Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Patrick Wilson

Showing posts with label Patrick Wilson. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Insidious Chapter 2 - Review

Insidious Chapter 2
(2013 - September 13)
Horror | Thriller
1 hr. 46 min.

Rated: PG-13 Intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements.
Grade: B-

Director: James Wan
Writers: Leigh Whannell (screenplay, story and characters), James Wan (story)
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey | See full cast and crew

The famed horror team of director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell reunite with the original cast of Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey and Ty Simpkins in INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, a terrifying sequel to the acclaimed horror film, which follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Two years ago Insidious (2011) racked up a slew of positive reviews to the surprise of most everyone and on its way to a $13.3 million box office for its opening weekend. The film then showed staying power when it lasted an impressive five months in the theaters earning a total box office of $97 million world wide, pretty remarkable for a film produced on a skant $1.5 million budget! 2011’s Insidious absolutely earned its sequel and Insidious Chapter 2 jumps right in where the first film left off.

If you havent seen Insidious, I think you will find Insidious Chapter 2 a bit confusing or at best, somewhat hard to follow. It's been a couple of years and even though I liked Insidious I didn't remember the story all that well and consequently it took some work to remember what was going on with the family. Especially since we just recently saw Patrick Wilson in another James Wan film, The Conjering, (which is still in its first run at the theaters) and it can be easy to fuse the elements of the two films.) Perhaps it would be a good idea to rent Insidious and refresh your memory before you go to see Insidious Chapter 2.

As a primer I've included the trailers for both Insidious and Insidious Chapter 2

and a bonus scene from Insidious

Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) has just returned from 'The Further', the spirit world, with his astral projecting son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), and the family believe that they no longer run the risk of losing another Lambert to the spirit world. The family has now temporarily relocated to grandma’s (Barbara Hershey) house, Josh’s mother, but almost immediately after they arrive the bumps in the night, the eerie baby monitor noises and shadowy figures start returning and it has become very apparent that Josh didn’t return from 'The Further' alone.

Insidious Chapter 2 opened very appropriately on Friday the 13th. All the stars from the first film are back for the sequel.

I don't think that this sequel is as quite as good as the original installment, part of that is due to the surprising twists of the first film that are no longer so much of a surprise in the sequel. Yes, it still has some goosebump raising moments, some very creepy scenes and some gotcha scares but the novel surprise elements from the first film have lost a little of their edge. Incidentally, Insidious 3 in on the way.

Director James Wan on the job at the haunted house.

Cast

Patrick Wilson Rose Byrne

Josh Lambert Renai Lambert

Ty Simpkins Barbara Hershey

Dalton Lambert Lorraine Lambert

Lin Shaye Steve Coulter

Elise Rainier Carl

Leigh Whannell Tom Fitzpatrick

Specs Bride in Black/Old Parker

Friday, July 19, 2013

The Conjuring - Review

The Conjuring
(2013 - July 19)
Horror | Thriller
1 hr. 52 min.

Rated: PG-13 Sequences of disturbing violence and terror.
Grade: B+

Director: James Wan
Writers: Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor | See full cast and crew

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. "The Conjuring" tells the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga), world renowned paranormal investigators, who were called 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. -- (C) WB

The truly scary movies are the ones that you know could actually happen. That's why The Exorcist was terrifying to so many viewers, in that vein, The Conjuring is a terrifying paranormal horror movie, also based on a true story. It is superbly well-crafted and extremely creepy. Malaysian born director James Wan (Insidous, Saw, Saw III) ratchets up the dread and chills with a series of smartly delivered, terribly effective old-school type scares.

Back Row: The real-life Perron girls today - Front Row: The actresses who play them in The Conjuring

The events this film is based on took place in the early 1970s when the Perron family, Roger (Ron Livingston), Carolyn (Lili Taylor), and their five daughters -- moved into a new home in the Rhode Island countryside. Almost immediately, they start encountering strange noises and smells, stopped clocks, slamming doors, and figures lurking in dark corners. So the Perrons approach paranormal investigators Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) for help. The Warrens believed a demon was causing the trouble, and when Carolyn became possessed, they sought approval from the Catholic church for an exorcism.

Lorraine's clairvoyant abilities were physically taxing and stressful for her and with each case she grew weaker. Their recent case load had been quite deleterious to her physical strength, and Ed was very concerned that this case might be more than she can survive.

I enjoy films of this genre but they have to actually be scary or they are just a bore. Most fall into the second category but every now and then you get one of the good ones. The Conjuring is one of those rare events. I did experience a few good jolts in this one.

Patrick Wilson (Insidious, Phantom of the Opera, Watchmen, Angels In America) has two movies opening this year, and in each he plays the father of a haunted family. Not coincidentally both projects are directed by Saw's James Wan.

Insidious: Chapter 2 has a hit first movie to build on, and even though that's not the case with the second film although, The Conjuring does feature Mackenzie Foy (aka Renesmee - Bella and Edward Cullen's offspring from The Twilight series) but this time she isn't the threat but the innocent being threatened.

The costumes and sets are nostalgically well done and are almost as horrifying as the story itself, anyone who lived through the 70s can identify. Not that familiar with the actual historical events, I can't honestly say which events in the film were fictionalized for dramatic effect.