The Conjuring 2 (2016) #432

Three years after the stellar original hit the theaters in 2013, the highly anticipated sequel to "The Conjuring" has finally arrived. Although we were given "Annabelle" to whet our pallet until now, that film ultimately left viewers feeling somewhat disappointed. So does "The Conjuring 2" live up to expectations? The answer is yes and almost; "The Conjuring 2" is a great horror film but didn't hit the adrenaline as hard as the original did. When directly compared to the original, there are fewer and less effective scares. As a stand alone film, which the movie is able to do if you have not seen the original, "The Conjuring 2" is still successful at adapting a story based on true events and a great way to be introduced to Ed and Lorraine Warren.

One of the best parts of watching "The Conjuring 2" is seeing Patrick Wilson ("Insidious" and "Bone Tomahawk") and Vera Farmiga ("The Bates Motel" return as Ed and Lorraine Warren. They have such great chemistry together and can really believe that they are the famous pair. Patrick is easily one of my favorite horror movie actors and I would love to see Vera in more big screen horror films as well. Joining the cast is Frances O'Connor ("Mercy"), who plays the single mother with four children, one who is haunted by an spirit. Another great part is having James Wan ("Saw", "Insidious", and "The Conjuring") return to the horror genre after directing the action film "Furious 7" (another great film!). He kept the film at an even pace and tried to push the story just enough, having admitted that there is only so much you can do when the story is based on real events.

That story that inspired "The Conjuring 2" is none other than the Enfield Haunting, one of the most documented supernatural occurrences ever. In 1977, Janet Hodgson, was possessed by a spirit who claimed that it's name was Bill Wilkins, an old man that had died in the house that Janet and her family now lived in. Various supernatural events took place in the house which involved family before Ed and Lorraine were requested to help determine if those same events were a hoax or not. The Warrens were recently in the limelight after being a part of the investigation with the Amityville Haunting. 

The film does a wonderful job in telling the tale of the Enfield Haunting while fleshing out further backstory for the Warrens and the dangers that their profession held. I'm excited for when I get to watch both films back to back at home and really compare notes.

Mercy (2014) #402

"Mercy" is another film that has been adapted from a short story by Stephen King originally titled "Gramma" ; these little gems will be coming to light for many more years to come. It has his feel about it, from the names of the characters to their familiar relationships. The movie stars Chandler Riggs (Carl from "The Walking Dead") as George, a young boy who is close with his grandmother Mercy. Chandler delivers a fine performance and carries the movie well while supported by Dylan McDermott and Frances O'Connor. What I liked most about this film is that it embraced the fact that it was dealing with supernatural elements unlike other movies in recent years that seem to through supernatural aspects into the plot for a surprise twist or for an easy ending.

George is the only relative that seems to love and get a long with his grandmother Mercy. George enjoys spending time with her and listening to her stories and advice, and then teasing his older brother with the stories that haunt their family history. After Mercy has a stroke and is forced out of the nursing home, George's mother brings George and his brother with her back to her childhood home to take care of Mercy. Strange events begin to take place that directly affect George's mother and her two siblings, as well as George's brother and even an old flame of his mom's. George discovers that witchcraft, spirits, and even a spell book are all apart of Mercy's past. But what will this mean for him and his family?