the Air, from director Jason Reitman (Juno), I was skeptical. Now, I have finally seen the film, and I like it. I like it a lot. Up in the Air is one of those “movies of the moment” that speak to our times, but this one works because it has excellent actors creating characters the audience will like and some may even love.

Up in the Air focuses on Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), who works for Career Transition Counseling out of Omaha, Nebraska. The job requires him to travel around the country and visit companies where he fires employees so that their bosses don’t have to do it. Ryan loves his life up in the air, and he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles. Ryan is also a motivational speaker who encourages people to live a life free of relationships and without attachments to things. But change is coming.

First, Ryan’s boss, Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman), hires a new employee, an ambitious recent college grad, Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick). Natalie proposes that the company ground the employees and conduct layoffs (firings) over the Internet. Secondly, Ryan meets another frequent flyer, Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), and they begin a casual sexual relationship. Ryan’s younger sister, Julie Bingham (Melanie Lynskey), is getting married, and Ryan’s been invited, although he isn’t really part of his family’s life anymore. Now, Ryan is starting to make connections, but will that be enough to make him give up living a life with nothing and with nobody?

Whatever Up in the Air’s philosophy may be, it relies on good performances and engaging characters to sell it, especially the three major characters: Ryan, Natalie, and Alex. George Clooney is one of the few modern actors who remind me of movie stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Like Humphrey Bogart, Clooney seems to be playing himself, but he is so good as an actor that he makes us believe that he can be any character, from a fisherman (The Perfect Storm) to a brilliant con man (Ocean’s Eleven). Clooney sells us Ryan Bingham, and instead of coming across as shallow, Ryan comes across as a solid guy with real motivation and personality.

Vera Farmiga usually delivers deceptively smooth performances that, combined with her unique, not-cookie cutter beauty, make for attractive, even alluring characters. Alex Goran is a mysterious, rich with many layers, and Farmiga makes us want to peel back all those layers. Anna Kendrick also turns Natalie, who could have been an annoyance, into someone charming and engaging. Whenever Natalie walks away from the camera, the movie seems lonesome without her.

Perhaps, the lion’s share of the credit should go to director Jason Reitman, a major new talent. Everything about this movie works, and the director is the one who has to bring out the best in his cast and crew. Up in the Air, with its themes of loneliness, disconnected people, shallow relationships, and corporate callousness could have been a downer. When it depicts people getting fired, the movie seems too close to home, but that is a testament the sense of verisimilitude here. The truth is that Up in the Air is timeless because it tells us a story we recognize, in one way or another, and gives us characters with which we identify, in part or in whole.

9 of 10
A+

NOTES:
2010 Academy Awards: 6 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman, and Jason Reitman), “Best Achievement in Directing” (Jason Reitman), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (George Clooney), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Vera Farmiga), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Anna Kendrick), “Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: (Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner)

2010 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Screenplay – Adapted” (Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner); 5 nominations: “Best Editing” (Dana E. Glauberman), “Best Film” (Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, and Daniel Dubiecki), “Best Leading Actor” (George Clooney), “Best Supporting Actress” (Vera Farmiga), “Best Supporting Actress” (Anna Kendrick)

2010 Golden Globes: 1 win: “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner); 5 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Jason Reitman), “Best Motion Picture – Drama,” “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (George Clooney), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Vera Farmiga), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Anna Kendrick)

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