phantom_fan89
Joined Jan 2005
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Reviews22
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On paper, the premise of The Conjuring reads like a carbon copy of any other supernatural thriller, but to dismiss it as such would be to deprive oneself of experiencing the most chilling horror film in years.
Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) have invested all of their savings into purchasing a large farmhouse to raise their five daughters. Almost immediately, the family begins to experience sinister phenomenon that escalates so violently that they make a desperate plea for help to notable paranormal investigators, Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren. Accustomed to dealing malevolent spirit activity, even the Warren's are unprepared for the hostile evil that dwells within the Perron's home.
The Conjuring is a perfect example of how a stale premise can be transformed by quality filmmaking. Director, James Wan, of Saw and Insidious fame, is a master of the genre. Wan goes back to a much more traditional and grounded style of delivering scares, mercifully avoiding overblown CGI.
Another main contributor to the film's success is the intelligent screenplay by Chad and Carey Hayes, whom treat the material with the same respect as one might a great drama. There's not one superfluous scene in The Conjuring as the tension unrelentingly builds throughout.
Adding further weight to the project is the stellar cast. Livingston and Taylor have long been amongst the most under-appreciated actors around and are always welcome screen presences thanks to their amazing versatility. Wilson and Farmiga are flawless as the Warren's. Both are the type of performer that elevates whatever project they're in and it's indisputable that the actors make what would have always been a good film great.
With a look, tone and quality reminiscent of the all time great horror flicks, The Conjuring is one of the best surprises of the year.
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) have invested all of their savings into purchasing a large farmhouse to raise their five daughters. Almost immediately, the family begins to experience sinister phenomenon that escalates so violently that they make a desperate plea for help to notable paranormal investigators, Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren. Accustomed to dealing malevolent spirit activity, even the Warren's are unprepared for the hostile evil that dwells within the Perron's home.
The Conjuring is a perfect example of how a stale premise can be transformed by quality filmmaking. Director, James Wan, of Saw and Insidious fame, is a master of the genre. Wan goes back to a much more traditional and grounded style of delivering scares, mercifully avoiding overblown CGI.
Another main contributor to the film's success is the intelligent screenplay by Chad and Carey Hayes, whom treat the material with the same respect as one might a great drama. There's not one superfluous scene in The Conjuring as the tension unrelentingly builds throughout.
Adding further weight to the project is the stellar cast. Livingston and Taylor have long been amongst the most under-appreciated actors around and are always welcome screen presences thanks to their amazing versatility. Wilson and Farmiga are flawless as the Warren's. Both are the type of performer that elevates whatever project they're in and it's indisputable that the actors make what would have always been a good film great.
With a look, tone and quality reminiscent of the all time great horror flicks, The Conjuring is one of the best surprises of the year.
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
Considering that detective procedurals populate the British television landscape perhaps more than any other genre, one might lament at the prospect of not only another crime drama, but a prequel to one of the most beloved shows, mystery or otherwise, to ever grace the small screen, Inspector Morse. Those who might dismiss Endeavour as just another generic addition to an already overcrowded marketplace, however, would be making a grievous error.
The year is 1965 and an eccentric young Detective Constable, Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), is making waves at the Oxford City Police with not only his unorthodox but brilliant methods of deduction, but for his refusal to tow the line in order to please the upper echelons of both the Force and society. Under the steadfast guidance of the seasoned and similarly incorruptible, Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), Morse finds himself embroiled in a number of complex cases that expose him to the darker side of life and human nature.
Although the series will naturally draw comparisons to its popular predecessor, thanks to the show's gripping narratives, vibrant swinging sixties backdrop and perfect blend of light and dark overtones, Endeavour is easily able to distinguish itself by its own considerable merits.
Much of the show's success can be attributed to the ingenious casting of Evans, who puts his own unique stamp on the iconic role. Of course there are parallels to the world weary DI so expertly embodied by John Thaw, but Evans wisely avoids imitation, as the twenty-year age difference between the two interpretations allows the actor to create something fresh. The addition of the character of Fred Thursday is inspired. The street wise, war veteran is the perfect mentor for the idealistic Morse and their relationship is one of the highlights of the series. Fantastic entertainment on every level!
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
The year is 1965 and an eccentric young Detective Constable, Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), is making waves at the Oxford City Police with not only his unorthodox but brilliant methods of deduction, but for his refusal to tow the line in order to please the upper echelons of both the Force and society. Under the steadfast guidance of the seasoned and similarly incorruptible, Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), Morse finds himself embroiled in a number of complex cases that expose him to the darker side of life and human nature.
Although the series will naturally draw comparisons to its popular predecessor, thanks to the show's gripping narratives, vibrant swinging sixties backdrop and perfect blend of light and dark overtones, Endeavour is easily able to distinguish itself by its own considerable merits.
Much of the show's success can be attributed to the ingenious casting of Evans, who puts his own unique stamp on the iconic role. Of course there are parallels to the world weary DI so expertly embodied by John Thaw, but Evans wisely avoids imitation, as the twenty-year age difference between the two interpretations allows the actor to create something fresh. The addition of the character of Fred Thursday is inspired. The street wise, war veteran is the perfect mentor for the idealistic Morse and their relationship is one of the highlights of the series. Fantastic entertainment on every level!
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
An utterly captivating drama that possesses a poeticism quite unlike anything on television, Rectify is one of the most expertly crafted new series of the year.
Nineteen years after being sentenced to die for the rape and murder of a sixteen-year-old girl, Daniel Holden (Aden Young), unexpectedly finds himself released from prison after overlooked DNA evidence is uncovered. Daniel must now not only re-acclimatize back into a hostile society, but also grow accustomed to the infinite possibilities that everyday living presents.
Young is a revelation as the traumatized ex convict. There's a fascinating stillness to his performance in which the actor manages to communicate volumes through expressions alone. The other main stand out is Abigail Spencer as Daniel's feisty younger sister, Amantha; a woman who has centered her life around fighting for her brother's freedom and must similarly reacquaint herself with some semblance of normality.
Rectify possesses a surreal, almost dreamlike quality that belies the violent and brutal undertones of its narrative thread. This is quite fitting considering that the majority of events are experienced through Daniel's eyes, as such the audience is introduced to viewing the most mundane aspects of life from a profoundly beautiful new perspective.
The series shows much restraint in allowing Daniel's innocence to remain ambiguous. It's a brave creative choice and a true credit to the writer's that Daniel's emotional and spiritual journey is so compelling that the viewer is in no great rush to learn the truth of his culpability. Despite the fact that this mystery does simmer quite tantalisingly throughout, Rectify fascinatingly never exploits the 'did he or didn't?' aspect that one might assume as the obvious angle given the premise. Instead the show sets about providing a haunting commentary on crime and punishment, human frailty and life's capability to transcend the boundaries of both a heaven and hell.
Nineteen years after being sentenced to die for the rape and murder of a sixteen-year-old girl, Daniel Holden (Aden Young), unexpectedly finds himself released from prison after overlooked DNA evidence is uncovered. Daniel must now not only re-acclimatize back into a hostile society, but also grow accustomed to the infinite possibilities that everyday living presents.
Young is a revelation as the traumatized ex convict. There's a fascinating stillness to his performance in which the actor manages to communicate volumes through expressions alone. The other main stand out is Abigail Spencer as Daniel's feisty younger sister, Amantha; a woman who has centered her life around fighting for her brother's freedom and must similarly reacquaint herself with some semblance of normality.
Rectify possesses a surreal, almost dreamlike quality that belies the violent and brutal undertones of its narrative thread. This is quite fitting considering that the majority of events are experienced through Daniel's eyes, as such the audience is introduced to viewing the most mundane aspects of life from a profoundly beautiful new perspective.
The series shows much restraint in allowing Daniel's innocence to remain ambiguous. It's a brave creative choice and a true credit to the writer's that Daniel's emotional and spiritual journey is so compelling that the viewer is in no great rush to learn the truth of his culpability. Despite the fact that this mystery does simmer quite tantalisingly throughout, Rectify fascinatingly never exploits the 'did he or didn't?' aspect that one might assume as the obvious angle given the premise. Instead the show sets about providing a haunting commentary on crime and punishment, human frailty and life's capability to transcend the boundaries of both a heaven and hell.