My Review of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

 

Written by James Wan And David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Directed by Michael Chaves

Ed Warren: "The court accepts the existence of God every time a witness swears to tell the truth. I think it's about time they accept the existence of the Devil."

Usually things end in threes and this really could've been the end of both this part of the franchise or the entire franchise in general. It had a feeling of finality to it.

Once again, we're with paranormal couple, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) but this time, we're not dealing with haunted houses as such. This one was definitely more about the possessions and a bout of occultism in the mix as well.

The movie started with a family's young son, David (Julian Hilliard) being possessed by a demon that Ed and Lorraine really struggled to get rid. In fact to up the ante, Ed ended up hospitalised and in a wheelchair for a bit of the movie. Of course that wasn't the only consequence of saving David.

David might have gotten the demon taken out of him but his sister, Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook) didn't fare as well. The demon instead up residence in her boyfriend, Arne Cheyenne Johnson (Ruari O'Connor) and as a result, he ended up stabbing his landlord twenty two times and was sent the prison for his crime.

This film tackled the issue of demonic possession being claimed as a defence while also putting Ed and Lorraine through their paces. Along with their assistant, Drew (Shannon Kook) they worked on trying to save Arne from the death penalty while drawing a link to another case involving an occultist (Eugenie Bondurant). 

Unlike the previous movies that were in spin off setting up mode, there's a good focus on the actual threat at hand. Isla/Occultist made for a good villain, the demon certain had both Ed and Arne act, Lorraine had more to do and there was a strong supporting role from John Noble as Kastner. I think this might have had the strongest third act so far.

- Once again we see items from previous movies and spin offs with voice over work filling in the gaps of the real life case this movie was based.

- James Wan co-wrote but didn't direct this one. His wife Ingrid Bisu had a role in this film as well.

- Standout music: Eddie Money's Baby Hold On and Blondie's Call Me.

- Chronology: 1981 in Brookfield, Connecticut as well as Dancers, Massachusetts.

I think I might have liked The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It the best of these movies so far. The story helped by being a little different from the first two. It's also the movie where I think the reshoots helped strengthen the actual plot and third act itself.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of The Conjuring 2 (2016)

 

Written by Chad Hayes And Carey W. Hayes And James Wan And David Leslie Johnson

Directed by James Wan

Lorraine Warren: "After everything we've seen, there isn't much that rattles either of us anymore. But this one... this one still haunts me."

Following the events of the first movie and spin off movie, Annabelle, it was time to venture into the first sequel of this franchise. This meantt another case with husband and wife demonologist team, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga).

Back in the 1970s, it wasn't just the US having their share of paranormal cases but even the UK had an infamous one with the Enfield Haunting. It was time for the Warrens to take a trip overseas for this particular case.

The case focused on a single mother, Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) and her family, Janet (Madison Wolfe), Margaret (Lauren Esposito), Billy (Benjamin Haigh) and Johnny (Patrick McAuley). Let's just say kids really shouldn't be messing with ouija boards.

It was Janet and Margaret playing with one that suddenly saw their home being terrorised by the ghost of Bill Wilkins (Bob Adkins), who communicated through Janet and certainly made the effort to unnerve Ed during their initial encounter in the house.

However, it wasn't just one ghost. No, there was also the Crooked Man (Javier Batet) terrorising the house and even Ed and Lorraine needed the helps of others such as Maurice Grosse (Simon McBurney) and Anita Gregory (Franka Potente) in saving the Hodgson family.

Then there was another spin off to help set up. Lorraine was having visions of a demonic nun named Valak (Bonnie Aarons) and there's a battle between the pair in order to save Ed. Personally, I found this set up a little clumsy and distracting from the main plot itself.

- The last scene contained the Annabelle doll, a haunted "Crooked Man" zoetrope and one of the Perrons music boxes.

- There's some nice supporting performances from Maria Doyle Kennedy and Simon Delaney as a couple who were friends with Peggy and her family.

- Standout music: Elvis's I Can't Help Falling In Love With You and The Clash's London Calling.

- Chronology: The movie started with the Lutz family in Amityville in 1976 before moving to the Enfield Haunting in 1977. Christmas played a part here too.

The Conjuring 2 for the most part did make for a good sequel. I liked the London setting, the jump scares were still good but it did feel like they could've weaved the Valak story a lot better into the movie or just hinted at it in a post credit scene instead.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of The Conjuring (2013)

 

Written by Chad Hayes And Carey W. Hayes

Directed by James Wan

Ed Warren: "The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow."

With the last month of these movies due for theatres next month, I went back to rewatch the first three. This franchise has definitely been a good mine for WB but often a mixed bag in terms of quality.

Focusing on real life couple Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), these two are quite the experts in the paranormal field. Though their credibility has often been called into question.

With this movie, we open with the demonologist couple investigating the infamous Annabelle doll that has been terrorising friends Camilla (Amy Tipton) and Debbie (Morganna May). Of course that would be more in line with setting up the next movie in this franchise rather than the crux of this one.

Instead the action pivoted towards the Perron family. You had Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn (Lili Taylor) moving into a new home with their five daughters. It's not long before strange stuff happens at a specific time, Carolyn wound up with bruises and the poor dog Sadie ended up being dead as a result.

Of course that meant the Perron family getting Ed and Lorraine to try and sort out their supernatural problem along with their assistant Drew Thomas (Shannon Kook) and police officer Brad Hamilton (John Brotherton). Honestly, the Warrens needed all the help they could get.

The house had a history of Satanism and Witchcraft, notably Bathsheba Sherman (Joseph Bishara). The remainder of the film played as a tense battle for two families souls and it's one that's played well enough with the Warrens being able to save the Perrons from their Satanic house.

- The end of the movie set up the events for Annabelle (2014), which in my opinion is still the best film in this whole franchise.

- The real Lorraine Warren had a cameo appearance in the movie.

- Standout music: The Zombies Time Of The Season and Dead Man Bones In The Room Where You Sleep.

- Chronology: The film started in 1968 for the Annabelle case before the main events in Harrisville, Rhode Island during 1971.

The Conjuring was a strong start to this franchise, adapting the real life Perron case and setting up the events for another movie. James Wan does good with the jump scares and there's no denying that Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are excellent in these roles.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008)

 

Written by Hans Rodionoff

Directed by P.J. Pesce

Edgar Frog: "Let's get one thing straight, I hate damn vampires!"

The 2000s really were the wildest time for the horror genre. If it was an unnecessary reboot, it was also the unnecessary sequel. This was 94 minutes of my time in which I should have something far more constructive with my time.

Take two siblings - Chris Emerson (Tad Hilgenbrink) and his sister, Nicole (Autumn Reeser). Throw them into a certain town, renting a house from their aunt Jillian (Gabrielle Rose) and you'll see where this one will go.

The sister Nicole being the rebellious one of the bunch made some new friends such as surfer dude, Shane Powers (Angus Sutherland). It doesn't take long for Nicole to be tricked into drinking blood or for Shane and his friends to be the new vampires of this town.

It also didn't take long for Chris to "join" Shane and his gang in a bid to rescue his sister and stop her drinking from local boy Evan (Greyston Holt). Of course there's another aspect of this movie I've not touched on.

Having a link to the 1987 movie, there was also the return of Edgar Frog (Corey Feldman). He's become a vampire hunter, had an unconvincing grizzled accent and teamed up with Chris and Nicole to take out Shane and his friends. His performance was horrible and that's putting it mildly.

- A post credit scene revealed that Sam Emerson (Corey Haim) became a vampire between movies.

- Alan Frog (Jamison Newlander) had filmed scenes that were ultimately cut from the movie.

- Alternative scenes included subplots with Edgar, Sam and Alan that likely were meant to set up Lost Boys: The Thirst.

- Chronology: 2000s, Luna Bay in California.

Awful, just awful. I can vibe with a terrible sequel but when it's as draining and as dreadful as Lost Boys: The Tribe, I'd rather not. If you haven't seen it, don't bother. 

Rating: 3 out of 10 

My Review of The Lost Boys (1987)

 

Written by Janice Fischer And James Jeremias And Jeffrey Boam

Directed by Joel Schumacher 

Grandpa: "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach; all the damn vampires."

With Autumn fast approaching, I'm definitely in the mood for some vampire flicks and one of the best would be this gem from the late 1980s, directed by Joel Schumacher. 

Focusing on a single mother - Lucy Emerson (Dianne Wiest) and her sons, Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim). They move to Santa Carla in order to live with Lucy's father (Barnard Hughes) and it's not long before they learn that their new town has some secrets of its own.

Notably the vampire population but it's the brothers who learn of this first. With Michael, he met a girl named Star (Jami Gertz). Star happened to be a vampire and so did her friends, David (Kiefer Sutherland), Paul (Brooke McCarter), Dwayne (Billy Wirth) and Marko (Alexander Winter). It didn't take Michael long to become one as well.

Then there's Sam. He's a massive comic book nerd but not much of a horror fan. He met up with the Frog brothers - Edgar (Corey Feldman) and Alan (Jamison Newlander). They brought Sam up to speed about vampires and were not best pleased upon learning that Michael was one of them. Still, they were handy to have around for this movie.

As for Lucy, she was mostly exasperated by her sons being different now they were in a new town. She was also trying to start a relationship with local man, Max (Edward Herrmann). Max seemed like a nice guy but looks can be deceiving.

Max being the head of the vampires was a nice twist but obvious. Wanting Lucy to be the mother of his made family was also expected. Grandpa being the one to set things back to normal before casually dropping that he knew about vampires all along. That I didn't expect. Good reveal though.

- Being invited into a home can make vampires immune to garlic and holy water. Michael, Star and Laddie reverted to normal at the end.

- Sam was something of a DC fan, specifically Superman. Eight years after this movie Joel Schumacher would direct Batman Forever and then Batman & Robin.

- Standout music: Good Times by INXS and Jimmy Barnes, Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys) by Lou Gramm and People Are Strange by Echo And The Bunnyman.

- Chronology: 1980s Santa Carla, California.

The Lost Boys lives up to its reputation. It's a fun vampire movie with great characters, some nice scare moments and scenes that are genuinely funny. A very enjoyable movie.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Practical Magic (1998)

 

Written by Robin Swicord And Akiva Goldsman And Adam Brooks

Directed by Griffin Dunne

Sally Owens: "I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for."

With an unexpected sequel currently filming, it was time to go back and watch this movie. I watched it once in my teens but never felt compelled to watch again. Then they announced a sequel, so I'm watching this again.

The movie opened in the past with Maria Owens (Caprice Benedetti) surviving the locals trying to kill her for being a witch. Dealing with heartbreak, Maria also cast a spell never to fall in love again. That spell had it's own consequences such as dooming any man that would fall in love with an Owens woman.

Cut to more recent times and you've got sister duo, Sally (Sandra Bullock/Camilla Belle) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman/Lora Anne Criswell). Their parents are killed and they go live with their eccentric aunts Frances (Stockard Channing) and Bridget Owens (Dianne Wiest). How Sally and Gillian would differ with magic certainly made things interesting.

Sally's use of magic had get a husband named (Mark Feuerstein) and two daughters, Kylie (Evan Rachel Wood) and Antonia (Alexandra Artrip). However the family curse struck, Michael died and Sally swore off magic for good. That didn't stop the locals from gossiping about the Owens family.

As for Gillian, she lived a lot more recklessly with her magic. Her choice in romantic partners was diabolical. Gillian's current boyfriend, James Angelov (Goran Visnjic) was not only physically abusive towards Gillian but he was also a serial killer. Jimmy ended up being killed twice by Gillian and Sally and then found a way to control over Gillian's body.

In between sisterly conflict, body possession and a detective named Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn), we did have a community bonding together in order to flush out a very dangerous man. This movie wore it's feminist themes on its sleeves but it worked during that third act team up. 

- Griffin Dunne revealed that the studio stopped the film from being much darker than intended. The drunk scene was real thanks to Nicole Kidman.

- This movie wasn't a financial hit but it has drawn a cult audience and the sequel will come out next year.

- Standout music: Faith Hill's This Kiss, Harry Nilsson's Coconut and Stevie Nicks Crystal.

- Chronology: 1600s and the 1990s in a small Massachusetts town.

While Practical Magic doesn't quite hit the heights of other witch themed movies for me, it's a fairly enjoyable one nonetheless. I think Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman elevate it a bit.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Peacemaker: "The Ties That Grind"

 

Written And Directed by James Gunn 

Peacemaker (Other): "Who the fuck are you?"

Peacemaker: "I can explain."

Can you believe it's been a month since Superman (2025) debuted in theatres and now we're on to our third DCU entry in less than a year? Where the hell does the time actually go, huh?

My initial plan for the second season of Peacemaker was to watch the whole season and then do one blog on it like I did with the first season. As you can tell I changed my mind about that one. As for this opening episode, it certainly had a lot to go on.

From the rather brisk way it chose to tackle the DCEU/DCU canon debate, it just swapped out the Justice League for the Justice Gang. Peacemaker aka Christopher Smith (John Cena) wanted to join up but Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) were more interested in making fun of Peacemaker than signing him up as a member of their group.

You'd think saving the world from the Butterflies and exposing Task Force X would've made things better but the exact opposite happened. Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) has become unemployed and dumped by her wife. On the other hand, she did seem happy to be around both Peacemaker and John Economos (Steve Agee) in the few scenes they share together.

Someone arguably having a shitter time though would be Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland). She's been blacklisted from every government job going and she's got a worse dose of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, she got into a rather bloody barfight and there's a lingering "will they/won't they" arc with Peacemaker that I'm indifferent to for now.

Getting back to Peacemaker, he's been messing around his father's portals and attracting the attention of Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo) and Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez). More concerning was stepping into a world where Chris inadvertently killed the heroic version of himself after spending time with heroic versions of Auggie (Robert Patrick) and Keith (David Denman) also known as the Top Trio. Safe to say that Christopher fucked up real good this time around.

- The scene with the Justice League last season got replaced in the recap with the Justice Gang, plus Superman and Supergirl. David Corenswet, Milly Alcock and Edi Gathegi didn't physically appear though.

- Maxwell Lord was really rude about White Rabbit (Brey Noelle) and Guy Gardner was a tad biphobic about Peacemaker. Rick Flag Sr has replaced Amanda Waller at ARGUS.

- Peacemaker in the other world did date Harcourt but she's with a "jar head" right about now. Peacemaker in our world hosted an orgy where one male licked his face.

- Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) and Eagly had the least amount to do and the credit scene was an extended diss about a former DCEU actor's band.

- Standout music: Foxy Shazam's Oh Lord made up the new title sequence song. It's gonna take a while to get used to it. 

- Chronology: Six months since the events of the previous season. Events from both Creature Commandos and Superman (2025) are referenced too.

The Ties That Grind certainly got things off to a heck of a start. It's a chaotic opener with a few reflective moments and James Gunn at his most signature if that makes any sense. If you liked the first season, then you'll like this.

Rating: 8 out of 10