There’s a trailer going around the web today for The Conjuring, a new horror movie from Saw and Insidious director James Wan, that’s rightly being buzzed about on account of being more than just the usual collection of creepy kids and loud noises and jump cuts. It shows very little, but manages to create actual tension. I give precious few f*cks about modern “horror” movies, but even I have to give this one credit for looking intriguing. Or at least competent.
Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. Based on a true story, “The Conjuring” tells the horrifying 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 terrifying case of their lives. [Apple]
Still, I can’t get past the 1:01 mark. “BASED ON A TRUE STORY.” Really? Right after a scene where a ghost pops out of a closet and claps? What part of a ‘true story’ was this based on? What possible meaning could the word “true” even have in this context? What is the point of this title card? Does it really contribute anything? The movie looks okay, but to me the most disturbing part of this trailer is watching them slowly murder English. This is language torture porn.
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this dude makes some good movies like Insidious and Saaw I it’s the sequels where he fucks up. This looks like a really fun horror film btw
Wan didn’t have a damn thing to do with the sequels, his writing partner co-wrote the second one but that was it.
Oh I see, well then good! He has a better track record than I thought
The Coen’s did “based on a true story” best in Fargo, when they completely lied about it just to f*ck with people.
It’s like the Oscars of horror films. All that self-applause…
Seems to be just a woman facing a ghostly manifestation of her gonorrhea.
This is actually a “Say Anything” sequel. After all those songs, Joe’s finally comin home to roost, y’all.
Two thoughts.
1) Good to see Lili Taylor back in the mix.
2) Nice frigging exposition. “YOU TOOK YOUR BLINDFOLD OFF! I WIN! I WAS IN CHRISTINE AND NANCY’S ROOM! I WASN’T IN THE CLOSET WHERE YOU WERE LOOKING! YOU MUST OF HEARD SOMETHING BUT IT WASN’T ME BECAUSE I WAS ELSEWHERE SO IT WASN’T ME IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE!”
Yeah, Lily Taylor should be on more stuff.
You mean you know some kids that don’t repeat every thing five times in one sentence? Where are they and can I adopt one?
“The Conjuring” is the name of a Megadeth song, so my guess is the ghosts are full-on into metal, and the hauntings are brought on by the kids in the house listening to KIng Diamond and snorting coke off a Ouija board.
How do they get away with saying it’s a true story? I’ve always been curious.
Based on a true story of the retelling of a made up story? Guess it’s a bit long for the poster.
Because they aren’t saying it’s based on facts. Truth is a man-made nonsensical concept.
Phew I had almost gone the day without learning anything.
Thanking You
Actually, it’s the term “based on” that’s relevant here because quite frankly, anything can be based on anything. No movie ever says “THIS IS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!!!” because then they’d have a problem when they make shit up.
But as far as “based on” goes, I could base a Horror movie on a spooky late night visit to the bathroom I once had. Who cares.
Ahhh… Filmdrunk. The movie blog where seemingly well told ghost stories and the occult are instant snark and mockery fodder, but Wes Anderson’s hipstery whimsey and steakhead MMA fighting are things to be praised and enjoyed.
I’m pretty sure Vince applies snark equally, across the board. He has his favorite things in life, but who doesn’t?
“Based on a true story” is a stupid phrase in this context and you are an idiot if you don’t see that.
Stupid how? What context? Understanding the context requires that you’ve actually read up on the surrounding events. I’m 100% doubting you read anything past the comments on the hosting site.
Yes, please, let me read up on the science and history of clapping ghosts. I’m sure I’m totally out of my element commenting without that knowledge.
“We made a movie based on some crazy-ass shit some nimrods said happened” is more accurate than “based on a true story.” I had the same complaint about Passion of the Christ.
And being a “world-renowned paranormal investigator” is kind of like calling yourself the best phrenologist around.
Also, I spent the whole first paragraph laying out the “seemingly well-told ghost story” aspect (as you say it), before I even got into my hatred of the “based on a true story” marketing trope. It’s like you have some cognitive dissonance when presented with a nuanced opinion.
I’m not saying this ghost stuff is real. But the whole “based on a true story” angle is, in that the people the movie is based on and their claims which constitute the plot of the film do exist, and it’s well documented.
Saying this is not “based on a true story” is liek saying the movie JFK is not “based on a true story” just because Oliver Stone went off on a conspiracy tangent with it.
Where *isn’t* the occult instant mockery fodder, besides the Jindal household? Can I get homemade mockery fodder? Who huffed all my refrigerator freon, and why is his soul still dancing? #questions
I don’t think Oliver Stone should get to say “based on a true story” for JFK, either.
Dave Chappelle’s Rick James sketch was freebased on a true story.
I think my gripe really is that Vince’s contemptuous mockery for corny ghost stories comes following his looking forward to seeing this giant load of crap:
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look, vince gets under my skin as much as the next guy with his awful opinions. but loving MMA ain’t one of them.
Are you guys ashamed that you keep visiting Filmdrunk?
And I’m So Excited looks amazing.
No. It really doesn’t. It looks like the gay version of this: [www.youtube.com]
I seriously enjoyed Insidious so I’ll give this a shot. The true story marketing crap doesn’t bother me very much because horror is far from the only genre that abuses the hell out of that stupid concept. But yeah that was awkwardly placed in the trailer. And yes as a genre, horror is 90% abhorrently lazy crap, but that 10% that isn’t, can seriously shine. Wan has shown that he can tell decent scary stories without using cgi or pointless gore as a crutch. If he’s writing and directing, that’s reason enough for me to check this out.
The true story it’s based on must be the commercial for the Clapper. I’m guessing the sequels will feature Vince the ShamWow Guy and Billy May rising from the grave.
My only real issue is with ALL trailers. They all show you way too much of the movie. Tell me they didn’t just screw up two of the more suspenseful scenes in the movie by showing them to you now.
I know it’s all about baiting people in, but if I think you’re showing me everything in the trailer, i won’t go.
It still looks more historically accurate than Argo or Braveheart.
Ha. THIS.
Even John Edward thinks Ed and Lorraine Warren are frauds.
THANKS, OBAMA.
this looks really well done. i just wish Lili Taylor wasn’t in it. she’s the fucking worst.
This basically just looks like every horror movie from the past 5 years.
“What should the title be?”
“How’s about ‘The Clappening’”
“I love that we can write while we’re on cocaine!”
The true story of two Hollywood execs coming up with a quick money grab after a Wednesday night at the strip clubs.
I’m hoping by the end of the movie it just turns into a musical with ghostly jazz hands.
What? Was there more than “Who’s ever is down there?” That’s fine. Who so ever is down there stop with your shit… what’s wrong with that?