The Conjuring 2 — Still Nice … !

26th October, 2016.

I have something of a confession to make.

It’s a relatively simple confession to make.

A relatively simple confession to make … about movies.

It’s quite simply this.

I don’t, usually, watch sequels.

I’ve up grown, over the years, with the impression that they’re not a patch on the original film.

With one or two exceptions, I think.

The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi were improvements on their predecessor.

Aliens — in going in an action direction — was a very different film from the original: and the better for it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens … ?

A VAST improvement on The Phantom Menace trilogy: themselves a major argument that sequels aren’t necessarily a good thing.

A few months back, I managed to sit done with the James Wan directed, The Conjuring.

And came away thinking two things.

That The Conjuring was enjoyable.

And that The Conjuring was enjoyable enough to make me want to invest my time in its sequel: the imaginatively named The Conjuring 2.

OK, the name might be unimaginative.

The film itself … ?

~≈◊≈~

The Conjuring — Nice … !

The
Conjuring

21st June, 2016

You know, I knew there was something I forgot to do.

No, really!

The past few months have seen me doing all sorts of things.

Mostly?

Worrying about my health and working.

And writing for both here, and for the Brentwood Gazette.

So … ?

I’ve not had as much time to devote to things I like — occasionally — to do.

Catch up with people.

Read a good book.

Watch some TV: although I’ve done a bit of that, recently.

Oh … and caught a film or two.

I’ve not caught a film or two in a long time.

I’ll be frank?   While I didn’t have much credit in my iTunes account?

I did have enough films in my collection I’d not seen to make it worth my while to go browsing through me, to see what I had.

You’re right.

I did pick The Conjuring … 

And, yes, I think ‘nice’ is a good word.

~≈Â≈~

The Devil’s Backbone; or El espinazo del diablo: Oh, Well Played, Guillermo … !

Hmmm … That’s kicking off an understandable fuss.

Seemingly … ?   The trailer for the 50th anniversary episode of Dr Who has been shown at this year’s Comic Con.

And many — myself included — feel a certain amount of anger and resentment about that.

I’ve spent a few bob over the years on assorted bits of Dr Who merchandise: and had it bought for me.

I’ve ALSO paid my license fee.   I feel I should have seen the trailer on my TV: BEFORE a bunch of fans at a US convention.

I’ll quietly leave that there: but if any one is sending Steven Moffat a letter of complaint … ?   Put my name on it!

The Awakening: A Review

The Awakening

Can I tell you something, here … ?

Can I … ?

I’ll assume that’s a yes, shall I … ?

But here’s what I’m currently wanting to get off my chest.

I saw a film called The Awakening, last night.   You’ve probably worked that out from the poster.

And I’ve only seen one other film that I think’s as beautiful … 

‹‹·››

Set in 1921, some three years after the end of World War 1, The Awakening sees Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart: a young woman who has lost her fiancée during the war.

And as a result … ?   As a result, spends much of her time helping the police with their enquiries: into false mediums.

And promoting her book on the subject, as well..

The only possible fly in her ointment … ?   Is the arrival, one day, of Robert Malory*.  A teacher at a posh public school who has seen a pupil die as a siucide: after seeing what’s claimed to be a genuine ghost … 

Something Miss Cathcart is sceptical about.

Until she gets there. 

And sees it for herself …

‹‹·››

Now, I said, earlier, I’ve only seen one other film I felt matched The Awakening, in its beauty: frankly that was the one off that was Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead.

And I’m thinking for pretty much the same sort of reasons.

I personally found both films to be stand-outs in their genre: in fact, I’m thinking calling The Awakening a horror film is as possibly insulting as calling Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead a straight gangster film.

Both films are takes on their respective genres that makes a mockery of simple classification, and demands that someone see them, to enrich themselves with what can be done with a type.   They’re intelligent, adult, films with great scripts and fine casts.

And in the case of The Awakening, a fine leading actress in the shape of Rebecca Hall, along with quite possibly the strongest leading character — Florence Cathcart — I’ve seen in a long time.

What’s more … ?

What’s more, the film also has one of the most beautifully ambiguous finalés I think I’ve seen in quite a few years.

No, I correct that.

Ever.

Now, I grant, The Awakening isn’t going to be for everyone.

But that, I think, is even more reason to check it: if you’re used to an outright gore-fest, you’ll have done yourself a favour with a complete change of pace.

For the rest of us … ?

Go GET … !

The Awakening
★★★★

*        Played by Dominic West, I should add.