REVIEW – THE CONJURING (2013)

It's already halfway through the year and people started talking about the movie, well yes, still Hollywood movies, from a variety of genres, including a recent movie of this one genre: horror / thriller, which has received much attention so far.. The Conjuring .. was touted as the scariest movie in 2013 .. Who’s not tempted to watch it?

Dir: James Wan (saw, Insidious); Starring: Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel, Orphan) and Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy, Insidious) as the Warrens and Ron Livingston (HBO’s “Band of Brothers”) and Lili Taylor (Public Enemies) as Roger and Carolyn Perron, Joey King (Crazy, Stupid, Love), Shanley Caswell (Detention), Haley McFarland (TV’s “Lie to Me”), Mackenzie Foy (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn), and newcomer Kyla Deaver play the Perrons’ five daughters, and Sterling Jerins (World War Z) is the Warrens’ little girl, Judy, residents of the house. 15 cert, 112 min.

The Conjuring, the new horror film from James Wan, has been the American box office success story of the summer: over there, it has taken almost $87 million in two weeks with budget  $13 million (estimated), leaving the likes of Pacific Rim and The Lone Ranger lumbering in its wake. Based on a 'true story', The Conjuring follows a family that move into a big rundown house in Rhode Island. Parents Carolyn and Roger (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor) and their five daughters begin to experience strange occurrences in the house like doors opening and closing and portraits falling off the wall. It isn't long before things take a turn for the sinister and they go to renowned paranormal investigators Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) for help. They move into the house to in hopes of discovering the source of the disturbance and helping the Perrons before it's too late.

Now, let's make it easy, I divide this film into 3 scenes: 1. Introduction; 2. Middle groove;  3. Ending. I can’t say that the whole movie was so slow, I just feel the proportion of 3 parts that we are talking about is not so balanced. Understandable for cuts in part 1, well we're watching a horror movie, instead of a story about the happiness of the Perron family. This part, the story of Annabelle was so dominating. For part 2 to 3, it became awkward in my mind. We moved quickly to part 2 where strange things begin to happen, and you know what? I think we were allowed to stay in that part for a long time, a bit too long until we start to guess the end of the film, some audiences may have guessed. People are given time to build up expectations. So, based on part 2, sorry to say that I did not get a good climax at the end. (7.8)

Real Annabelle at left, fake but creepier one on the right.

The plot was actually predictable but it was not that boring. The actors and actresses also play their roles well. I think the best is Vera Farmiga and Lili Taylor next to her. I can’t say much about Ron Livingston because I did not really feel the emotion in him, in contrast with Lili. A bit wondering about the selection of Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren, not something bad because he performed well however, and is the perfect opponent for Vera who looks so steeped in her role. I may just be affected by his role in "Insidious". While Vera, she even had her own observation with the real Loraine Warren. (8.0) Next, compliments for the videography! The movements flow smoothly from scene to scene, spoiling my eyes. When there are moments of silence in some scenes, the image filled it well. Scene that I still do not understand its existence is when Ed and Lorraine were explaining the source of the sound of the floor to the husband and wife on the roof of the house, which at that time I thought that they were Roger and Carolyin. Odd, because a few minutes later Carolyn appeared that for the first time introduce herself to Ed and Lorraine. Just wondering what is the function of this scene, is simply to state that "there is always a rational explanation for any strange occurrences in the house"? (8.6)

I see the effort in the selection of costumes and properties, yet somehow if traced in, I do not feel that I really was in the 70s, but I have to say that the whole costume colors used have contributed to the overall tone. Make-up, everything looks perfect, especially when Bathsheba pervaded Carolyn. Anyway, the white GMC moving truck that pulls in behind the family station wagon when they first arrive at the house in 1971 wasn't available until 1973. (7.0)

Talking about the house, I liked the over all set design of this film, a large house on a large area, without neighbors, a lake in the backyard with wooden dock. Plus that makes it more powerful is the presence of a large tree used by Batsheba to kill herself. Not so exposed as in the commercial poster, but the message is still delivered well. Sight around the house is so beautiful, in contrast with the poster! Not that scary, until we get into the house, where the atmosphere changed instantly.(8.7) In a perfect way, the sound effects used throughout the film could really blend with the atmosphere that is built visually, not over or even under-used. (9.0)

So, for all the points I got from watching The Conjuring, yes it's scary, but not the typical fear that I will take it out of the movie theater. I was actually more wondering about the scenes that I have seen. And obviously this is not the scariest one in 2013, at least according to my version. So looking forward to watch Insidious 2 and see if it will make The Conjuring as an introductory film only from James Wan. 

Average points: 8.1; Rate **** of 5.

Some scenes from The Conjuring...

(Movie review by prayudiutama)

INTERVIEW - Marco Pancrazi (Actor)

Marco Pancrazi is an Italian Actor. He was born in Tivoli, close to Rome, on October 23, 1983. He attended the Institute of Technology in Tivoli, Italy. He received a degree in Sport Sciences from the Italian University Sport and Movements "I.U.S.M.", of Rome, Italy, in 2007. Marco started with Martial Arts young at twelve years old, practicing Viet Vo Dao, and getting the 3rd Dang in 2011. Ever, since he was young, he always loved extreme sports. He practiced various disciplines including Parkour, Freerun, Gymnastics, Breakdance, Snowboard, Motocross, Horse Riding, Fencing, and many others. Marco's onscreen career began in 2004, working as a stuntman. He got jobs in great movies, with nice directors and good actors. 

Interview with Marco Pancrazi...

-   You have decided to move from Italy to London, and then you moved again to LA to pursue your professional career as an actor, what the first response you get from people who are close to you about your moving to LA since I think it is a very brave thing to do?

It wasn’t good at the beginning. First of all, most of them, they didn’t agree with my decision to close my stunt career, as my parents as well. But I can understand them, cause it wasn’t easy for me as well. I really felt that was over, and I had to give to Acting a place of privilege, and until that moment I couldn’t, cause my stunt job took me a lot of time… in that period I was on top of that… one of the most prolific stuntman in Italy. It was an amazing period of my life, It gave me a lot, and I don’t regret that… but it was over. I’ve had to move on and embrace my real passion.

Marco Pancrazi - Reel 2012

-    I saw a recap of the roles you've played through a video “Reel 2012” and seems you really enjoy and have a special passion in roles that require more psychological side. Do you feel the same?

You’ve completely got it. That’s my genre, I love psychological roles, with a little bit of action, but still having that deep layer, which is amazing for an Actor, you can play with the character, make strong choices and really enjoy it.

-   'The Labyrinth' - 2011 National Film Challange, within 72 hours, mean you had not much time, then you had to trick yourself completely in this role, physically and mentally. How did you handle yourself in that role, as Francis Tucker? What preparation did you do before you started shooting? What was the particular challenge in taking on this character?

That was a challenge. So, in the first moment, my biggest fear was building a good and real character, in just few hours… but, I think we did a great job, and also if now, watching it again and again, I’d make different choices, I’m still proud and happy of what I did in that small time. Also because, I had a great Director, Alfonso Bergamo, and other amazing Actors with me, see Craig Peritz and Mario Paradiso Jr., and together we did a great job. Very soon we understood that the real problem wasn’t the character but the time. So, the real challenge of that experience was that the screenwriters wrote all night and till 7am in the morning I did have the script. We had to be ready at 10am. When I got the script I also knew that Alfonso wanted to shot in English and I didn’t expect that. So I had just 2 or 3 hours for memorizing all the lines, and work with Craig about the right pronunciation, cause at that time my English was like zero. On top of that, 80 % of the movie was a Long Take, so we couldn’t make any mistake during the shooting, otherwise we should start again from the beginning. It wasn’t that easy, but at the end, I think we brought home a nice Long Take of 6 minutes.

-    Was it fun to play?

It was so fun!!! You know, is really amazing when they allow you to do things that normally you can’t do in real life. That’s one of the amazing things that means to be an Actor. 

-   Would you say the physical demands of this film are the greatest that you’ve faced on a movie set?

Yes, without any doubt, it is. It was a dangerous mix, the hard genre, the hard character, which need time for building it in the right way, the Long Take of 6 minutes, that Alfonso wanted at any costs, the “three floors” set, that was in an old mental hospital in very bad condition, and on top of that, we had just 72 hours for: writing, shooting, editing and send to the festival. A very great and hard experience. So proud of being part of that. 

-    How hard was this role on you psychologically?

   The hard part was the end, when I was shooting the dialog with Craig Peritz, the psychiatrist. I used part of my real life, thoughts, for going so deeply, I can say that probably he did the same, and it was so awkward… in that moment I really felt to be Francis Tucker, building a really strong bond with him. 

-   Is there anything in particular you learned from Alfonso Bergamo which is still very useful today?

His determination to be himself, faithful to his point of you and his way to make movie. Don’t being part of the crowd but following his instincts every time. He is great for this.

Marco Pancrazi - 'The Labyrinth' 2011

-   This character is a departure from your usual roles as a stuntman. Did you enjoy your transformation as an actor? How do you see and respond to this transformation in your career? Is this a point that you always dreamed of?

I can’t say it was my departure, cause I already did other roles as an Actor before “The Labyrinth”, but for sure was an important moment of my career, because it was my first movie after my decision of quitting with my stunt life, which was during “Twice Born, 2011”. Also if I was a bit sad, I really enjoyed that moment, in which I understood it was my last movie as a stuntman. I’ll never forgive that Sunset. In that moment I was finally ready to take the risk of something new, of something that I always dreamed of. I felt it was the right choice. 

-   For those who may have recently started following his career. How old were you when you started acting?

I started working in the movie industry as a stuntman when I was 20. And I started taking my first Acting lessons when I was 23, with Frida Bruno, a great Actress graduated at the Italian National Academy of Dramatic Art. 

-    Winning the Oscar is probably the thing that will always coveted by everyone in the film industry. How about you? An award, is it a proof to others, or more to yourself?

Winning an Oscar is my dream, for sure. But not because after that I’ll start saying: “Ok, now I’m the best, and bla, blab bla…”, I’m not that kind of person. I think humility is the most important quality a human being has to have. It’ll mean just a gift for myself, for my inner child, something that remember me, how many sacrifices I did for reach it, how many strong choices, how many tears and blood… just something for saying: “Thanks Marco, we did it. Thanks for have never gave up”.

A story of transition of the mind and psyche of a "Joker" played by Marco. Captured in the form of photo series by photographer Luciana Ognibene.

-    Your Project in 2013?

I have a couple of projects coming up, but I don’t want to talk about them, I never do it… against bad luck. I just can say that one of them is a good movie, in which I will have a strong role, the antagonist, for whom I have to lose more or less 30 pounds. A pedophile, drugs addicted, in the worst period of his life. I’m so excited… It’ll be a great challenge. 

So, that's VA interview with Marco Panrazi, or also known as Mark Andy. Closing our conversation, he also told us about an Italian Theater Play, where he will take the role, “The Longest Hour”, wrote and directed by a great Italian Actor. “The project is in pre-pre-production and still translating the text in English, so it’s not going to be on stage at least for another 6 or 8 months. The idea is to be on stage with it, first of all in Off- Broadway, and then Miami and Los Angeles. I will keep you update about that.”

Get to know more about Marco, including the films in which he has been involved, visit his official website and his IMDb page now! Links, we provide you below...

Marco Pancrazi for VOTREART 3rd Anniversary

Source:

www.marcopancrazi.com

Marco Pancrazi - IMDb